ALUMNI

Get Involved & Stay Connected!

Your connection to Chorus Angelicus does not end at graduation. There are many great ways that you can stay connected to Joyful Noise and its choirs, no matter where you live.

Each alumni is an important part of the30-year-old heritage of Chorus Angelicus. If you need to update your contact information or know any alumni that may not have received this communication, please let us know what’s happening in your life.

There are numerous ways for you to stay involved and connected – by attending events and concerts; by volunteering to help with concerts or fundraising; or just by being a resource within your area of expertise. Each year, committed alumni generously donate their time, talent and expertise to Joyful Noise. Alumni involvement on every level helps to ensure the success of the organization both now and for the future.

Micaela Bottari

Chorister from 2004-2014

Micaela Bottari is a versatile young vocalist based in Brooklyn, NY. Micaela is a recent graduate of Westminster Choir College, where she had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Center, and Lincoln Center with Westminster Symphonic Choir, as well as The Metropolitan Museum of Art with Westminster Williamson Voices, and at NAfME with Kantorei, Westminster’s early music ensemble. Micaela appears on four Williamson Voices records, and as a soloist on the 2016 release Missa Carolae and Christmas Carols. Today, Micaela sings professionally in the Same Stream Choir and the Christ Church Chamber Ensemble. Micaela has also been singing with bands for eight years, touring and recording with blues/rock group Little Tower in 2015. Recently, Micaela founded the original band, Miss Milo, as the lead singer and artistic director.

Micaela’s love for music began with her childhood choir, Chorus Angelicus. In her ten years with the chorus she learned to read music, went on various tours, and began to appear as a soloist. In her professional career, this experience prompted Micaela to become the Development Assistant at Brooklyn Youth Chorus (BYC) in 2020. Prior to her time at BYC, Micaela worked as Assistant Editor for Oxford University Press’ Grove Music Online.

Jeff Boratko

Chorister from 1997-2003

Jeff Boratko is a composer, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist based in Connecticut. As a child he was introduced to many aspects of the performing arts by his parents and was taught to sing and play piano by his father. At the age of 8 he became a member of the elite children's choir Chorus Angelicus, directed by Paul Halley. He enrolled as a music composition major at Central Connecticut State University, studying under Drs. Charles Menoche and Brian Kershner. He specialized in bassoon performance, also taught by Brian Kershner.

In addition to his “formal” training Jeff has been heavily influenced by The Beatles, Elton John, Billy Joel, and Ben Folds. He serves as the pianist, lead vocalist, and primary songwriter for the award-winning rock trio Streetlight Shakers. His musical adventures have found him writing music for several theatrical productions, performing at the Big E, and playing gongs at New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine for Paul Winter’s 24th annual Summer Solstice Celebration in 2019.

Jeff is honored to be a returning contributor to the Summer Solstice. Concerning the annual Summer Solstice celebration, Jeff says “In the midst of a chaotic world, Paul Winter creates a musical sanctuary of peace and solitude that honors the Earth and all of its inhabitants. As our planet awakens to its longest day, let us all bask in the sunlight and remember its warmth until the next Summer Solstice.”

Learn more about Jeff and his band Streetlight Shakers here: https://www.streetlightshakers.com/the-band

Anna Ryan

Chorister from 2009-2019

I go to Temple University, and am currently majoring in Social Work with a minor in Education. I work as a Coach for other Temple University students with disabilities. I hope to continue my life after college as a social worker in Philadelphia public schools. I began singing with Chorus Angelicus in 2009 and graduated from senior choir after being a Head Chorister in 2019. While I don't sing in college, music is still a passion of mine and a huge part of my life. Touring and performing a variety of genres and types of music expanded my world view and life experiences in numerous ways, and singing was my biggest way to relieving stress.

Katie Weiser

Chorister from 1998-2006

Katie Weiser came back from Europe in 2017 where she earned her postgraduate degree in Opera Studies from the University of Music in Graz, Austria. Katie started her musical education and her career in the Chorus Angelicus when she was 7 or 8. Since then, she has built a very impressive bio, including a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance at the Setnor School of Music, in Syracuse, NY, and her B.A. in Music from Smith College in Northampton, MA. She said of the quality music education she received in Chorus Angelicus, “You don’t get something like that anywhere else!” Katie said she “Started as one of those little baby angels and worked my way all the way up!” Katie said that there are no words to describe how absolutely impactful CA has been for her life. She feels really blessed to have been able to be in Chorus Angelicus. She said that being a member of CA was the most special gift that she has ever received in her life. It has propelled her all the way to an international career as an opera singer. When she looks back and reflects, she knows that CA not only shaped her musical career but also gave her what she considers the best years of her life!

Andrew Thomson

Chorister from 1996-2004

Andrew Thomson, composer and percussionist, was born in Norfolk, Connecticut and began his musical career with, among other organizations, Chorus Angelicus in 1996. After singing for eight years under its founder Paul Halley, Andrew continued his musical training as a percussionist through high school. In 2006, he auditioned and enlisted in the U.S. Marines and worked as the staff arranger at the Navy School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia. Following his enlistment, Andrew earned a degree in composition and percussion from Ithaca College in 2013. Andrew is the owner and head engineer of Pipeman Studios in Norfolk, CT, and is an endorsed artist for both Marimba One and Grover Pro Percussion.