Celebrating 25 Years of Nancy Allen
I believe every encounter, every interaction, every person you meet is part of a life journey that leaves a mark on us and defines who we become. Nancy Allen is one of those individuals that has made a mark not only on my life, but hundreds of other lives as well.
My life story gave me the pleasure to cross paths with Nancy over 17 years ago while becoming a student at Viterbo University. From day one, I was instantly able to create a bond, and to this day keep an ongoing relationship with her far beyond my days of sitting in a classroom.
Nancy’s born musical talent is raw, unfiltered and pure genius. She is one who can hear a song, sit at a piano, and play it. She is often the life of the party and her heart is a never-ending melody that will always help someone in need.
April 22nd, 2023 marked the 25th year for Nancy’s extraordinary education career to come to an end. At the university she wore many hats. Not only teaching several music education classes, but also creating Platinum Edition; a collegiate-level Show Choir that would attract many performers throughout the United States.
Outside of school, Nancy is well known throughout the LaCrosse Community. From being a past director of the Apple Annies, conducting the Coulee Chordsmen Barbershop, being a Church Director and more, it’s no surprise that her God given talent was being put to good work.
To continue Nancy’s legacy at Viterbo University, the Nancy Allen '84 Angel Fund was created. If you know Nancy and would like to contribute, you will absolutely know it’s going to a great cause!
Below are some photos from the final Platinum Edition Show. The show was joined by 100+ Alumni who Nancy taught and that have been part of the Platinum Edition family. I think it’s pretty obvious when a student comes back after 25 years to a University to sing on stage for a single professor. There’s no doubt Nancy left a positive mark in that persons life. This shows the love, passion and dedication of all of Nancy’s students.
Since I performed in Platinum Edition, it was always a long standing tradition to sing “We Love You Nancy” to Nancy before a show, after a show, or maybe when she was angry at us because we weren’t listening to her, but nonetheless, it was a great way for us as students to give appreciation to Nancy’s hard work and dedication for us all. Below is a video of all Alumni and the current performers of Platinum Edition singing “We Love You Nancy” on her last show.
Below are two favorite songs performed by any and all members of Platinum Edition.
Nancy was a blast to be around, so when she recruited me along with a couple other guys to sing Barbershop, it was a very easy decision.
After being introduced to the Coulee Chordsmen, we started our own Quartet named 4th Floor. After competing and winning some shows, we added a beat boxer and formed Tonal Impact. Below is a video of our group performing at Nancy’s last show. It had been almost 15 years since we sang together, and as usual, we only practiced about three times before stepping on stage.
I was proud to have sung with some very talented guys. Thank you gentlemen for taking one more step on stage to perform!
Original members of Tonal Impact and 4th Floor: Matthew Curtis, Andrew Dahlberg, Jacob Hustvet, Dustin Oldenburg, and Allen Pruitt.
2023 - Tonal Impact performing Papa was a Rolling Stone
2016 - Tonal Impact performing House of the Rising Sun
