Chris Windle

Artistic and Music Director

Christopher Windle is in demand nationally as a conductor, clinician, and educator based in Chicago, IL.

Windle is the Artistic & Music Director of the William Ferris Chorale – and is only the third person to hold this position in the ensemble’s 50 years. In addition, he is the Artistic Director of the Chicago Chamber Choir, the Associate Director of Music & Choirmaster at the Church of the Atonement, and on faculty at the DePaul University School of Music.

He previously served on the faculties of Northwestern University's Bienen School of Music and Benedictine University, and has conducted Constellation Men's Ensemble (CME), the Bridge Ensemble (Baltimore), the Chicago Bar Association Chorus, Singing City (Philadelphia), the Maryland State Boychoir, and the Pennsylvania Girlchoir.

Equally at home as a tenor, Windle has sung in professional choirs throughout the country, including the Crossing, Chicago’s Music of the Baroque, the Grant Park Chorus, the South Dakota Chorale, Bella Voce, and the Philadelphia Singers.

Windle continues to serve as the Editor of Constellation Men’s Ensemble NOVA Publishing Series, and on the leadership board of the Illinois Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) as the Music in Worship Chair.

He holds degrees from St. Olaf College and Temple University, and a DMA in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University.

Samantha Noonan

Executive Director

Ms. Noonan brings a decade of experience running the operational backbone of vocal and choral organizations, pairing formal vocal training with hands-on production and nonprofit management expertise.

As a Production Coordinator at Canto Vocal Programs, she has served as the operational hub for a nonprofit vocal training program, building schedules and serving as the primary liaison between program directors, faculty, and participants across a multi-site operation. Previously, as Production Stage Manager and Event Coordinator at Manhattan School of Music, she managed logistics and operations across full opera and vocal production teams.

A native Nebraskan and classically trained performer, Ms. Noonan holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from St. Olaf College and a Master of Music in Vocal Arts from Manhattan School of Music. She has been praised for having "an impressive vocal range and technical skill… her tone twinkle(s) with brilliance" (Opera Wire, 2023)."

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Cate Mascari, President

Vincent Embser, Treasurer

Christina Bourné

Mat Lake

Adam Smith

Alexandra Olsavsky (Artist Representative)

Mark Haddad (Artist Representative)