Who We Are: All Children's Chorus of Annapolis (ACCA) is a community chorus that strives for vocal excellence, musical artistry, diversity in membership, and making a difference in the lives of children by teaching the rewards of teamwork and service to the community.
 

The mission of All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis is to empower all children, regardless of race, culture, or economic background, to share their musical artistry confidently through local, regional, and international performances, as a direct result of comprehensive music education and exposure to quality choral music.

 

The vision of All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis is a future where comprehensive choral music instruction and excellence in choral singing is valued and supported for all children in the community regardless of cultural or economic backgrounds.


Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility: All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis is committed to demonstrating choral excellence by intentionally promoting diversity and inclusivity in membership and repertoire, celebrating the benefits of musical participation for youth of the community at large, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability or socioeconomic status, remembering that diversity does not always present itself visibly.

 

All Children's Chorus of Annapolis is a non-profit 501(c)(3) Maryland corporation. ACCA has a Managing Artistic Director, Assistant Director, Accompanist and Business Manager. 

 

The members of ACCA are serious about their music. There are four levels for children ages 6 to 18: Training Chorus, Treble Chorus, Concert Choir and Chorale. The artistic directors select music carefully to ensure the artistic merit, the challenge to the children, and a diversity of styles. The music transcends cultural and theological boundaries, from old Welsh folksongs to the classics of the old masters to the best of contemporary composers. The Chorus has been cited by the County Executive for a commitment to excellence and diversity. Members of the chorus have been selected to participate in the highly regarded All-State Choruses, Honor Choirs of the American Choral Directors Association conferences, as well as having landed roles with most regional theater companies including Washington National Opera. ACCA is the pride of Annapolis.   

We welcome and actively seek children from different racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds and neighborhoods. Our children attend different places of worship and schools in Annapolis and the surrounding areas.   Our music provides the choristers the opportunity to sing in different languages and across the boundaries of other cultures and theologies.  Membership is by audition. Our funds are raised through tuition, fundraising projects, an annual fundraising concert, and private and corporate donations.

 

 

Our Team

 

Managing Artistic Director, Lauren Walker 


 

Lauren Walker earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Choral Music Education from the University of Maryland and her Master’s of Kodaly Music Education from Loyola University. Mrs. Walker currently serves as the Lead Vocal Teacher at Broadneck High School in the Performing and Visual Arts Magnet Program in Anne Arundel County. She previously taught at Southern and Central Middle Schools and managed Anne Arundel All County Middle School chorus and the Maryland Junior all State Chorus. 

In 2020, Mrs. Walker was a semi-finalist for the Anne Arundel County Teacher of the Year. Her choirs have received Superior and Excellent ratings at both County and State Choral Adjudications. Mrs. Walker is a sought after clinician and guest conductor in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania conducting Elementary, Middle and High School honor choirs.  She is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the Maryland Music Educator’s Association.  She currently resides in Annapolis with her husband Grant and her children Jackson, Caroline and Patrick. 

 

Assistant Director, Emily James

 

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      Emily James holds both B.M degrees in Music Education and Voice Performance from Alderson-Broaddus (College) University, and her M.M. degree in Voice Performance from the University of Maryland, College Park. 

Mrs. James has over 15 years of experience in the field of Music Education, teaching Band, Strings, Treble Chorus, Private Studio, Adult Church Choir, and General Music.  She currently holds the title of General Music & Chorus Teacher at Central Elementary School in Anne Arundel County, as well as Assistant Director for All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis.


Emily James is also an active member of NAfME, MMEA, ACDA, and MCEA, acting as manager of the MMEA Elementary Demonstration Chorus, in which elementary-aged children from all over the state of Maryland participate in an honors chorus experience. 

 

Mrs. James brings a passion for rigorous music learning experiences, whole child development, and vocal excellence, as well as a diverse toolbox of instructional methods. She is a recipient of the Maryland Music Educators Association’s 2019 Outstanding Music Teacher Award, and a national board certified teacher.

 

Accompanist, James Turk

 


     James Turk, Accompanist for ACCA, is currently the Director of Choruses at DeMatha Catholic High School where he has taught since 1997. Mr. Turk holds three degrees (composition, music education, and choral conducting) from The Ohio State University, and has achieved A.B.D. status at the University of Maryland. Formerly the Leader/Director of the U.S. Navy Sea Chanters in Washington D.C., and Director of the Women’s Glee Club at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, he has conducted choruses in venues from the White House to Hawaii, and in five European countries. He currently serves as Director of Music at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Annapolis. 

With over thirty-five years experience in music education and performance, Mr. Turk is in frequent demand as a guest conductor, clinician, announcer, church organist, and cocktail pianist. He is the private school representative to the Board of Directors of the Maryland Choral Educators Association. 

Business Manager, Tia Titgemeyer

 

 


     Tia Titgemeyer, Business Manager for ACCA , is currently a 3rd Grade Teacher at Broadneck Elementary School where she has taught since 2001. Mrs. Titgemeyer has been associated with ACCA since her daughters began singing in 2011. She has experience in publishing, project management and education. 

Mrs. Titgemeyer currently resides in Annapolis with her husband Mike and her daughters, Margot and Emma.

Meet Our Board Members

Sarah Coster, Board President

 

A museum consultant specializing in small museums and historic homes, Sarah Coster brings 17 years of non-profit management experience to the All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis.  Mrs. Coster has a bachelor’s degree in History from Boston University and a master’s degree in Museum Studies from The George Washington University and was previously the Director of Carlyle House in Alexandria, VA.  

