Greater Burlington Children's Chorus
Creating Inspiring Harmony since 2021
Creating Inspiring Harmony
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​Founded in 2021 during the global Covid-19 pandemic, we celebrate the power of singing beautiful choral music to foster & promote Generosity, Beauty, Cultural Knowledge & Community through friendship and service.
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Our mission, "To inspire & enrich lives through the singing of
beautiful music with joyful excellence," informs our progress as together we seek to create inspiring harmony.
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Let's sing, together!
GBCC Staff
Kara Safer
Artistic Director
Kara is a dynamic music educator with a BS in Church Music from Toccoa Falls College in Georgia and a Masters in Community Music from the University of York in the United Kingdom. Kara has extensive experience teaching music and choral arts to children, including a recent three year stint in Turkey teaching music at an International Baccalaureate elementary school. Currently teaching here in VT, Kara has a passion for bringing beautiful music to life in young people.
Karen Reed
Teacher, Accompanist
Karen, a graduate of the Crane School of Music, is a music teacher, church musician, and was an integral leader and long time accompanist with the acclaimed Essex Children's Choir. Having completed graduate work in the music education philosophies of the Kodály and Orff-Schulwerk methods, Karen incorporates musical games, listening exercises, and movement into her lessons. Children's voices, she believes, are one of the most beautiful sounds in the world.
Christa Loescher
Executive Director
Christa feels honored to be working with such inspiring, professional and accomplished artists to establish a vibrant youth chorus here in the greater Burlington area. A wife and mother of five children, she is a graduate of Dartmouth College with degrees in History and Studio Art, and believes it is a perfect time to gather young people and work toward the goal of building something beautiful together.
GBCC Board of Directors
Richard Price
Head of the Board
Rich is the Founder and Director of Avenue Y, a brand and creative agency focused on early-stage and emerging brands, the host and producer of a podcast for music fans, The Age Old Question, and a long-time Board Member at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington VT. A husband and father of five boys, Rich is also a professional musician and lead singer with The Sweet Remains. We're grateful for Rich's enthusiasm for GBCC and his dedication to young people in our community.
Martha Thiei Machar
Treasurer
Martha is the Deputy Finance Officer for the City of South Burlington, having earned her Master of Accounting from UVM in 2012. Originally from the Sudan, she is a former Board Member at the Association of Africans Living in Vermont, and is dedicated, with husband Akol Aguek and family, to inspiring harmony within her community.
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Elizabeth Benoit
Secretary
Elizabeth is a proud GBCC parent. She is a graduate of Bryant University with a Masters in Business Administration from the University of New Haven. A mom of three and a passion for all things music, she brings both a financial and fundraising background to the Board. Elizabeth loves the mission of GBCC and is looking forward to helping ensure that GBCC continues to grow in our community.