Note: This is a series of posts aimed at helping you get to know your church staff in a more personal way. We hope you enjoy!
Suzanne Spicer
The director of our Carol Choir is Suzanne Spicer, who grew up singing in children’s and youth choirs here at River Road. A 2007 graduate of Godwin High School, she received her undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University as a Theatre Major and Music Minor in 2011. She also earned a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction in 2016 at the University of Richmond, with a focus on her Teacher Licensure in Elementary Education (General) and Special Education (K-12). Suzanne has been working at Glen Allen Elementary School as Social Integrative Services (SIS) classroom teacher since Jan. 2017. Last spring, Suzanne directed our Children’s Choir musical, Once Upon a Parable, and all of our children have enjoyed singing and performed under her leadership. Suzanne also sings as a soprano in our Chancel Choir.
Claire Krouse
We are delighted to have engaged Claire Krouse as the new director of our Cherub Choir. She studied Vocal Music Education at James Madison University from 2013-2016. While there she was the intern music director as the Shenandoah Children’s Choir and worked as a Choral Scholar and Alto Section Leader at Emanuel Episcopal Church in Harrisonburg. As a member of JMU’s elite choir, The Madison Singers, Claire attended master classes with ensembles such as The King Singers, Danu, and Josh Groan. Since attending James Madison University, Claire has taught private piano and voice lessons along with spending a year as the music director at a pre-school. Claire serves as an alto section leader in the Chancel Choir. She is also a member of the James River Singers, singing in the Soprano 2 section. Her greatest passion is educating young children, and she now works as a preschool teacher at Second Baptist Church where she gets to sing, play, and get hugs all day long!
Children’s Choirs spring rehearsals start on Wednesday, January 9, 2019! The season will conclude with a musical in May. For more information and to register for choir, click here. We hope to see you on Wednesday nights!