artistic director & conductor
co-founder
ELISABETH SOUTHORN brings her wealth of West Coast experience as a professional singer, conductor and teacher to the New York area. She is a soprano who has taught private voice lessons for 25+ years, worked extensively in churches, sings benefits to raise awareness for various social justice issues, and performs solo recitals with an emphasis on music by women composers.
She received her Master of Arts Degree in Choral Music from San Jose State University, where she was assistant conductor to Charlene Archibeque. Professionally, Elisabeth was an Edmonton Opera Apprentice, a member of the San Francisco Opera Chorus, and a recitalist in the greater San Francisco Bay Area; Portland, OR; and Erie, PA. She is a member of ACDA and NATS, and studied voice with Ellie Cohen, Jo Estill, and Ruth Dobson. She also worked in conducting with Helmut Rilling and Rodney Eichenburger.
As a choral conductor, Elisabeth served 13 years as Minister of Music and Worship at St. Stephen Lutheran Church (Portland) where she created and conducted the Chautauqua Community Chorus as a "safe place" choir performing major works with chamber orchestras. This chorus enabled Elisabeth to combine her love of the classics with her passion for social justice by raising funds for many causes at concerts. During this time, she also conducted middle and high school choirs, taking them on tours throughout the Pacific Northwest while putting on auction/dinner shows featuring Broadway tunes. In the fall of 2009, Elisabeth began the Sing for Change, an unaccompanied octet in Erie, PA, with whom she sang, directed and arranged music until June 2012. This group performed for causes of social justice and environmental awareness, and provided entertainment at community events. In 2011, She began the Circle of Friends girls choir for less advantaged girls in conjunction with The Ophelia Project and Sisters of St. Joseph. For more information, please visit www.elisabethsouthorn.com.
She received her Master of Arts Degree in Choral Music from San Jose State University, where she was assistant conductor to Charlene Archibeque. Professionally, Elisabeth was an Edmonton Opera Apprentice, a member of the San Francisco Opera Chorus, and a recitalist in the greater San Francisco Bay Area; Portland, OR; and Erie, PA. She is a member of ACDA and NATS, and studied voice with Ellie Cohen, Jo Estill, and Ruth Dobson. She also worked in conducting with Helmut Rilling and Rodney Eichenburger.
As a choral conductor, Elisabeth served 13 years as Minister of Music and Worship at St. Stephen Lutheran Church (Portland) where she created and conducted the Chautauqua Community Chorus as a "safe place" choir performing major works with chamber orchestras. This chorus enabled Elisabeth to combine her love of the classics with her passion for social justice by raising funds for many causes at concerts. During this time, she also conducted middle and high school choirs, taking them on tours throughout the Pacific Northwest while putting on auction/dinner shows featuring Broadway tunes. In the fall of 2009, Elisabeth began the Sing for Change, an unaccompanied octet in Erie, PA, with whom she sang, directed and arranged music until June 2012. This group performed for causes of social justice and environmental awareness, and provided entertainment at community events. In 2011, She began the Circle of Friends girls choir for less advantaged girls in conjunction with The Ophelia Project and Sisters of St. Joseph. For more information, please visit www.elisabethsouthorn.com.
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Student Assistant
Miranda Christ is a delightful talented young person. She has been a valuable singer in WYC since 2015 and also sings with WYCappella. Last year she showed her leadership skills as she began working with choreography and leading the alto section - she will continue working with our singers in both capacities as well as others. She is also a talented soloist sharing her love of all kinds of music including "oldies," in our "solo spotlight." Miranda shares her love of singing with her high school choir as well at Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua. In addition to her musical passion, Miranda loves horses. She is involved in English horseback riding and gives back through her work as a volunteer at a therapuetic horsemanship facility.
PAST STUDENT ASSISTANT - 2014-2019
(Now at Shepherd School of Music at Rice University,) Kevin Finks another gem of WYC. This multi-talented musician whose passion is string bass, shares his musical ability in many ways. He has arranged music for WYCappella, assists with teaching and conducting our boys as well as singing with them. He has shared solo bass selections in our concerts as well as accompanying baroque, classical, pop and musical theatre pieces when needed. In addition to participating at Yorktown High School, Kevin plays in the Stringendo String program and won their 2016-2017 concerto competition arranging a chamber orchestra score from the original orchestral accompaniment. Kevin is a serious and talented musician and excellent peer leader.
Past Student Assistant - 2016-18
(Now at Muhlenberg College as a theatre major.)Julia Dalrymple is invaluable to WYC. She is a charter member of WYC and WYCappella and leads the soprano section, a frequent soloist beginning her term as student assistant in the fall of 2016. She sings with WYCappella and works as a mentor in both teaching our singers parts and choreography. A senior at Horace Greeley High School, Julia participates in her high school choral program and performs in musicals, in addition to her commitment to WYC. Student Assistants are chosen based on the leadership skills and love of singing – Julia is outstanding in both. She plans to pursue her love for musical theatre in college and beyond.