Voices Rising - About the Chorus

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Women building community through song

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Our Mission Statement

Voices Rising is a women's chorus, founded upon feminist principles of community, inclusivity, activism and education. We sing together to give voice to our lives, identities and beliefs, and to celebrate the diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered and women's communities in and around Boston. Raising our voices in joy and solidarity, we contribute to the growing tradition of the women's choral movement. Through our music, we strengthen ourselves and serve our community's history, present needs and future possibilities.

Artistic Director, Accompanist, and the Leadership Team

A native of Montreal, Canada, Leora Zimmer began her musical career at a very young age, singing, according to family lore, before she could speak. She began to play violin at the age of 6 and informally took up electric bass during those rebellious high school years. She graduated from McGill University in Montreal with a degree in Music Theory. In 1987 Leora moved to Connecticut to attend Yale University, where she both studied and taught music theory, earning two Master's degrees. She then began work as a computer music engraver. Leora joined Another Octave: CT Women's Chorus, and after a year of membership, she served as their Assistant Artistic Director. She also began to sing with, and assumed leadership of The Undertones, a women's a cappella quintet. In addition to conducting and singing, Leora has composed, arranged and co-produced 2 CDs for these two groups. After a brief return to Montreal, where she continued to freelance as music engraver, conductor and singer for various organizations, Leora returned to the United States in 2002 as Artistic Director of the Boston Women's Rainbow Chorus and Assistant Manager of The Foundry Music Company, Connecticut's largest print music retailer. In February 2004, she was invited to direct the talented and spirited women of Voices Rising in their inaugural season and looks forward to the music yet to come.

Jennifer Greene began accompanying choruses at age 10. Since then she has enjoyed working as an accompanist and freelance pianist/organist in schools, universities, musical theatre, and religious communities in the southeast United States and New England. Jennifer holds a degree in piano performance from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a Master of Arts in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University in Cambridge, Mass. She is also a board-certified music therapist and currently practices in the greater Boston area. Jennifer is delighted to be a part of the music and mission of Voices Rising and looks forward to many more exciting and fulfilling seasons.

(2007-2008 Leadership Team Photo courtesy: Sarah Crofts)

The current Leadership Team
Laura Beck, Sarah Crofts, Robin Einzig (President), Emily Engler, Julia Keller, Chris Roberts, Leora Zimmer (Artistic Director)

Past Leadership Team Members
Alyssa Stalsberg, Susie Foster, Cindy King, Laura Ruth Jarrett, Elizabeth Swayze, Jennifer Wry, Barbara Braden, Michele Chapais, Carrie (Kleiman) Braverman, Shelley Irvin, Kate Dahlgren, Katie Dunton, Cheryl Wall, Aimee Michaels