The Singers of the Virginia Chorale
Arthur Broadbent III (Bass)
Chip received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music Education and Voice from the School of Music at Ouachita Baptist University in Arkansas. He has performed throughout Hampton Roads as a member and soloist with the Virginia Chorale since 1989, with the Virginia Symphony Chorus from 1989-2003, and the Virginia Opera Chorus from 1989 to 1999. He has also appeared as soloist with the choirs of Old Dominion University, Virginia Wesleyan College and Christopher Newport University as well as numerous local churches and other arts organizations. Between the years of 1985 and 2004 he served as Section Leader, Assistant Director and Interim Director of the Chancel Choir at First Presbyterian Church in Norfolk. Chip is the Choral Director at Norview Middle School as well as the Artistic Director of the Hampton Roads Men's Chorus. He is a member of Chorus America, MENC, VCDA and ACDA.
Bruce Brown (Bass)
Bruce has been with the Chorale since 2006. After 30 years as Professor of Music at Houghton College (New York), he and his wife, Cherie, moved to Williamsburg in 2005 to be close to their grandchildren. A graduate of Wheaton College and the University of Southern California, in the areas of Church and Choral Music, Dr. Brown’s prior professional choral experience includes singing with the Roger Wagner Chorale and the Dale Warland Singers. He also was privileged to study conducting with Helmut Rilling, Robert Shaw and Joseph Flummerfelt. At Houghton College, Dr. Brown was the head of the Voice Department and chaired the Artist Series, which brought musical artists of international renown to the campus. He also prepared his choirs at Houghton to sing regularly with the Buffalo and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestras. In addition to singing with the Chorale, he is a member of the professional core of the Virginia Symphony Chorus and the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church Choir. Dr. Brown is also on the Board of the Virginia Chorale.
Julia Coberly (Alto)
Julia, who first joined the Chorale in 1992, is from Kansas City, MO and holds degrees in Music Education from Baylor University and Counseling Psychology from the University of Kansas. She has performed with the Virginia Symphony Chorus, Cantata Chorus, TodiVoices and the Norfolk Chamber Consort. Currently a counselor in Chesapeake, Julia has also served as the Director of Children's Music at Christ & St. Luke's Church and as an instructor at The Academy of Music in Norfolk. She looks forward to her 14th season.
Lisa Relaford Coston (Alto)
Lisa, a Petersburg native, is busy as a solo performer and voice teacher throughout the Hampton Roads area and beyond. She is on the voice faculty at Christopher Newport University and sings regularly at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Norfolk. Lisa is celebrating her 14th season with the Chorale.
Michael Cochrane (Bass)
Michael has been a member of the Chorale since 1991 and is returning after a four-year absence. In addition to the Chorale, Michael has performed as both a chorister and soloist with the Virginia Symphony Chorus, the Virginia Opera Chorus, Schola Cantorum, and the Todi Music Festival Singers. He also enjoys musical theater, having sung leading roles in both Godspell and South Pacific. In 2000, he mentored and performed with the Chorale’s Young Singers Project during Petula Clark’s performances at Chrysler Hall. A graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, Michael holds MS and Ph.D. degrees in Engineering Management from ODU, where he is an adjunct professor. He works full time for the Department of Defense.
Megan Dipaolo (Alto)
Megan is happy to be joining the Virginia Chorale this season. Megan received her Bachelors Degree in Music from Muhlenberg College, concentrating in vocal performance, music theory and music history. During her time at Muhlenberg, Megan participated in various vocal ensembles and musically directed a number of theatrical productions. Megan has recently relocated from Pennsylvania to work with the Virginia Arts Festival as their Education Director.
Amy Shimbo Doherty (Soprano)
This is Amy's second year with the Chorale. A native of Seattle, she received her Bachelor's degree in Music from Harvard, has Master's degrees in Music Theory from the University of Washington and Yale University, and is working on her doctorate in Music Theory from Yale. As a soloist, she specializes in Baroque music and has given recitals in New Haven, Connecticut and Florence, Italy. As a chorister, she has over two decades of experience with such groups as the Boston Cecilia, Cantata Singers (Boston), Opus 7 Vocal Ensemble (Seattle), Yale Schola Cantorum, Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum, and Northwest Girlchoir. She also sings with the vocal trio Ensemble al Verso, specializing in early and contemporary music. Amy is the Director of Theory and Composition in the Music Department at Christopher Newport University.
Kari Skipper Foster (Alto)
Kari, a native of Virginia Beach, returned to Hampton Roads in 2002 and is enjoying her sixth season as a guest singer with the Virginia Chorale. She has performed as a soloist with the Virginia Symphony Chorus and has been a core member of the group for five years. Kari comes from a family of musicians which was lead by her father, a career conductor in the U.S. Navy and long-time church choir director. Kari graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree.
