Our Mission
The Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale (OOTC) preserves, explores, performs, and educates its singers and the community about traditional African American spirituals and contemporary choral and instrumental compositions and/or arrangements by African Americans and other musicians of the diaspora. It also increases opportunities for the exploration and education of this music by offering free lessons to youth through its Instructional Program.
About Us
The Willis C Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale
The Willis C.Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale, established in 1969, is named for its founder and director Willis C. Patterson, an Ann Arbor native and U-M Professor Emeritus. The Chorale has performed extensively in the greater Ann Arbor area, and throughout Michigan and beyond. With a culturally diverse membership with individuals from the greater Ann Arbor area, representing varied careers and a wide range of musical experience, the Chorale is committed to the preservation and performance of traditional African American spirituals as well as contemporary choral compositions written and/or arranged by African American composers and musicians. The Chorale also works to raise funds for the Our Own Thing Instructional Program (OOTIP). These instructional offerings take place in the Community Church of God in Ypsilanti.
Founded in 1968, the Instructional Program provides free instruction in the arts, both vocal and instrumental, rental of musical instruments, and scholarships to area youngsters who would otherwise be unable to afford the opportunity to study music. The Chorale is an outgrowth of the Instructional Program.In the past 46 years, over 1,000 middle and high school students have received the advantages of this opportunity. The Instructional Program currently continues to work with students at all ability levels. Several graduates have become recognized performers, teachers of the arts, and arts professionals at every level both domestically and internationally.
our own thing chorale Director
LaVonté L. Heard
LaVonté L. Heard is a sought-after clinician, having done masterclasses worldwide, reaching youth of all backgrounds. He is a dedicated Educator, serving as a music teacher in the Lansing School District and then the Arts Program Development Specialist. Mr. Heard transitioned out of Lansing Schools into the private sector in 2019 and founded Transcendence Vocal Arts Institute, which has grown in emphasis to become the Transcendence Performing Arts Centers, Inc., a growing network of schools and studios in Lansing, MI, and nationally. Mr. Heard's students have been heard in Concert Halls worldwide, including Carnegie Hall, the American Church in Paris, and the Municipal House in Prague, Czech Republic.
Mr. Heard has been lauded worldwide for his versatility in his Classical and "fiery" Gospel performances. "A thundering tenor" is how he was described by a well-wisher after his performance with the Jeremy Winston Chorale in Hamburg, Germany. His career has taken him all over the world, singing with the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, Bach Society of Dayton, Czech National Symphony Orchestra, Flint Symphony, and Sphinx Virtuosi. He has appeared in China, Europe, South America, and the United States. Carnegie Hall (New York), Severance Hall (Cleveland, OH), Lincoln Center (New York), Kennedy Center (Washington DC), Dome of Salzburg (Salzburg, Austria), Schloss Mirabell (Salzburg, Austria) Municipal House (Prague, Czech Republic) are among the many concert halls and venues where Heard has appeared.
Mr. Heard is a proud member of Exigence Vocal Ensemble, founded by Eugene Rogers and the Jeremy Winston Chorale International. He is also affiliated with the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the National Association of Negro Musicians, the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, and the Earl Nelson Singers Company of Lansing, MI. He is a graduate of The Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, with a degree in Vocal Performance. He received a Master of Education Degree in Educational Leadership degree from Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, MI, and a Master's Degree in Choral Music Education from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He is currently a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at Central Michigan University.
our own thing chorale accompanist
Lamar Willis
Mr. Lamar Willis is a dynamic organist, pianist, producer and choir director with over 25 years of experience. He is currently the Minster of Music at Derrick Memorial Baptist Church, Music Director for the Legendary Martha Reeves and a member of “Notorious,” a notable Detroit entertainment music ensemble. Mr.Willis is also the President of Willis Entertainment Group LLC providing musical instructions for individual and groups in the the disciplines of piano and voice. He also collaborates as a producer, creating back tracks for his clients and preparing songs for mastering. Mr. Willis continues to collaborate with a host of notable musicians and musical groups. Mr. Willis also served as a member of the Detroit Classical Roots Advisory board for the DSO.
instructional program director
Donna Smith
Donna's was born into a musical family. Her grandmother played piano into her late 80's. Her mother received her bachelor and Master of Music degrees from U of M with concentrations in voice, organ, and piano and worked as a musician until she was 85. Donna's mother was her first piano teacher, and her Dad was constantly playing recordings of violin concertos and symphonies.
As a child, Donna spent two months at Interlochen's National Music Camp when she was six. There she studied piano and violin, played in an orchestra for the first time and attended live performances six nights a week! That experience, along with her strong musical roots, set her on a musical trajectory that she has never left.
After high school, Donna studied music at U of M and EMU. She became a tenured music educator in AAPS assigned primarily to instrumental music, but also spent some time in general and choral music positions. Donna loves singing and, among many experiences, has served as the Choral Recording Director for Friends Theological Seminary in Kaimosi, Kenya; a Choir Member and Soloist at Vancouver United Church of Christ in Vancouver, WA; the Chancel Choir President at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church in Detroit; and as a Second Soprano at First Presbyterian Church in Ann Arbor, MI.
instructional program MSTARS Coordinator
LaTonya Woods
LaTonya Woods has enjoyed a portfolio career. Holding a bachelor’s in business administration from Eastern Michigan University, she began her collegiate career at the University of Michigan in the School of Music, Theater, and Dance with a major in viola performance and education. She currently works for the University of Michigan as a senior business systems analyst in the Information and Technology Services department.
As a violinist and violist, she has performed with Grammy award winning artists, spanning the genres of classical, R&B and gospel, including Stevie Wonder, Midori and Marvin Winans. She is featured on recordings with critically acclaimed gospel artists, Donnie McClurkin, Richard Smallwood and has performed with award winning, Detroit based world music ensemble, Musique Noire. She continues to perform throughout the metro Detroit area, has been a member of Dexter Community and Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestras.
A passionate music educator and administrator, she has served as an instructor in the Ann Arbor Public Schools, and on the faculty of the Sphinx (Organization) Preparatory Program and Michigan State University Community Music School of Detroit. In her administrative capacities, she has worked with the Sphinx Organization in a variety of capacities, most recently as the program manager for the LEAD Program.
She currently serves on the boards of the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance Alumni Association, and the University of Michigan Medical School Institutional Review Board (IRBMED). She is inspired and invigorated by Our Own Thing's mission and community engagement, and is eager to bring her experience and passion to the organization.