H+H Youth Choruses Faculty
Conductors
Michele Adams
Conductor, Youth Chorale and Concert Choir
Michele Adams joined the Handel and Haydn Society Youth Choruses last season, conducting the Concert Choir and Youth Chorale. She is pleased to continue working with young artists, having previously served on the artistic teams of the Boston Children's Chorus and the Nebraska Children's Chorus.
A lifelong educator, musician, and administrator, Adams has worked for nonprofits and in education throughout her career. She is the Managing Director of Development of Veritas Christian Academy in Wayland, MA and conducts the Veritas Choir as well. Previously, Adams was the Executive Director of the Performing Arts Center of MetroWest. She is an active guest conductor, educator, and adjudicator.
Adams studied choral conducting, music education, and voice at the University of South Carolina, Florida State University, and the New England Conservatory of Music. Her greatest musical passion is choral conducting, especially children’s choruses. She lives in MetroWest with her husband and two daughters.
Alyson Greer Espinosa
Conductor, Chorus of Sopranos + Altos and Chamber Choir
Alyson Greer Espinosa is thrilled to be in her fourteenth season on the H+H Youth Choruses faculty where she is the conductor of the Chorus of Sopranos + Altos and the Chamber Choir. Most recently, Ms. Greer has prepared the HHYC Chamber Choir for performances at H+H's Baroque Christmas, with the H+H Chorus and Orchestra under the baton of Raphaël Pichon for Beethoven Symphony No. 9, collaborations with the American Spirituals Ensemble and the MIT Chorale, and for the 2023 performance on GBH Christmas Music Spectacular. Ms. Greer has prepared CSA and Chamber Choir for performances with Harry Christophers and the H+H Chorus and Orchestra for Bach’s St. Matthew’s Passion, Handel’s Messiah and Saul, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Mozart’s Requiem, and Monteverdi’s Vespers.
Other ensemble collaborations include the Back Bay Chorale, Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus, Cappella Clausura, Boston Musica Viva, MIT Concert Choir, Metropolitan Chorale, Heritage Chorale, the Eureka Ensemble Women’s Chorus, Mother Caroline Academy, and the NEC Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorale. The former Young Women’s Chamber Choir performed on From The Top and CSA was featured in BBC’s Great American Railroad Journeys under her direction in 2017. Such collaborations and performances have afforded Ms. Greer and her singers inspire musical-educational performances with conductors such as Raphaël Pichon, Harry Christophers, Ian Watson, Dr. Scott Allen Jarrett, Dr. Anthony Trecek-King, Dr. Andrew Clark, Dr. Lisa Graham, John Finney, Dr. Lynnel Jenkins, George Steel, and Ismael Sandoval.
Kevin McDonald
Conductor, Chorus of Tenors + Basses
Dr. Kevin McDonald brings 30 years of teaching experience and a broad musical background to his position as Conductor of the Handel and Haydn Society Chorus of Tenors + Basses. McDonald joined the H+H Youth Choruses Faculty for the 200th Anniversary celebration in 2014. Under his leadership, the Chorus of Tenors + Basses have consistently delivered stellar music performances, engaged in special music projects, worked with guest artists, and collaborated with the professional orchestra and chorus in performances of the Mozart Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. McDonald led the H+H Youth Chorus international tours of Canada in 2017 and Ireland in 2019.
In addition to his role with the H+H, McDonald is in his 20th year as Director of Choral Music at Wellesley High School, where he leads a thriving choral program consisting of 5 curricular choral ensembles and 4 a cappella groups. Under his direction, ensembles at Wellesley High School consistently perform in gold medal showcases and with professional organizations such as the Boston Pops Orchestra and the New York Voices. He is the Director of Music at Wellesley Village Church where he has served for 19 years. McDonald is frequently hired to guest conduct district, regional, and all state festival choirs in the United States and Europe. He is an active adjudicator and clinician at state and division music education conferences. McDonald is the 2023 recipient of the MMEA Lowell Mason Award for Excellence in Music Education and is currently a quarter-finalist for the 2024 Grammy Museum Music Educator Award. Dr. McDonald holds a B.M. in music education from the University of New Hampshire, a M.M. in low brass performance from the University of Idaho, and a DMA in music education with choral conducting emphasis from The Hartt School, University of Hartford.
