Ann Ellis has been the Choral Society’s accompanist since 1995. Originally from Missouri, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from West Chester University where she studied piano with Richard Veleta and voice with Joy Vandever. She also earned the Master of Music degree in Music Education at West Chester University where she studied vocal performance with Emily Bullock. Currently Mrs. Ellis is the choral director for Bayard Rustin High School in the West Chester Area School District where she directs four choirs, teaches music theory, and conducts a musical keyboarding class.
Mrs. Ellis teaches private lessons in piano and voice in her home studio. Many of her students have achieved awards and recognition in regional, state, and national competitions. She has accompanied competitions, concerts, musicals and recitals in the Chester County and greater Philadelphia areas since 1981. Some of the highlights of her career include the privilege of accompanying soprano, Lis Cass Geoghegan, in the White House as part of the holiday festivities in December of 2000. More recently she accompanied Chester County Voices Abroad in their 2010 concert tour of France including performances at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, the American Cemetery in Normandy, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes for the International Mass and Candlelight Procession.
Mrs. Ellis also serves in the music ministry at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Thornton, Pennsylvania having performed various roles since 1984 including organist, handbell choir director, children’s and youth choir director, assistant music director, and choir accompanist. Mrs. Ellis resides in West Chester with her husband Charles.
