Music Director: Dr. Julia Davids
Dr. Julia Davids is passionate about the difference music makes for individuals and communities. Music Director of the NSCS since 2009, she comes from London, Ontario, Canada, where she grew up singing in the Amabile Youth Choir, her church choir, and the Ontario Youth Choir. She now enjoys singing professionally with Bella Voce and other choirs in the Chicago area.
Julia is the Stephen J. Hendrickson Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at North Park University where she directs the University Choir and Chamber Singers, teaches vocal pedagogy and conducting, and is Music Department Chair. Julia co-authored with Stephen LaTour the award-winning book, Vocal Technique – A Guide for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers, published by Waveland Press, and now in a second edition. She is a frequent workshop and master class leader and has presented at numerous conferences for organizations including Choral Canada, the American Choral Director’s Association, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Julia also serves as Director of Music Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church, Wilmette.
Julia is a founding member of the Canadian Chamber Choir, Canada’s national professional choir dedicated to building communities through choral singing. Artistic Director of the CCC since 2004, Julia returns to Canada multiple times a year to conduct and sing with the ensemble. The Canadian Chamber Choir’s 2024 release, Where Waters Meet, highlights their collaboration with Cree composer and singer, Sherryl Sewepagaham. Julia has been selected as the 2026 Guest Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Canada, Choral Canada’s flagship program for singers ages 18-24.
Julia has earned degrees at Western University, the University of Michigan, and a D.M. from Northwestern University. She lives in Skokie with her husband, Baroque violinist Martin Davids. They continue to be astounded by their two awesome children.
Julia is the Stephen J. Hendrickson Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at North Park University where she directs the University Choir and Chamber Singers, teaches vocal pedagogy and conducting, and is Music Department Chair. Julia co-authored with Stephen LaTour the award-winning book, Vocal Technique – A Guide for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers, published by Waveland Press, and now in a second edition. She is a frequent workshop and master class leader and has presented at numerous conferences for organizations including Choral Canada, the American Choral Director’s Association, and the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Julia also serves as Director of Music Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church, Wilmette.
Julia is a founding member of the Canadian Chamber Choir, Canada’s national professional choir dedicated to building communities through choral singing. Artistic Director of the CCC since 2004, Julia returns to Canada multiple times a year to conduct and sing with the ensemble. The Canadian Chamber Choir’s 2024 release, Where Waters Meet, highlights their collaboration with Cree composer and singer, Sherryl Sewepagaham. Julia has been selected as the 2026 Guest Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Canada, Choral Canada’s flagship program for singers ages 18-24.
Julia has earned degrees at Western University, the University of Michigan, and a D.M. from Northwestern University. She lives in Skokie with her husband, Baroque violinist Martin Davids. They continue to be astounded by their two awesome children.
Assistant Conductor: Tierra Whetstone
Chicago native and multifaceted-musician, Tierra Whetstone thrives on the excitement that music brings to people’s lives. A vocalist, conductor, and performer, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music from North Park University, where she focused on conducting and voice, and is currently pursuing her Master of Music in Conducting and Ensemble Performance at her alma mater. Tierra has performed with esteemed ensembles including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Savannah Philharmonic, Evanston Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Fringe Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Thompson Street Opera Company, and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.
She is ecstatic to be in her seventh season serving as Assistant Conductor with the North Shore Choral Society. Most recently, she conducted Thompson Street Opera’s double bill of “The Last Word” and “Forever” and served as Music Director for Loyola University’s production of Notes From the Field in February 2025.
Beyond her work as a singer and teacher, Tierra is also a passionate actress. She has collaborated with Open Door Theater, ETA Theater, and Pegasus Theatre in Chicago. In 2013, she earned a nomination for the Black Theater Alliance Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Play for her role in Open Door Theater’s Clara.
Tierra is a well-rounded musician who finds joy in every facet of her artistry, from the rehearsal room to the stage. She is passionate about using music to tell stories, uplift voices, and build meaningful artistic connections.
She is ecstatic to be in her seventh season serving as Assistant Conductor with the North Shore Choral Society. Most recently, she conducted Thompson Street Opera’s double bill of “The Last Word” and “Forever” and served as Music Director for Loyola University’s production of Notes From the Field in February 2025.
Beyond her work as a singer and teacher, Tierra is also a passionate actress. She has collaborated with Open Door Theater, ETA Theater, and Pegasus Theatre in Chicago. In 2013, she earned a nomination for the Black Theater Alliance Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Play for her role in Open Door Theater’s Clara.
Tierra is a well-rounded musician who finds joy in every facet of her artistry, from the rehearsal room to the stage. She is passionate about using music to tell stories, uplift voices, and build meaningful artistic connections.
Accompanist: Sharon Rich Peterson
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Sharon Rich Peterson has been Accompanist for the Chicago Symphony Chorus since 1978 and Accompanist for the North Shore Choral Society since 1979. She is also a Collaborative Pianist at North Park, and occasionally DePaul and Northwestern Universities. Sharon plays with the Grant Park Festival Chorus, and with numerous instrumentalists and singers in the Chicago area. A Course Instructor for the Graduate music program, University Organist, Organ Instructor, and Organist at North Park Theological Seminary, Chicago, Sharon is also Organist at Village Church, Northbrook.
Living seven years in Scandinavia, teaching and playing concerts in Sweden and working at the Royal Academy of Music in Oslo, Norway, led to her specialty in Scandinavian piano and organ repertoire. Sharon and Andrea Handley regularly give Piano Duo concerts of repertoire ranging from Mozart to hymn arrangements. Sharon’s specialties include the classical saxophone repertoire, working as Collaborative Pianist annually since 2013 for the Frederick L. Hemke Saxophone Institute, in Maine, and coaching singers in Swedish and Norwegian, including at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. A 1979 graduate of North Park College, Sharon is delighted to regularly make music with current University Choir students as Collaborative Pianist. |
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Board of Directors
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