SACRAMENTO
Women's CHORUS

Directing this treble choir is a unique and wonderful privilege. Goals include connecting many voices into one beautiful sound while encouraging unity in the Chorus.

Rachel Jackson has programmed concerts and sacred services, conducted choirs and music-directed theatre in the Sacramento area for the last 25 years. She has served as an adjudicator for choral festivals and conductor of a mass choir at the Sacramento Convention Center. Rachel has been involved in eight professional choral recordings as producer, director or featured soloist.  She is dedicated to diversity in the creative arts, musical integrity and inter-generational connection within choirs and ensembles. 

Rachel received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from California State University, East Bay, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from California State University, Sacramento and a Master of Music in Conducting from Messiah University in Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania. Her influences include professor Dr. David Stein, Dr. Rachel Cornacchio, Tom Fettke, Eleanor Cohen and clinician Dr. Anton Armstrong and Ken Medema. 

She loves teaching voice, singing jazz, traveling, cycling and spending time with loved ones including her furry companions.

Merri Sue is a retired K-8 music teacher. She earned a single subject music credential and a multiple

subject credential from the state of California. Merri sue says retirement is grand, especially if you can

still contribute your skills to something you love.

As Director of the newly-formed A Capella ensemble, Inner Harmony, Cindy has had the opportunity to create and direct this amazing group. Comprised of sixteen current SWC members, Inner Harmony functions as an extension of the larger chorus, and provides opportunities for increased community outreach and fundraising. 

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Dr. Chaffee has sung with and directed church and community choirs for more than 40 years. As a Vermont native, Cindy has taught choral and instrumental music on both coasts. She has directed sacred and secular children’s musicals and served as an adjudicator for choral and instrumental festivals in New England and Montreal. Cindy also directed the districtwide Choral music program for the Centralia School district, in Buena Park, CA. This program resulted in annual Spring concerts at the Knotts Berry Farm Schultz Theater, featuring over 3000 students. 

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Cindy is a retired educator. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Vermont. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Education from California State University Long Beach, and a Doctor of Education degree from the University of La Verne. In addition to Cindy’s 40+ years in education, she is a veteran, having served in the Vermont National Guard 40th Army Band, and then as Assistant Conductor of the Los Angeles 300th Reserve Army Band. 

In her spare time Cindy enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves to travel, garden and read.
 

Vutu is an award winning collaborative pianist and piano pedagogue. Joining the Sacramento Women’s Chorus in 2020, he is inspired to deliver compelling performances and contribute to the empowerment of community through music.  Vutu has performed internationally as a classical pianist, including solo concerts at Salle Cortot in Paris, Old First Concerts in San Francisco, and the Music at Noon Series in Sacramento. Other notable performances include choral concerts at the World AIDS Day, Fresh Meat Festival, and the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

A Bay Area native, Vutu attended San Francisco State University where he established himself as an award winning piano teacher, and earned both his MM and BM in Piano Performance with an emphasis in Chamber Music. He is now nearing completion of his PhD in Musicology from the Claremont Graduate University in Pomona, California, and is finishing his dissertation on 19th century piano methods. Vutu continues to teach private piano lessons at his home in Sacramento and at the San Francisco Community Music Center. In addition to his musical pursuits, Vutu enjoys spending time with family and is a dedicated soccer coach.