Nurt Villani
Conductor, New Voices and Treble Chorus
Nurt Villani joined the faculty of the Handel and Haydn Society as conductor of the New Voices choir in 2019. After receiving her BA in music from the University of Cauca in Popayan (Colombia), she went on to study Choral conducting at the Conservatoire de Paris and Gregorian Chant conducting at the Conservatoire de Paris (France), where she was awarded the first prize. During that time, Nurt was assistant conductor of the Maitrise de Paris, and was invited to conduct the Maitrise of the Cathedral in Metz, France, two leading youth choral organizations. Nurt has founded and directed various ensembles including the training choir at Conservatoire Francis Poulenc, the choir of Palais de la Culture in Puteaux, the World Music choir in the Cite Internationale Universitaire, and the Popayán choir celebrating Latin-American music.
Her work in the Boston area after serving on the faculty of Project STEP, she teaches in the Andover Public Schools. She also regularly returns to Colombia to transmit her experience to the next generation of educators. In addition to Choral conducting, she holds diplomas in musical pedagogy from the Kodaly Institute in Esztergom, Hungary; Willems in Lyon, France; and Dalcroze in NY.
Associate Conductors
Andrew Milne
Associate Conductor, Chorus of Sopranos + Altos and Chamber Choir
An avid conductor, singer, and music educator based in Massachusetts, Andrew Milne is thrilled to be on the faculty of HHYC. He currently serves as Director of Choirs at Auburn High School in Auburn, MA, working with students in auditioned and non-auditioned ensembles, extra curricular ensembles, and theater. His students have been accepted to district, state, and national honor choirs as well as top college programs around the country. In addition to his conducting, Andrew is a regular chorister and has sung with choirs such as the internationally acclaimed choirs of Joyful Noise in Torrington, CT with Dr. Gabriel Lofvall, and the Worcester Chorus under Dr. Chris Shepard. His conducting teachers have included Dr. Vernon Huff, Dr. Edward Bolkovac, and Dr. Julie Hagen.
In 2014 Milne was honored as the recipient of the Evangelyna Etienne Scholarship Award given by H+H to a member of the HHYC community for commitment and passion for vocal music; he is an alum of HHYC. Mr. Milne is passionate about community music making, sparking a joy and love of singing in his students, and helping singers understand and navigate the voice change. Andrew is an active member of NAfME, ACDA, and Pi Kappa Lambda. He holds a Bachelor's in Music Education from SUNY Fredonia and a Master's in Music Education: Choral Conducting from The Hartt School, University of Hartford.
Becca Crivello
Associate Conductor, Youth Chorale and Concert Choir
Becca Crivello is thrilled to be joining the H+H Youth Choruses faculty as the Associate Conductor of Youth Chorale and Concert Choir! She is currently the Choral Director at Hudson Memorial School, in Hudson, New Hampshire, where she works with students in grades 6, 7, and 8 curricular choirs, an extra-curricular audition-based choir, and an annual musical.
Crivello holds her B.M. in Music Studies (Education) with a minor in Italian Studies from UMass Lowell (summa cum laude) and her M.M in Music Education from Boston University. While at UMass Lowell, she was active in the a cappella community, having founded a female-identified a cappella group called The Hawkettes and being their Music Director all four years. Upon graduation from Boston University, she received a Departmental Award in Music Education from the BU College of Fine Arts.
Her ensemble ventures include University Singers and Chamber Singers at UMass Lowell, BU Singers, Symphonic Chorus, and Graduate Vocal Ensemble at Boston University, New Hampshire Master Chorale, The Common Voice at UMass Lowell, and the Sarteano Chamber Choral Conducting Workshop. Her conducting ventures include the role of Conducting Intern for Cappella Clausura and conducting in Choral Chameleon’s Conducting Institute.
Currently, she serves as the Secretary and Contemporary/Commercial Music R&R Chair for the NH ACDA chapter. She resides in southern New Hampshire with her husband.
Vocal Pedagogy
Hannah Klein
Vocal Pedagogy Specialist
A Massachusetts-born mezzo-soprano, Hannah Klein is a proud alumna of the H+H Youth Choruses and is thrilled to be returning to H+H as a member of the faculty. Her teaching philosophy focuses on nurturing young voices with a balance of technical development and joyful exploration. Klein tailors her approach to meet individual singer needs, focusing on age-appropriate vocal training that supports voice growth, emphasizing breath support, resonance, and vocal health. Her aim is to create a safe, supportive learning environment where singers feel confident to explore their unique voices. Above all, she strives to inspire a lifelong love of singing while guiding students in their vocal journey with care and enthusiasm. Klein holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and a Master of Music degree in Opera, both from The Curtis Institute of Music.
