Michele Adams

Assistant Artistic Director

Michele Adams joined the Boston Children’s Chorus in 2007 as the first Assistant Artistic Director of the organization. She conducts four choirs at the training and intermediate levels and directs the innovative education program for urban singers. A native of South Carolina, she has served as a music educator and conductor for students of various ages in Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Florida, and South Carolina. Prior to joining the BCC, Adams lived in Nebraska where she was a staff member of the Nebraska Choral Arts Society, conducting both intermediate and advanced level children’s choirs. She also served the American Choral Directors Association as a Repertoire and Standards Chair for the North Central Region and taught in the Omaha Public Schools. Adams was a lead teacher with Communities LinkUP!, a collaboration between Carnegie Hall and the Omaha Symphony Orchestra linking the symphony and its musicians with classrooms. Previously, she worked in the New York City Public Schools where, as a Project ARTS (Arts Restoration Throughout the Schools) Liaison, she coordinated arts collaborations between the school and community. She also taught music and founded the choral program in her magnet school. She earned a Bachelor of Music in music education from The University of South Carolina. In addition, she earned a Master of Music in choral conducting from Florida State University, where she studied conducting with Rodney Eichenberger and André Thomas. Adams has also completed Level I Kodály certification at New England Conservatory. She has authored articles for affiliate publications of MENC: The National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association and is active as an adjudicator and speaker. She and her husband, Nick, also serve as musicians in their church and have two children.

madams@bostonchildrenschorus.org
(857) 413-1870

Julia Carey

Concert Choir Accompanist

Moana Dherlin

Villa Victoria Teaching Fellow

Moana owns a tremondous love for music and singing. She graduated with honors from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Performance and Conducting. She has been a teaching assistant for Cheryl Anderson, the head of choral activities at Cabrillo College in Santa Cruz in California, working with the Cabrillo Children's chorus. Moana has been a choral singer all her life performing many times with the Santa Cruz Symphony, Monterey Symphony and the Santa Cruz Summer Music Festival. She also performed at the American Choral Directors Association West in Las Vegas. As a product of a children choral program herself, Moana is proud and excited to be a part of the Boston Children's Choir!

Brad Fugate

YME Accompanist and vocal coach

Dr. Brad Fugate received a DMA in Vocal Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2006. He presently resides in Lynn, MA. He divides his time teaching voice as an adjunct professor at Brown University as well as several conservatories in the area, directing/accompanying musical theater, and performing professionally as baritone and counter-tenor. Dr. Fugate has a particular academic interest in the history, reception, and repertoire of the counter-tenor and will begin work on a PhD in Musicology at Boston University in the Fall of 2009.

Dr. Fugate performs regularly in a variety of genres. Recently, he played the Big, Bad Wolf in Seymore Barab’s Little Red Riding Hood and premiered the role of Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Joel Feingin’s rendition of Twelfth Night with Longleaf Opera Company. He rendered "Messenger" (from Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas) on a recording with the group New Trinity Baroque, which has received acclaim recently. Additionally, he has performed two comedic roles in Gilbert and Sullivan operettas with New England Light Opera, Opec in Peter Schiekele’s opera The Abduction of Figaro with Western New York Chamber Orchestra, the alto soli in Bach’s Christmas Oratorio with Chapel Hill Community Chorus (NC), Jesus in Godspell, and the multi-dimensional role of Man 1 in Lucky Stiff at Turtle Lane Playhouse in Newton, MA. Brad spends most of his free time reading the Harry Potter series en français.

Caroline Harvey

West End House Accompanist

A native of Iowa, Caroline Harvey received her Bachelor's of Music in Piano Performance from Valparaiso University in 2007. During the course of her studies, she had the privilege of accompanying both the VU Kantorei and Chorale under the batons of Lorraine Brugh, Christopher Cock, Dennis Friesen-Carper and Craig Jessup. She has appeared on concerts throughout the United States, Germany and England and spent a year as a rehearsal accompanist for the Florida State University Opera department. Ms. Harvey is currently completing her Master's degree in Collaborative Piano at the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA.

