Catherine Middleton-Hardie (President) After moving to Seattle a few years ago, I was thrilled to join Magnolia Chorale, reigniting my passion for choral music. My parents encouraged a love of classical music from a young age and my sisters and I were frequently brought along to various performances they were involved in. It was a natural progression for me to join choirs, orchestras, bands and stage musicals at school. Unfortunately, at university and early professional life (in biotech) I lost touch with these creative outlets. Fortunately, the Magnolia Chorale has been extremely welcoming and presents approachable, yet sufficiently challenging music to be a great re-entry into choral singing. I have served on the board on other community organizations and am pleased to serve on the Chorale Board to say “thank you” to the members.
Cindy Johnson (Vice President) I am an Oregon native, blessed to grow up with an opera singer father and music loving family who encouraged me in choir, musicals, drama, and art. I have a BS in Fine Arts and an MA in Psychology and retired November 2020 after 30 + years as a behavioral health therapist and case manager with a variety of populations. I have lived in Magnolia with my artist husband and a wonderful assortment of dogs and cats since 1985. I joined the Magnolia Chorale in 2019.
TJ Hatfield (Secretary) started her musical adventures at the University of Washington and then continued at Berklee College of Music. After landing in Magnolia, she spotted an ad for the Magnolia Chorale in the newspaper. Eight years later, she's a first-time board member, getting to know what goes on behind the scenes of the beloved Chorale. Outside of singing and writing, she loves to travel and discover hidden gems like the vintage cigarette machine tucked away in a Las Vegas casino, which dispenses one-of-a-kind art from local makers.
Carla Fraga (Treasurer) is an arts and design educator and author who loves to bring a burst of song to her classes. She holds a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MFA from the San Francisco Art Institute, and currently teaches at Luminous Works in Seattle. She’s grateful to have found in Magnolia Chorale a group of amicable, merry folks with whom to share the transporting joy of singing.
Kate Criss (Director) grew up on the North Fork of Long Island, where she played piano and flute and performed in her tiny high school’s annual musicals. She has lovely memories of singing Christmas Eve hymns with friends and neighbors at the Orient Congregational Church and was delighted to rediscover that joyful feeling with the Magnolia Chorale. Kate worked in libraries around the country before becoming a full-time parent, and has lived in Magnolia with her husband and two sons since 2011. She is grateful for the opportunity to serve the Chorale as a member of the board.
Neil Jackson (Director) was born in Seattle, and spent his childhood in Bellevue and Woodinville singing with the Columbia Choirs. He holds a bachelor’s degree in physics from Duke University, where he sang with the Duke Chorale and with the early music group Collegium Musicum. Today, Neil lives in Magnolia and works at an architectural drafting and mechanical engineering firm in Ballard. In his spare time he enjoys CNC woodworking and singing in the Chorale.
Sabine Endrigkeit (Director) I grew up in Germany, playing flute, recorder and piano in a house filled with music. My parents (a music teacher, an orchestra musician) fostered my siblings' and my love for music through chamber music, opera, and caroling. Even when working as a surgeon, the desire for making music never left me, leading me to sing with the Frankfurter Singakademie. Having to reinvent my life after moving to Seattle in 2001, raising two lively children on Queen Anne, I am glad to have recently found Magnolia Chorale which gives me the perfect outlet for my musical soul. I enjoy making great music with like-minded peers. I am honored to have been given the opportunity to serve on the board of the Chorale during its exciting journey of growth.