Artistic Director
Dr. Maureen Simpson began her tenure as our Artistic Director in 2008. She has a wide range of education and experience for her role as the Aiken Choral Society Artistic Director.
Maureen grew up in Aiken; following her graduation from Winthrop University with a B. M. in Vocal Performance, Maureen received a full scholarship to the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. She then studied at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. She received her Master's of Music from Indiana University-Bloomington and completed her doctorate at the University of South Carolina.
With more than 40 opera roles and performances on stage with artists such as Luciano Pavarotti, Jon Vickers, Joan Sutherland, Rita Hunter, James Morris, Diane Soviero and Louis Quilico. Her favorite roles are Dolly Levi in Hello Dolly and the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro.
Maureen has taught voice and music classes at USC in Columbia, Benedict College, and at Georgia Southern University. Previously she was Director of Music at St. Mary Help of Christians Church in Aiken. Currently she is a lecturer for USC Aiken Academy for Lifelong Learning, The Met In HD.
Maureen not only directs our singers, she teaches us vocal techniques that enable us to be a more professional group. Her philosophy is the vocal health of her singers is of primary importance. Always striving for excellent quality, Maureen's love for music and her singers shines in every practice and performance.
Dr. Simpson brings a wide range of experience to a role she loves – directing the Aiken Choral Society in her hometown.
Accompanist
David Brown is a member of the Adjunct Faculty in the Fine Arts Department of USC-Aiken. He received a B.M. in Piano Performance from the Crane School of Music, SUNY, Potsdam, NY and a Masters in Music Education from Columbia University, Teachers College, NYC.
He teaches piano privately in Aiken, and has accompanied the Young People’s Chorus of New York City and the Montclair State University Chorale, as well St. John's Methodist Church Chancel Choir, and the USC-Aiken Concert Choir. He performs regularly in jazz and other groups in the region.
Board of Directors
Dr. Ernesto Barquet-Gonzalez, President
Maureen (Mo) Swanson, Vice President
Troy Butler, Treasurer
Alexia Carawley-Barton, Marketing
Christine Bulter, Marketing
Vicky Westland, Recording Secretary
Jan Bogardus, Corresponding Secretary
Ardith Bohman, Education and Community Outreach
Paul Elmshaeuser, Operations
April Leeman, IT and Media
Maureen Simpson, Artistic Director
Bernice DeLoach
Ken Wanless
Mark LeGrand
Lyn VanDervort
Sharon Johnson