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.
Mary Beck, Cecilia Ensemble pianist
Pianist Mary Towse-Beck is equally at home as both soloist and collaborative artist. She has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Australia, appearing at illustrious venues such as the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and the Barbican in London. She has been a featured artist on public radio in the United States, Canada and on Australian National Radio. Mary lived in the United Kingdom for nearly 20 years where she performed extensively and also taught both privately and at such places as the Oratory School in Oxford. Since her return to the US in 2007, Mary has been the pianist for the Aliento Chamber Players who perform and educate throughout New England. In recent years, she has appeared as soloist with the Toledo and Portsmouth symphonies and has released a solo album, The Impressionists. While continuing to perform, she maintains a private studio, gives masterclasses, coaches chamber music and adjudicates competitions.
Mary received her Bachelor and Masters of Music from Indiana University, and has also studied at Eastman School of Music. She studied and received coaching from many renowned teachers including Jerome Rose, James Tocco, Edward Auer, Rebecca Penneys, Josef Gingold and Janos Starker. Recently Mary has relocated to the beautiful Monadnock Region of New Hampshire and will be opening Spring Hill Studio in 2024 which will be a concert and recording venue.
Mary received her Bachelor and Masters of Music from Indiana University, and has also studied at Eastman School of Music. She studied and received coaching from many renowned teachers including Jerome Rose, James Tocco, Edward Auer, Rebecca Penneys, Josef Gingold and Janos Starker. Recently Mary has relocated to the beautiful Monadnock Region of New Hampshire and will be opening Spring Hill Studio in 2024 which will be a concert and recording venue.
Board of Directors
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President, 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. |
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Treasurer, Bill Goodwin
Bill Goodwin has been a Board member of the Grand Monadnock Youth Choirs since 2005 and has handled the Treasurer’s position during all of those years. He graduated from Worcester Polytecnic Institute (WPI) in 1963 and worked in the bearing industry as a mechanical engineer from 1964 - 1996, working in both Connecticut and New Hampshire. Following retirement, he became very involved with community work and arts organizations. Bill has served as Chairman of numerous town committees in Dublin during the past 20 years and is currently treasurer of four organizations. He served as Trustee chairman at the Dublin Community Church for many years and has been actively involved with the Monadnock United Way campaign for the past 10 years. Bill was one of the founders of the Peterborough Folk Music Society, following the closing of the Folkway in 1995. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Secretary, Sarah Phillips
Christine Keller
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Maria Belva, GMYC co-founder
Maria Belva saw a need for choral music education for youth in the Monadnock Region, and along with her husband David Vernier founded the Peterborough Children’s Choir in 1997. Beginning with 20 children ages 7 - 12, Maria cultivated a community of choral music excellence and expanded the one choir into three with 70 singers by 2010. The choir’s name was changed to the Grand Monadnock Youth Choirs in 2011 to reflect that growth. In 2015, Esther Rhoades joined Maria to help grow and strengthen the organization, and in May of 2017 Maria passed the Directorship to Esther.
Maria Belva is a professional choral conductor and private voice teacher. She is a Certified McClosky Voice Technician. Maria has acted and directed for Raylynmor Opera. She is also active as a soprano soloist throughout the Monadnock Region, and in this capacity, she has performed leading roles in operatic and music theatre productions and appears often in churches, community events, benefits, and occasional solo recitals. Maria is a life-long chorister and understands first-hand the impact of creating music together. Founding and nurturing a youth choir for 20 years was the perfect culmination of Maria’s love of children and love of singing!
Maria Belva is a professional choral conductor and private voice teacher. She is a Certified McClosky Voice Technician. Maria has acted and directed for Raylynmor Opera. She is also active as a soprano soloist throughout the Monadnock Region, and in this capacity, she has performed leading roles in operatic and music theatre productions and appears often in churches, community events, benefits, and occasional solo recitals. Maria is a life-long chorister and understands first-hand the impact of creating music together. Founding and nurturing a youth choir for 20 years was the perfect culmination of Maria’s love of children and love of singing!
David Vernier, GMYC co-founder
David Vernier, accompanist, is a lifelong choral musician whose early professional career included teaching positions and conductorships in various public schools and colleges in the U.S. and Canada.
He is an internationally known music critic who co-founded Classicstoday.com. David has degrees from New England Conservatory (B.Mus.) and Columbia University (M.A.; M.Ed.).
He is an internationally known music critic who co-founded Classicstoday.com. David has degrees from New England Conservatory (B.Mus.) and Columbia University (M.A.; M.Ed.).