Staff

Christine Noel, Founding Artistic Director

Director of Choral Activities at Clark University, Christine Noel is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Conducting at Boston University, where she has studied with Dr. Ann Howard Jones and David Hoose. She was the 2008 recipient of the Boston University Women's Council Scholarship, the 2007 recipient of the Conducting Faculty Honors Award at BU and is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society. A member of the American Choral Directors Association, she chairs the Children’s Choral Activities for ACDA in Rhode Island and conducted the RI Children's Chorus at the 2010 Eastern Division Convention of ACDA in Philadelphia. Ms. Noel also conducted at the 2009 Eastern Division Convention of the Music Educators' National Conference (MENC). She recently served as Musical Director for productions of Our Town and A Christmas Carol at Trinity Repertory Company. Fluent in the Italian language, Ms. Noel studied at the Istituto Italiano in Florence, Italy and attained the highest level of Italian studies at the University of Florence. She is also a graduate of the Kodály Institute of Music in Kecskemét, Hungary. While living in Italy, she served as assistant conductor and vocal coach for two Italian choirs, Animae Voces and Coro Polifonico di Caricentro and performed with them as soprano soloist throughout the country. In addition to directing the RI Children's Chorus, Ms. Noel conducts Carillon Women's Chorus and serves as Assistant Conductor of the Providence Singers. She is also founder and director of Broadway Bound, a seasonal musical theatre camp for children.

Joyce Wolfe, Co-founder and Executive Director

Joyce Wolfe serves as the Executive Director of the RI Children’s Chorus and is responsible for the many administrative needs of the organization.  She is a graduate of URI and has taught in Cranston and Woonsocket schools.  For many years she owned and managed the Village Realtors agency of Chepachet.  She is a member of the Providence Singers and the Carillon Women’s Chorus.  As a parent and former teacher, Ms. Wolfe brings her knowledge and expertise in working with children to helping RICC provide the best possible choral experience for the singers and their families.

Sarah Kane, Instructor - Training Chorus

Sarah Kane, Training Chorus Instructor, is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education at Rhode Island College, where she is a member of the RIC Woodwind Quintet; "Will Sing for Food," the RIC a cappella group; "The Perfect Fourths," a female vocal quartet; the RIC Chorus, and the RIC Women's Chorus. In addition to her singing, Ms. Kane plays the oboe, English Horn, violin, and piano. She has been a staff member of the RI Children's Chorus for three years.

Kathy Hart, Accompanist - Training Chorus

Kathy Hart is the Director of Music at Greenwood Community Church, Presbyterian in Warwick, RI, where she is organist and directs the Chancel Choir, a teen/adult handbell group, and an elementary singing/ringing choir.  She writes/arranges sacred music and is a soprano in The Providence Singers.  Kathy also enjoys playing and singing with granddaughter Lillie, who is the reason she moved from Dallas to Providence in 2006.

Elsie Law, Accompanist - Principal and Chamber Choruses

Elsie Law, a talented pianist and music teacher, is completing studies as a music major at Rhode Island College. Now in her seventh year as accompanist for the RI Children's Chorus, Ms. Law is highly regarded by the staff, children, parents, and audiences of RICC. She also teaches private piano students at the Grand Piano studio in Smithfield, RI.

John Henry Burns, Accompanist - Principal Chorus

John Henry Burns is currently completing his degree in music education at Rhode Island College where he studies with Dr. Judith Lynn Stillman. Mr. Burns is music director for the Woonsocket All City Elementary Chorus, Faith Fellowship United Methodist Church and Kidstock! Creative Children's Theater. Additionally, John plays the organ for various local churches, teaches piano privately and accompanies for local teachers and schools. John is very excited to be a part of and make music with the Rhode Island Children's Chorus this season.

2009-2010 Assistants

Senior Staff
Erin Flood
Sarah Kane
Catherine Monfette

Junior Staff - Northern Division
Ashley Carlton
Sarah Gardner
Molly Gregory
Hanna MacDonald
Mary Kate McCutcheon
Corey Robinson
Nina Silva
Kate Taylor
Julia Teeter

Staff - Metro/East Bay
Ashley Carlton - Junior Staff
Sarah Gardner - Junior Staff
Catherine Monfette - Senior Staff