06/01/2026
+ Parish Profile: Bree Sprangers +
Bree Sprangers loves listening to the music of composer John Williams and talented singers like Meghan Trainor and Ed Sheeran.
But what she embraces even more is helping her students develop their own passion for music and grow as singers throughout the school year.
“I absolutely love watching them blossom,” said Bree, who’s concluding her third year as the music teacher at St. Clare Catholic School. “I’ll bring them songs I can see them doing, but they’re not easy for them right away. And by the time the concert comes it’s, ‘Ah ha, we can do that!’ I just love seeing their growth and how they learn that love for music just like I did.”
Bree recently oversaw another successful Spring Concert featuring St. Clare students from all grade levels. She also coordinates the school’s Christmas concert.
“I think my favorite part of the year is the concerts,” she added. “I love seeing my students shine and be proud of the work they’ve done.”
Bree teaches choral music two days each week at St. Clare to students in kindergarten through eighth grade; she also works with preschoolers as concerts near. In addition, she works 2½ days each week at Holy Spirit Catholic School in Darboy – teaching general music to students in 4K through fifth grade and directing the middle school band.
Born and raised in Brillion, Bree developed a passion for music early on. She was a member of the TAG (Talented And Gifted) Choir in grades 3-5. Before the start of sixth grade, she began learning to play piano and flute. Over the next few years she added saxophone and bass guitar, while also maintaining her role in the school choir. By her junior year of high school, Bree knew she wanted to be a music teacher one day.
“I love singing and playing different instruments,” she said. “Each one has been a new challenge.”
In keeping with that mindset, she’s in her fourth year with Sinfonia, an annual fundraiser that benefits the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra and Youth Orchestras. Every year, Sinfonia participants are assigned an instrument in February and they have four months to figure out how to play it. This year she was handed a clarinet. In years past, Bree played the violin, trombone and percussion. Sinfonia’s concert, billed as “a night of awfully good music,” will be June 6 at 7 p.m. at Appleton North High School.
“I’ve always been around music,” said Bree, noting her musical influences came from both sides of her family. Her mother sang and played clarinet, her father played saxophone and her uncle played bass. Her paternal grandmother was a talented piano player as well, and Bree inherited her piano and music library.
After graduating from Brillion High School, Bree took courses at UW-Fox Valley, UW-Green Bay and UW-Oshkosh, where she received her bachelor of arts degree in music. She also earned her teaching licensure through CESA 1.
Bree began teaching music in 2018 at St. Mary in Greenville and St. Rose in Clintonville. During the 2022-23 school year she served as a substitute teacher in Menasha. In fall 2023, she joined St. Clare.
Bree and her husband, Adam, have three children: William, Madilynn and Hailey. William was born in 2019 seven weeks premature and with significant medical complexities. Over the past several years there have been times Bree needed to immediately leave for home to assist with a medical situation. She is grateful for the support shown by colleagues during those tough times.
“I’ve really appreciated that flexibility and love from St. Clare with my son’s medical issues,” she said. “It’s never questioned if I have to leave all of a sudden. I’m extremely grateful to be in Catholic school systems that are so family oriented. I’m very happy where I am.”
Bree has given back, as well. During high school and college, she sang and played various instruments in a praise and worship band at her church for many years. And while serving as a member in that group, she learned about Carpenters Tools International (CTI). In 2010, she participated in a music mission trip with CTI that took her to Honduras for a month. There, she played keyboard in a music ministry praise band, spreading the Gospel through testimonies and music at schools, churches and community events.
During their free time, Bree and her family enjoy fishing, camping, reading and completing diamond art projects.
Thank you Bree for supporting our St. Clare students!
