Current Singers

Section:  Alto 1

Season joined: 2003-2004 

Birthplace:  Amityville (yes, THAT Amityville!)  NY

What is your story as a singer? Our family always sang was I was growing up, so singing in school choirs was part of our student lives. Choral music has always been special to me. I  accompanied our high school choir for 3 years, so I looked for opportunities to sing with choruses at Georgetown University, overseas as a foreign service officer, and here in DC when I returned from overseas posts. Performing choral classics in the stunning setting of the National Cathedral always moves me to -- grateful -- tears.

Favorite onstage experience: Singing with Dave Brubeck, one of my jazz superstar favorites! 

What are you listening to these days? Since I have a new car with Sirius XM, I am listening to many different musical genres... jazz, classical, lots of Frank Sinatra (it's his 100th anniversary), Broadway musicals, Top Hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, and country. Great fun!! 

Section: Alto 2

Season Joined: 1983 (auditioned with Paul callaway for his last concert)

Birthplace: Aurora, IL

What is your story as a singer? I sang in my church choir as a child, in high school, and at St. Olaf College. My husband Colin- who also joined CCS in 1983- and I have been fortunate to sing  in addition to our CCS concerts, with the Berkshire Choral Festival (now the Berkshire Choral Institute "BCI") in Salzburg, Edinburg, and Portland, OR, as well as in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires with Norman Scribner and the Choral Arts Society.  Several years ago, we joined Cantori Domino, a small Santa Monica-based Bach choir, for its Central European tour. This past Memorial day (2015), we had the pleasure of singing John Rutter's final Carnegie hall concert, and we will join the National Philharmonic Chorale for its New Year's tour of Germany this  year. Next summer we look forward to singing with BCI in Vienna.  We also continue to sing in our church choir at Bethesda Presbyterian church.

Favorite Onstage Experience: Probably the week of Carmina Burana performances with the Washington Ballet at the Kennedy Center. Other spectacular moments included singing the Verdi Requiem at the magnificent Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires, singing the Marseilles and the 1812 Overture with all the exuberant French people waving huge flags at Wolf Trap on Bastille Day, the moving Lincoln Center performance of Russian works with Dmitri Hvorostovsky (with a huge contigent of Brighton Beach residents weeping as they sang along with the songs from the war years.)...Working with Denis Graves and Dave Brubeck were terrific experiences too. There are so many musical experiences; it's impossilbe to pick A favorite!

What are you listening to these days?  Several weeks ago, we heard Leon Fleischer (one of my heroes) and his wife katherine Jacobson (also a St. Olaf grad) perform Schubert's Fantasy in F Minor and Ravel's La Valse, two of my favorite piano works both for 4 hands. I can't stop listening to them. 

Voice Part: Alto II
Season Joined: 1988/89
Birthplace: Augsburg, Germany
What is your story as a singer? I can't ever remember a time when I wasn't in chorus in elementary school.  I also loved it when we did song and dance programs. I vividly remember sitting in junior high, listening to the high school Madrigal group and saying to my friend that I would be in that group as soon as I was eligible. And I did make it! To this day, I have always been a sucker for a Madrigal group!
A favorite onstage experience? My very favorite CCS experience was singing the Carmina Burana at the Kennedy Center, wearing those weird sacks as monk robes and standing on that scary, but cool, scaffolding, and watching the INCREDIBLE dancing that Septime Weber choreographed. It was awesome!
What are you listening to these days? I have two teenage daughters, so we listen to pop music!
Anything you'd like to add about yourself? My husband and I love our unique status in the Chorus as being the only married couple with children who were born during our time here. There have been many other married couples in the chorus, but no others who can say they have true 'CCS babies'!  

