Our Team
S. KATHERINE SHEALY
Co-Founder & Artistic Director
S. Katherine Shealy (Kate) is a choral director, music educator, vocalist, and community arts advocate in Chester County, PA who has taught students of all ages and abilities in choirs, classrooms, and private lessons for 17 years. Ensembles and students under her direction have placed in local competitions, been awarded top ratings, and invited to perform at both national and state-wide functions.
In 2006, Kate co-founded Concordia Choral Arts (formerly Pennsylvania Academy of Performing Arts) with Dr. Charles Moll, retired high school choral teacher, as well as a team of music educators and supporters in Chester County. She has sung in, assisted with, and directed ensembles through the organization since its inception, including having led their inaugural tour of four cities through China for the Eric Whitacre International Choral Festival. She formed and directed both a Chamber Choir and Ariana Women’s Choir in 2007, and in 2009 was also appointed Choral Director of the Pennsylvania Academy of Performing Arts’ premier choral ensemble. In 2015, Kate oversaw the organization’s rebranding initiatives, including changing the name to Concordia Choral Arts, as well as launching revised Mission and Vision Statements.
Concordia’s success has led Kate to focus on advocacy for community arts education programs, creating opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to awaken their inner musician. CCA’s annual Peace Day Concert was established in 2018, a collaborative community music event free to the public, to honor the UN’s International Day of Peace. For this event she established the Rising Artist Vocal Scholarship competition for young singers ages 9-13, awarding a cash prize for lessons, classes, or other musical pursuits. For these efforts, October 6th was named “Concordia Choral Arts Day” by Mayor Peter Urscheler in Phoenixville, PA.
Kate received her Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Delaware and her Master’s in Choral Conducting from West Chester University. In addition to leading Concordia, she is the Community & Collegiate Choral Music Editor at J.W. Pepper’s headquarters in Exton, as well as teaches voice privately.
GAIL HABECKER
Accompanist
Gail Habecker is the accompanist for the choirs of Concordia Choral Arts. She has been playing piano since the age of four. During high school and college, she accompanied school and church choirs before graduating from Juniata College with an emphasis in vocal accompaniment, having studied piano with Elizabeth Stuart, Mary Ruth Linton, and Lois Thayer. More recently Gail has also accompanied voice and instrumental soloists, played in the Immaculata Symphony, Chester County Pops, and with other chamber ensembles at Immaculata University. Ms. Habecker is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and has a career in investment management as a Chartered Financial Analyst. When she is not playing the piano, Gail enjoys volunteering at the Chester County Library, reading, knitting, and quilting. She resides in Coatesville with her husband, Perry.
