Our Director
Betty Wagner became Director of the Frontenac Women's Chorus in 2001. Her choral experience is extensive. Betty grew up in Toronto where she sang in school choirs and the North York Youth Choir, conducted by Lloyd Bradshaw and Albert Greer (Cellar Singers, Orillia), and in church choirs. While studying voice at the University of Western Ontario, London, she sang under the leadership of Daryl Johnson, and at First-St. Andrew's United with director Barrie Cabena. In Kingston she has been lead soprano at St. John's-Portsmouth, Church of the Redeemer, St. Mary's Cathedral, and St. Andrew's Presbyterian, performing several recitals as well as regular service music. She has worked with Dr. Mark Sirett as chorister, soloist and junior choir director at St. George's Cathedral, Kingston and as a voice coach for Cantabile Choirs of Kingston. And at the same time, she continued her Bachelor of Music studies at Queen's University ('93), majoring in vocal performance with Carol-Lynn Reifel. In 1987 she was Artist in Residence at the Quinte Summer Music Festival, Picton. The following year, while on a sabbatical year in England, she sang in the choir of St Alban's Abbey and the St. Alban's Bach Choir under Barry Rose and Andrew Parnell. She was also a member of The Fairfax Consort with David Ireson, director, for that year.
Since 2001, the Frontenac Women's Choir has been a continuing source of pride, pleasure and growth.
Music Education is Betty's greatest strength. She was a Primary and Junior Vocal Music Specialist with the Toronto Board of Education and worked there with Jean Ashworth-Bartle, taught pre-school and school-age musical development at St. Lawrence College, Kingston, and for the Limestone District Board of Education. Betty re-vitalized the Limestone Choristers West and directed that children's choir for seven years. She has taught piano and voice in the area for over 25 years, and still maintains a small studio of private students in Kingston.