AMANDA NELLI
Artistic Director
Concert & Chamber Choir Conductor
Amanda Nelli is a distinguished children’s choir conductor and elementary music educator with more than 15 years of dedication and experience. She has been recognized with numerous awards, including the St. Catharines Arts in Education Award, the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce Women in Business (Cultural Arts) Award, and was nominated for the prestigious Leslie Bell Award for Choral Conducting. Her Fern Hill Chorus placed first at the National Music Festival in 2019, 2017 and 2014. Her Chorus Niagara Children’s Choir (CNCC) Concert Choir won the gold award at the national competition MusicFest Canada in 2018.
Amanda is entering her eleventh season as the Artistic Director of the CNCC. Under her leadership, the CNCC has become a dynamic organization with four choirs for children and youth ages 3-18. They have had the honour of performing with international artists such as Measha Brueggergosman and Pavlo Simtikidis. The CNCC enjoy many performances with accomplished groups such as Chorus Niagara, the Niagara Symphony Orchestra and Bravo Niagara! Festival of the Arts. The CNCC Chamber Choir was invited to perform a cameo concert at the prestigious Podium national choral festival in May 2020. Amanda is a strong advocate for choral music education in the Niagara community. She collaborated with Brock University (Dr. Rachel Rensink-Hoff) and the Niagara School Boards to deliver inspiring music education and performance experiences for over 100 students.
As the Music Specialist at Fern Hill Private School in Oakville, Amanda designed and implemented a Music Program for Preschool to Grade 8 students with a focus on music literacy, choral singing, performance, and Orff pedagogy. She is the music director and producer for their annual staged musicals. Her accomplished Fern Hill Chorus have performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts.
Amanda holds a Master of Arts (Music Education) from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Education from Queen’s University (Artist in Community Education), Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance) from the University of Ottawa and studied choral conducting at the Westminster Conducting Institute in Princeton.
JENNIFER MCKILLOP
Training & Intemediate Choir Conductor
Jennifer specializes in teaching music, conducting, and designing curriculum for young children. She received her Hons. Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Brock University. During her musical studies, she was honored to receive performing opportunities at the Chancellor’s Inauguration (2001) and at over 150 Convocation Ceremonies (2001-present). She was also awarded for academic excellence, outstanding achievement, and exceptional performance ability in singing. These qualities, combined with 20 years of experience teaching, make Jennifer’s programming sought after by Montessori Schools, Music Studios, and Music Camps in the Niagara Region, including the Niagara Symphony Summer Music Camp. She also owns and operates her own studio, Grimsby’s FUN School of Music, where she offers private lessons and group programs in many instruments for all ages. Along with her active teaching career, Jennifer keeps a busy performing schedule singing throughout the Niagara Region and the GTA. She is currently studying Italian opera with Dr. Maria Vetere and legendary soprano, Aprile Millo, of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She has traveled to Italy twice to further her studies and while in Italy, made her Italian debut in a concert honouring the great Renata Tebaldi. She also had the privilege of singing for world-class opera Conductor Richard Bonynge. She is pleased to be working with the Training and Intermediate Choirs this season. Jennifer's heart truly lies in sharing her passion for music with others!
JULIE BROOMER
Accompanist
Theory Coordinator & Instructor
Julie Broomer has a passion for collaborative music-making and she channels that energy into her roles as a pianist and a classroom teacher. She was the music director at Niagara Christian Collegiate in Fort Erie from 2008-2018, growing its program to include award-winning instrumental, choral, and composition classes. Currently, she is pursuing occasional teaching in the DSBN while investing in the lives of two adorable little girls at home. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys freelance accompaniment, a private teaching studio, and spending her summers as a faculty member at the Niagara Symphony Music Camp. Julie holds a Performer’s ARCT from the Royal Conservatory of music, an Honours concurrent BA/BEd from Brock University, and an instrumental music specialization from the University of Toronto. She is pleased to be working with the excellent conductors and singers of the CNCC!
SOO MYUNG OH (SUE)
Accompanist
Theory Instruction
Sue Myung Oh is a classical pianist and a lifelong educator in dual disciplines - Music and the Applied Linguistics - in both Korea and Canada. She completed an Honours Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at Brock University. During her studies at Brock, Sue built confidence as a performer and expanded a wide range of piano repertoire through junior and senior solo recitals. With a concentration in Music Education, she has participated in various ensembles, including the Brock Chamber Choir and Wind Ensemble which enabled her music career to follow a trajectory in collaborative music making. Sue is the organist and choir director at St. David’s Anglican Church in Welland, which brings her more opportunities to share her passion for choral music. Sue is pleased to work with the Training and Intermediate Choirs this season.