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Russell Hammond Russell Hammond is excited to begin his first year as Director of the Chorale. A retired High School Choral Director he has over 30 years of experience directing choirs. The last sixteen years of his career he was Director of Choral Activities at Ledyard High School. In Ledyard Mr. Hammond taught Men's Chorus, Women's Choir, Concert Choir, Select Singers, Chamber Choir and the Ledyard Carolers and oversaw a program involving over 300 students, in ten choirs and six instrumental ensembles.
Professionally, Mr. Hammond served for many years and in many capacities at both the State and Division level for the American Choral Directors Association. Roles included Connecticut State President, and Eastern Division Repertoire and Standards Chair for High School Choral Music. In 2004, Mr. Hammond was named by ACDA as the outstanding Choral Director in Connecticut.
Russell Hammond holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Bradley University, a Master's in Music from the University of Connecticut and a 6th Year degree in Educational Leadership from Southern Connecticut State University
In addition to his role as Music Director of the Chorale, Mr. Hammond is a Student Teacher Supervisor at the University of Connecticut and sings professionally as a member of CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists) and the Hartford Chorale. He lives in Chester, Connecticut with his wife Michele, where they spend most of their time traveling and looking for trails to run.

Emma Bocciarelli Emma Bocciarelli is a 2023 graduate from the University of Connecticut with Bachelor degrees in Business Management and Piano Performance. She immensely enjoyed her piano studies with Dr. Angelina Gadeliya. Emma was a recipient of the EB Storrs Piano Scholarship and performed in masterclasses with Renana Gutman, Vladimir Valjarevic, Yoshi Akimoto, Yi-heng Yang, and the Takacs Quartet. In spring of 2023, Emma completed an internship at The Bushnell Performing Arts Center in Hartford, CT, with a focus in marketing and customer relations. Currently, Emma is the Executive Coordinator for the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra in New London, CT. She is the music director at Putnam Congregational Church, assistant director for the Eastern CT Performing Arts Association Community Voices as well as pianist for the Shoreline Chorale, Shoreline East Band, and the Tim Fiorvanti Jazz Orchestra. Emma continues to perform, collaborate and teach while traveling and enjoying time with family, friends and her three dogs.