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Ben Hires

Director of Programs

Ben Hires joined the Boston Children’s Chorus in July 2009. As part of the senior management team, Ben helps develop and implement the overall vision for the organization. In his position as Director of Programs, he is responsible for providing direction, management and coordination of all the BCC’s choirs’ activities. Ben began his arts management career with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO) where he learned the importance of music in young people’s lives. Prior to the BYSO, as a councilor at an outdoor therapeutic program for teens in Paint Rock Valley, Alabama, he provided therapeutic support, structure and personal attention to help youth achieve positive change. Most recently he was executive director of the New England String Ensemble. Ben grew up in southern New Jersey and has lived in Boston for over ten years. He attended Boston University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and Political Science, a Master of Theological Studies, and a Master of Science in Arts Administration.

bhires@bostonchildrenschorus.org
(617) 778-2242, x222

Emily Howe

Premier Choir Accompanist

Born and raised in Frederick, Maryland, Emily Howe received her earliest musical training while singing in a local children’s choir directed by her mother. After spending her childhood engaged in all manner of musical activities, Emily received the Donald Plott Memorial Scholarship to pursue further musical study at Davidson College, where she studied piano, voice, and conducting and graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in Music and English. Active as a soloist and as a chamber musician in both piano and voice, Emily performed as soloist with the Davidson College Symphony Orchestra and sang as alto section leader of the Davidson College Concert Choir and Chorale. Emily’s work as founder and conductor of The Davidson Singers led the Department of Music to award her the distinction of Honors. Emily currently studies at Boston University, where she is working toward a Masters degree in Choral Conducting.

David C. Howse

Executive Director

In July of 2009, David C. Howse became the Executive Director of the innovative, multicultural Boston Children’s Chorus (BCC) which harnesses the power and joy of music as a catalyst to unite our city’s diverse communities and inspire social change. In his role as the Executive Director, David leads the development of strategies, policies and programmatic priorities and oversees the operations of the organization to ensure that the planning, execution and administration of all BCC programs and systems are aligned.

As a dedicated member of Boston Children’s Chorus staff since 2004, David has held many roles since joining the team as a founding staff member. In five years, David has played a key role in the growth and expansion of the Boston Children’s Chorus from a start-up to a vibrant and stable organization. His expertise in operations, program design and management combined with his knowledge of and passion for the BCC and its mission make him an ideal leader for the organization, ensuring the expansion of BCC’s impact for years to come.

David is an avid performer, singing on recital and concert stages throughout New England. He serves on the Diversity Council of Big Sister of Greater Boston, the Emerging Leader’s Alumni Board, the New England Conservatory Alumni Council and is a Connector with Boston World Partnerships.

Howse holds degrees from Bradley University and New England Conservatory of Music and is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Next Generation Executive Leadership Program, University of Massachusetts at Boston’s Emerging Leaders Program and Boston University’s Institute for Nonprofit Management and Leadership.

David lives in Randolph with his wife Charisse and their two sons, Kennedy and Channing.

dhowse@bostonchildrenschorus.org
(617) 778-2242, x221

Irene Idicheria

Neighborhood Training choir director

Singing and choral music are Irene Idicheria’s passions. She comes to the BCC team with experience as a public school music educator and as Assistant Conductor for the North Shore Youth Symphony Orchestra Chorale. Ms. Idicheria’s innovative teaching style is evidenced in her successful creation of a third and fourth grade chorus at the Guillmette Elementary School in Lawrence, MA where she continues to serve as general music teacher and choral director. As a first year teacher she was nominated for the Rising Star Teacher of the Year Award.

Ms. Idicheria earned a Bachelor of Music in Music education from Gordon College where she studied with Dr. Ken Phillips, Faith Lueth and Dr. Sandra Doneski. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Music Education at the Hartt School, University of Hartford where she also completed her Kodaly Level I training.

Joana Kung

Villa Victoria Accompanist

Joana Kung is delighted to join the Boston Children's Chorus as an accompanist. Hailing from San Francisco, CA, she received her Bachelor of Arts degree cum laude in both Music and Art History at Wellesley College and was the recipient of the Billings Performance Award in Music. While there, she played in various chamber music ensembles and musical productions. Ms. Kung is currently pursuing her Master's of Music degree in Piano Performance at the Longy School of Music studying with Randall Hodgkinson.

Ivonne Lautan

executive administrator

Born in Indonesia, Ivonne Lautan has been residing in the United States for over 7 years. Ivonne received her Associate Degree in Music Performance and Bachelor Degree in Music Education from San Diego State University. During her stay in San Diego, Ivonne professionally has conducted individual and group music lessons. She coaches most levels of music instruction for children, teenagers as well as adult. As a piano accompanist, she performed with high schools for several show choir competitions. In addition, she earned an all level Certification from Royal Music College of London in Musical Practice and Theory.

