Staff

Emery Edwards,
Director

Ms. Emery joined the Albuquerque Girl Choir in 2023. She currently teaches choir and guitar at Eldorado High School. Ms. Emery began singing at age 11 and has performed throughout New Mexico, Texas, and Europe. She attended Eastern New Mexico University, earning her Bachelor 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. 

Raylene Verciglio,
Prep Choir Director

Ms. Raylene joined the Albuquerque Girl Choir in 2024.  She is currently the music teacher at Dennis Chavez Elementary School, teaching kids from PreK to 5th grade.  Ms. Raylene was introduced to music at a very young age playing the viola, organ, clarinet, and piano. In high school, she was part of a show choir group called the "Stargazers." Ms. Raylene graduated from UNM with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education, with her main instrument major in Viola. She has been teaching music for the APS Fine Arts Department since 2022.  In the three years prior, she taught at five elementary schools in Albuquerque.

Jerrilyn Foster,
Director Emeritus

Ms. Jerri started directing the Albuquerque Girl Choir in 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.