Voice Part: Alto II
Season Joined: 2014-2015 season
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, UT
What is your story as a singer? I began singing in an elementary school choir and was always in a choir through my Senior year of college. I was always trying to out-sing and out-choir my two older, very talented siblings and by joining the CCS, I think I finally won! For now... 
Favorite onstage experience? I toured Europe with the Utah Ambassadors of Music in 2005. We arrived in London the day of the terrorist attack on the London Underground. We had to leave right away and spend a few extra days in Paris instead. Somehow, someone pulled some strings and we were given the opportunity to sing Ave Maria in Notre Dame. It was beautiful and amazing and a feeling I will never forget.
What are you listening to these days?: Florence and the Machine, Haim, If/Then soundtrack 
Anything you'd like to add about yourself? I am a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer - I spent 2 years teaching in Kazakhstan. When I returned I moved here to Maryland and started working as a Project Manager and soon after, married a fellow volunteer who had lived in the city closest to me in KZ. We still love to travel and go on adventures together, but now have the luxury of sleeping in hotels instead of hostels and kind folks' couches.

Section: Alto II

Season joined: 1997-98

Birthplace: Pennsylvania

What is your story as a singer? I was the sixth of seven children, and we sang together so often that a family friend dubbed us "Pennsylvania's answer to the Von Trapp family singers"! Throughout school I sang in every choir I could and enjoyed performing musicals (like Miss Hannigan in Annie!). Now, in addition to CCS, I sing in a band called "The Jane Hathaways" that does old-time, classic country, honkytonk, and an occasional Rolling Stones hit.

Favorite onstage experience: My latest favorite was when we were more 'back stage' than on it: Singing "Voices of Light" (by Richard Einhorn) in the Cathedral's Great Choir, behind a screening of the 1928 film "The Passion of Joan of Arc." Since the orchestra was crammed in between us, I was standing directly next to the cellist, who had haunting solo parts throughout the piece. And I'll never forget watching Reilly -- intensely focused to keep the orchestra, chorus, and multiple soloists in synch with the story -- against the backdrop of the dramatic scenes from the movie playing on the screen behind him.

 What are you listening to these days? A mix: Suspicious Cheese Lords, Lucinda Williams, Bela Fleck, Mother Hips, CeeLo Green and more.

Section: Alto 1

Season joined: Fall 2008

What is your story as a singer? I've loved all kinds of music from as far back as I can remember. My parents started me out with guitar lessons in 4th grade. In my adolescent years, my focus switched from guitar, to trumpet, piano, and clarinet. Piano is my instrument of choice. One of my lifetime goals is to eventually be able to play anything placed in front of me.

I did not become a singer until my last year in college. I was always afraid of the audition process.  Somehow my friends convinced me to sign up. My life was never the same! Choir created such a wonderful, challenging, and friendly atmosphere that I became addicted to singing. After graduation, I looked for a place in the community to sing and found CASF in Frederick. When I needed more of a challenge, I joined the Acapella Showcase choir.  I discovered CCS from a Frostburg alumni get together and fell in love with the challenging, yet beautiful music that was created under our exceptional music staff. All of the choral members have become my second family and I love every minute of it!

Favorite onstage experience: Singing the Messiah with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra with CASF under Elizabeth Schultz, and our Spring 2015 Opera concert!

What are you listening to these days? My music tastes really vary from Opera to death metal. Lately I have been listening to very heavy metal on XM Liquid Metal. Some of my fav. artists are: from various genres (lighter to harder): Renee Fleming, Enya, Greatful Dead, Pink Floyd, Pam Tillis,  the Cure,  Lana del Ray, Tori Amos, Nas, Bone Thungs and Harmony, Tristania, Metallica, Bring me the Horizon.  Fav classical pieces are Rachmaninoff's piano concerto no. 2, Bach's Air for G string.

Voice part: Alto 2
Season Joined: In 1983
Birthplace: Hartford, CT
Background as a singer: Began singing in 5th grade, went to Amherst College (The Singing College).
Favorite Onstage Moment: The Brubeck To Hope! concert was amazing, as was the Carmina Burana with the Washington Ballet where we were on scaffolding dressed as monks--I was very pregnant and it was precarious--at least Catherine put me on end with a handhold!
Anything else you'd like us to know about you: Am on my 3rd career, this time in real estate, although still work as a professional photographer and reformed lawyer on occasion.

