Staff

Jerrilyn Foster, Director

Ms. Jerri has been the music director for the Albuquerque Girl Choir since 2005. She is also currently the Music Director at Central United Methodist Church. Ms. Jerri is a native of Honolulu, Hawaii. She began her music career at the age of 5, studying the violin and soloist with the Hawaiian Youth Symphony. Ms. Jerri is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory, where she earned her Bachelor of Music Education in voice, choral, and K-12 music. She received her Master's Degree in Music Education from Stanford University and a second Master's Degree, specializing in the Kodaly Music Education Method, from Holy Names College. Ms. Jerri taught choral music for 34 years in both public and private schools. 

Emery Edwards, Asst. Director

Ms. Emery currently teaches choir and guitar at Eldorado High School. She began singing at age 11 and has performed throughout New Mexico, Texas, and Europe. Ms. Emery attended Eastern New Mexico University, where she earned her Bachelors of Choral Music Education. She received her Master of Curriculum and Instruction in Mathematics from the University of Texas-Arlington. Ms. Emery has guest-conducted choirs throughout New Mexico and is the president of the New Mexico American Choral Directors Association. 

Paulette McClellan, Accompanist

Ms. Paulette started studying piano at age 11 and became a church organist by eighth grade.  She attended the University of Texas in Austin where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Theory and went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Music Theory from UNT in Denton, Texas.  Over the past 32 years, Ms. Paulette has been employed as a pianist, organist, and music director for several churches in the greater Houston area before moving to Angel Fire, NM in 2015.  Ms. Paulette moved to Albuquerque in 2021 where she is the organist/pianist for Monte Vista Christian Church.  She joined the Albuquerque Girl Choir in 2022.