Esther Rhoades, Artistic Director
Esther Rhoades is the Artistic Director of Grand Monadnock Youth Choirs. She directs the GMYC choirs, with ensembles rehearsing in Peterborough and Keene. Her energetic teaching style, expertise in music, and infectious positivity allow GMYC singers to thrive and grow not only musically, but also as individuals. She also serves the Chamber Singers of Keene, an auditioned adult chamber choir, as their Director.
Esther has been immersed in choral music since childhood, which inspired her to complete a Bachelor’s of Science in Music from the University of Delaware. While at UD, she was the student assistant choral director of the internationally renowned University of Delaware Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Paul D. Head. She has also received training at Westminster Choir College. After graduation, she taught public high school chorus and music classes in VT and NH. Additionally, Esther was the Assistant Artistic Director and Conductor of the Children’s Chorus of Springfield in Massachusetts. After returning to Keene, Esther served Keene Unitarian Universalist Church as their Choir Director, and the Monadnock Waldorf High School teaching the a cappella choir.
When you can’t find Esther making music, she is likely hiking, baking cookies, or playing outside with her husband, Jason, and three children.
Esther has been immersed in choral music since childhood, which inspired her to complete a Bachelor’s of Science in Music from the University of Delaware. While at UD, she was the student assistant choral director of the internationally renowned University of Delaware Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Paul D. Head. She has also received training at Westminster Choir College. After graduation, she taught public high school chorus and music classes in VT and NH. Additionally, Esther was the Assistant Artistic Director and Conductor of the Children’s Chorus of Springfield in Massachusetts. After returning to Keene, Esther served Keene Unitarian Universalist Church as their Choir Director, and the Monadnock Waldorf High School teaching the a cappella choir.
When you can’t find Esther making music, she is likely hiking, baking cookies, or playing outside with her husband, Jason, and three children.
Judy Leeds, Administrative Coordinator
Judy Leeds is the Administrative Coordinator for the Grand Monadnock Youth Choirs. She is very excited about working with GMYC. Her background in nonprofit management, both as an employee and a volunteer, along with her career as a preschool teacher provide her with the organizational and communication skills necessary to meet the needs of GMYC. Judy is a strong supporter of incorporating the arts into the lives of children, and understands the positive impact the arts can have on the health and well being of us all!
Judy has two grown children and is a loving grandmother to four energetic little boys. Judy and her husband reside in Peterborough, and enjoy spending time with their family in the lakes region of NH.
Judy has two grown children and is a loving grandmother to four energetic little boys. Judy and her husband reside in Peterborough, and enjoy spending time with their family in the lakes region of NH.
Carin Torp, pianist for Elm City Singers & Choristers
Carin Torp has loved music and children forever, so is very happy to join GMYC in working with the Choristers and Elm City Singers within the Grand Monadnock Youth Choirs.
Previous musical roles in the Monadnock region include choir directing and musical accompanying at the Keene Unitarian Universalist Church, working with Cupcake camp at Moco Arts and singing in local choirs, Raylynmor and musical theatre performances.
Carin has a private practice as a Dance/Movement and Psychotherapist: Carin Torp Healing Arts, and teaches toddler/adult dance classes at Moco Arts. She believes completely in both the necessity of the arts and in their innate healing and unifying powers.
Previous musical roles in the Monadnock region include choir directing and musical accompanying at the Keene Unitarian Universalist Church, working with Cupcake camp at Moco Arts and singing in local choirs, Raylynmor and musical theatre performances.
Carin has a private practice as a Dance/Movement and Psychotherapist: Carin Torp Healing Arts, and teaches toddler/adult dance classes at Moco Arts. She believes completely in both the necessity of the arts and in their innate healing and unifying powers.
Christopher Sheehan, pianist for Cecilia Ensemble & Stone Soup Ensemble
Christopher Sheehan recently relocated to Keene after 37 years of music teaching in New York State’s Hudson Valley Region. Most of this (28 years) was spent teaching at the James I. O’Neill High School, which primarily serves the communities of Highland Falls and West Point. While there, Mr. Sheehan’s choral ensembles sang to great acclaim locally, regionally, and nationally. Among other accolades, groups under his direction were invited to sing at the 2007, 2012 and 2017 NYSSMA All-State Conventions as well as the 2017 NAfME All-Eastern Convention and have been fortunate to perform on some of the nation’s most venerated stages.
He is happy to be here in New Hampshire, singing with the Chamber Singers of Keene, and to be accompanying this truly great group of kids!
He is happy to be here in New Hampshire, singing with the Chamber Singers of Keene, and to be accompanying this truly great group of kids!
