Mary Illions Wilde, Program Director & Co-Founder, has been a member of the St. George Chamber Singers since its second season. She previously sang with the Minnesota Chorale (the symphonic chorus of the Minnesota Orchestra), World Voices, and the Radio Choir for NPR. She has had the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of projects and professional productions, such as Verdi’s Aida, Mahler’s Symphonies, and world premier pieces composed and conducted by Eric Whitacre. Wilde has also done solo performances and recordings, including a series at Grace Episcopal Church benefitting the community soup kitchen. She and her husband are parents to 8 sons, who also enjoy and actively participate in music. Professionally, Dr. Wilde is a pediatrician and owner of Imagine Pediatrics, a consulting practice focused on child behavioral issues.
Rachel Cox, Cantare Conductor and Co-Founder, loves to share the joy and beauty of music with children. She holds a Master’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from Brigham Young University with a minor in Choral Conducting. She then completed post-graduate opera studies at the AIMS Institute in Graz, Austria. Rachel has served as conductor for both the TU and DSU Women’s Choruses. She has also been a member and soloist with fine choral chamber ensembles including the BYU Singers, the Lexington Chamber Chorale, the Deseret Chamber Singers and currently sings with and serves as president of the St George Chamber Singers. Rachel has toured and performed throughout the U.S. and abroad, including performances in Canada, South Africa, and throughout Western Europe. Rachel loves to teach and has been a teacher in many capacities including private and group voice classes, Vocal Literature and Sight Singing classes at BYU, TU and DSU. She is a Let’s Play Music teacher, maintains a private voice studio and is mother to four amazing children.
Jamison (BJ) Cox, Assistant Conductor Cantare, son of St. George orthodontist, Dr. Mervyn Cox, continues the Cox family tradition of dedicated oral care at Jamison Cox Family Dental. BJ is also a life-long performer and musician. He performed, toured and soloed with the BYU Singers, the Deseret Chamber Singers, the Lexington Chamber Chorale, and currently sings with the St George Chamber Singers. BJ loves Barbershop harmonies and has competed multiple times in the International Collegiate Barbershop Competition and with the highly acclaimed Kentucky Vocal Union. BJ, however, loves singing with his wife, Rachel, most of all.
Kirk Jones, Prima Voce Instructor, holds music education degrees from Utah Valley University, Utah State University, and College-Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati. He holds certification in Orff and Kodaly pedagogy. Kirk’s primary instrument is the trombone, but his involvement in choir was what gave him the foundation and inspiration for becoming a music teacher. Kirk has sung under quality teachers such as Norm Lister and Will Kipling and in choirs at Interlochen Arts Camp, Utah State University, and with the Lieto Voices community choir. He teaches elementary music in the Washington County Schools and utilizes singing to establish the foundation of musicianship with his students. He performs as a trombonist with various groups locally, including the Southwest Symphony. Kirk is married to Katrina Jones, and they have 5 beautiful children.
