Music Director: Dr. Julia Davids
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Now in her fifteenth year with the North Shore Choral Society, Dr. Julia Davids is passionate about the difference music makes for individuals and communities. 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 and teaches vocal pedagogy and conducting. Julia coauthored with Stephen LaTour the award-winning book, Vocal Technique – A Guide for Conductors, Teachers, and Singers, published by Waveland Press, 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 2016 recording Sacred Reflections of Canada – A Canadian Mass was nominated for a Juno award for Classical Album of the Year, Choral or Vocal Performance. Julia has earned degrees at the Western University, the University of Michigan, and a D.M. from Northwestern University. She lives in Skokie with her husband and their two children. |
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Accompanist: Sharon Rich Peterson
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Sharon R. Peterson has been pianist for the Chicago Symphony Chorus since 1978 and has accompanied the North Shore Choral Society since 1979. She serves as North Park University’s Theological Seminary Organist (Chicago) and holds a Staff Accompanist position at Northwestern University (Evanston). At Lyric Opera of Chicago, Sharon has worked as Chorus Accompanist, Music Director of their “Opera in the Neighborhood”, Ballet Accompanist, and Swedish Language Coach for the Ryan Opera Center.
During seven years in Sweden and Norway, Sharon developed a specialty in Scandinavian Piano and Organ Repertoire and worked as Staff Accompanist at the Royal Academy of Music in Oslo, Norway. Having studied at Northwestern University and North Park College, Sharon has pursued a career as Collaborative Pianist with singers and instrumentalists, (especially classical saxophone). She coaches Swedish and Norwegian languages as well and is currently teaching a Master Class in Nordic Art Songs at North Park University. Sharon performs organ concerts, serves on the North Shore Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (formerly Sub-Dean), is former Organist of North Park Covenant Church, and Guest Organist at St. James Cathedral and The Chicago Temple, (Chicago), as well as Trinity United Methodist, (Wilmette), and The Village Presbyterian Church, (Northbrook). |
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Assistant Conductor: Tierra Whetstone
Chicago native and opera singer Tierra Whetstone, Assistant Conductor, enjoys the state of excitement that comes upon others when a song is involved. Tierra holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from North Park University where she studied conducting and voice. Tierra has had the honor to perform with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Evanston Symphony Orchestra, Savannah Philharmonic, the Chicago Fringe Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.
When Tierra is not singing or teaching she’s most likely acting it out on the stage. Tierra has had the privilege to work with open door theater, eta Theatre, and Pegasus Theatre in Chicago. In 2013, she was nominated for the Black Theater Alliance award for best supporting actress in a play. Tierra is also a part of Adrian Dunn Singers, a well-rounded group of all Black musicians. Tierra is an enthusiastic teacher and loves what her students teach her every day. Most recently, Tierra had the pleasure of singing backup for Michael Bublé on his Higher Tour at the Allstate Arena in Chicago.
When Tierra is not singing or teaching she’s most likely acting it out on the stage. Tierra has had the privilege to work with open door theater, eta Theatre, and Pegasus Theatre in Chicago. In 2013, she was nominated for the Black Theater Alliance award for best supporting actress in a play. Tierra is also a part of Adrian Dunn Singers, a well-rounded group of all Black musicians. Tierra is an enthusiastic teacher and loves what her students teach her every day. Most recently, Tierra had the pleasure of singing backup for Michael Bublé on his Higher Tour at the Allstate Arena in Chicago.
Board of Directors
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