ABOUT US
Mission
The Baltimore Children's Choir is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization in Maryland. The organization shares choral music from a variety of traditions with a broad and diverse audience. We make choral music accessible to children in the greater Baltimore area, in a positive, child-centered environment. We share choral music with students, families, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly through outreach to schools, groups that provide services to children and families, and other relevant multi-generational organizations and institutions.
Vision
Every child at Baltimore Children’s Choir has a unique voice to be celebrated. By offering affordable tuition, scholarship aid for those in need, and musical outreach through our Baltimore School partnerships, we can create a vibrant culture of young voices from diverse backgrounds and abilities that emphasizes inclusion and collaboration. A shared love of music and a sense of belonging builds confidence, joy, and leadership skills that positively impact the greater community.
Values
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Access to quality music education is a basic right, and all children should have equal access - regardless of race, socio-economics, learning differences, or neurodiversity. This is the impetus behind our offering of differing neighborhood groups and school partnerships.
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Teamwork is integral: By modeling teamwork and collaboration among the staff, the students see us utilize our gifts together. They learn to apply these concepts and work together in a peaceful and positive manner.
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Community is crucial: There is magic in having our small community group, and then gathering with one another with the same music, playing games, and working together.
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Positive identity is essential and purposeful: Students need to see themselves in their leaders and facilitators.
Meet our Staff
Joseph Shortall is in his 14th season serving as the Baltimore Children's Choir Artistic Director. In addition to his work with BCC, he is the Assistant Director of the Maryland State Boychoir, and he is a choral music specialist in the Baltimore County Schools. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Maryland. Mr. Shortall is an active clinician, church musician, and performer.
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Patricia Shortall is a volunteer who serves as General Manager and Executive Director for the Baltimore Children's Choir. Each week, in addition to all of her "behind the scenes" work, she works with our youngest group, Treble Makers. Ms. Shortall is the 1st-grade teacher at St. Casimir Catholic School in Baltimore City. In her spare time, she sings with the Charm City Singers.
Cécile Audette serves as Assistant Director, Outreach Coordinator, and Director of Education for the Baltimore Children’s Choir. She teaches General Music at Archbishop Borders School and the GreenMount School. In addition to her work at BCC, Ms. Audette is a freelance singer, an Assistant Director of the Children’s Chorus of Washington and Coordinator of Outreach at the Canticle Singers of Baltimore. Ms. Cécile earned her MM Vocal Performance/Pedagogy and Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College.
Christopher Correlli is the Head Collaborative Pianist, Assistant Director, and Treasurer of the Baltimore Children's Choir. In addition to his work with us, Mr. Correlli is a professional singer and pianist who serves as accompanist of the Peabody Preparatory Vocal Department. He is also the Music Director of Mountain Church Ministries. A parent of 3 delightful BCC members, Mr. Chris maintains a private piano/vocal studio and is completing his doctoral degree in church music.
Delia Hatten is in her third year at the Baltimore Children's Choir as a conductor and Program Associate where she teaches at GreenMount and Cardinal Shehan School. Ms. Hatten was a member of the renowned Morgan State Choir during her college years. A current and founding member of the Urban Choral Arts Society, she held the position of Director’s Assistant of the YATTAS Performing Arts Summer Camp 2018 - 2022. Ms. Hatten is also an adjunct professor of Anthropology at Morgan State University.
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Erica Ortega returns to the Baltimore Children's Choir where she teaches general music at Odyssey School. Ms. Timmerman earned her Master's Degree in Vocal Performance/ Pedagogy from East Carolina University and her BA in Music Education from Loras College. An award-winning opera singer, Ms. Timmerman has held numerous title roles throughout the United States. Most recently, she was a member of the Maryland Opera Company at Wolf Trap.
Juwon Lim, a notable composer and avid educator is excited to join the Baltimore Children’s Choir where she is teaching at St. Casimir School. Winner of the 2023 Margaret Blackburn Composition Competition, her music has been performed at numerous festivals in the US and will be featured at the ECHOFLUXX New Music Festival by the Prague Modern Ensemble later in 2024, as a winner of Call for Scores. Ms. Juwon earned her MM in Composition from the Peabody Institute (JHU) under the guidance of Sky Macklay and her bachelor’s degree (with honors) at Suny Purchase.
We welcome Bonnie Tarbert to the Baltimore Children’s Choir this year! Passionate about early childhood education, Bonnie has self-published 12 early childhood stories. A skilled pianist and singer, she performs musical story times throughout the greater Baltimore area. Bonnie earned her M.A.T. Degree from Notre Dame of Maryland University. She recently served as a musical enrichment specialist at Hampstead Hill Academy and the Children's Choir Director at Grace United Methodist Church. This year, Bonnie will be teaching early education students at the St. Casmir School.
Joining us this season is our new Choral Conducting Fellow, Alex Blenman (they, them), who was born and raised in Baltimore City. Mx. Alex has been singing since the age of nine. A member of Maryland State Boychoir from 2009 - 2016, they attended and graduated from Baltimore School for the Arts in 2020. Mx. Alex has sung with the Maryland Opera Company in many First Friday Concerts at Boordy Vineyards. Since 2021, they have worked with Annapolis Opera Company, as a member of the Opera Chorus. Mx. Alex has served as Tenor Section Leader for the Cathedral of the Incarnation since 2021.
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Benny Griese (they/he) is thrilled to return to Baltimore Children's Choir for his second season as a conductor of the Cantare Singers! A senior at Towson University, Benny is devising an original degree path, emphasizing contemporary voice techniques, ensemble voice work, and collaborative keyboard. He is the choir director at Fallston United Methodist Church, a conducting scholar for the Maryland State Boychoir, and he maintains a small voice studio. His passion for musical theatre has inspired Benny's work with the TU Theatre Department, the TU Student Theatre Club, and the Scottfield Theatre Company.
Join Our Team!
The Baltimore Children's Choir staff is inclusive, welcoming, and innovative. We share a passion for teaching young children, and together, we work with over 1200 students each week, providing an excellent music education both during and after school.
BCC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and employment decisions are made without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, physical, or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, or any category protected by law.
CONTACT US
Contact Us
Find us:
Cathedral of the Incarnation
4 E University Pkwy
Baltimore, MD 21218
St. John's Lutheran Church
8808 Harford Road
Parkville, MD 21234
Abbott Memorial Church
3426 Bank Street
Baltimore, MD 21224