Staff Members

Founding & Artistic Director - Selina Midkiff

Holding a bachelor's and master's degree from West Virginia University, Selina has studied children's choral techniques and conducting with such renowned conductors as Henry Leck, Barbara Tagg, Doreen Rao, Sandra Murphy, Janet Galvan, Joan Gregoryk, David Brunner, Lee Kesselman, Ann Howard Jones and Stephen Cleobury. She has been awarded the Artistic-Teacher Certification from Doreen Rao's Choral Music Experience Institute. In May, 2004 Midkiff participated as a conducting fellow in the first ever Chorus America Choral Orchestral Conducting Workshop for the Youth and Children's Choir Conductor.

As an experienced singer herself, Ms. Midkiff has performed leading roles in operas, oratorios, and musical theater throughout West Virginia. She is a member of the National Choral Directors Association, the Music Educators National Conference, the West Virginia Division of the Orff Schulwerk Association and this year serves as ACDA R & S chair for community choirs. In 2006, Ms. Midkiff was appointed to the Governor's Commission on the Arts.

Artistic Staff

Lisa Anderson - Cantare Choir Director

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and has Level One certification from the Choral Music Experience with Janet Galvan . Ms. Anderson is a full time music and choir teacher at Man Middle School in Man, WV; and, is active in the Children's Ministry at her home church, Word of Life in Logan, WV. She also teaches private voice lessons.

Noel Hardman - Chamber & Canzona Choir Director

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from Alderson-Broaddus College. She teaches Music for the Kanawha County Schools at Weberwood and Shoals Elementary. Ms. Hardman is a member of MENC, WVMEA, AOSA and FUMMWA. She is treasurer of WVOSA and past president of The Society for General Music. She is presently on the Executive Board for WVMEA and WVASCC. She is also a member of womanSong Chorale.

Brian Vannoy - Chamber & Camerata Choir Associate Director

He is the Chamber & Camerata choir associate director as well as the Chamber accompanist. A graduate of West Virginia University, he has a bachelor's degree in music education. He also holds certification in Orff-Schulwerk from the University of Kentucky. Mr. Vannoy is also a kindergarten through fifth grade music specialist with Kanawha County Schools.

Emily Capece - Cora Voce Director

Emily is director of ACC's Cora Voce choir. She has recently completed her master's degree in music education and choral conducting from the Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ and holds bachelor’s degrees in vocal performance and music education from Otterbein College in Ohio. While in Princeton, Emily conducted the training choir of the Princeton Girl Choir and sang in the world-renowned Westminster Choir, Westminster Symphonic Choir, Kantorei and Fuma Sacra. Emily is currently the director of the womanSong Chorale, teaches voice lessons and stays at home with her son, Rudy and daughter, Clara.

Ilse Long - Canticle & Codetta Choir Director

She attended the University of Charleston and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Music Performance. Ms. Long was a member of the Appalachian Children's Chorus for twelve seasons. While at UC, she served on ACC's staff as accompanist and choir assistant. Ms. Long received a scholarship and attended graduate school at Boston University where she received a masters in Music Education. She is currently attending Marshall University seeking a second master's degree in choral conducting with Dr. David Castleberry.

Olga Young - Camerata & Concert Choir Accompanist

Olga is an accompanist for ACC. Ms. Young was born in Ekaterinburg, Russia. She has a music degree and has studied piano, choral technique and conducting at the Leningrad Institute of Culture in St. Petersburg.

Administrative Staff

Holly Portillo - Administrative & Development Director

Ms. Portillo graduated from the University of Charleston with degrees in business administration, marketing and accounting. She is responsible for development, fundraising and marketing for the choir.

Lynne Stauffer - Office Manager

Ms. Stauffer holds a masters in business and formerly taught computer science. She is responsible for the clerical and financial functions of the choir.