Section: Alto I

Season Joined: 2009 - 2010 

Birthplace: St. Paul, Minnesota

What is your story as a singer? I was that 2 year old who knew all the words to all the songs during the children's Christmas concert at my church. I put all those other kids to shame! Since I could sing, I've been in some type of choir.  During my time at Gustavus Adolphus College, I studied voice and sang in the Gustavus Choir under director Greg Aune.  After moving to DC and finishing grad school, I joined CCS.

Favorite Onstage Experience: Getting to sing the Kaddish, featuring the narration of Holocaust survivor, Samuel Pisar, under the direction of John Axelrod.  I'll never forget Pisar's narration and how I felt during that concert.

What are you listening to these days? Most everything with the exception of super twangy country and heavy metal. Some of my favorites include: Coldplay, Imogen Heap, Santigold, Tracy Chapman, and all types of music from the 1940s, 50s, and 60s.

Section: Alto II

Season joined: 2013-14

Birthplace: Washington, DC

What is your story as a singer?  I have sung all my life.  From "Voces Discordes" & "Humditties" before college, to the Yale Glee Club, Yale's Proof of the Pudding and senior group Whim'n Rhythm, and now the Yale Alumni Chorus.  I've also enjoyed joining choruses and choirs all over the world in my overseas stints.  I've sung with the  National University of Singapore Choir and the Singapore Singers.   In my years back in Washington I sang with an acapella group, "Take Note", the Choral Arts Society of Washington, and with the St. Columba choir & singers under the baton of Judith Dodge. 

Favorite onstage experience:   The first concert in 1981 for the newly formed Whim'n Rhythm - a college senior group tradition still going strong after 34 years after a small band of gals formed the group.

What are you listening to these days?  Donizetti's L'esire D'amore, and an eclectic mix of swing, 1980s rock, Lauridsen, Mozart, acapella, Bernstein, and others. 

Section: Alto 1

Season joined: January 2010

Birthplace: Cleveland, Ohio

What is your story as a singer? I have been singing since I was a child, and decided in high school to pursue music business in college.  I trained at the Baldwin-Wallace University Conservatory of Music with JR Fralick, where I enjoyed singing in our renowned Bach Festival each spring.  After college I switched gears and began a career in early childhood education, but something was missing.  After attending a Joy of Christmas concert, and noticing how Reilly interacted with the chorus, I decided to audition so I could reconnect with singing.  Singing with CCS continues to be an intellectual, spiritual, and social joy!

Favorite onstage experience: My first concert with CCS was the St. Matthew Passion (Bach).  I had not sung it before and I joined the choir after rehearsals had begun, which meant a great deal of practice for me at home!  I felt connected to the piece when we sang it, and the powerful performances by the soloists were memorable.  I hope we sing it again!

What are you listening to these days? Cecile McLorin Salvant, Mindy Smith, Yann Tiersen, and Elgar’s Enigma Variations (after hearing it performed live for the first time at an NSO concert)

Voice Part: Alto 1
Season joined: June 2002 - just in time to sing the Verdi Requiem at Wolf Trap!
What is your story as a singer?: I've always loved to sing, since I was a little girl.  I hum anything and everything - from commercials to Bach Unaccompanied Cello suites.  If it's in my head it's going full blast - even if it's only in my head!

