Heart of the Valley Children’s Choir is fortunate to have many people who contribute many hundreds of hours to the operation of the organization. Without the generous giving of time, energy and support for the choirs’ activities from social events, concerts, fund raising, retreats and tours, these activities could not happen.

Carol Nelson is Founder and Artistic/Executive Director of the Heart of the Valley Children’s Choir organization. She holds both a Bachelor and Master’s degree in Music Education from the University of Oregon. Carol has directed choral festivals at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon and at the University of Oregon. She is on the staff of Music EdVentures, a music education research group, and also holds a certificate from the VoiceCare Network. Carol was a music specialist in the Corvallis Public Schools from 1971-2007. She founded the Heart of the Valley Children’s Choir in 1984 and now directs the Children’s Choir Two, Festival Choir and Chamber Choir. Carol was a Finalist for the Oregon Symphony Patty Verneer Music Educator of the Year (2004) and was selected for the 2004 Honored Public Servant Award given by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was also given the Meritorious Service Award for 2004 by the Benton County Foundation. She was invited by the Chinese National Choral Director’s Convention to give workshops in choral rehearsal techniques at Tianjin University, Tianjin, China in the summers of 2005 and 2007 and has recently given workshops for Oregon Music Educator’s Association and Music EdVentures with the help of the Festival Choir.

Kathi Smith graduated with a degree in music education, with voice as her major instrument. With a degree in vocal performance and a drama minor, Kathi has performed several lead roles in shows such as “Pirates of Penzance,” “Godspell” and “The Magic Flute,” as well as done solo and ensemble work. Kathi has been an elementary music teacher for 31 years and currently teaches in the Albany Public Schools. For one year, Kathi did an international exchange and taught in Australia. She has been the recipient of a Fullbright Scholarship and spent a summer with a team of teachers studying and teaching music throughout South Africa. She has also spent time in Japan, teaching English through music. Closer to home, Kathi has been a presenter with the international organization Music EdVenture. Kathi is in her eighth year with HVCC as Director of the Preparatory Choir. She has also had the honor of touring with the HVCC choirs in England, France and China.

Aimee Newman graduated with both a Bachelor and Master’s Degree in music education at Oregon State University. During her years at Oregon State University, she toured Europe with both Bella Voce and Chamber Choir. She has performed in the Estonian Song Festival in 2004, and also at the MENC National Conference in 2006. She recently conducted the Summer Choir with the Willamette Valley Community Orchestra and Corvallis community members. She has taught at Santiam Christian Elementary School and did her student teaching with Kathi Thayer-Smith. When she is not singing, she and her husband enjoy cheering on their sons while they play sports. She also enjoys playing volleyball, softball and teaching private piano lessons. This is her first year as Director of Children’s Choir 1.

Candice O’Bannan, 2009-2010 Graduate Assistant Director, has been singing with HVCC for more than 13 years. Currently attending LBCC, she maintains her membership in the Festival and Chamber Choirs, works with the student directors and subs for them when needed. At the beginning of Children’s Choir 2, Candace can often be seen performing her fun and inspirational warm-up routines with the singers!