Staff

Judith L. DuBose

Artistic Director & Founder

Judith L. DuBose is the Artistic Director and Founder of the Frederick Children’s Chorus, which she established in 1985. She is a clinician and advocate for music activities in school and community settings. While a music teacher in Montgomery County, she taught general music and vocal music in elementary and middle schools. Prior to teaching in Montgomery County, she taught middle school and high school in Frederick County, MD. Choruses under her direction have participated in adjudicated festivals, consistently receiving Superior ratings. Mrs. DuBose holds a B.S. in Music Education from West Chester State University (PA) and a M.S. in Music Education-Kodály Methods from Loyola University of Baltimore (MD). She has completed three levels of certification from Choral Music Education (CME) Institute where she studied with Doreen Rao.  

The Frederick Children’s Chorus (FCC), under her direction, has performed throughout the U. S. and has established a reputation for excellence in artistry and musicianship. In 1995, the chorus expanded to include the Frederick Chamber Singers, a chorus for select high school-aged singers, also under her direction. The FCC now includes the Little Music Makers programs for preschool and primary school-aged children. Mrs. DuBose is an active member of The American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA), and Chorus America. She is a popular elementary and middle school clinician and adjudicator. 

Lee Dubose Fuhr

Director

Mrs. Fuhr has been a member of the chorus staff since 2004. She directs the Training Chorus, Chamber Singers, and works directly with the Conducting Interns.  As an original member of the Frederick Children’s Chorus in 1985, she sang with the chorus for fourteen years. She studied voice with Carol DeSantis, and performed with the Governor Thomas Johnson High School Chorus, as well as numerous honor choruses. While attending Towson University, she sang with the T.U. Chorale and Chamber Ensembles under the direction of Dr. Paul Rardin. She has also performed with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society with Tom Hall.  Mrs. Fuhr is an active member of The American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).  She performs by invitation within the community as well as the occasional musical theater production.  Mrs. Fuhr holds a B.S. in Business Administration and Computer Information Systems from Towson University and is actively engaged in the day to day operations and growth of the chorus within the Frederick community. 

Sara Goldsmith

Principal Accompanist

Sarah Goldsmith has served The Frederick Children’s Chorus as the principal accompanist since 2009. She is a graduate of Towson University, and teaches choir, musical theatre, piano, and AP Theory at James Hubert Blake High School in Silver Spring for Montgomery County Public Schools. Sarah first studied piano with Carol Hindle, and then went on to study with Ena Shin, Ann DiClemente, and Noel Lester while in high school. She attended the Advanced Musical Studies program at TJHS in Frederick, which led her to study music education at Towson. She studied piano at Towson University with Eva Mengelkoch. Ms. Goldsmith holds a M.S. in Choral Music Education from Florida State University. 

Edgar Bower

Accompanist

Mr. Bower has been a Maryland music educator for 29 years, and has taught in Frederick County Public Schools for 26 years.  He has taught at Carroll Manor, Thurmont, Middletown, and Twin Ridge elementary schools and is now teaching at Brunswick Elementary School where he is co-director of the BES Chorus.   Mr. Bower studied piano at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and received his Bachelor and Master degrees from Towson University.   He holds certification in Dalcroze, Orff and Kodaly music teaching methodologies.  He was granted a Doctoral Fellowship from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2006 and earned National Board Certification in Elementary Music in 2008.   Mr. Bower has held the position of church organist and accompanist at Christ Reformed United Church of Christ in Middletown since 2002.   Mr. Bower previously accompanied The Frederick Children’s Chorus several years ago and has returned this year to accompany the Chamber Singers.  He is available for private piano and guitar lessons.   

Carla Wardell

Assistant Director

Mrs. Wardell is excited to be back for another season with the Frederick Children’s Chorus. A twelve-year veteran of the Montgomery County Public Schools, she is the general music teacher at Sequoyah Elementary School in Derwood, MD where she teaches K-5 general music, directs the 4 th and 5 th grade chorus, and the spring musical. Prior to her position at SES, Mrs. Wardell taught middle and high school chorus where her choirs earned superior ratings at both the county and state level. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland in Music Education, and in 2013 earned her Master’s degree in Kodály Music Education from Loyola University in Maryland. Mrs. Wardell has presented workshops on children’s choirs for both the Maryland Music Educators Association and Maryland United Specialists in Kodály.  She is the director of the 2017 MCPS Northwest County 5th Grade Honors Chorus. 

Matthew Dohm

Assistant Director

Mr. Dohm holds a B.S. in Music Education from University of Maryland and is currently pursuing a M.S. in Music Education from Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University.  He is a frequent Music Director and Assistant Music Director for theater productions in the region and is highly sought after for his piano prowess.  Mr. Dohm’s musical contributions have been witnessed by thousands of theater goers at Olney Theatre Center, Kensington Arts Theater, Rockville Musical Theater, Tantallon Community Players, and The Fredericktowne Players.  Mr. Dohm brings a high level of music theory expertise to the students at The Frederick Children’s Chorus and also serves as a vocal coach for soloists. 

In addition, Mr. Dohm serves as church accompanist/organist and Music Ministry leader at several churches in the DMV, has taught in several private charter schools and currently teaches music and theater in several Arts Education organizations, including the Levine School of Music, New Spire Arts, and the Frederick Camerata Youth Theater Camp.  Mr. Dohm is available for private lessons in voice, piano, violin and guitar. 

Patrick O'Grady

Assistant Director

Mr. O’Grady is a graduate of The Frederick Children’s Chorus and holds a B.S. in Music Education from Shepherd University.  He currently teaches the preschool section of Little Music Makers where he brings his musical expertise in early childhood education and his fun, silly attitude to class each week, receiving many compliments from parents and students alike.   

While at Shepherd University, Mr. O’Grady could be seen performing a variety of works both classical and theatrical.  He also had the distinct honor of singing in the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris while on tour with Shepherd University.  He currently cantors and is a member of the choir at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hagerstown, under the direction of Mark King.  Mr. O’Grady also teaches elementary music for Montgomery County Public Schools. 

Jillian Wiley

Assistant Director

Ms. Wiley holds a B.A. in Vocal Performance from Shepherd University and a M.A. in Voice and Vocal Pedagogy from Peabody Conservatory at Johns Hopkins University.  She also studied with tenor Neil Rosenshein at the Manhattan School of Music.  She was integral in the expansion of the Little Music Makers program to include preschool ages.  Ms. Wiley currently teaches musicianship and provides vocal coaching for soloists at The Frederick Children’s Chorus.   

While at Shepherd University, she performed the role of Sandman in Hansel and Gretel and Nurse Lola in Gallantry.  She performed several roles at Peabody, including Barbara in the world premiere of Meeting at the Fence, Gretel in Hansel and Gretel, and Girl 2 in the US premiere of ANON.  In addition to vocal music, she has traveled the globe, spending time in Peru serving underprivileged children, Kenya and east Africa volunteering with Gihon Women Empowerment Center where she assisted in the creation of the first community outreach program and helped educate women on HIV/AIDS, life goals and mental health.  She performs locally and nationally as a vocalist in classical, theater and opera roles.  Ms. Wiley is available for private voice lessons in Frederick and Baltimore. 

Deanna Nixon

Staff Photographer

Ms. Nixon is a former member of the Frederick Chamber Singers, singing with the group until 2006.  Now she is involved in the visual arts, as a freelance photographer in the Greater DC area.  Her work can be found on the Frederick Children’s Chorus website, Chorus promotional materials, and at deannanixonphotography.zenfolio.com.