ARTISTIC STAFF BIOS          

Sandy R. Holland, the Artistic Director of the Charlotte Children's Choir, has been with the Choir since 1991.  Ms. Holland received her Bachelor’s degree from Pfeiffer College and Master’s degree from Indiana University where she served as assistant conductor of the University Children’s Choir under the direction of Dr. Mary Goetze.  She was recently selected as a Chorus America Masterclass Conducting Fellow with Dr. Joseph Flummerfelt and Dr. Ann Howard Jones.

Sandy is the founding director of the “Children’s Celebration in Song” summer program for 150 children in the greater Charlotte area, and co-founder of the Annual Piedmont Invitational Children’s Choir Festival for children’s choirs across the state of North Carolina. Under her direction the Charlotte Children’s Choir has appeared at Carnegie Hall, on the A&E Television Special “Judy Collins Christmas at Biltmore”, appears regularly with the Charlotte Symphony, with Opera Carolina, and was featured in 2006 on NPR’s “From the Top”.   Her choirs have also sung for regional and national music educator’s conferences, including the 2006 National Kodály Conference, the ACDA Southern Division Convention in 2000 and 2008, and the American Orff-Schulwerk Association National Conference in 1996 and 2007.  An experienced and sought after choral clinician, Sandy has conducted all-state choruses, workshops and clinics in twelve states.

Ms. Holland is a member of the Organization of American Kodály Educators, American Orff-Schulwerk Association, Chorus America, and the American Choral Director’s Association.  She is certified in Orff-Schulwerk and has received the Artist Teacher Diploma from the Choral Music Experience Institute with Doreen Rao.   Sandy is the past-chair of the Repertoire and Standards Committee on Children’s Choirs for the Southern Division of ACDA, and the 2008 Chair of the ACDA Southern Division Honors Choir.

 

Dr. Heather Williams Potter, Associate Conductor, conducts the Lyric Choir. She also serves as the Director of Youth and Children’s Music at First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Gastonia, North Carolina. As an active clinician, Dr. Potter frequently conducts treble ensembles for music conferences and festival choirs and presents children’s choir training workshops. She serves on the Choristers Guild National Board and the advisory board for the Choristers Guild Institute and as the Repertoire and Standards Chair for Children's Choirs for North Carolina American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

Dr. Potter holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Furman University, a Master of Music degree in Choral Music Education from Arizona State University and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In addition, she has completed Level III in the Choral Music Experience certification course and holds Choristers Guild Children’s Choir Leadership certification. Dr. Potter is a member of ACDA, Choristers Guild, and Music Educators National Conference. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, Kenney, and their daughter, Syl.

 

Charlotte Cathcart Judge is the Director of the Descant Choir. She has worked for the Charlotte Children’s Choir as an assistant as well as an accompanist. 

Charlotte is an accomplished vocalist and pianist and performs often in the Charlotte area. She attended Winthrop University and the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. Mrs. Judge is on the music ministry staff at Providence United Methodist Church, where she directs elementary age children's choirs, and the Musikgarten Program for young children. Mrs. Judge has a private piano studio. 

William E. Gouge is the Principal Accompanist for the Charlotte Children’s Choir.  Bill, a former NC Visiting Artist, is a highly sought after accompanist in the Charlotte area.  In addition to his duties with the Choir, he accompanies the Opera Carolina Chorus and is the Music Director and Organist at Central United Methodist Church in Concord.  He has appeared as a soloist with Music in the Mountains, the Oratorio Singers of Charlotte, the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra and the Union Symphony.   He is a graduate of Queens College where he won the Queens College Performance Award.  

Carey Cannon, Associate Director directs the Cantare and co-directs the Youth Chorale.  He is the Minister of Music at Providence Baptist Church.  Carey holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Furman University, Masters of Arts degrees in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance from George Mason University. 

He was a bass vocalist with the US Army Chorus for four years.  Carey is currently a doctorial candidate in choral conducting at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and lives in Charlotte with his wife Janet and two children.

Kim Kimbro, accompanist for the Lyric Choir has been with the Charlotte Children's Choir for the past six years.  Mr. Kimbro is a Charlotte native and received his education in music from Queens College and Winthrop College.  Mr. Kimbro has performed throughout the Charlotte area, and currently serves as the Director of Music at St. Thomas Lutheran Church and rehearsal accompanist at First Presbyterian, Church.

Regina Graham Love is accompanist for Cantare and combined Belle Voce/Cantare choirs. She has served as accompanist/performer throughout the region for over 30 years, playing for such groups as Charlotte Youth Oratorio, Oratorio Chamber Singers, Queens University choirs, Charlotte Philharmonic Chorus, and Festival Singers of Carolina Voices.  With a degree in Piano Performance from Converse College, she has appeared as solo keyboard recitalist throughout her career and currently maintains an extensive schedule in both accompanying and chamber music.  In addition, Ms. Love is a private piano instructor and has served for 12 years as Director or Music/Organist at Avondale Presbyterian Church.

THE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF 

Nancina Pope is the Executive Director of the Charlotte Children’s Choir and oversees the day-to-day business operations and functions of the Choir. 

She actively works to raise funds through grant writing and other development activities. Nancina serves as the Choir’s liaison with the Arts & Science Council and is an active member of the Association of Fund Raising Professionals. She has a Master’s in Business Administration.