Voice Part: Alto 2
Season Joined: 2011/2012
Birthplace: Wadesboro, North Carolina
What is your story as a singer? I was encouraged by my parents to express myself through music-making from a very young age both instrumentally and vocally.  My father is a music lover and former professional musician and my household was a musical one. I began vocal training in high school and was lucky enough to be invited to sing sacred repertoire with a highly regarded nearby college choir.
Once in college on my own, I sang with my school’s chorale, enjoyed a brief stint in musical theatre, and even did a bit of wedding singing. For many years after school I didn’t sing at all outside the shower and the occasional duet with my father. 
After a move to DC, I attended events at the Cathedral and fell in love with not only the place, but the music made there.  Somehow, I finally mustered up the nerve to audition for the CCS, and here I am!
Favorite onstage experience: Performing the Bach B Minor Mass under Reilly Lewis’ direction was truly one of the most moving and fulfilling events of my musical life.
What are you listening to these days?: At the moment, Ockeghem’s Intermerata Dei Mater.  I enjoy early music.
Anything you'd like to add about yourself? I’m an artist working primarily in collage and assemblage, though I do also paint.  In the past I’ve served as an ArtiZen (a kind of junior docent) at the Freer Gallery here in DC.

Section:  Alto 1
Season joined:  1999
Birthplace: Richland, Washington
What is your story as a singer?  I also sing with the NOVA Community Chorus (Alexandria campus) under Dr. Mark Whitmire and with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington Clerestory Choir.
Favorite onstage experience:  Singing Vierne's Messe Solennelle in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, and singing the Britten War Requiem and Bach B Minor Mass at National Cathedral with CCS.  I have also loved singing at Westminster Abbey, Canterbury Cathedral, Gloucester Cathedral, St. Peter's in Rome, St. Mark's in Venice, and the Duomo in Florence.
What are you listening to these days?   Music in a line dancing class and cardio aerobics--the kind of music I have never listened to before.

Voice Part: Alto I
Season Joined: 1972
Birthplace: Washington, D.C.
When did you begin singing? My introduction to the joys of choral singing began in 1958 at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Lincoln, Nebraska, with its graded five-choir system introduced in 1934 by Donald Kettering, author of "Steps Toward a Singing Church," later minister of music at East Liberty Presbyterian in Pittsburgh.
What is your story as a singer? Beginning in the summer of 1962, I sang at National City Christian Church while a White House Intern. Later, I served as assistant to the Minister of Music and  Summer organist-choirmaster. I joined  the Cathedral Choral Society under its legendary founder Paul Callaway in the fall of 1972, in large part as a place to escape the enormous stress of Watergate investigations.
Favorite onstage experience: Sitting below view on the steps into the Cathedral's Canterbury Pulpit as we sang Frank Martin's In Terra Pax, cuing Senator Robert Dole for his spoken interpolations between each movement as he introduced  taped segments  of the voices of World War II: Sir Winston Churchill, General Dwight D. Eisenhower, and Franklin D. Roosevelt in honor of the dedication of the World War Two Memorial in 2004.
What are you listening to these days? Music by composers whose voices were killed or silenced by the Holocaust, particularly Walter Braunfels. Also, French composers Francis Poulenc. Lili Boulanger, Jehan Alain, and Pierre Villette. 
Anything else you would like to share? I love that moment when I see patrons opening our beautiful concert programs to read  the program notes, texts, and translations, I've researched and written so they can more fully enter into the present moment when history and music meet above time and circumstance.

Section: Tenor 2
Season Joined: I joined CCS in 1977 for one season and rejoined in 1986
Birthplace: Petersburg, VA
What is your story as a singer? I sang in school choruses and church choir as a youth, including summer music camps in VA.  At the University of Richmond and under the inspired leadership of Jim Erb, I sang in the Men's Glee Club, the University Choir, and the smaller singing group Schola Cantorum.  With the University Choir we toured Europe in the spring of 1971.  Our tour group of 40 singers continues to have reunions every five years - our 45th reunion is next year.  While living in France in 1973-4, I sang in a university choir and we enjoyed many "weekend chorale."  Uncharacteristically, I didn't join any choral groups while a student at Indiana University!  I have been taking voice lessons for 11 years.
Favorite onstage experience: I have had many favorite onstage experiences with CCS, but most recently probably singing as soundtrack for "The Passion of Joan of Arc."  I'll never forget our performances of Carmina Burana and am looking forward to it again this season.
What are you listening to these days? The Bad Plus and Amy Winehouse's "Back to Black."

