ABOUT US
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Heather Skidds, DirectorHeather Skidds has a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the Crane School of Music in Potsdam, NY where she studied voice and music education, and a Master of Arts in Liturgical Music from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN where she studied voice, choral conducting and organ. In addition to her work as the Director of the North Kingstown Community Chorus and Youth Chorus, Heather currently serves as the Performing Arts Department Chair and Chorus & Music Teacher at Rocky Hill Country Day School in East Greenwich, RI and the Minister of Music at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Kingston, RI. Heather also teaches piano, voice, and early childhood music classes at South County School of Performing Arts in Wickford. Heather has performed for many years as a church musician, soprano soloist, choir director, pianist, organist and teacher throughout RI, MA, NY and MN. She lives in Exeter with her husband and two children. Heather is honored to be a part of the North Kingstown Community Chorus family! She can be reached at (401) 573-7564 or by email at [email protected].
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Shyanne Slinko, AccompanistShyanne Slinko is a Pianist and Music Director with 15+ years of versatile performance experience. At the young age of 4, she was introduced to playing piano with the esteemed Al Conte. She is an accomplished Organist at both Phenix Baptist Church and Church of the Apostles and serves as Vice President to the first. In addition to music, she loves knitting, listening to Josh Groban, and being a mom to an amazing 4 yr old little boy. Shyanne looks forward to sharing her talents as NKCC’s accompanist in 2024.
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Board of Directors
Barbara Pease, Chairwoman
I‘ve always loved to sing. I sang in my church choir and in my high school chorus as a teenager and in the University Chorus during my college years at URI. I joined the St. Francis de Sales Choir in the early 1990’s and was thrilled to become a member of the North Kingstown Community Chorus in 1998. I joined the Board of Directors in 2007 and served as the Director of Ticket Sales for 14 years. I was honored to be asked to become Chairwoman of the Board in March of 2019. Yes, I’ve been very busy but I’ve enjoyed the increased work load that this new job brings because I love the chorus and all the wonderful people I’ve gotten to know over the years. |
Pinkie Sweet-Holland, Treasurer
Pinkie is a founding member of the NKCC (1985) and for her it is a family affair as two of her grandchildren sang in the Youth Chorus. She loves to sing but also keeps us financially in the black! She officially retired in 2013. She has been sailing since she was 5 years old and is a member of the Wickford Yacht Club, continuing to race in their Wednesday Night series during the summer months. She is the original owner of a Cape Dory Typhoon day sailor and has been sailing Sweet-Pea since 1976. She is an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where you may find her assisting the Rector, Ushering, Greeting, Studying, taking Eucharist out to parishioners who are no longer able to come to church and has served on the Vestry, former President of St. Paul’s ECW and served on the Altar Guild. |
Barbara Valois,
Librarian & Youth Chorus I joined the chorus in 1987 and became a member of the board of directors in 2013. My primary board responsibilities are the youth chorus advisor position and music librarian. I love to sing and singing with this wonderful group of people is a joy. It is rewarding to rehearse all season and end up sharing beautiful music with the community. Rehearsal night is one of my favorite nights of the week due to the welcoming and friendly atmosphere found with this group of people |
Norm Poulin, Vice Chair
I have been singing in choruses and choirs since high school, and in the North Kingstown Community Chorus since it’s inception in 1985. I met my wife Dana when she joined the chorus in 1995. After 44 years of teaching math, I recently retired and now work as a math tutor. My daughter Nicole, who sang in the Youth Chorus and the Adult Chorus, lives in Florida with her two boys. This is my second tour of duty as a member of the Board of Directors. |
Sarah Rosendale, Ticket Sales
After singing with groups in high school and college, I took a break from singing in graduate school, and then when my children were babies. In 2014, after 12 years of singing alone in my car, I joined the NKCC, and can't believe I waited so long to join a group again! I very happily joined the board in 2017 and after being the Social Events Coordinator, and the Director of Ad Sales, I am excited to now hold the role of Director of Ticket Sales! When I'm not at rehearsal, I work as the Director of the RI Auditory-Oral Program, a state educational program supporting deaf and hard of hearing students from across the state. I am the mother of three, and in my free time (?!), when not singing, I love to read, run, and knit. |
Janis Knight, Ad Sales
I grew up in a house filled with music. I played piano, guitar, and violin, but my favorite instrument was always my voice. From family sing-a-longs to church choirs and school choruses, Bel Cantorum and Madrigal groups, and All-County and All-State choruses, my youth was filled with harmony. As an adult, I resumed formal singing in 2010 when I found the NK Community Chorus. I stepped into a vacancy on the Board not long after I joined the Chorus and served in many capacities over several terms. I returned to the Board to manage Ad Sales and help with whatever else needs to be done. It is and has been a joy and privilege to share, serve and perform with the many passionate and talented members of our chorus… a one-of-a-kind NK community treasure. |
Andria Morenzi, Secretary
I found a home with the NKCC in 2014 to continue my lifetime love of singing. This love comes naturally in a family that performs in everything from opera to barbershop chorus! I have been impressed with the talent, dedication, friendship and enthusiasm of the chorus, and am honored to serve on the board as secretary. My other roles include wife and mother to two young adults, Speech-Language Pathologist (recently retired), and member of the St. Mark Parish choir in Jamestown where I make my home. If you enjoy singing, come join us on Tuesday nights, and if not, sit back and enjoy the music! |
Kathy Siok, Publicity & Social Events
Kathy is an alto who lives in North Kingstown. She joined the NK Chorus in 2013 and traveled with them to Washington DC to celebrate the 150 Anniversary of the Civil War. Kathy has been singing all her life, harmonizing with the radio from her childhood. She is a long time member of the St Francis de Sales Church choir and also sang at Rhode Island College and in a local group called “For Heaven’s Sake.” Kathy is a chemistry teacher and has also served as an administrator. She currently works as an adjunct at Rhode Island College, teaching freshman chemistry labs. Kathy is active in many organizations as a volunteer. She and her husband Steve are active members of Skyscrapers Inc, a local astronomy Society. They have an asteroid named after them (SIOK 6277) for their contributions to amateur astronomy. Kathy currently serves as an NKCC board member who heads up publicity and social activities.
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Lauren Lawler, Member at Large
Lauren is a soprano who joined the NKCC in 2023. Her past music experience includes school chorus and band, Roger Williams University Chorus, Bristol County Interfaith Choir, and Barrington Congregational Church Vocal and Handbell Choirs. After living in NC and AZ for 11 years, Lauren returned to RI in 2021 and lives in East Greenwich with her husband (a North Kingstown native) and son (age 12). Lauren received her B.S. from Roger Williams University, Doctor of Pharmacy from MCPHS University, and is currently enrolled in an MBA in Healthcare Administration program. She works full time as a specialty pharmacy clinical programs manager providing evidence-based programs that support patients with complex disease states. In her free time, Lauren enjoys time with her family, dogs, reading, music, and gardening.
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