Meet the Artistic Staff

Kristina Sheppard, Artistic Director

Kristina Sheppard is Artistic Director of The Valley Chorale.  In addition, she is the Director of Choirs at Gainesville High School in Prince William County, VA. She holds an M.A. in Teaching from The Colorado College, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Music and Psychology from The College of William and Mary. 


Kristina has been an educator for 13 years, working with middle school and high school choirs both in Colorado and Virginia.  In 2025, she served as guest conductor for the Fauquier All-County Middle School Honor Choir.  In addition to her work in the choral world, Kristina serves as the vocal director for musical productions in partnership with the Gainesville High School theatre program.  


At home, she raises two beautiful children with her amazing husband.

Maddison Shawkey, Assistant Artistic Director

Ms. Shawkey holds a B.A. in Music Education from Shenandoah University.  Currently she serves as Choral Director at Auburn Middle School and Kettle Run High School, both located in Fauquier County, VA.  Ms. Shawkey has been associated with The Valley Chorale for several years, as a singer, section leader, and now part of the artistic leadership team.

Sarah Gorman, Collaborative Pianist

Sarah Gorman is the Director of Choirs at Robert E. Aylor Middle School in Frederick County, VA.  She received her B.M. in Music Education from Shenandoah Conservatory in 2023. 


Sarah’s experience as a collaborative pianist spans over 15 years at the community, collegiate, and professional levels in both New Jersey and Virginia. She is ecstatic to now be making music with The Valley Chorale. 

Abigail Danielson, Assistant Collaborative Pianist

Abigail Danielson has been playing piano since the age of six.  As a teenager, she set her sights on becoming a music teacher, and now holds a degree in music education from Liberty University.  After earning her degree, Abigail spent several years in England studying and volunteering as well as working at a Bible school.  Now back in Virginia, she enjoys being part of The Valley Chorale as a singer and as the Assistant Collaborative Pianist.

Chira Bell, Administrator

Chira holds a Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. 


Subsequently, Chira joined VisionIntoArt as Artistic Administrator and Equity and Belonging Facilitator, supporting several world premiere operas. Chira currently serves as Assistant Director for Online Graduate Admission and Specialized Events at Shenandoah University, focusing on online programs and conservatory events.

Executive Leadership

David C. Freese, President and Treasurer
Mr. Freese enjoyed a 30-year career in finance and international development, working in the areas of financial reporting and compliance as well as

treasury operations.  He has also been on the board of the Friends of Samuels Public Library (Front Royal, VA) and the Master Gardeners of the Northern Shenandoah Valley.  A resident of the Shenandoah Valley since 2000, he has sung in choruses all his life and has been associated with The Valley Chorale for more than 15 years.


Pat Casey, Vice President
Ms. Casey retired to the Shenandoah Valley in 2014 after a successful, 32-year legal career in Washington DC. She was a partner in a major law firm and later a

Senior Vice President and manager of the legal department in a telecommunications company in Washington. Prior to law school, she was a high school English teacher for eight years. Ms. Casey is a member of the Master Gardeners of the Northern Shenandoah Valley and has been singing with The Valley Chorale for more than 10 years.
 
Linda Tokarski, Secretary
A retired physical therapist, Ms. Tokarski relocated to Virginia in 2020. She has been singing for more than 40 years in various choruses in New England and the southeastern United States. In addition to her role as Secretary, Ms. Tokarski also organizes the Chorale's social gatherings, where singers become better acquainted with one another and, as a result, sing better together.

Chira Bell
Chira Bell earned Bachelor of Music in Classical Voice Performance from the Manhattan School of Music. Chira joined VisionIntoArt as Artistic Administrator and Equity and Belonging Facilitator, supporting three world premiere operas, Primero Sueño, Port(al), and Sensorium Ex.   Currently Chira serves as Assistant Director for Online Graduate Admission and Specialized Events at Shenandoah University, focusing on online programs and conservatory events.


Dr. Valerie Martin
Valerie G. Martin holds a doctoral degree of music in wind conducting, and directed university bands, orchestras and jazz groups for 18 years.  She subsequently served as the Dean of Arts and Sciences at a private university in Pennsylvania for 17 years.  Along with her husband and three cats, she is enjoying retired life in the Shenandoah Valley and singing with The Valley Chorale.