Virginia Erwin - Chorale Director, Virginia M. Erwin, soprano, brings over 25 years of teaching and conducting experience to her current position as Music Director of the Blue Ridge Chorale. Currently residing in Keswick, Virginia, she is on the faculty of Piedmont Virginia Community College, where, in addition to her Music Appreciation course, she teaches Classical Voice. As a member of NATS and ACDA, she has directed choirs in Maryland and in Virginia. She was a guest conductor at the 2007 District Music Festival held in Culpeper. Mrs. Erwin received her voice training from Serafina DiGiacomo at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore. With advanced degrees in Education from Syracuse University and in Music from the University of Virginia, Virginia enjoys working with students of all ages. Having previously taught music in the public schools, she is committed to fostering in young people knowledge and appreciation for all genres of music. To that end, she has written and produced several educational musical plays for Charlottesville students.

She is pleased to be in her fifth year with the Chorale, and seeks to bring to her conducting a fresh approach to programming, a sense of enthusiasm, and a commitment to choral excellence. She invites you to share in her enjoyment of good music.

Charlie Gilmer - Accompanist, Charlie Gilmer, our accompanist, has received his BM and MM degrees in Piano Performance from Shenandoah University with a minor in organ. He has played piano since the age of four and has been a church musician since the age of 15 while accompanying his high school choir (Smithfield HS). Charlie is the Assistant Director of Music at Shenandoah Farms Baptist Church. He also plays for the James Wood Middle School chorus in Winchester, VA, accompanies singers and instrumentalists at SU and teaches private piano lessons.

Charlie is a frequently active performer as he is in demand for solo performances, weddings etc. and plays keyboards for the Robbie Limon Band (70s cover tunes) as well as his original variety band Steel Breeze. As a songwriter he is in the process of compiling a demo CD of original songs which is on target for release in the summer of 2007.

Cathy ter Weele - Youth Choir Director, a mother of 4 children, residing in Culpeper, has been with the choir 4 years. With a BME degree from Shenandoah Conservatory, having graduated Magna Cum Laude, she has taught music, toured with groups across Europe, sung solos, and adds much to our choir.
She is presently teaching in the Culpeper School Systems full time.