Voice Part: Tenor 2
Season Joined: 1987
Birthplace: Harrisburg PA
What is your story as a singer? Jr High Chorus with Mrs. Woodruff, Dominion Junior High, Columbus Ohio. Gave up the trumpet to focus on singing. Sang all through Jr and Sr High (chorus, men's glee, mixed ensemble) and college. Joined CCS right after graduation and have been with it ever since. 
Favorite onstage experience? Missa Solemnis with Robert Shaw at the Kennedy Center. Transformative.
What are you listening to these days? Mostly groups like Maroon 5, Goo-Goo Dolls, and Dave Mathews. I love the jazz classics like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Sarah Vaughn and enjoy the rock music of my youth (AC/DC, ZZ Top, Queen). Honestly, I rarely listen to classical music.
Anything you'd like to add about yourself? I am an instructor for a teen safe driving program and organize and participate in competitive and non-competitive driving events for my car club.

Voice Part: Tenor 2
Season Joined: 2012/13
Birthplace: Washington, DC
Favorite onstage experience: While with CCS, I was given the opportunity to sing at Constitution Hall under the direction of the Cathedral's own Artist in Residence, Stanley Thurston. The opportunity came on the 75th anniversary of Marian Anderson's performance upon the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Having the chance to sing on stage with the coalesced talents of the Washington DC choral community, as well as several talented solo artists including the mighty Jessye Norman, was truly an inspirational experience. It demonstrated the power of music, not only to entertain and inspire, but to bring people together.
What is your story as a singer? My family have always been singers.  Ranging from caroling door to door during the Christmas season, to putting on our own abridged family musicals. While I always participated, my willingness to be in the spot-light was somewhat limited until I moved with my family to Peru. There we attended an English speaking mass that many of the practicing members of the Embassy community went on Sunday mornings. One of the attendees was a girl more or less my age, who developed a fancy and attached herself to me. After several Sundays, I decided enough was enough and hoped she wouldn't follow me and join the choir. I was correct in my assumption and thus my transition from singing in the masses to singing to the masses began.
What are you listening to these days?: Since my college days, I have always found myself drawn towards a cappella music including that of Straight No Chaser, The King's Singers, and our local Alexandria Harmonizers. 
Anything you'd like to add about yourself? I have traveled to 6 continents, lived in 8 countries, and have sung in over 20 languages. Music is as much a part of my life as breathing is to anyone else. I'm glad to share that experience with so many others in CCS. 

Section:  Tenor 1

Season joined:  2009-2010

Birthplace:  New Brunswick, NJ  

What is your story as a singer?  I got hooked on singing choral music and dropped orchestra for good my sophomore year in college when the chance came along for our chorus to sing with the Philadelphia Orchestra. Previous choruses: Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago, Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, Choral Arts of Washington, and New York Choral Society.

Favorite onstage experience:  Two of the most memorable performances for me have been the Bach B Minor CCS did a in 2012. And, many years earlier, the Rachmaninoff Vespers in the Cathedral under the baton of Rostropovich, the first time he was ever able to perform it with Solzhenitsyn and a relative of Rachmaninoff present. Also was the only choral performance my parents ever heard me in.

What are you listening to these days? I have a roster of classical stations I rotate among--WETA, WGBH, WKSU, and WIAA-- and work with headphones on much of most days.

Season Joined: 1978-79
Birthplace: Staten Island, N.Y.
What is your story as a singer? Singing and chocolate - how to choose?
A favorite onstage moment: Any time I get to sing the Berlioz or Verdi Requiems
What are you listening to these days? WBJC and WETA
Anything you'd like to add about yourself? I'm a CPA, specializing in nonprofit organizations, with an extra emphasis on the performing arts - both in my professional work and as a volunteer.  Leopold Stowkowski is the husband of my 9th cousin once removed, and I am the 8th cousin once removed to the conductor of my college glee club, although I didn't know it at the time.

