STAFF
Julie Bickford, Artistic Director
Julie holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Ithaca College and a Masters of Music Education from the Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Julie joined Chorus Angelicus as Junior Choir conductor, a position she held for nearly a decade. In 2007, she moved to the Berkshires to become Choir Director at Monument Mountain Regional High School in Great Barrington. Throughout her 14-year tenure, she has expanded the school’s choral programs (including its first a capella group, the Spartones) and broadened its course curriculum, including piano classes and music theory.
Prior to Vocalis, Julie was Artistic Director of the Berkshire Children’s Chorus. During her seven years there, she expanded the choristers' classic treble choir repertoire by introducing them to several major works, facilitating collaborative projects with other arts organizations in the area and participating in both domestic and international tours. Julie lives in Southfield with her husband and two sons.
Elizabeth Allyn, Accompanist
Elizabeth 'Liz' Allyn is a graduate of the Hartt College of Music and has a Master of Arts and Liberal Studies degree from Wesleyan University. Since 2002 she has served as the Minister of Music for the Church of Christ Congregational (UCC). She previously worked as an accompanist in a private voice studio and at Hotchkiss School. After teaching music in the CT public school system for forty years she is now happy to return to the accompanist bench, under Julie Bickford’s leadership. She has also returned to Chorus Angelicus as collaborative accompanist for the senior choir. Elizabeth lives in Norfolk with her husband Graham.
Dorothy Cowles, Accompanist
Dorothy Cowles has a BM in piano performance and a BS in music education from Penn State, as well as a MMED in early childhood music and choral conducting from The Hartt School of Music. She has taught music at both St. Gabriel School in Windsor and the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, where she was Head of the Music Department for seven years. As an accompanist, Dorothy has played for numerous school concerts in the Simsbury and Granby, CT schools, and Monument Mountain High School, as well as accompanying for the Joyful Noise organization. An organist and choir director for many years, she served as the Director of Children, Youth and Contemporary Music Ministries at the Simsbury United Methodist Church for 19 years. Currently, she is still directing the Contemporary Music Ministries at SUM and is a Kindergarten TA in Granby, CT.