Our Director

CAROLYN STEELE

is a choral scholar, professional singer and music educator. Having sung professionally most recently with The VocalEssence Ensemble Singers under the direction of Philip Brunelle in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Ms. Steele has sung and directed numerous world premieres, including works by Stephen Paulus, Alice Parker, Gerardo Cardenas and Ysaye Barnwell. She has also sung live in London, England on BBC Radio, live with Garrison Keillor on A Prairie Home Companion and live on Live from the Garden in Saint Louis, Missouri. These past two Christmases, Carolyn has also been a featured soloist locally with the Yuba Sutter Oratorio Society's presentation of Handel's Messiah. A saught-after soloist, Carolyn has the unique ability to sing in many styles and to captivate her audience. 

 

Receiving her degree from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, Carolyn excelled in numerous small ensembles as well as, the Millikin-Decatur Symphony Orchestra (cello), University Choir (soprano section leader) and Sigma Alpha Iota (treasurer and National Collegiate Treasurer of the Year) women’s music fraternity. After graduating she taught and performed in Illinois, Missouri and Minnesota. We are grateful her in-laws then brought her here to California to share her talent and skill! In her new city, Carolyn looked for a place to sing locally and happened upon the Yuba Sutter Master Chorale. Having sung one concert prior to the pandemic shut-downs, Ms. Steele then joined the Yuba Sutter Master Chorale as Director in the fall of 2021.

Carolyn has taught all levels of choir from preschool to adult and has the gift of helping each group grow their skill and abilities. Her unique programming engages audiences and encourages the growth of community.  Now in her fourth Christmas with the Yuba Sutter Master Chorale, Carolyn is excited to continue to share the joy of music! She welcomes music students into her classroom at River Valley High School and other schools in the Yuba City Unified School District.