Arianne Abela, Artistic Director
Filipino-American conductor, composer and soprano, Arianne Abela, is Director of Choral Activities at Amherst College where she conducts the historic Glee Club and Concert Choir. She is founder and artistic director of Kaleidoscope Vocal Ensemble, a professional ensemble focused on early and new music with dedication to the intersection of racial, ethnic and gender diversity and the intersection of arts and social justice. Kaleidoscope has performed as a headliner at the American Choral Directors Association Southern and Midwestern conferences, the National Podium Conference in Canada, and has held residencies in a wide range of academic communities all over the country. She is conductor of Illumine Vocal Arts Ensemble, Western Massachusetts’ premiere auditioned choir. Abela is an ”acclaimed conductor who guides the musicians with refined power” (Stir Arts and Culture, Vancouver) and a sought-after clinician in composition, conducting and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility initiatives. In 2013, Abela was featured conducting on NBC’s Today Show and was a semi-finalist in Season 8 of America’s Got Talent as director of Connecticut-based 3-Penny Chorus and Orchestra. The ensemble later recorded for the soundtrack of Hollywood film Walk of Shame starring Elizabeth Banks.
Abela holds a doctorate in conducting from the University of Michigan, master's degree from Yale University and bachelor of arts from Smith College. Abela sings professionally in ensembles across the United States and Canada such as Yale Choral Artists, sounding light, Etherea Vocal Ensemble, Arkora, Zenith Vocal Ensemble and Audivi. She has been featured as a soloist under conductors such as Ervin Ortner, Simon Carrington, and ensembles such as Arcadia Players, Yale Alumni Chorus, Yale Schola Cantorum and Yale Symphony Orchestra. Her choral works are published through ECS Schirmer Publishing as well as Musicspoke. Abela resides in Sunderland, MA with her husband, Noah Horn, also a conductor and singer, and three energetic children, Hazel, Tala and Oliver.