Musicianship Teachers
Matthew Buono
Lead Musicianship Teacher
Matthew Buono is dedicated with a passion for fostering musical excellence and appreciation in his students and communities. As a career public-school music educator, Mr. Buono instills a love for music and empowers his students to become motivated and independent musicians. Throughout his career, he has been actively involved in the Massachusetts Music Educators Association, contributing his expertise in managing ensembles, serving on boards and committees, and providing professional development. In 2024, Buono was elected to the Executive Board as Elementary Representative.
In addition to his commitment to education, Buono contributes his talents to various performance ensembles. He’s a member of the renowned Tanglewood Festival Chorus and is the Bass-Baritone Section Leader & Soloist for the Village Church Sanctuary Choir. Notably, Buono has showcased his musical leadership as Music Director for Andover Choral Society, guiding the ensemble to outstanding performances and musical growth. He received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Master of Music Education from the Adams School of Music & the Arts at Gordon College.
Mary Kray
Musicianship Teacher
Mary Kray is a classical singer and teacher based in Boston, MA. She’s performed a wide variety of operatic repertoire in collaboration with local companies such as Boston Opera Collaborative, NEMPAC Opera Project, and Boston Lyric Opera. She has received various awards at the district and regional levels of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (2018-2021) and has received recognition from the National Society of Arts and Letters.
In addition to vocal performance, Kray has a passion for teaching voice and music theory. She founded her online private voice studio in 2020, and also teaches voice at Beverly Music Academy. She has coached voice students and taught foundational music theory at Boston Conservatory Vocal Choral Intensive and has had the pleasure of music directing at Arlington Children's Teacher. She is a recent graduate of Boston Conservatory at Berklee where she received her Master of Music in Opera Performance.
Hexing Ouyang
Musicianship Teacher
Hexing Ouyang is an accomplished musician and educator with an impressive international music career. Born in Shenzhen, China, he began his musical journey at the age of 6, mastering the violin. Hexing completed his undergraduate studies at the China Conservatory of Music in Beijing before advancing his education in the United States. He holds a Master of Music from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Boston University.
Alongside his performances, he is deeply committed to teaching both music and the Chinese language, inspiring students with his expertise and passion.
Olivia Rich
Musicianship Teacher
Olivia Rich is thrilled to be working with the H+H Youth Choruses! She teaches the New Voices and Treble Chorus musicianship skills through creative movement. Rich is the lead voice teacher at South County School of Performing Arts in RI, and has also taught at the University of Miami Frost Preparatory Program, Donna E. Shalala MusicReach, and The Mandelstam School. She is passionate about providing access to quality music education, and has done so as a teaching artist with organizations like Arts Ignite and South Kingstown CARES.
Rich holds a B.M. and M.M. in Vocal Performance from University of Rhode Island and University of Miami, respectively. As a soprano, she recently recorded Handel’s Let the Bright Seraphim with Palm Beach Symphony, and was a soloist in Bach’s St. John Passion with the RI Civic Chorale and Orchestra. Rich enjoys dancing, plant-based cooking and birding in her free time.
Collaborative Pianists
Leona Cheung
Pianist for New Voices and Treble Chorus
Leona Cheung is a Boston-based collaborative pianist. An expert in the vocal repertoire from art songs to opera, she is especially known for her musical leadership and responsiveness while collaborating with singers and conductors. Her collaborators include GRAMMY® Award Winning Handel and Haydn Society, Tanglewood Festival Chorus, Seraphic Fire. She has collaborated with Helmuth Rilling and Hong Kong SingFest in multiple choral-orchestral projects. Leona was a founding member and pianist with Cantoria Hong Kong, and can be heard on the Chinese choral music album entitled "Half Moon Rising", presented by the Edition Peters.
Leona is the recipient of the Graham Johnson Art Song XXI Prize 2024, an award named after one of the most respected pianists and Art Song scholars of our time. Her deep devotion to vocal-piano repertoire has brought her to perform extensively in many international festivals, including Aspen Music Festival, Oxford Lieder Festival, Leeds Lieder Festival, Toronto Summer Music, Franz Schubert Institut and Songfest, where she worked with many esteemed artists and scholars across the United States and Europe. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Leona earned her Master of Music and Graduate Diploma in Collaborative Piano from New England Conservatory.
Calvin Kotrba
Pianist for Youth Chorale and Concert Choir
Calvin Kotrba is a classical pianist dedicated to pursuing the true, the good, and the beautiful through music. Originally from Minnesota, he studies with Prof. Gila Goldstein at the Longy School of Music, where he is the recipient of the Presidential Scholarship. He began studying piano with his mother at age three, going on to earn degrees in piano performance and mathematics with highest honors as a student of Dr. Ksenia Nosikova at the University of Iowa.
