OperaDelaware Appoints Kimberly Doucette as Director of Education

OperaDelaware today announced the appointment of Kimberly Doucette as the company's new Director of Education. Doucette adds these duties to her current position as Artistic Director of the Wilmington Children's Chorus (WCC). Doucette's appointment is effective as of December 1.

Doucette, who has led OperaDelaware's Neighborhood Choir at Warner Elementary School in Wilmington since January 2014, will oversee the creation of three new after-school choirs at three locations of the Latin American Community Center (LACC) After School Program, beginning in February 2015. The Neighborhood Choir Program at LACC is funded in part by the Arsht-Cannon Fund at the Delaware Community Foundation.

"Kim's appointment and the growth of our neighborhood choir program is a big victory for the community, for children, for our state, and for OperaDelaware," said Brendan Cooke, OperaDelaware's general director. "Even beyond the profound impact that musical training can have on the development of children, we believe that this is a huge audience development opportunity for OperaDelaware. Through Kim's efforts we believe that we will create a new generation of singers and audience members alike who appreciate the power and beauty of the unamplified human voice."

Doucette has served with the Wilmington Children's Chorus since 2005 and was appointed artistic director in 2009. Under her leadership of the WCC's five ensembles, the choir has solidified its reputation for vocal artistry, musical literacy, and professionalism. Doucette is well known throughout the community for her excellence as a conductor, educator, and performer. She is a much sought-after private voice instructor and presenter at professional conferences. Doucette also is an active performer and soloist, having appeared in productions throughout the region, including OperaDelaware, the Delaware Valley Chorale, and the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival.

"I'm looking forward to this expanded partnership with OperaDelaware," Doucette said. "We are developing wonderful singing talent at Warner Elementary and are eager to work with the many youth in the LACC After School Program."

Doucette holds Bachelor's Degrees in Music Education and Voice Performance from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master's Degree in Voice Performance from the University of Delaware. She also is certified in Elementary General Music by the Gordon Institute for Music Learning.

All funds raised through OperaDelaware's participation in #GivingTuesday will go toward funding the Neighborhood Choir Initiative

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