Season Joined: 2000-2001
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio
What is your story as a singer? My father was in the piano business and knew many concert artists, so I was brought up in music, being taken (dragged!) to the opera and symphony frequently.  None of this “took” until I joined a symphony chorus in college, to my father’s great pleasure (finally!)  With my children no longer at home, there has been time to participate in a truly great symphonic chorus in a wonderful performance venue.
A favorite onstage moment: When music overwhelms and you know you are part of something greater than the parts, both physically and spiritually.
What are you listening to these days? Soft rock and classical!
Anything you'd like to add about yourself? My other activities include family, volunteer work, fishing, railroading, spectator sports (Go Nats!), and photography.

Section: Tenor I

Season joined: 2013-14

Birthplace: Midwest, USA

What is your story as a singer? Boringly predictable: churches, schools, community and select/auditioned choruses from pre-school on.

Favorite onstage experience:  Performing Richard Einhorn’s “Voices of Light” in the Cathedral as part of the “Visionary Women” concert. The chorus and orchestra were in the great choir behind the projection screen for Carl Theodor Dreyer’s silent film, “The Passion of Joan of Arc”. We were surrounded and immersed in the sound of the concert—cut off from the audience and any sense of the twenty first century. I experienced it as a haunting, deeply moving, other-worldly experience.

What are you listening to these days? Nothing specific.

Section: Tenor I

Season joined: 2009-10

Birthplace: New York City

Story as a singer: I grew up singing a little in my church choir, and sang in a college chorus for a couple of years. In addition to singing with the CCS I sing with Carmina, a chamber choir specializing in Renaissance music. I also sang for ten years with the Washington Kantorei, which was dedicated primarily to singing German music from a wide range of periods.

Favorite onstage experience: One of the reasons for my joining the CCS was to sing Bach under Reilly's direction. In my first year we did the St. Matthew Passion, and that performance was quite poignant and will remain in my memory for a long time.

What are you listening to these days? I listen to local classical music stations a lot (WETA and WBJC) and have learned so much by doing so. I also have a large collection of vinyl and CD recordings. I love lots of genres, especially music for the piano, chamber music and songs of many types, in particular the French and German repertoires.

Section: Bass I

Season joined: 2014-15

Birthplace: Washington, DC

What is your story as a singer?  Kathleen Alvania (Soprano I) and I auditioned as a couple.  "Either accept us both or reject us both!" we said, spunkily.  We exhaled sighs of relief as Riley gave us the thumbs up.  "But you should take voice lessons", he said, pointing at me.  I started my voice lessons the next month, and I gave my first public solo performance -- songs by Schumann and Barber -- a year later.  Personal growth through (mild) public humiliation!

Favorite onstage experience: Singing the Rachmaninoff Vespers in a not-very-big Greek Orthodox Church.

What are you listening to these days?  I'm reading a biography of Beethoven, so... LOTS OF BEETHOVEN.

Section: Bass I

Season joined: 2000-2001

Birthplace: New York City

What is your story as a singer? I have been singing in groups of one kind or another forever.  My mother was an elementary school choral director, and she started me on the road to singing properly.  I sang in my elementary school and high school glee clubs as Ywell as the Columbia College glee club.  After graduation, i sang in the Tanglewood choir, the New York Choral Society, the Collegiate Chorale, and, in Washington, with the National Oratorio Society the Paul Hill, and the Ad Hoc Singers, the Beth Sholem choir as well as leading the choir at the Jewish HIgh Holiday Services of Machar, the Washington Congregation of Humanistic Judaism.

Favorite Onstage experience:  My favorite onstage experiences were singing Bach's Singet dem Herrn and participating as one of a number of singers from various Washington choirs in the NSO performance of Mahler's 8th Symphony.

What are you listening to these days?: I listen to a wide variety of classical music as well as some folk music.