Board of Directors

The Georgia Children’s Chorus has been able to “Keep Athens Singing!” for over 25 years, guided by a 15-member Board of Directors, lead by President Ellen McLemore. Through fundraising efforts, they help to secure funds to support the staff and operations of the organization as well as to provide scholarships for chorus members in need of financial assistance.

  • Rebecca Atkins

    PAST PRESIDENT

    Bio

  • Ellen McLemore

    PRESIDENT

    Bio

  • Doris Granum

    VICE PRESIDENT

    Bio

  • Avery Mason

    TREASURER

    Bio

  • Greg Settineri

    SECRETARY

    Bio

  • Tara Maxwell

    PARENT REPRESENTATIVE

    Bio

  • Daniel Chamberlin

    MEMBER AT LARGE

    Bio

  • Will Divers

    MEMBER AT LARGE

    Bio

  • Emily Escoe

    MEMBER AT LARGE

    Bio

  • Chris Griner

    MEMBER AT LARGE

    Bio

  • Margaret McDonald

    MEMBER AT LARGE

    Bio

  • Wick Prichard

    MEMBER AT LARGE

    Bio

  • Cubby Rupers

    MEMBER AT LARGE

    Bio

  • Spencer Tolley

    MEMBER AT LARGE

    Bio

  • Dr. Jennifer Kane

    MEMBER AT LARGE (non-voting)

    Bio

Dr. Rebecca Atkins

Past President

Dr. Rebecca L. Atkins is Associate Professor of Music Education (Vocal) at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia. Previously she was the Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (2013-2016). She received her Ph.D. in Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin (2013), an M.M. in Choral Conducting at Missouri State University (2008), and a B.M. in Music Studies at The University of Texas at Austin (1994). Dr. Atkins is an active clinician, adjudicator, performer, and music education researcher. Before her collegiate career, Atkins successfully directed 14 years of middle school and high school choir in the public school systems of Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee, earning superior and excellent ratings consistently at competitions.

Ellen McLemore

President

Ellen McLemore joins the GCC board with over 30 years of experience in all areas of choral music, piano pedagogy and as a collaborative pianist. She received a Bachelor’s in Music Edication, vocal performance from Wesleyan College, Macon, GA. As co-founder of Chorale des Amis, Youth Choirs of Acadiana, a non-profit children's community choir in Lafayette, Louisiana, the choirs were invited to sing at Carnegie Hall in their first year and with the Acadians Symphony Orchestra on several occsssions as well as performed throughout the community. Ellen and her husband live in Athens where she is a realtor at 5Market Realty.  She continues to accompany for schools and churches, and fill in as director of church choirs where needed. As an avid supporter of the performing arts, Ellen is a past member of the American Choral Directors Association, Southern Division planning committee, currently serves as president-elect for the Athens Symphony Orchestra and is most excited to serve as president of the Georgia Children’s Choir.

Dr. Doris Granum

Vice President

A music educator for 30 years in Athens-Clarke County, Dr. Granum spent her career espousing the joy of children's singing at Athens Academy, David C. Barrow and Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary schools. She holds degrees from Carson Newman College (BMEd) and the University of Georgia (MMEd, EdD.). Dr Granum and her husband, Tom, both had the pleasure of leading the GCC as interim directors. Daughters Meg Granum Gurtcheff and Mary Winn Granum sang in the chorus from its founding under directors Elizabeth Kimble and Carol Reeves.

Avery Mason

Treasurer

Avery graduated from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia in 2020 after transferring from the University of Oregon—her mom always joked that "ducks fly south!" Instead of returning to Charlotte, Avery chose to stay in Athens, GA, where she built a strong and supportive community. After four years of serving small business owners as an accountant, she decided to take the leap and start her own firm. In July 2024, Erm Accounting was born.