Ivonne was a former member of Music Teacher Association of California, Music Teacher National Association, Musikgarten, and a co-member of Ho-Asogli (African Dance & Drum Group). Ivonne is proud to be part of Boston Children's Chorus, Viva La Musical!

Jan Woiler Meuse

Foundation Relations & Marketing Manager

Jan Woiler Meuse has been an arts administrator and violinist in the Boston area since 1986. Prior to joining the BCC, she served as General Manager of the Zamir Chorale of Boston; as Business Manager for Libana, the renowned seven-woman world folk ensemble; and held orchestra management roles with Triptych and the Civic Symphony Orchestra of Boston. An avid orchestral and chamber musician, Jan performed with the Boston Philharmonic for 14 years, is a regular staff assistant and participant in the Chamber Music Conference and Composers' Forum of the East, and toured with the Santa Monica Chamber Symphony for concerts in the Czech Republic, Italy, Spain, and France. Jan's professional experience also includes a 14-year tenure as an administrator for BankBoston. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the State University of New York at Binghamton.

jwoiler@bostonchildrenschorus.org
(617) 778-2242, x226

John Reynolds

West End house, dorchester house training and intermediate teaching fellow

John Reynolds, Teaching Fellow, is an active performer and educator throughout Greater New England. As an educator, he has taught in various public schools and after school choral programs. In addition to his responsibilities at BCC, John is the Voice and Choral Instructor for ZUMIX, a cultural organization dedicated to building community through music and the arts, and a Choral Artist with Urban Voices: A Choral Music Initiative sponsored by the Metropolitan Opera Guild. A versatile performer, John has performed with Opera Cleveland, Opera Providence, and Boston Opera Collaborative. He holds a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from New England Conservatory and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Baldwin-Wallace College, Conservatory of Music. He received additional performance training from the American Institute of Musical Studies (AIMS), Janiec Opera Company at Brevard Music Center, and the Franco-American Vocal Academy (FAVA).

Heather Rogers

Director of Finance & Administration

Heather Rogers joined the chorus in July 2009 as the Director of Finance and Administration. She brings over a decade of experience to BCC, including corporate finance as well as nonprofit finance and accounting, operations management, IT and database management and revenue recognition. Her experience in the nonprofit sector includes four years at From the Top where she managed the finance office. Heather resides in Ashland with her husband and daughter. She is active in her community where she currently serves on the Town of Ashland finance committee and the Metrowest Nonprofit Network. Heather is a 2009 graduate of the Leadership Metrowest Academy.

hrogers@bostonchildrenschorus.org
(617) 778-2242, x223

Valerie Ross

Accompanist

Originally hailing from Livermore, California, Valerie Ross began playing piano at age three and consistently received top marks in California’s Certificate of Merit program. She graduated magna cum laude from University of the Pacific’s Conservatory of Music, where she earned a BM in Music Education and was twice selected to perform in the Conservatory’s annual outstanding performer recital.

Ms. Ross move to Boston in 2007, where she has been working as an accompanist for the Boston Children’s Chorus and as a freelance pianist. An experienced music educator, Ms. Ross teaches several private students and has also taught classroom music and choir. She is currently working towards a masters degree at Longy School of Music, where she studies with Randall Hodgkinson. Past teachers include Frank Wiens and Sonia Leong.

Ms. Ross is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda and Phi Kappa Phi.

Whitney Simmonds

Premier Choir, central training, concert choir, young mens ensemble, and central intermediate Teaching Fellow

Whitney Simmonds graduated from Colby College in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. During her time at Colby, Whitney studied music theory, piano, and voice, and actively participated in several of Colby’s vocal ensembles. Whitney enjoys teaching and working with children of all ages; she has worked in both elementary and junior-high school music classrooms, and spent a month in northern India teaching music in a K-8 school. Whitney plans to pursue a graduate degree in music, but for now is happy to be taking some time off from school. In addition to her work at the Boston Children’s Chorus, Whitney teaches private voice and piano lessons and tutors music theory.