Board of Directors
President, Michelle Cutting
Michelle Cutting is a resident of Peterborough and the mother of a current Cecilia Ensemble singer as well as a Cecilia Alumna. Growing up, Michelle's family was enmeshed in music; every family gathering involved sitting around a guitar or two, singing, and making music together. Her family sings at home, in the car, and as they walk through their day... often very loudly! Michelle has also enjoyed singing both in her former high school choir and at church. One of her very favorite things is watching her own children and those who sing with GMYC bring beautiful music to life. Professionally, Michelle has worked for the past 25 years for a nonprofit organization in Massachusetts that supports people with disabilities. It is there that Michelle has supported many projects and initiatives aimed at improving peoples' overall lives. She hopes to use these same skills to support the GMYC board.
Michelle Cutting is a resident of Peterborough and the mother of a current Cecilia Ensemble singer as well as a Cecilia Alumna. Growing up, Michelle's family was enmeshed in music; every family gathering involved sitting around a guitar or two, singing, and making music together. Her family sings at home, in the car, and as they walk through their day... often very loudly! Michelle has also enjoyed singing both in her former high school choir and at church. One of her very favorite things is watching her own children and those who sing with GMYC bring beautiful music to life. Professionally, Michelle has worked for the past 25 years for a nonprofit organization in Massachusetts that supports people with disabilities. It is there that Michelle has supported many projects and initiatives aimed at improving peoples' overall lives. She hopes to use these same skills to support the GMYC board.
Vice President, Alicia Deaver
Alicia Deaver is the Executive Director at Rise for baby and family. She has been working in early care and learning for 20 years. She is passionate about helping children and families to thrive and bolstering relationships. She has a daughter, who is passionate about singing. In her free time she enjoys hanging with her family and friends, baking, swimming, and walking her pups.
Alicia Deaver is the Executive Director at Rise for baby and family. She has been working in early care and learning for 20 years. She is passionate about helping children and families to thrive and bolstering relationships. She has a daughter, who is passionate about singing. In her free time she enjoys hanging with her family and friends, baking, swimming, and walking her pups.
Treasurer, Scott Clarke
Scott Clarke is a musical product of Keene High School. He attended the University of Rochester to study business and Philosophy. Scott was a supporter of a cappella singing long before its recent popularity, singing in the U of R YELLOWJACKETS. Scott currently performs with the Chamber Singers of Keene, and Main Street Broadway. Scott has been the President of DOUGLAS CO in Keene for over 20 years.
Scott Clarke is a musical product of Keene High School. He attended the University of Rochester to study business and Philosophy. Scott was a supporter of a cappella singing long before its recent popularity, singing in the U of R YELLOWJACKETS. Scott currently performs with the Chamber Singers of Keene, and Main Street Broadway. Scott has been the President of DOUGLAS CO in Keene for over 20 years.
Secretary, Sarah Phillips
Sarah Phillips is the mother of a former GMYC singer whose high school years were greatly enriched by the friendships, confidence, and skills acquired through singing with GMYC. She joined the Board to help ensure that those life-changing experiences remain accessible and available to all young people in the Monadnock region. Sarah is passionate about teaching public health to undergraduate students and also loves to crochet, cook, and walk with her dog on the many beautiful trails in the Peterborough area.
Sarah Phillips is the mother of a former GMYC singer whose high school years were greatly enriched by the friendships, confidence, and skills acquired through singing with GMYC. She joined the Board to help ensure that those life-changing experiences remain accessible and available to all young people in the Monadnock region. Sarah is passionate about teaching public health to undergraduate students and also loves to crochet, cook, and walk with her dog on the many beautiful trails in the Peterborough area.
Cathy Lanigan
Cathy Lanigan is a solution expert for a software company, focusing on data management services for private cloud customers. She has held positions in software development, technical pre-sales, and music education. Cathy became passionate about choral singing when she joined her elementary school choir in the 4th grade. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree at SUNY Fredonia and later completed a Masters in Computer Science at New York Institute of Technology. She sings with a number of local community choirs and in addition to her involvement with GMYC, serves on the board for the Monadnock Chorus, Viva Bach Peterborough and Zenith Ensemble. Cathy enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband Steven, and visiting their adult children and their adorable granddaughter, Allie. They have a golden retriever, named Bernie.
Cathy Lanigan is a solution expert for a software company, focusing on data management services for private cloud customers. She has held positions in software development, technical pre-sales, and music education. Cathy became passionate about choral singing when she joined her elementary school choir in the 4th grade. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree at SUNY Fredonia and later completed a Masters in Computer Science at New York Institute of Technology. She sings with a number of local community choirs and in addition to her involvement with GMYC, serves on the board for the Monadnock Chorus, Viva Bach Peterborough and Zenith Ensemble. Cathy enjoys gardening, spending time with her husband Steven, and visiting their adult children and their adorable granddaughter, Allie. They have a golden retriever, named Bernie.