Directing this treble choir is a unique and wonderful privilege. Goals include connecting many voices into one beautiful sound while encouraging unity in the Chorus.

Rachel Jackson has programmed concerts and sacred services, conducted choirs and music-directed theatre in the Sacramento area for the last 25 years. She has served as an adjudicator for choral festivals and conductor of a mass choir at the Sacramento Convention Center. Rachel has been involved in eight professional choral recordings as producer, director or featured soloist.  She is dedicated to diversity in the creative arts, musical integrity and inter-generational connection within choirs and ensembles. 

Rachel received a Bachelor of Arts in Music from California State University, East Bay, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from California State University, Sacramento and a Master of Music in Conducting from Messiah University in Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania. Her influences include professor Dr. David Stein, Dr. Rachel Cornacchio, Tom Fettke, Eleanor Cohen and clinician Dr. Anton Armstrong and Ken Medema. 

She loves teaching voice, singing jazz, traveling, cycling and spending time with loved ones including her furry companions.

Merri Sue is a retired K-8 music teacher. She earned a single subject music credential and a multiple

subject credential from the state of California. Merri sue says retirement is grand, especially if you can

still contribute your skills to something you love.

Cindy is a retired educator. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Vermont. She also holds a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from CSULB, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of La Verne.

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Dr. Chaffee has sung in and directed church and community choirs since her college days. She has taught both choral and instrumental music in public schools in Vermont and California. She also served as district GATE music program director for Garden Grove School district, and the district Choral music program director for the Centralia School district.

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In addition to Cindy’s 40+ years in education, she is a veteran, having served in the Vermont National Guard 40th Army Band, and then as Assistant Conductor of the Los Angeles 300th Reserve Army Band.

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Cindy joined the Sacramento Women’s Chorus in 2022. When asked about her passion for music, she refers to her singing experiences as a child in church and playing Princess Ying Yaowalak in “The King and I” when she was ten years old. Cindy often says, “Music feeds my soul.”

Vutu is an award winning collaborative pianist and piano pedagogue. Joining the Sacramento Women’s Chorus in 2020, he is inspired to deliver compelling performances and contribute to the empowerment of community through music.  Vutu has performed internationally as a classical pianist, including solo concerts at Salle Cortot in Paris, Old First Concerts in San Francisco, and the Music at Noon Series in Sacramento. Other notable performances include choral concerts at the World AIDS Day, Fresh Meat Festival, and the Transgender Day of Remembrance.

A Bay Area native, Vutu attended San Francisco State University where he established himself as an award winning piano teacher, and earned both his MM and BM in Piano Performance with an emphasis in Chamber Music. He is now nearing completion of his PhD in Musicology from the Claremont Graduate University in Pomona, California, and is finishing his dissertation on 19th century piano methods. Vutu continues to teach private piano lessons at his home in Sacramento and at the San Francisco Community Music Center. In addition to his musical pursuits, Vutu enjoys spending time with family and is a dedicated soccer coach.