The Magic Valley Chorale
The MAGIC VALLEY CHORALE had its inception as early as 1958 with a presentation of the Messiah under the sponsorship of the Twin Falls Music Club. Roger Vincent again directed “A Chorus of Magic Valley Singers” with Teala Bellini at the piano, in annual performances of the Messiah subsequently sponsored by the Magic Valley Council of Churches and the Twin Falls Ministerial Association.
In February of 1973 the Magic Valley Chorale was officially formed, and a board of nine directors was elected. Roger Vincent was President and directed the Chorale for its first five years. In 1978 the Chorale became associated with the College of Southern Idaho.
The Chorale is dedicated to the promotion of a wide variety of choral music, with two concerts of major choral literature yearly, first in the spring and then at Christmas.
CONDUCTOR | Matt Belliston
Matt began singing with the Magic Valley Chorale in the Fall of 2024. Matt has been involved in performing musical theatre, choir, and band from when he was a boy through college. He has earned a Bachelor's in Vocal Music Education from the University of Utah (2010), and a Master's in Music Education from Carnegie Mellon University (2016). Matt wants people of all walks of life, of all ages, in all career fields, to be able to unwind and enjoy creating music. He feels that it is a way to bring hopes and dreams alive. Though not native to the Magic Valley, his great-grandfather moved to Kimberly in the early 1900s and his grandfather and mother were raised here. Matt was raised in Utah and has lived in Italy, South Dakota, Pennsylvania and settled in Kimberly, Idaho, where he and his wife, Michelle both teach music and enjoy co-directing the Kimberly High School and Rise Charter School musicals. They have 3 children and enjoy spending time outside hiking and kayaking.
ACCOMPANIST | Ryker Harris
Coming Soon!
Meet the Board Members
PRESIDENT | Alice Anderson
Graduated from the University of Idaho with a B.A. in Home Economics Education,
a minor in Music Education and a M.A. in Vocational Education and from Boise
State University with a M.A. in Early Childhood Education.
Was a member of the original group who organized the Magic Valley Chorale
Was soprano soloist in several of the Chorale’s productions of The Messiah, has
been a soloist at several community churches and the Magic Valley Little Theater,
and had the female leading role in several Magic Valley Dilettante productions.
Has served as the chairman of publicity for the Chorale since 2010 and as
president since 2022.
VICE PRES. | Maggie Arrington
Maggie has sung with the Chorale for 15 years. She has served on the board as registrar, publicist, president and currently vice president. Although she has no formal musical training, she has enjoyed singing with many choirs over the years. She has performed in Magic Valley Dilettante's production of Fiddler on the Roof, along with many quartets and duets within her church. You can often hear her say that "music is my happy place. It fills my soul and strengthens my spirit" Her children grew up hearing her sing while doing everyday chores around the house. She was born in Belfast Northern Ireland and this year celebrates her 45 years of being an American Citizen.
SECRETARY | Susan Waters
Susan was born in Twin Falls, Idaho. She is a retired French teacher. She is a long standing member of the Magic Valley Chorale and has been singing with us since the late 1970's.
TREASURER | Helen Iverson-Metzger
Coming Soon!
REGISTRAR | Audrey Kinch
I'm Audrey Kinch. I've been singing most of my life - solos, ensembles, choirs and some musicals while in school. I also directed a small church choir for several years. I play the piano, organ and the bassoon in my high school days.
I never got a college degree but started towards music education before quitting and getting married. I subbed for a long time in our small school district and really enjoyed the music classes.
I've lived here for over 30 years, moving from Tucson, AZ. I have 2 children and 10 grandchildren, all living in the area.
I've been a part of the Chorale for 13 years and I think I've been on the board around 10 years. It was a great addition to my life. I'm thankful to be a part of it.
LIBRARIAN | Tom Adams
Coming Soon!
STAGE MANAGER | Kara McCurdy
Kara is a new member to the board. Although she joined the Chorale in January 2025, she has been singing since before she can remember. Her earliest memories are standing next to the piano as a child singing while her mother played. She started singing with choirs in the 8th grade and continued through high school and college, performing with the ISU Camerata Singers under director Scott Anderson for several semesters. When her family moved back to the Magic Valley, Kara became employed with the College of Southern Idaho and started singing with the Chamber Choir during her lunch break. She says it helps her relax during stressful days and never fails to improve her mood. She also loves singing with college students, but is sad when they move on after two years.
Kara has six children and firmly believes in the power of music education. She loves it when she and the children are all singing a song they know and love.
ASSISTANT LIBRARIAN | Carrie Veselka
Carrie Veselka grew up singing with her family and participating in church and school choirs. She has been part of the Magic Valley Chorale since 2017 and currently serves as assistant librarian.
When she’s not working as an ag journalist, Carrie enjoys reading her hoard of books (do not get her started on Jane Austen or Shakespeare) and, at least as long as her landlord says, “no pets allowed,” inflicting her repressed animal-loving urges on a flock of houseplants.
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