BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jill Heidel
President
Jill Heidel is a seasoned leader, music advocate, and healthcare professional whose multifaceted career reflects a lifelong dedication to service, faith, and the arts. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Manhattanville University and a Nursing Degree from Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, a division of Indiana University.
Her musical leadership spans continents—from founding a children’s choir at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church in New Canaan to conducting the American Women’s Club Glee Club in Geneva, Switzerland. As both a past and current President of the Connecticut Choral Society, Jill brings decades of artistic and administrative insight to her role.
Professionally, she is the founder of CMA Evaluation Consultants, the first IME facility in Berks County, PA, which expanded regionally and earned national recognition from Inc. Magazine as one of America’s fastest-growing companies. She was honored by The Executive Corporation (TEC) for her entrepreneurial achievements and has served on the board of Qualidigm Corporation as an AARP State Representative.
Jill has lived in Switzerland, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and across the Northeast, raising four children and celebrating the joy of grandparenthood. Now based in Bethel, CT, she remains a devoted advocate for the power of music, community, and faith.
_______________
Dorin McBride
Vice President
Dorin McBride brings to the Board of the Connecticut Choral Society both her deep commitment to the arts and her seasoned leadership in community engagement. As Vice President, she helps guide the Society’s mission with a focus on fostering collaboration, strengthening organizational vision, and supporting the chorus’s role as a cultural cornerstone in the region.
An advocate for the transformative power of music, Dorin combines her professional expertise with a personal dedication to service. Her thoughtful leadership style emphasizes inclusivity, creativity, and growth—ensuring that CCS continues to flourish artistically and organizationally. In addition to her board service, she is an active participant in the wider arts community, lending her voice and insight to initiatives that celebrate music’s capacity to connect and inspire.
_______________
Jonathan Taylor
Business Manager
Jonathan Taylor is a distinguished financial strategist and arts leader whose career bridges the worlds of global finance, nonprofit governance, and cultural entrepreneurship. As Business Manager of the Connecticut Choral Society, he oversees fiscal planning, strategic partnerships, and organizational growth with clarity and integrity.
A former senior executive with Big Four accounting firms, Jonathan has advised Fortune 500 companies on mergers, corporate governance, and operational restructuring. Simultaneously, he has served on the boards of leading cultural institutions, including Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, where he supported donor development and artistic programming.
Beyond the boardroom, Jonathan is a devoted arts advocate. He has produced and consulted on projects with both classical organizations and major commercial acts such as Maroon 5, demonstrating his versatility across genres and sectors.
At CCS, Jonathan brings his passion for music and expertise in finance together, ensuring the long-term sustainability of the organization while supporting its mission to unite communities through transformative choral artistry.
_______________
Linda Cyr
Marketing and Communications
Linda Cyr is a communications strategist, customer experience leader, and event planner whose work spans the corporate, nonprofit, and arts sectors. As Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Connecticut Choral Society, she guides the organization’s public image, media outreach, and digital presence with insight and heart.
Linda’s career began with technical project management in industrial robotics, including work on the PUMA robot featured in General Motors’ Epcot showcase. She later became a certified instructor through the National Retail Federation Foundation, leading sales and customer service teams across New England.
Known for her innovative campaigns and community-centered initiatives, Linda has revitalized membership programs and special events for organizations like the Bethel Chamber of Commerce and numerous regional nonprofits. Her efforts consistently foster audience growth and deepen donor engagement.
Rooted in a family tradition of music and storytelling, Linda now channels her creative energy into sharing CCS’s mission with broader audiences. Her leadership ensures the society’s message resonates with clarity, professionalism, and purpose.
_______________
Rev. Rick Haverly
Fund Development
Rev. Rick Haverly is a retired United Church of Christ minister whose life has been defined by faith, service, and song. He served congregations in North Carolina and across Connecticut, and always remained closely tied to music—singing in school choirs, church ensembles, and eventually the Duke University Chorale.
Throughout his ministry, Rick combined pastoral care with musical outreach, participating in community bands and musical theater. Now in retirement, he continues his choral journey with the Connecticut Choral Society and serves as Director of Fund Development.
Rick is a devoted husband, father of two, and grandfather of five. His belief in the unifying power of music echoes the same compassion and integrity he brought to his years in ministry.
_______________
Bryan Thomas Niedermayer
Singer Recruitment
Bryan Thomas Niedermayer is a versatile tenor, composer, and conductor dedicated to enriching the choral community through performance and mentorship. As Director of Singer Recruitment and Tenor Section Leader of the Connecticut Choral Society, Bryan cultivates vocal excellence while fostering a welcoming artistic environment.
He holds a degree in Music Education from Central Connecticut State University and has performed nationally and internationally, including at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Bryan’s original compositions and musicals have been staged and streamed across the U.S., and his music video “With You” is available on major streaming platforms.
A former Conducting Fellow with the Vernon Chorale and current Artistic Director of The Wallingford Chorus, Bryan brings both leadership and creativity to CCS. His broad musical skill set and infectious enthusiasm make him a catalyst for attracting and inspiring new generations of choral artists.
_______________
Anne Calmels
Hospitality and Arts Liaison
Anne Calmels is a lifelong advocate for the arts, a seasoned hospitality professional, and a devoted member of the Connecticut choral and cultural community. Her journey began as a theatre major at the University of Wisconsin, where she trained in performance and costume design with the Southbury Playhouse, Wisconsin Idea Theater, and Arkansas Arts Centre. She also studied voice with Tricia Grey and Pamela Hoffman, enriching her lifelong passion for music.
Anne’s international career in hospitality took her from London to Paris and the south of France, where she co-managed the celebrated Château de Creissels. After returning to Connecticut, she continued her work in the culinary world as manager and bartender at Pickles Restaurant in Ridgefield and later as founder of The Uncommon Kitchen, a beloved Newtown deli and catering business known for its creative menus and warm community spirit.
Complementing her hospitality expertise, Anne holds degrees in Speech Communication (B.A.) and Communication Disorders (M.S.) from Southern Connecticut State University. She served as a speech pathologist in the Brookfield Public Schools and for more than three decades in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living settings, and home care, while also supervising clinical practica at SCSU.
Her deep commitment to music and service has shaped over twenty years of active involvement at Trinity Episcopal Church in Newtown, where she has supported concerts, organized receptions, and contributed to sacred and seasonal programs.
At the Connecticut Choral Society, Anne brings her gifts in hospitality, logistics, and community engagement to her role as Hospitality and Arts Liaison, helping to create memorable experiences for audiences, artists, and volunteers alike.
Anne was married to Jean-Maurice Calmels (1973–2024) and is the proud mother of Ellie and Pierre.