Key Chorale Announces New Singer Appointments and Staff  

SARASOTA, FL – As Key Chorale’s 38th season is in full swing, they announce two new additions to their professional core of singers and two new staff members.  

Key Chorale, the Suncoast’s premier symphonic chorus, is a fully auditioned ensemble of more than 100 singers with a paid professional core of 20.  

“This season we’ve increased the size of our professional core and increased compensation for those positions,” said Maestro Joseph Caulkins. “This allows us to continue presenting programs and concerts of the highest caliber and to recognize and reward those appointed singers who are such a big part of our musical team. We are lucky to have so many talented singers both as our paid core and our incredible volunteer singers who bring so much love and passion for their art.” 

Lori Maxwell, Alto Section Leader, is originally from Wisconsin but moved to Florida in 2018 and quickly learned that seeing pictures of the snow is far better than being in the snow. Much of her career has been spent in Musical Theatre working primarily as a Music Director but also enjoying turns as a Director, Actor and even Costumer.  Lori’s current jobs include working for a music company writing institutional bids for schools, teaching voice & piano lessons, and as a Disney travel agent. Lori is also a staff singer with the St Boniface Episcopal Church choir. 

Kristin Lewter, new core singer, came to Sarasota by way of Orlando after having studied classical voice at both Loyola New Orleans and The Hartt School of Music where she received her degree in vocal performance. She has performed roles ranging from Mrs. Paroo in The Music Man to Dido in Dido and Aeneas. Though much of her training is in classical voice, she can often be found performing in musical theater cabarets and is an active member in her church choir and praise group. 

Lee Holden, Donor Engagement Manager, had an early career in finance, finally, as a VP in a bank trust department in Flint, Michigan. He left that career to teach at General Motors Institute in Flint. He was recruited by Toyota to eventually become a Vice President for the SE Region of Toyota in Boca Raton, Florida. Lee has been very active in non-profits, including hospitals, churches, and Goodwill Industries. Lee joined his wife, Lorraine Murphy, Soprano Section Leader, in Key Chorale, as a member of the board and then first non-singer President. 

New Community Outreach Specialist, Ellen Schaller, most recently worked for Neuro Challenge Foundation for Parkinson’s in Sarasota as a care advisor working with those affected by Parkinson’s. Ellen also spent over thirty years as a physical therapist specializing in gerontology and helping others achieve wellness through her positive can-do attitude.