Accompanist
Ann Marie Ellis
Ann Marie Ellis has served as the Choral Society’s accompanist since 1995. A Missouri native, she earned both a B.S. and M.M. in Music Education from West Chester University, studying piano with Dr. Richard Veleta and voice with Dr. Emily Bullock.
She began her career teaching private piano and voice and serving in multiple music ministry roles at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Thornton, PA (1984-2002). Since 1981, Ann has accompanied competitions, concerts, musicals, and recitals throughout Chester County and the greater Philadelphia area. Career highlights include performing at the White House with soprano Lis Cass Geoghegan (2000) and accompanying Chester County Voices Abroad on Concert tours across Europe with performances in venues such as the Berliner Dom, Notre
Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Giles’ Cathedral, Galway Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Most recently she accompanied the First Presbyterian Europe Tour Choir and Brass Quintet in Slovenia and Croatia (2025).
Recently retired after 26 years with the West Chester Area School District, having served as the founding Director of Choral Activities at Bayard Rustin High School, she continues to teach private piano and voice lessons in addition to serving as Choir Accompanist at First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, where she and her husband are members.
She began her career teaching private piano and voice and serving in multiple music ministry roles at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Thornton, PA (1984-2002). Since 1981, Ann has accompanied competitions, concerts, musicals, and recitals throughout Chester County and the greater Philadelphia area. Career highlights include performing at the White House with soprano Lis Cass Geoghegan (2000) and accompanying Chester County Voices Abroad on Concert tours across Europe with performances in venues such as the Berliner Dom, Notre
Dame Cathedral, the Basilica of Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Giles’ Cathedral, Galway Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Most recently she accompanied the First Presbyterian Europe Tour Choir and Brass Quintet in Slovenia and Croatia (2025).
Recently retired after 26 years with the West Chester Area School District, having served as the founding Director of Choral Activities at Bayard Rustin High School, she continues to teach private piano and voice lessons in addition to serving as Choir Accompanist at First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, where she and her husband are members.