 

A passionate choral musician, Mrs. Coster is currently a member of the St. Anne’s Choir and Live Arts Maryland, and has also performed in the Alexandria Choral Society, the National Cathedral Choir, and the Boston University Treble Singers.  Mrs. Coster lives on the Annapolis Neck with her husband of twelve years and their three sons.  When not singing, she enjoys tennis, hiking and reading books.  

 

“What drew me to the All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis,” she says” was the chance to give back to young singers and support the dedicated professionals who are helping foster a love of music in our city.  Mrs. Walker and her staff are incredibly talented and I love watching them create a passion for singing in these children.”

 

David Taylor, Vice President

 

Mr. Taylor is an aerospace professional with over 30 years of experience leading businesses in the NASA and NOAA markets.  He began his career as an aerospace engineer supporting the development of the space station and was involved in numerous manned spaceflight initiatives.  For the last 20 years, he has supported the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, focusing on spacecraft and communications infrastructure. David is currently Program Director for the GSFC Safety and Mission Assurance Services (SMAS II) contract with Millennium Engineering and Integration Company. 

For the past twelve years, David has supported STEM initiatives from grades K-12 as a board member of the Maryland Space Business Roundtable, where he has also previously held positions as Vice President of Operations and Executive Vice President.

 

David has a daughter, Savannah, who is in her fourth year with the ACCA and is in the Treble Choir.

 

 

                                                           Vany Gliemli, Treasurer

 

Vany graduated from the University of Maryland Global Campus with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and currently works for the State of Maryland. With 30 years of finance experience, she brings her wonderful skills to the role of Treasurer.

 

Vany and husband Larry, and daughter, Hannah, reside in Centreville, while enjoying the quiet, and beauty of the Eastern Shore. Outside of work she loves attending church, traveling, learning about other cultures, and tasting different cuisines.

 

                                                          Molly Cahlink, Secretary

 

An Annapolis native, Molly was once a Senior Intern for the All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis. After singing in ACCA for seven years, Molly graduated from high school in Annapolis and then went on to study at James Madison University, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Music Education concentration in Voice. While there, she served as president of the JMU American Choral Directions Organization, participated in The Madisonians Show Choir, and worked in Music Admissions. 

 

After graduating, Molly moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She taught at a K-7 Charter School as a Music and Drama teacher where she founded the choir program. She most recently worked at an elementary school, overseeing 600 students. Molly was also the inaugural Saxophone Quartet guest conductor for East Baton Rouge Parish in January 2023. Molly moved back to Maryland in June 2023. She is the new music teacher at Southgate Elementary for the 2023-2024 school year. 

 

Molly is thrilled to be on the board for ACCA. “The experiences and lessons that I had in ACCA were some I will never forget,” she says. “Being a part of ACCA I met people all over the US and Annapolis area. I got to also meet one of my best friends to this day. ACCA showed me where my passion was for teaching music and conducting. Being a senior intern was an experience that I will never forget” When not visiting with her family and friends, Molly enjoys spending time with her dog, MooMoo, hiking, baking and watching reality tv. 

 

 

 

  

Liz Barrett, Founding Director and Board Member at Large

 

Liz grew up in Boston with a musical family.  She graduated from Mount Holyoke College with a B.A. in Mathematics, and, after moving to Annapolis, an AACC CS degree with honors helped her move into a career of IT in DC.

 

Forever active in choral music and community life, she performed with ASGT and Colonial Players for many years. She served on the boards of Children’s Theater of Annapolis, The Colonial Players, Annapolis Opera, and was an active member of the American Choral Directors Association.   For too long Liz had seen vocal programs available only to the wealthy, so after she retired, she founded All Children’s Chorus of Annapolis in 2001.  She auditioned local children for an intentionally-diverse, free children’s chorus.  They held their first rehearsal on “9/11” which understandably bonded those kids with cement!  An all-volunteer-run organization, it soon became an important part of the community which included relationships with Anne Arundel Community College, Annapolis Symphony, Annapolis Opera, and the Martin Luther King, Jr, Breakfast at AACC.   

 

Over the years she received many citations and awards including: the TWIN Award from the YWCA; Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award from the Human Relations Commission of the City of Annapolis;  citations from Senators Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin, and The Honorable John Sarbanes for her contribution to the Loretta Scott King Memorial Gardens; Excellence in Voluntarism Merit Award from the Junior League of Annapolis; Executive Citations from County Executive Janet Owens, The Honorable Dutch Ruppersberger, and Chris Van Hollen for her work with the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Breakfast Committee and ACCA.

 

She has been married to Bryan for 31 years, and they have a blended family of four married children and 6 grandchildren living in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Boston, England, Paris and Dubai.  Liz still sings with her church choir (with Bryan) and AACC Chamber Singers, plays an active part in Mount Holyoke Alumnae Association, and makes beautiful pottery on the wheel.  Bryan is a cellist with Londontowne Symphony and loves fixing things.

 

Liz still loves hearing the children sing and watching the Chorus improve and grow.  “I will always take pride in being the Founding Director of this wonderful organization”.

 

 

 

Nancy Banwait, Member at Large

 

 

 Bio coming soon! 

 

 

 

Vincente Parker, Member at Large 

Bio coming soon!