Greg Settineri

Secretary

Greg moved to Athens from Charleston, SC in 2022 for a career opportunity and to be closer to his family. He is an experienced financial professional for almost 20 years, providing investment planning services through a previous firm in NJ and SC. Currently, Greg is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Athens where his team provides financial planning to individuals and local, small businesses. His practice specializes with retirement planning, investment management, and college savings strategies. Greg received an M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina with an emphasis in finance and a B.A. from the University of Delaware. During his free time, Greg enjoys exercising, sports, and exploring Athens with his family.

Tara Maxwell

Parent Representative

Daniel Chamberlin

Member at Large

Will Divers

Member at Large

Emily Escoe

Member at Large

Emily Escoe is an attorney at Fortson, Bentley and Griffin, P.A., with a practice concentrated in commercial real estate and corporate law. Emily received a J.D. from The University of Georgia School of Law and an M.B.A. from The University of Georgia Terry College of Business. Prior to law school, Emily earned an A.B.J. in Public Relations from The Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at The University of Georgia. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of GCC, Emily serves on the Boards of the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the Western Circuit Bar Association. Emily served as GCC’s President in the 2022-2023 season.

Chris Griner

Member at Large

Margaret McDonald

Member at Large

Margaret McDonald is in her ninth year serving as an elementary music teacher. She currently works at Bramlett Elementary in Barrow County and previously worked at Gaines Elementary in Clarke County. Margaret holds a Bachelors in Music Education and a Masters in Music Education from the University of Georgia. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Margaret played trumpet in the Redcoat Band.

Margaret is a member of First Baptist Church in Athens where she has served on the Board of Deacons, sings in the sanctuary choir, and directs one of the children’s choirs. In her free time she enjoys watching UGA football and running.

From 2014-2021, Wick was the coordinator of the award-winning, and more importantly "teacher and student-loved" Grow It Know It (GIKI) program. A partnership between the University of Georgia and the Clarke County School District and Barrow County School System, GIKI assisted teachers in using school gardens to teach concepts in sustainability.

Before his work with Grow It Know It, Wick was a co-author of Georgia's first sea level rise plan, which was unanimously adopted by Tybee Island City Council in April 2016. This project received the National Sea Grant Program's highest award for outreach in 2014, as well as regional and state recognitions. Prior to his return to Georgia, Wick worked for ten years in GA, TX, FL, PA, CA, and ME as an environmental educator. It was during this time that he developed an interest in teaching and mentoring youth and broadening the opportunities available to them to become environmental and civic leaders.

Wick Prichard

Member at Large

Cubby Rupers

Member at Large

Cubby Rupers is an Athens resident and a proud alum of the Georgia Children’s Chorus, having been an active member from 2008-2018. Staying involved in music and arts since graduation, Cubby teaches voice lessons full-time and is the Events and Rentals Coordinator at Brightstone Productions, a local community theater where she also directs. Cubby’s experience working with fundraising and business is not limited to music and theater; previously, Cubby was the assistant manager at Frenchies Modern Nail Care. Having cherished the many years of edification the GCC provided her, Cubby looks forward to seeing the choir’s success and looks forward to the opportunity to provide support for its members and staff.

Spencer is an attorney at Cook & Tolley, LLP in downtown Athens and a lifelong Athens resident. Spencer’s practice primarily focuses on civil and criminal trial and litigation matters. He received his J.D. from The Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University and his B.S.E.D. in Sports Management from The University of Georgia. Prior to college, Spencer attended Athens Academy from the time he was three years old until he graduated high school. He now serves as the Vice President of the Athens Academy Alumni Association and is a former coach of the boys and girls high school golf teams. In college, Spencer worked for the University of Georgia football program under Mark Richt in the recruiting office.  Spencer served as GCC’s President in the 2021-2022 season and is in his 5th year on the Board. Spencer is an avid golfer and tennis player in his free time. 

Spencer Tolley

Member at Large

Dr. Jennifer Kane

Member at Large (non-voting)