Dione Peterson Belling, Beau Chant Director, grew up in Worthington, Minnesota and graduated from what was then known as Mankato State University. She began her teaching career as a junior high vocal music teacher in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She went on to become the SF Washington High School choral director leading the choir on many tours and to many performances, including an appearance at the National ACDA Convention in Salt Lake City. She ended her Sioux Falls Public Schools career as the District’s Fine Arts Coordinator. Among her accomplishments is preparing vocalists for Mitch Miller, Kenny Rogers and Henry Charles Smith with the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra.

Susan Oftedahl sings in the choir and assists the choir as the coordinator of performance instrumentalists. Her extensive experience as a performer, teacher and conductor allows her to draw from a large network of musicians. Because of her work the choir performs compositions with the enrichment of a multitude of instrumental colors. 

Deb Wantoch-Yess, section leader and pianist with Beau Chant , is a native of Lake Preston, South Dakota with music degrees from SDSU.  She has done graduate work at Minnesota State University where she currently supervises music student teachers.  She was a music educator in Garretson, SD; Wells, MN; and more recently for 38 years in Waseca, MN.  She is an instructor at Rushmore Music Camp each summer where she is also on the Board of Directors.  She has held leadership positions in ACDA, MMEA, Waseca Chorale and St. John Lutheran Church. Directing music groups, singing, playing piano for area school events, flower gardening, traveling with her husband Curt and spending time with her 5 grown kids and 13 grandkids fills her days since pseudo-retirement in 2021. Making music continues to be her career, her hobby and her passion.