Artistic Director: Dr. David A. McConnell
Dr. David A. McConnell founded Vox Philia in 2012 as an intergenerational chamber choir comprised of professional and gifted amateur singers. The choir’s performances have garnered considerable acclaim for thematic programming and musical excellence. In the summer of 2014, Dr. McConnell co-founded Berks Sinfonietta, a chamber orchestra that also utilizes an intergenerational approach, bringing professional Reading, PA players together with gifted students in both high school and college.
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Dr. McConnell teaches music courses at Pennsylvania State University, Berks Campus and Alvernia University in Reading. As Minister of Music at Immanuel UCC, he plays for weekly liturgies, conducts the Senior Choir and Bell Choir, oversees the training and rehearsing of four other choirs and manages an active concert series at the church.
Dr. McConnell received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in December 2002. |
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A native of Philadelphia, Dr. McConnell also holds degrees from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey and Temple University in Philadelphia. He has attended the prestigious Pierre Monteux School for Conductors and Orchestral Musicians in Hancock, Maine, the South Carolina Conductor's Institute in Columbia, South Carolina, and The Conductors Institute at Bard College.
Dr. McConnell has presented papers at the national American Choral Directors Association in San Antonio, Texas and the College Music Society Northeast Chapter Conference in Lewiston, Maine. Articles by Dr. McConnell have appeared in journals of the International Federation of Choral Music, the American Choral Director’s Association, the Conductors’ Guild and the American Beethoven Society. He has written a chapter on Beethoven’s early Piano Concerto in E-flat for inclusion in a book being published about Beethoven’s time in Bonn.
In recent years, Dr. McConnell has conducted choirs in Portugal, The Netherlands, and Latvia, as well as throughout the northeastern United States.
Dr. McConnell has presented papers at the national American Choral Directors Association in San Antonio, Texas and the College Music Society Northeast Chapter Conference in Lewiston, Maine. Articles by Dr. McConnell have appeared in journals of the International Federation of Choral Music, the American Choral Director’s Association, the Conductors’ Guild and the American Beethoven Society. He has written a chapter on Beethoven’s early Piano Concerto in E-flat for inclusion in a book being published about Beethoven’s time in Bonn.
In recent years, Dr. McConnell has conducted choirs in Portugal, The Netherlands, and Latvia, as well as throughout the northeastern United States.
Assistant Conductor: Makiah Robinson
Makiah Robinson is a Soprano and private voice/piano instructor from Elizabeth, New Jersey. In 2022, she completed her Bachelor’s of music degree in Music Performance at Kean University, where she conducted wonderful choral works such as Eric Whitacre’s Sing Gently and Mozart’s Ave Verum Corpus with full orchestra.
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Makiah is currently a graduate student at Westminster Choir College studying Choral Conducting. During her first year, she was mentored by Dr. James Jordan, Dr. Donald Nally, and Dr. Steve Pilkington, while serving as the Graduate Assistant for Westminster’s Chapel Choir, under the direction of Marion Jacobs. She also serves as the Soprano Section Leader at Lamington Presbyterian Church under the direction of Dr. James Goldsworthy.
While conducting is a central focus of her work, Makiah is equally passionate about singing. She delivered a memorable Senior Recital at Kean University, showcasing her vocal artistry, and served as the soprano soloist in Mozart’s powerful Requiem. Makiah is always thrilled to share her love of Choral Music with a community of singers and looks forward to growing as a musician while impacting the lives of those around her. |
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Accompanist: Dr. Akiko Hosaki
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Dr. Akiko Hosaki, collaborative pianist, serves as accompanist with Voices Chorale NJ. She has worked with several opera companies in the U.S. and Japan, and is an active chamber musician. Dr. Hosaki currently serves as the head of vocal staff accompanists and the pianist coordinator at Westminster Choir College, and Senior Choir Director/organist at Hillsborough Reformed Church at Millstone, where she runs the concert series. She holds degrees from Musashino Academia Musicae in Japan, Westminster Choir College, and University of Minnesota.
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Voices Chorale NJ Board of Directors:
President: Jane Read
Vice President: Bob Kull
Treasurer: Bob Wiedemann
Secretary: Linda Silber
Member: Catherine Judd Hirsch
Member: Justin Lacombe
Member: Kim Stolow
Artistic Director: David A. McConnell
President: Jane Read
Vice President: Bob Kull
Treasurer: Bob Wiedemann
Secretary: Linda Silber
Member: Catherine Judd Hirsch
Member: Justin Lacombe
Member: Kim Stolow
Artistic Director: David A. McConnell