Steve Kelley (Bass)
Steve began his musical career at the University of Miami and continued study at Valdosta State University, earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music. He has twice won top honors in regional competitions for NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and has performed in Metropolitan Opera auditions on multiple occasions. Steve has sung with a number of choruses throughout his career including The Miami Civic Chorale, the Valdosta Choral Society, the Virginia Choral Society, and sings presently as a member of the principle core of the Virginia Symphony Chorus. He has studied voice under Carol Mikkelsen and David Johnson, and has sung under the batons of Alain Lombard, Robert Shaw, and JoAnn Falletta among others. Steve has also performed as soloist in many venues throughout the United States and Europe including recent appearances in the United Kingdom, Prague, and Vienna. He sings regularly at Ohef Sholom Temple, and is a founding member of the Virginia Chorale’s quartet-in-residence. In addition, Steve sings with the Virginia Opera Chorus. When he isn’t singing, Steve works for the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center in Hampton.
Anne Kincaid-Luna (Alto)
A Hampton Roads native, Anne holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from James Madison University with a major in Voice and minor in Organ. This is Anne’s eighteenth year with the Chorale. She was a member of the professional core of the Virginia Symphony Chorus for seventeen years, where she appeared as a soloist. She is currently an alto soloist at Saint Paul’s Church, Norfolk. She has performed with the Master Chorale of Washington D.C. as well as various churches in the Tidewater area. Anne is entering her thirty-fourth year of teaching with the Portsmouth Public School System. She is a Pre-Kindergarten teacher at Hodges Manor Elementary School, where she was deeply honored to be chosen Teacher of the Year for 2006-07.
Lynn Kotrady (Alto)
Lynn has appeared as a solo and ensemble vocalist on oratorio stages and in church sanctuaries throughout Virginia. Included among her engagements as soloist within the past decade are appearances with the Richmond Symphony and Symphony Chorus, the Washington Baroque Trio, Williamsburg Choral Guild, Longwood College Camerata, Fredericksburg Chorale, Virginia Commonwealth University Choral Arts Society, and James River Singers. Ms. Kotrady, a Richmond native, has performed as soloist in major choral works including J.S. Bach’s "Mass in B Minor", "St. Matthew Passion", "St. John Passion" and "Missa Brevis in G Minor", the "Requiem" of Mozart, Mendelssohn’s "Elijah", Handel’s "Messiah", Carissimi’s oratorio "Jepthe", the Vivaldi "Gloria", and Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony". A consummate interpreter of a broad range of vocal styles, she has built a solid reputation for musical versatility and is as comfortable with Baroque coloratura as with the improvisational style of Appalachian folk melodies. She is a founding member of the Trevillian Ramblers, a folk ensemble based in Beaverdam, Virginia, and has served for many years as alto soloist at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Congregation Beth Ahabah in Richmond.
Michael Kotrady (Tenor)
Mike credits most of his musical abilities to his childhood violin teacher, Jorge Gardos, who provided his only formal musical education. Mike’s interest in singing began while an undergraduate at the University of Richmond, where he participated in its choirs under the direction of James Erb. In recent years, Mike has performed as a soloist and chorister with numerous ensembles throughout the region including the Richmond Symphony, Virginia Symphony Chorus, James River Singers, Orchestra of the 17th Century, and Grammy-winning ensemble, eighth blackbird. He sings regularly at two of Richmond's historic houses of worship: St. Paul's Church and Congregation Beth Ahabah. Mike is a Delaware native and is employed by wine importer Kysela Pere et Fils.
Barbara Paul (Alto)
In her fifth season with the Virginia Chorale, Barbara comes from a Montana ranching family, and her early music study was focused on voice and tuba performance. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Barbara enjoyed lead roles in musical theater at Annapolis and the privilege of singing the National Anthem for Presidents Reagan and George H. W. Bush. While stationed in the UK, she was a soloist with the St. David’s Cathedral Choir of West Wales. Barbara was active in area music during several tours of duty in Virginia, including the 1993-94 season of Virginia Pro Musica, and as a member of the principal core of the Virginia Symphony Chorus. She was recognized in 2003 as Hampton Roads’ Outstanding Professional Woman for her community service. Following 20 years of naval service, Barbara joined Norfolk Southern Corporation in 2005.
Douglas Price (Bass)
Doug, who joined the Chorale in 2003, is a Williamsburg resident and is bass section leader and soloist for the Williamsburg Presbyterian Church Choir. He is a regular soloist for Temple Sinai in Newport News and has been a soloist for the Williamsburg Choral Guild as well as a member of The Chamber Singers, a professional a cappella sextet since 1985. He was selected to be a member of the original TodiVoices in Portsmouth. He holds a Ph. D. degree in Mathematics from North Carolina State University. He retired from NASA Langley Research Center in January 2004 and now teaches mathematics for the College of William and Mary.
