About New Haven Chorale
The New Haven Chorale has been presenting great choral music since our founding in 1950. We continue this tradition under the leadership of our Artistic Director, Edward Bolkovac. We sing a full concert season every year, often in collaboration with other arts organizations, such as the New Haven Symphony Orchestra and the Heritage Choir.
Our members enjoy excellent music training and fellowship in a fun and supportive atmosphere. We share a diversity of backgrounds and interests but most of all a love of music.
- “The Ordering of Moses” by R. Nathaniel Dett (Connecticut Premiere with the NHSO)
- Beethoven’s Ninth (with the NHSO)
- “Requiem for the Living” by Dan Forrest
- Special concert in honor of Black History Month featuring local gospel artistes
- “Illuminare” by Elaine Hagenberg
- “Chichester Psalms” by Leonard Bernstein
What Our Audience Is Saying
Our Team
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Dr. Reagan G. Paras
A passionate conductor, singer, and educator, he has directed performance tours across the U.S. and abroad. He serves as Artistic Director for New Haven Chorale, one of the premier choral ensembles in Connecticut. He is the Founding Artistic Director for Many Voices: Mechanics Hall Youth Singers, performing repertoire that authentically honors the mosaic of cultures represented in the ensemble. Additionally, he conducts the Kodály Music Institute Choir, which is comprised of music educators from across the globe. After a nationwide search, Reagan was selected to represent the U.S. for ACDA’s International Choral Exchange Program. He frequently conducts honor choirs nationwide and is a highly sought-after conductor, recognized for his exceptional artistry and leadership in the choral community.
He is an advocate for choral music education, serving on various executive boards for music associations across the northeast. He has been honored with the election as President of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), a testament to his leadership and dedication to the choral arts.
PRESIDENT
Kevin Buno
Kevin studied music at the College of Saint Rose, the University of Connecticut, and the New England Conservatory of Music. He also holds a Sixth-Year Diploma in Educational Leadership from UConn and recently completed his 093 Superintendent certification through Sacred Heart University.
As a music educator, Kevin’s choirs had the honor of collaborating with ensembles such as Connecticut Choral Artists (CONCORA), the UConn Chamber Singers, the Yale Whiffenpoofs, and the New Haven Symphony Orchestra. He has led his choirs on national and international tours and commissioned three original choral works featuring composers Frank Vasi, Matthew Shorten, and Jim Papoulis.
In addition to his choral work, Kevin served as musical director for numerous productions with the Guilford High School Theatre Arts Program, receiving the CT High School Musical Theater Award for Outstanding Musical Direction for his work on Guilford High School’s production of Sweeney Todd.
Outside of school settings, Kevin has served as President of the Connecticut Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and held leadership roles with the CT Music Educators Association. He has guest conducted for regional festivals across the Northeast and has performed as a tenor soloist with CONCORA and other ensembles throughout New England.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Alice Hummel
Alice has applied her expertise in organizational development and fundraising to promote individual, institutional and community growth for more than four decades. She has served on many not-for-profit boards and has founded several companies, focusing on vocational training, owning schools in both Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Alice has been with the Chorale since 2011; she is passionate about it and is committed to success in its future.
Alice Hummel, Executive Director, has skillfully used her expertise in strategic planning, marketing, fund-raising, grant-writing, and organizational development to successfully guide business, social, education and arts organizations through all phases of initiation, transition and growth. Alice has served on countless arts, philanthropic, educational and business boards. A Madison resident, Alice brings her boundless energy and considerable experience to supporting the Chorale’s mission of community outreach and securing its role as a premiere arts organization today and in the future.
Alice has worked with businesses as start-ups achieving expansion and growth; she has worked as a member of Boards of Directors of arts organizations, social service agencies and educational institutions which were in transition, helping them to raise funds, develop strategic plans, create effective fundraising projects, create effective endowment campaigns and manage them, define financial planning and budgeting, implement planned giving campaigns and assist them in realizing their goals and objectives. She is a skilled fundraiser, with expertise in strategic planning, marketing, planned giving campaigns, grant-making, finance, development and building strong organizational teams.
Under her leadership as Executive Director, the New Haven Chorale has enjoyed a renewed commitment to audience, excellence, community, creativity and to young musicians. Alice looks forward to assisting the Chorale in making music in more places and engaging more listeners.
Assistant Music Director and Accompanist
Blake Hansen
Blake has been with the Chorale since the 2018-19 Season. He has built a considerable reputation as a much sought after accompanist and chamber musician having performed across the US, Europe and South America.
Blake has performed in notable venues in the U.S., Europe, and South America, including Steinway Hall in New York City, Teatro Municipal de Niteroi, Brazil, and the Illsley Ball Nordstrom Hall in Seattle, WA. As a much sought after accompanist and chamber musician, he holds the position of rehearsal and performance accompanist for the Connecticut Lyric Opera, Hartford Opera Theater, and the Greve Opera Academy in Italy. Other opera companies he has collaborated with include Opera Theater of Connecticut, and Madison Lyric Stage. He also is frequently engaged to perform with choirs throughout Connecticut, including the Hartt School Choirs, CONCORA, Manchester Community College, Griswold Community Chorus, and New Haven Chorale. Blake is a staff accompanist for the vocal divisions of both Hartt School and CCSU. As a chamber musician, he collaborates with his wife, pianist and mezzo-soprano Rebecca Batista de Almeida and violin virtuoso Brunilda Myftaraj.
Board of Directors
Kevin Buno President
Ann Datunashvili, MD Vice-President
Zoë-Clare Matsui Secretary
Paul Mangels Treasurer
Nancy Adams
Meghen Fitzgibbons
Geoffrey Gregory
Mary Ellen Junda
Alan S. Kliger, Md
Cathy Mathia
Brenda Naegel
Linda Robinson
Rebecca Van Tassel
Shelby Zold
