Since 1971, the West Village Chorale has performed an eclectic repertoire that celebrates the classics and gives voice to new directions in choral music. In a wireless age of downloads, playlists and podcasts, we bring chorus and audience together in the spirit of community to experience the joy of choral music, live.
Michael Conley, Artistic Director
Michael Conley, composer, conductor, organist, pianist, oboist, and singer, was appointed Artistic Director of the West Village Chorale in July 2000, becoming the third conductor since the choir was formed in 1971. He leads the Chorale in a series of concerts at the historic Judson Memorial Church in the beautiful Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan.
Mr. Conley holds a bachelor's degree in composition from James Madison University in Virginia. His master's degree in conducting is from Westminster Choir College, where his principal teacher was Joseph Flummerfelt. While a student at Westminster he was awarded the Mueller Prize for outstanding work in the field of choral composition. In New York City, Mr. Conley has held positions as Assistant Director of Music to Kent Tritle at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola (1996-1999), as Assistant Conductor of The Collegiate Chorale (2000-05), and as Director of the High School Chorus at the Dalton School (currently). With the Collegiate Chorale, Mr. Conley conducted the "Remembering the Dream" concert in January 2005 at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Times Square, besides helping prepare the Chorale for 14 Carnegie Hall performances and several special performances with the EOS Orchestra, the Ulster Philharmonic, at the Caramoor Festival and at the Verbier Festival.
Mr. Conley's other New York area conducting engagements have included a collaboration with the Omega Dance Company at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, leading a performance of Bernstein's Chichester Psalms and Copland's In the Beginning; a season as choirmaster for the Connecticut Grand Opera; and two seasons as Music Director and pianist at the Woodstock Fringe Festival. As a singer, Mr. Conley is a founding member of the professional 12-voice choir "Manhattan Voices" and was the baritone soloist with the Gregg Smith Singers in the premiere performance and recording of Princeton composer Dmitri Tymoczko's The Agony of Modern Music in spring 2005. He is also currently Music Director at Judson Memorial Church on Washington Square South.
Elena Belli, Pianist and Assistant Conductor
Elena Belli, pianist and assistant conductor, is a versatile concert artist and influential teacher. As a performer she has appeared nationally and internationally as both a soloist and chamber musician. In New York she appears regularly with prestigious instrumentalists and vocalists from leading ensembles including the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, the New York Philharmonic and the Orchestra of St. Luke's. She has also toured throughout Europe with members of the Berlin Philharmonic. New York concert venues have ranged from residencies at St. Mark's Church in the Bowery and the Empire Center for the Performing Arts in Albany, to performances at Merkin Hall, CAMI Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, as well as multiple broadcasts on WQXR and WNYC FM Radio.
Her career is notable for its consistent tenure with ensembles including The Music in the Mountains Festival Chamber Players, the Lumese Piano Trio, Poné Ensemble for New Music, the Da Salò Chamber Artists, and the New-York-based ensemble Musical Chairs. Her expertise extends to contemporary music, including a broad array of World premieres, some of which were written expressly for her. She has also performed as a soloist with the Columbia Festival Orchestra, the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, Connecticut Grand Opera and Orchestra, and the Music in the Mountains Festival Orchestra.
Ms. Belli holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Manhattan School of Music. She is considered by her colleagues to be an extraordinarily effective educator, teaching developing young pianists passion, joy, solid musicianship and consummate technique. Her students consistently excel at competitions, and music remains a part of their lives forever. Ms. Belli is currently Chairperson and Coordinator of the AMTL Young Musicians Concert at Carnegie Recital Hall. Piano faculty positions include the Manhattan School of Music Precollege Division, Concordia College and the Hoff-Barthelson Music School.
A devoted and valuable part of the WVC community, Ms. Belli has been the pianist for the West Village Chorale since 1988.
The West Village Chorale
The Chorale members are talented avocational singers who share varied professional backgrounds but one goal: to make beautiful music. They give voice, leadership and passion to the Chorale.
| SOPRANOS April Darcy Katie Ghilain Beth Gilroy Jenna Johnson Maureen McCarthy Sarah Morrow Michele Rosenthal Katie Sanborn Mary Sheridan Carolyn Swartz Gail Williams |
ALTOS Kathy Armitage Ana Beranek Renée Cafiero Grace Goodman Sara Kate Heukerott Susan Leicher Christina Longo Juliet Milhofer Marge Pfleiderer Hiie Saumaa Loren Silber Anne Steinfeld Joette Warren |
TENORS Steven Bizzell Andrew McDonough John Onderdonk Elan Raday Sam Ruiz Edward Shiner |
BASSES Teedo Bilecky Andy Blazaitis Salvo Candela John Herzfeld Eric Linton Warren Moore Timothy Rooney |