As a soloist, Kotrba was the first-prize winner of the 2024 Thomas F. Hulbert International Piano Competition and the 2023 University of Iowa Concerto Competition. He has accompanied choirs and performed with ensembles from marching band to orchestra, and is currently a Collaborative Piano Fellow at Longy. Kotrba’s love of music is sustained by his Christian faith. When not playing the piano, he enjoys traveling long distances by train and eating steak.
Pei-Yeh Tsai
Pianist for Chorus of Sopranos + Altos and Chamber Choir
Born in Taiwan, Pei-yeh Tsai has performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. Acclaimed by Yo-Yo Ma as "a powerhouse of a pianist who plays with incredible depth of soul," Tsai has earned numerous prestigious international competition awards.
Currently, Tsai serves on the faculty of Middlebury College's Italian Vocal Program and is the pianist for both Coro Allegro and the New Bedford Symphony. She was with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra for the Pixar film Philharmonia Fantastique, which won a Grammy for Best Engineered Classical. Her performance at the Ravinia Festival was broadcast on PBS’s Great Performances series. Tsai has collaborated with renowned conductors such as Riccardo Muti, Marin Alsop, Edwin Outwater, Edward Gardner, and Ken-David Masur. Her performances have been featured on BBC Radio 4, WFMT, WTVP, and WGBH. Tsai holds a Master of Music from the Juilliard School and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Boston University.
Teaching Artists
Lorenzo Burnside
Teaching Artist
Lorrenzo Burnside, a proud young person of color, is passionately dedicated to uplifting youth through education. He has a diverse background, having served in various musical and community roles. Burnside starts year two of working with the Handel and Haydn Society ready to expand access to music to the students at Mother Caroline Academy, both in the lower schools and upper schools.
In addition to his educational endeavors, he's a multi-instrumentalist, proficient on the electric bass, ukulele, vocals, and more. Burnside's vocal talent spans from his natural baritone to bass and tenor registers, and his musical experience is broad, encompassing classical and jazz to contemporary genres like hip-hop.
Rachael Chagat
Teaching Artist
Rachael Chagat is a Teaching Artist with the Handel and Haydn Society where she teaches K0-6th grade general music at the Winship School in Brighton. She also runs and directs the Choral Program at the New School of Music in Cambridge. In the Fall of 2021, Rachael was named a Fellow in the 2021-2023 cohort of the Music Educator and Teaching Artist (META) Fellowship - a partnership of The Klarman Family Foundation and Mass Cultural Council which seeks to strengthen youth music pathways in Massachusetts by recognizing the critical role educators play in supporting youth. Previously, she has been a Choral Artist with the Metropolitan Opera Guild and served on faculty for the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s Days in the Arts at Tanglewood program.
In addition to her work as a music educator, Rachael is an active performer in the Boston area. Dedicated to both art song and vocal chamber music, she has performed in venues across the U.S. and in Europe. Rachael is a founding member of Ensemble Lyrae, a Boston-based chamber ensemble composed of 4 voices and pianist. Rachael graduated with Distinction from the Longy School of Music in Cambridge with both a Master's and Graduate Performance Diploma in Vocal Performance. While at Longy, she was a 2005 Honors Competition winner and a finalist in the 2007 Concerto Competition. Ms. Chagat earned her Bachelor’s degree at Capital University in Music Education and a certificate from the Zoltán Kodály Pedagogical Institute of Music in Kecskemét, Hungary.
Laura Nevitt
Teaching Artist
Laura Nevitt is a conductor, composer, and educator based in Boston. As a fierce advocate for new music, they love working with composers, and have conducted over 30 premieres of new works. She is especially passionate about giving voice to gender marginalized musicians and poets through choral and vocal music.
Nevitt is Founder and Artistic Director of Lilith Vocal Ensemble, Children’s Choirs’ Director at NEC Prep, Teaching Artist with Boston Lyric Opera and the Handel and Haydn Society, and Music Director at First Parish UU in Needham, MA, where she is also Artistic Director of “To The Fore” Concert Series, focused on bringing historically marginalized voices to the forefront.
Nevitt’s compositions are frequently performed across the country; some highlights being the H+H Youth Choruses, Choral Arts Initiative, Voices Boston Children’s Choir, Boston Conservatory Choir, Nightingale, Lilith, BRACE New Music Choir, Opera on Tap Boston, the UofSC Concert Choir, sparks & wiry cries’ songSLAM, and Source Song Festival.