Anthony Trecek-King

Artistic Director

As the Artistic Director of the Boston Children’s Chorus, Anthony Trecek-King has found a venue to share his passion for choral music with a new generation of musicians. Called “young and extremely talented” by Keith Lockhart, Mr. Trecek-King believes that excellent choral music can and should be enjoyed by everyone. During his short tenure at the Boston Children’s Chorus, the choir has quickly earned a reputation as an ensemble of high musical excellence and received glowing reviews. The Boston Globe calls the choir “angelic and dazzling” while His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan heralds them as “superb.” Federico Cortese from the New England String Ensemble lauds BCC as “one of the emerging forces in Boston music life.” Under Mr. Trecek-King’s leadership, the Boston Children’s Chorus has performed with the Boston Pops under the direction of John Williams as well as under the direction of Keith Lockhart for the Fourth of July Celebration at the Esplanade. BCC’s annually televised Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. tribute concert has hosted the Chicago Children’s Choir and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City and has quickly become a tradition in New England for celebrating the holiday.

As a conductor, Mr. Trecek-King has earned international acclaim and has directed some of the world’s greatest professional choral ensembles throughout Europe. He recently participated in both the Eric Ericson Masterclass in the Netherlands and the Eric Ericson Award, an international conducting competition, in Sweden. Mr. Trecek-King conducted Polifonija, a state chorus of Lithuania, on a national tour highlighting American music. He also spent a semester in residence at the Technische Universität Braunschweig in Germany as a guest conductor of the choir and orchestra. Under his direction, choirs have traveled to Denmark, Germany, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Russia, Finland, Canada, and Mexico, as well as across the United States. A versatile conductor with an orchestral background, Mr. Trecek-King has also led several orchestras, including the Omaha Symphony Orchestra. He is also active as a guest conductor and lecturer for academic institutions and professional organization conventions.

Under his leadership, the Boston Children’s Chorus has established a unique music education curriculum that utilizes the best of European and American models. With the ultimate goal of fostering independently thinking musicians, students as young as seven develop skills that include sight-reading and ear training. An important component in the BCC Model is the development of leadership and life-skills training. Singers are encouraged to take ownership of their participation in the Chorus through activities that include mentoring, holding leadership positions within the choir structure, fundraising, giving and hosting workshops, and giving back to the community through charity work.

Born into an Air Force family from the South, Mr. Trecek-King spent most of his youth in North Dakota and Nebraska. He earned a Bachelor’s in Cello Performance from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and a Master’s in Orchestral Conducting from Florida State University. Before joining the Boston Children’s Chorus, Mr. Trecek-King was a Professor of Music at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Artistic Director of the Nebraska Choral Arts Society, Nebraska’s oldest and largest community choral organization.

atrecekking@bostonchildrenschorus.org
www.trecekking.com
(617) 778-2242, x224

Jodi Wolin

Director of Development

Before joining the Boston Children's Chorus, Jodi served as Chief Development Officer for the Children's Trust Fund (CTF) for over 7 years where she oversaw all private fundraising for the Commonwealth's largest organization dedicated solely to the prevention of child abuse and neglect. Prior to CTF, Jodi was a consultant for Development Guild/DDI and served in development roles at Casa Myrna Vazquez and Children's Hospital, Boston.

Jodi graduated from Canisius College with a BA in English and a BA in Communications. She is the Vice Chair of the Emerging Leaders Alumni Board of Directors. She lives in the North End and her hobbies include yoga, running and reading.

jwolin@bostonchildrenschorus.org
(617) 778-2242, x230

Board of Directors

Hubie Jones, Founder and President

CityYear

Tim Ferguson, Vice President

Next Street Financial LLC

Hugh R. Jones, Jr., Clerk

WilmerHale

Paul H. McDonough, Treasurer

OneBeacon INsurance Group

Pam Adams

Community Volunteer

Krystal Banfield

Berklee College of Music

Josh Binswanger

Broadcaster/Consultant

Laura Coleman

Consultant, Beacon Academy

Patricia Forbes

Diversified Project Management, Inc.

Terrence Gomes

Roxbury Community College

Robert Leikind

American Jewish Committee

Kevin P. Martin

Kevin P. Martin & Associates, P.C.

Charlayne Murrell-Smith

Boston Children's Museum

Myran Parker-Brass

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Adam C. Powell, IV

CTP & Co-founder Metal Oxygen Separation Technologies, Inc.

Sarah Rothermel

wilmerhale

Joel Sherman

goulston & storrs

Robert D. Siefert, CFP

BackBay Financial

Jon Solins

WGBH

Tony Woodcock

New england conservatory

Staff

Teaching Fellows:

Accompanists: