Boston Choral Ensemble is a small, auditioned, mixed-voice chamber choir.
Katherine Chan, Artistic Director
Australian conductor Dr. Katherine Chan joined BCE as Artistic Director in Fall 2022. Known for her energy and enthusiasm on the podium. As Director of Choral Activities and Associate Teaching Professor of Music at Northeastern University, Chan conducts the Northeastern University Choral Society (Chorus), Chamber Singers, Mosaic Advance Treble Ensemble, and teaches courses in conducting, music theory, and piano. A sought-after choral clinician, Chan also serves as the R & R Collegiate Chair for ACDA Eastern Division.
Leona Cheung, Collaborative Pianist
Leona Cheung is a Boston-based collaborative pianist. She is especially known for her musical leadership and responsiveness while collaborating with singers and conductors. Cheung accompanies ensembles such as the Handel and Haydn Society, Boston Children’s Chorus, Boston Conservatory Choir, Northeastern University Choral Society, and MIT Women’s Chorale. In summer of 2022, Cheung worked closely with the GRAMMY® nominated vocal ensemble Seraphic Fire at the Aspen Music Festival. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Cheung earned her Master of Music and Graduate Diploma in Collaborative Piano from New England Conservatory. (www.leonacheung.com)
Daniel Choi, Administrator
As the Administrator, Daniel Choi works closely with the Artistic Director and Board of Directors to manage BCE’s core operations including event management and internal and external communications. He is also the Communications Manager of the HOPE National Resource Center at the Center for Community-Engaged Medicine at Tufts Medical Center. His professional journey began in the music field, and he holds a Master’s in Music Composition from The Boston Conservatory. In addition to music, Choi enjoys hiking, visiting local breweries, and spending time with his wife and their cat, Hildegard von Bingen.
BCE Singers, 2023-2024
Sopranos
Ellen DeGennaro
Sara DiFiore
Julia Hanna
Shannon Hedrick
Gabrielle Jaques
Ruthlyn Kohn
Kate Melchior
Chrissy Morgan
Lydia Narum
Anna Schwartzberg
Christa Seid-Graham
Liz Wiley
Jenny Wolahan
Altos
Rachael Haar
Joanna Hamilton
Susannah Hatch
Julianna Horiuchi
Joo Hyun Im
Allie Jeffay
Sian Kleindienst
Jillian McGuire
Alexandria Miller
Cyndi Sacco
Vardit Samuels
Tenors
Brian Burke
Nick Canovas
Danny Green
Chris Haimendorf
Ben Horkley
Tim Luo
Dan Shaw
Xiao Shi
René Sorian
Joseph Veneziano
Chih-Chao Yang
Basses
Dylan Griffin
Jeremy Koo
Kevin Madoian
Toru Momii
Sam Maurer
Arjun Mudan
Chris Peters
Nicholas Petersen
Dayna Reichert
Richard Samuels
Sam Wiseman
BCE Board Members, 2023-2024
Vardit Samuels works in the Judaica Division of Harvard Library. She arrived in the Boston area in 2006 and auditioned for BCE before she had a job lined up (priorities!). She is fascinated by linguistics, believes ice cream is a year-round food, and has memorized far too many musical theater lyrics.
Vardit Samuels,
President
Joanna Hamilton (she/her/hers) is a long-time BCE member—she joined in 2007!—and has served on the Board in several roles in her tenure. Joanna works at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute as an Operations Manager for the Clinical Pathways program and co-leads the LGBTQ+ & Friends Employee Resource Group. Outside of work & BCE, Joanna stays busy performing with Small & Casual Productions, gardening, exploring JP, taking on new crafts/hobbies, and doting on her adorable cats, Kit & Caboodle.
Joanna Hamilton,
Vice-President
Chris Haimendorf, Treasurer
When not singing, Kate Melchior (she/her) is Assistant Director of Education at the Massachusetts Historical Society. She joined BCE in 2018, and has absolutely loved singing with such an enthusiastic and creative group and helping to lead their Diversity and Equity initiatives. When not singing or teaching, Kate loves nerding out over history (be careful asking her about historical monuments!), buying cooking spices, travelling, and cuddling with her cat Filou.
Kate Melchior,
Clerk
Julia teaches high school chorus and general music in Milton, which also happens to be where she grew up. She graduated from Vassar College in 2012 and joined BCE shortly afterwards upon returning to the Boston area. She enjoys cooking, camping, cooking while camping, and has recently taken up golf (we'll see how long that lasts...) Julia is excited to be joining the BCE board again after serving as membership chair from 2014-2017.
Julia Hanna,
Membership Chair
Aside from singing, Xiao works as a software engineer and consults on acoustics and voice pedagogy research. Ever since he heard BCE perform for the first time in the Hayden Planetarium in 2017, his fondness of the group has only increased and he gradually became more involved with BCE. Xiao's favorite pastime is playing with his friends' dogs.
Xiao Shi,
Fundraising Chair
Brian is an ardent chorister and tech professional, blending together a broad knowledge of digital media, acoustics, and choral music. In his spare time, he builds e-bikes and volunteers with the elderly.
Brian Burke,
Marketing/Tech Chair
Ruthlyn Kohn (she/her) is a management consultant and currently working on her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Drexel University. Ruthlyn is a US Air Force veteran and leader at her company's veteran employee resource group. A Boston Native, Ruthlyn enjoys giving back to the community by regularly volunteering at the New England Center & Home for Vets and Rosie's Place. In her spare time, you can find her belting out 80s and 90s karaoke at a local dive bar.
