Staff
Dr. Jennifer Kane
Artistic Director
Jennifer Kane is thrilled to join the Georgia Children’s Chorus as Artistic Director. Most recently, Kane was a conductor with the Handel and Haydn Society Youth Choruses in Boston, Massachusetts, where she directed three treble voice ensembles for children and youth. With HHYC, Kane conducted choristers in prestigious venues such as Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory, Boston Symphony Hall, and most notably, Hochstein Hall in Rochester, NY, to perform for the Eastern Division of the American Choral Directors Association. Previous appointments include Co-Founder and Artistic Director of the Worcester Children’s Chorus and the Conductor of the Spivey Hall Young Artists.
In addition to her work with young voices, Kane is the Founder and Artistic Director of NOVA Women’s Choral Project, where she combines her passion for women’s choral repertoire with a love of building community, a belief in the strength of women’s voices, and an eagerness to forge new paths for the choral music experience. Kane has served as the Music Director of Cantilena Women’s Chorale, the Guest Conductor of the Concord Women’s Chorus, and the Director of Atlanta Schola Cantorum.
A frequent clinician and guest conductor, Kane has prepared choirs for collaborations with groups such as the Cantata Singers, the Back Bay Chorale, Boston Musica Viva, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Voices Rising, and the Worcester Chorus. She is one of the creators of Musical Wellness, a website highlighting musical wellness through musical practice and sponsored by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, and pursues research in music and mental health, and vulnerability in the choral ensemble. Kane received a B.A. in Music from Furman University, an M.M. in Choral Conducting from Georgia State University, and a D.M.A. in Conducting from Boston University. She also holds a Certificate in Arts Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Natalie Smth
Program Manager
Natalie Smith is a free-lance flutist living in Athens, GA. She keeps a busy schedule, performing in symphony orchestras, ballet orchestras, world music groups like Bichos Vivos and the Athens Middle East Orchestra, and her latest project The PG Show, a theatrical rock-and-roll band for kids. In addition to playing the flute, Natalie teaches private flute and piano lessons and is the founder of HEART Music, a non-profit organization whose mission is to increase students’ chances for success in life through high quality musical instruction. Natalie holds a Master of Music degree in Flute Performance and a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theory from the University of Georgia and loves spending free time with her two children, one of whom is a Georgia Children’s Chorus member!
Cassidy Brown
Operations and Development Manager
Cassidy Brown (she/her) is an alumnus of the University of Georgia oboe studio, graduating in 2018 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. She doubled on alto saxophone in high school jazz band and marching band and marched mellophone in the Redcoat Band. She also received her Master of Music Education degree from Florida State University in 2023.
As an oboist, Cassidy has performed in several community bands and local performances. Most notably, she performed at the 2021 Midwest Clinic in Chicago with the Atlanta Wind Symphony. She was a middle school choir director and band director for six years before joining the University of Georgia Community Music School.
In addition to making music, Cassidy loves attending concerts of all genres, watching movies, gaming, and spending time with her family and friends (including her two cats, Mika and Murphy). She is very active in the Athens community and loves helping and serving others.