Corinne Beard holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Utah Tech University where she studied piano performance. She also sang as a member of chamber, concert, and women’s choirs. As a pianist, she has experience as a solo performer, but mostly enjoys collaborative work through accompanying and performing with chamber groups. She has extensive experience working as a pianist alongside both vocalists and instrumentalists, and has played as a member of pit orchestras at both Utah Tech University and Tuacahn Center for the Arts. Along with performing, Corinne has enjoyed educating young musicians as a private piano instructor in Southern Utah since 2009. Outside of Chamber Singers, Corinne enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, and dedicates her time to being a stay-at-home mom. Corinne is a returning member of St. George Chamber Singers and is happy to be back in her hometown of St. George.
Lisa Farr grew up with a love of music, playing both the violin and piano in her youth as well as performing in her high school choirs and musicals. She attended Brigham Young University, where she sang in the BYU Women’s Chorus, was a member of the International Folk Dance Ensemble’s Performing Arts Company, and sang with the Mormon Youth Chorus. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from BYU as well as a master’s degree in Reading & Literacy Education from Boston College, and she is a practicing reading specialist. Lisa and her husband enjoy traveling, pickleball, and hiking the many wonders of Southern Utah.
Beatrice Gerfin, a Wisconsin native, has been singing since she was a young child. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and has sung in many choral groups growing up including the WSMA State Honors Choir, Wisconsin’s finest selection of young singers. Professionally, she has been selected as a member for Aperi Animam, Milwaukee’s vocal early music ensemble, and the Master Singers of Milwaukee. Since moving to Southwestern Utah, she has participated as a member of In Jubilo, Cedar City’s women’s vocal ensemble, and as a soloist with the Southern Utah Chorale’s Messiah. Recently, she was the 2nd place winner of her division at the NATS Student Auditions – Las Vegas Competition. Beatrice lives in Hurricane and enjoys hiking, canyoneering, and the beauteous wonders of Southern Utah.
Madeline Holm, is a Southern Utah musician and educator dedicated to sharing the joy of music. For over 17 years, she has taught private lessons, first alongside composer Ann Buys and vocalist Jenny Baker, and now through her own studio. She studied Vocal Performance at Utah Valley University, performing with the Chamber Choir and appearing as the featured soloist in Eric Whitacre’s In the Beginning. Her stage credits include lead roles in Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Pirates of Penzance, as well as a solo appearance in the viral video O Come All Ye Faithful with The Five Strings. Madeline is the founder of Historic Harmonies, a YouTube channel dedicated to vintage children’s music, and the author of 12 Days of Music. She also homeschools her three children, weaving music into every part of life.
Kathy Ruiz, section leader, received a MA in musicology from the University of Oregon in 2015. While at University of Oregon, she sang in the prestigious UO Chamber Choir, where she traveled internationally and took second place at the Marktoberdorf Chamber Choir competition and performed in the annual Oregon Bach Festival under the direction of Helmuth Rilling and Matthew Halls. Kathy has had the joy of performing as a soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the Southwest Symphony and has received recognition in concerto and aria competitions. Kathy lives in Cedar City and enjoys mountain biking and hiking when she’s not making music.
Mary Illions Wilde has been a member of the St. George Chamber Singers since its second season. She previously sang with the Minnesota Chorale, World Voices, and the Radio Choir for NPR. She has had the opportunity to participate in many musical 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 eight sons, who also enjoy and actively participate in music. Professionally, Dr. Wilde is a pediatrician and owner of Imagine Pediatrics.