Our Mission
Founded in 2004, The West Hartford Women’s Chorale is a volunteer, multigenerational community of women joined in song.
Rooted in the rich diversity of the Hartford community, we are a large non-auditioned chorus led by the accomplished music director Dr. Ethan Nash. United by a broad range of musical and vocal skills, the Chorale performs a variety of classical and contemporary music from around the world, as well as significant 20th century American music.
We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience the joy of singing. As a group of dedicated and supportive women committed to individual, collective, and community enrichment, we welcome women of all ages who want to learn and perform with artistic excellence. Over the years, our members have found their voices, embracing music and each other as a source of inspiration and meaningful connection.
The West Hartford Women’s Chorale is committed to fostering the education of its members as well as the music education of young musicians through annual scholarships, the Festival of Women’s Voices, and donations to the West Hartford Public School’s Gifts of Music program.
Read the Chorale’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion statement.
Join the Chorale
Founded in 2004, the WHWC is a non-audition group open to all women (15 years and older) who like to sing choral music and can blend in an ensemble. While there is no audition, a private voice placement session with the music director is required.
More information about joining the chorale.
Our Music
The Chorale takes pride in performing challenging, diverse music in a broad range of innovative and entertaining styles.
Performances and Collaborations
Created the Festival of Women’s Voices for student and adult female choirs
Collaborated with renowned female composers at the Festival of Women’s Voices
Combined performances with the West Hartford Symphony Orchestra
Performances at the Wadsworth Atheneum, Festival of Arts and Ideas, New Haven, and The New York Theater Workshop, NY.
Featured guest performers at the CT Association of Choral Directors of America (ACDA)
Two yearly concerts in addition to benefit performances for other charitable organizations
Artistic Staff
Dr. Ethan Nash: Music Director
Dr. Ethan Nash has been the Music Director of the West Hartford Women’s Chorale since 2010.
Ethan received his bachelors degree in music in 1997 from Yale University and his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting in 2007 from The Hartt School of Music at the University of Hartford.
After graduating from Yale, Ethan taught for five years as the Music Director at the School of the Holy Child in Rye, NY. He has conducted the University Glee Club of New Haven and has served on the faculty of Middlesex Community College, Weslyan University's Center for Creative Youth, the Hartford Conservatory and Hartwick College Summer Music Festival. He has also appeared frequently as a guest clinician at music festivals.
Ethan has directed numerous musicals, including Into the Woods, Joseph . . ., Godspell, Anything Goes and Fiddler on the Roof. His musical credits include work with Norwich's Spirit of Broadway Theatre and Connecticut Heritage Productions.
Ethan has been the Director of Choral Activities at Glastonbury High School since 2007. He works as a cantorial soloist at Beth Hillel Synagogue in Bloomfield and is a religious school songleader and junior choir conductor at Temple Sinai of Newington.
Ethan is the author of the Earthsongs choral music publication Translations and Annotations of Choral Repertoire: Volume 4, Hebrew Texts.
He is an avid Mets fan, softball player, bowler and PEZ collector. He and his wife, Danica, are the proud parents of two boys, Ari and Elliot.
Barbara Robbins: Accompanist
Barbara delights in making music with musicians of many genres and ages. She works as an adjunct teacher and pianist at Manchester Community College in Connecticut, and has been a pianist for the Vocal Department at the University of Hartford for 14 years. She accompanies three choirs in the Greater Hartford and New Haven areas, and is often requested to play auditions, recordings, and performances for a wide range of organizations, from professional to community.
Ms. Robbins earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and a Master of Music degree on a full scholarship from the University of Connecticut in Storrs.
Board of Directors
The West Hartford Women's Chorale is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization led by a president and a dedicated board of directors.
President
Robin Doyle
Treasurer
Marjorie Rowlett
Publicity/Development
Karen Bachman
Membership Chair
Leora Berns
Development/Recording Secretary
Jane Comerford
Music Chair
Beth Meehan
Operations
Michelle Russell
Technology
Jen McCool
Members at Large
Lora Rae Anderson
Erin Frymire