Our director and accompanist have a combined forty years experience in teaching and directing. Local instrumentalists or duos join our group, adding dimension to our concerts and allowing these talented artists to perform in a new outlet.
Conductor
Connie says, “Music touches my soul! As a choral director, my job is to teach choir members how that feels. Beyond performance, singing is an all inclusive physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental experience. This is why, during rehearsals, I stress the importance of the words, teach good vocal techniques, and encourage the joy of singing. When a choral group collectively feels the passion of a piece, the audience receives the emotion, and everyone’s soul is touched”. She strives to take every opportunity to improve the musicianship, even more importantly, the musicality of each singer.
Since 1979 she’s been a strong part of the music community in the Susquehanna Valley. Most notably, for 24 years she worked as Vocal Music Teacher in the Warrior Run School District. She’s also directed annual musicals at Susquehanna University, serves as music Co-Director, for Milton Harvest Festival Annual “Pops” Concert, and she is Choir Director at First Baptist Church, Milton. Connie joined the BVS family, first as accompanist 2011-2012, then as director 2012 – to Present.
Accompanist
Brett is an organist, conductor, and artist who is a native of the Central Pennsylvania region. Born and raised in Mifflinburg, he is a 2006 graduate of Susquehanna University where he majored in Music Education with an emphasis in Organ Performance. In 2012, he completed his Masters Degree in Wind Conducting from Messiah College. From 2006-2015 Brett served as the Director of Instrumental music for the Milton Area School District where he was responsible for 6-12 Instrumental Music ensembles, lessons, and various music elective courses. After his teaching career, Brett started his own business, showcasing his artistic skills as a photographer and graphic designer.
Appointed as Organist of First Baptist church in May 2019, he has held organist positions at Lincoln Chapel UMC (Laurelton), First Presbyterian (Lewisburg), and Christ Lutheran (Milton). In addition to being an organist and pianist, Brett is a sought after conductor, music educator and clinician throughout the area and is founder of the Milton Area Community Band in which he still conducts. Brett joined the BVS choir in March 2018.
Buffalo Valley Singers 