Rebecca Roth-McKinley (Soprano)
Rebecca’s past professional experience includes membership in the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and Chamber Chorus with performances with conductors including Leonard Slatkin, Robert Shaw, Nicholas McGeghan and Trevor Pinnock. Locally, Rebecca has performed with the Virginia Symphony Chorus, the Chamber Singers, Williamsburg, Virginia, and as a soloist with The Williamsburg Choral Guild and The Yoder Barn, Newport News. Currently, she is the soprano section leader at Williamsburg Presbyterian Church and High Holy Day soloist at Sinai Temple, Portsmouth.
Peter Simmons (Tenor)
VA Hampton Roads native, this is Peter’s second season with Virginia Chorale. Peter began singing harmony as a child, when he enjoyed singing Beatles’ songs with his older brother. He studied piano and was active in his church youth choir through high school. As a member of The University of Virginia Glee Club, The Virginia Gentlemen, and the Charlottesville Oratorio Society he broadened his musical experience. He performed in the chorus of Virginia Opera for several seasons in the early 1980’s. Peter has been tenor section leader/soloist at Christ & St. Luke’s Episcopal Church since 1991, during which time he has performed with The Cantata Chorus and the Virginia Symphony Chorus.
Mark Smeland (Tenor)
Mark is celebrating his fifth season with the Virginia Chorale. He received his B.S. degree in Music Education and Voice from Old Dominion University. Mark is currently in his fifth year as Choral Director at Indian River High School in Chesapeake. Prior to Indian River High School, he taught for 20 years in the Hampton Public Schools as both a Middle School and High School Choral Director. Mark has also sung as a core member with the Virginia Symphony Chorus. He currently serves as organist and accompanist for St. Luke's United Methodist Church, Yorktown.
Tracy Lastor Sonafelt (Soprano)
Joining the Chorale this season, Tracy is the soprano soloist at Reformation Lutheran Church in New Market, Virginia. A Virginia Beach native who grew up in Chesapeake, she has most recently appeared in Hampton Roads as both a chorister and soloist at Trinity Lutheran (Newport News) and Churchland Baptist churches. Tracy began her musical career at Western Branch High School where she studied choral music and voice with Dennis Price. In the Shenandoah Valley, Tracy sang at James Madison University, where she graduated as Valedictorian, and also performed as a soloist with the Shenandoah Choral Society under the direction of Scott Williamson. A National Board Certified Teacher, Tracy is the former Newport News High School Teacher of the Year and two-time International Baccalaureate Teacher of the Year at Warwick High School. She currently chairs the English Department at Turner Ashby High School in Bridgewater, Virginia.
Melissa Thrasher West (Soprano)
A member of the Chorale since 1987, Melissa is currently soprano soloist with Christ and St. Luke’s Church. Locally she has performed with the Norfolk Chamber Consort, Cantata Chorus, Virginia Symphony Chorus, Virginia Musical Theatre, and Norfolk Savoyards. Melissa received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from East Carolina University. Since finishing her accounting coursework at Old Dominion University and becoming a CPA, and she has worked in several local companies as an accountant and controller.
Amy Cofield Williamson (Soprano)
Amy Cofield Williamson has performed to critical acclaim across the U.S. as well as in France, Spain, Portugal, Switzerland, Austria, England, Santo Domingo, Taiwan and Guam. Recently praised by the New York Times for her "lovely, rich tone," Amy is also highly regarded for her “technical facility,” her “beauty of interpretation” and an “arresting presence.” Recent performances include Violetta with Annapolis Chamber Orchestra and Chorale, a role that marked her debut at Houston Grand Opera where she covered Renee Fleming. A regional finalist in the MET National Council Auditions at Orchestra Hall in Chicago, Amy has performed roles including Mimi, Cunegonde, Susannah, Musetta, Pamina, Gilda, Norina and Konstanze as well as numerous oratorio works. Upcoming performances include her debut with Opera Camerata of Washington, and Elijah with the Masterwork Chorus of New Jersey. In 2009 she debuts with Opera Roanoke in a Shakespeare recital, followed in 2010 with her debut in the role of Lucia di Lammermoor.
Steve York (Tenor)
A native Nebraskan, Steve received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, then spent nine years as Music Director and announcer for the statewide Nebraska Public Radio Network. While living in the Washington, DC area he sang with professional choral ensembles including the Washington Bach Consort and the Palestrina Choir, and with conductors such as Leonard Slatkin, Christopher Hogwood, Harry Christophers, and Nicholas McGegan. He has performed in Washington’s Kennedy Center, the National Cathedral, the German Embassy, and the White House. Steve earned a Master of Library Science from Indiana University and is now Cataloging Librarian at Christopher Newport University. He has performed as a core member of the Virginia Symphony Chorus and currently sings in the choir at Hidenwood Presbyterian Church in Newport News.