Staff
Natalie Smith
Artistic Director
Natalie Smith is a musician and music educator who has spent the past 25 years participating in many aspects of musical arts in Athens, Georgia.
Her life in music began early — singing in choir at age two, studying piano at five, and beginning the flute at eleven. From third through eighth grade, she sang with the Young Singers of Callanwolde, where she experienced firsthand how powerful a supportive and challenging musical community can be.
Those early years continue to shape her work today.
As a professional flutist, Natalie has performed with orchestras, ballet companies, and world music ensembles across the Southeast. She is drawn to music that is alive, engaging, and rooted in human connection.
Natalie is also the founder of HEART Music, a nonprofit created to expand access to high-quality music education through meaningful partnerships with local schools and professional musicians. Over the years, she has come to understand that children thrive when expectations are clear and support is steady.
Known for being both thoughtful and direct, Natalie listens carefully and leads with steadiness. She is committed to building programs that are healthy, sustainable, and centered on long-term growth. For her, music education is about learning notes and rhythms, and it is about helping young people grow into confident, capable, and compassionate adults.
Natalie holds a Master of Music degree in Flute Performance and a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theory from the University of Georgia and loves spending free time gardening, dancing, adventuring, making all kinds of music, and celebrating life with her two children!
Presley Dale
Collaborative Pianist
Presley Dale is thrilled to join the Georgia Children’s Chorus as a collaborative pianist this season. She most recently served as the choral director at Oconee County Middle School and is an active collaborative pianist, violinist, and singer in metro Atlanta. Presley holds degrees in Choral Music Education and Piano from the University of Georgia.
She has traveled with choirs to Italy, Switzerland, and Portugal, and recently performed with UGA’s Hodgson Singers as they earned second place at the International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf in Germany. She has extensive experience collaborating with vocalists, instrumentalists, and choral ensembles, and has prepared ensembles at Dacula High School and Oconee County Middle School for superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation. Presley especially enjoys working with young musicians and helping them explore their musical potential, develop confidence, and discover joy in the choral arts.
In addition to her musical work, Presley travels nationwide as a wedding photographer. She is delighted to work with the talented musicians of the Georgia Children’s Chorus this season.
Interns for the 2026-2027 Season
Katie Christensen
Katie Christensen is a second-year Ph.D. student at the University of Georgia. Prior to beginning her doctoral studies, she spent seven years teaching elementary and middle school music in Missouri, Indiana, and Georgia. A native of Kirksville, Missouri, Katie was actively involved in school music programs, theater, and musical theater from a young age. She began singing and playing instruments early in life, and by fifth grade had already set her sights on becoming a teacher—a goal that combined her love of music and education. Katie earned both her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Music and Master of Arts in Education from Truman State University. She is thrilled to continue her teaching journey as part of the Georgia Children’s Chorus community again this year.
Katie Drybrough
Katie Drybrough is a choral conductor and piano pedagogue originally from Louisville Kentucky. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy from Western Kentucky University where she served as Graduate Assistant in Piano Pedagogy, instructor of the Piano Laboratory Program, and President of the MTNA WKU Collegiate Chapter. She has held various positions as a church musician since 2014, most recently appointed as Director of Music at St. Joseph Catholic Church here in Athens. She enjoys researching and performing works by underrepresented women composers and exploring new methods to make music learning engaging and motivating for young musicians. Katie is currently on scholarship at the University of Georgia, pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting and leading university choral ensembles as a graduate assistant conductor.