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The Virginia Beach Chorale's Members
Lou Sawyer, Director
Lou Sawyer is an outstanding director and musician with a strong background in teaching. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Old Dominion University and a Master of Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. Among those he has studied with in clinics and workshops with Fred Waring, Robert Shaw, Aaron Copland, and Randall Thompson.
Mr. Sawyer retired as Music Coordinator for the City of Virginia Beach Public Schools and is currently teaching and coordinating student teachers in Music Education for Old Dominion University. He is also currently teaching at Tidewater Community College. He is a past president of the Virginia Association of Music Education Administrators.
His teaching and conducting experience with performing groups includes local and statewide workshops, vocal clinics, radio, and television. Being a professional vocalist and director with appearances in operas, musicals, and numerous choral groups, plus instrumental guest appearances, adds a special dimension to this multi-talented man.
Elizabeth Edler, Assistant Director
Elizabeth Edler is a graduate of Old Dominion University with a degree in music where she studied with Dr. Charles Vogan and Eliot Breneiser. She has also has done graduate studies at Appalachian State University, Peabody Conservatory of Music Choral Director's Workshop, Robert Shaw Choral Workshop at Westminster Choir College, Berkshire Choral Institute in Sheffield MA and Canterbury, England, University of Richmond, Radford University, Richmond Professional Institute Choral Director's Workshop, Lebanon Valley College and Virginia Wesleyan College. She received her Master’s of Music Education from Old Dominion University where she was assistant director of the concert choir with Dr. Nancy Klein.
In addition to teaching piano, she has taught music at Norfolk Christian School and was Minister of Music at Tabernacle Church where she directed the children and adult choirs, the bell choir, worked with the instrumentalist and was organist. She presently is organist and Director of Music at St. James Episcopal Church.
She is a member of the American Federation of Music Clubs, the Music Teachers National Association, the American Guild of Organist, the Virginia Music Educators Association, the American Choral Directors Association and the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers.
Jeanette Winsor, Accompanist
Jeanette Winsor studied piano with Clifford Herzer, Lois Rova Ozanich, and Shirley Harrison. She received a Bachelor of Music degree cum laude from Heidelberg College and a Master of Music degree in piano performance from Kent State University. She has occasionally coached with Thomas Schumacher. She teaches piano in her studio in Virginia Beach, music appreciation, theory and piano at Tidewater Community College, accompanies the Virginia Beach Chorale, and serves as an adjudicator for the National Guild of Piano Teachers.
She frequently appears as a soloist and lecturer. Lecture topics include Why Piano Teachers Should Practice, Music by Clementi for You and Your Students, How to Deal with the ADHD and LD Student in the Private Studio, and Music by Women Composers for You and Your Students. She is also the pianist for the Hardwick Chamber Ensemble.
Jeanette holds National and State Professional Teaching Certificates from MTNA and VMTA as well as certification through the American College of Musicians. Jeanette is listed in the 21st edition of Who's Who of American Women. She is the immediate past MTNA Southern Division Competitions Chair and past president of the Tidewater Music Teachers Forum and the Virginia Music Teachers Association. Her articles on piano pedagogy have been published by Piano Guild Notes. Recent performances include the College Music Society/NACUSA National Conference in Kansas City, MO, Salon Concert Series in Princeton, NJ, NACUSA concerts in Philadelphia, New York City and throughout Virginia, and soloist with the Virginia Beach Symphony.