PRESS

OUR CHOIR WAS FOUNDED IN THE FALL OF 2025, SO WE ARE JUST BEGINNING TO GATHER THE ELEMENTS NEEDED FOR A PROPER PRESS KIT. CHECK BACK AS WE ADD PHOTOS, VIDEO, AND MORE! AND DON’T HESITATE TO REACH OUR TO US AT SHAWNEEPRAISE@GMAIL.COM.

OUR MISSION, VISION & COMMITMENTS (condensed version)

Shawnee Peace & Praise is an ecumenical Christian community choir that seeks to build vibrant community and promote well-being and peace through our shared love of music and desire to praise God through singing. We perform an eclectic mix of sacred and inspirational music at concerts & local venues. We seek to contribute in a meaningful way to the common good in our local community, and to bridge differences through the shared language of music.

We do our best to embrace the teachings of Jesus to love God and to love one another, seeking to extend kindness to each other and to the community.  Beyond this, we have no creed, respecting one another’s unique spiritual journey. We welcome all people who love music, and we celebrate our differences, knowing there is strength in diversity united by a common aim: sharing God’s love through music.

We take our inspiration from Psalm 100: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing.

FOUNDER & ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Classically trained singer, voice teacher, spiritual director, and scholar of religion, Dr. Ada Hunter was inspired to start our choir after asking in prayer what she could do to foster hope in these challenging times.

She has been a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing since 2007 and operates a voice studio in Shawnee. She studied music at Oklahoma Baptist University and Oklahoma City University, and privately with a number of teachers, including the famed Julliard & NYC Opera alum Ellen Faull, Carol Lucas of the Portland Opera, and David York, formerly of Oklahoma.

Dr. Hunter earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational Studies from the University of Oklahoma and focused her research on spirituality & education and the intersection of religion, politics, and public schooling. She also earned a Masters in Religion from Oklahoma City University, a Bachelors in Theology and Philosophy from St. Gregory’s University, and certification as a spiritual director from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. Among her many hats, she teaches religion at Oklahoma City University.

An expert in Religious Liberty, her most recent research has been in the area of food security and regenerative agriculture where she blends her work in spirituality and faith. Because her scholarship so frequently deals with religion and politics, she keeps our choir a politics-free zone!

Her studio website is singwellstudio.com.

MEMBERS & MUSIC

We are accompanied by the fabulous pianist Dr. Michael Dean, formerly Oklahoma Baptist University’s Music Department Chair. Dr. Dean, who also runs his own successful piano studio in Shawnee, OK, maintains an active schedule as a national and international performer, clinician, adjudicator, and faculty member at summer institutes throughout North America. He has also served on the faculty at Wheaton College Conservatory. Dr. Dean earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Oklahoma, a Masters from OU, and a Bachelors in Music and Mathematics from Minnesota State University Moorhead. He brings supportive energy to every rehearsal.

Our members live or work in Shawnee and the surrounding communities. Membership is open to all adults, and we welcome new members throughout the year. Members pay for their own sheet music and concert attire, but we currently do not charge dues. Our group is welcoming and casual; rehearsals feel like a gathering of friends. As of October 2025, we are comprised of about 20 singers.

While we sing an eclectic mix of music, we have gospel and contemporary Christian music vibe. Our concerts are family-friendly.

We rehearse on Tuesdays at 6:45pm at First Christian Church in Shawnee, OK (1625 N Broadway). Rehearsals are not open to drop-in guests, but we’ll happily have you visit if you reach out to us in advance.

We are in the process of organizing as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.