Virginia Nickels Hircock e Joanna Hart, director
Robyn Ferre Woodard, accompanying pianist

The Sonhos Choral Ensemble is a touring choir comprised of diverse singers who have sung under the direction of two conductors. With a shared passion for travel and choral singing, they seek to connect cultures through the universal language of music. Directors, Virginia Nickels-Hircock and Joanna Carlson Hart have been secondary school choral music educators, colleagues, and friends. This is their first joint effort.

Virginia Nickels-Hircock has enjoyed a career as a music educator, clinician, adjudicator, and mentor in New Mexico, for over 30 years. She received Bachelor degrees from the University of Arkansas and Masters of Music in Choral Conducting and Music Education degree from Westminster Choir College. She has received numerous accolades such as New Mexico Music Educator of the Year, National Federation of High Schools Outstanding Music Educator, and NM Music Educator Hall of Fame.

Joanna Carlson Hart is a graduate of the Master’s Program in Vocal Performance at the University of New Mexico and received her Bachelor’s degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where she studied under the renowned conductor and composer, René Clausen. She is in her twentieth year as director of choirs at Bosque School, an Independent College Preparatory School. She is often invited to adjudicate Solo and Ensemble and choral festivals throughout New Mexico.

Robyn Ferre Woodard received an Associate of Arts in Music degree from Brigham Young University. She is an active private piano and vocal instructor who has been accompanying and teaching piano in her New Mexican community for over forty years. She is the co-founder of Caliente Community Chorus.