A nonprofit musical organization, the Vienna Choral Society (VCS) was formed in January 1987 to provide music for events sponsored by the Town of Vienna, community organizations, and the residents of Vienna and surrounding communities. Our membership and audience has since grown to serve a much wider radius in the DC-Metro region with singers and audience members from all over Fairfax County, Loudon County, and Montgomery County.
Our purpose is to be an excellent teaching choir that presents varied programs of high-quality music for public entertainment and personal enrichment, to promote greater appreciation and enjoyment of good music by the general public and to join with other organizations in giving our time and our talent to programs and activities that benefit our community.
Our members come from all backgrounds and walks of life. We share a love of singing and a desire to grow both in our awareness of the rich choral music that exists and in our abilities to perform it well. We are proud to have several founding members of VCS still within our ranks, and we warmly welcome new members who are interested in blending their voices with ours.
Organizational Structure
The Vienna Choral Society is a membership organization. The work of VCS is accomplished through a collaboration between the Members, the Board of Directors, the Artistic Director, the Executive Director, and the Accompanist. Members are asked to give additional volunteer time each year to perform for community events and celebrations, to serve on committees and to attend twice yearly VCS Membership Meetings. All Members are expected to sell tickets for the concerts.
Board of Directors
The VCS Board Members give many hours to planning and to ensuring that the work of the organization gets done and that sufficient moneys are raised. They also respond to the needs of current VCS Members and oversee the work of VCS staff members. They gladly wear many “hats” and demonstrate a devotion to and passion for choral music and the Vienna Choral Society!
Catherine Michela, President
Ava Celli, Vice President
Linda Ferri, Treasurer
Melissa Hecht, Secretary
Deb Tees
Dick Donovan
James Whitcomb
Jen Stein Hauptman
Katherine Ottman
Karen Akers
Artistic Director, Mike Horanski
Mike Horanski earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education in and Master of Music in Music Education degrees from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he performed and studied conducting under the leadership of Dr. Brady Allred.
Mike has taught in the Fairfax County Public Schools since 2005, and currently directs the choral ensembles at Robinson Secondary School. His ensembles study and perform a varied repertoire and consistently earn accolades for their performances locally, nationally and throughout the world.
Most recently Mike and the Robinson Choirs traveled to South Africa to compete in the 10th World Choir Games where the ensembles earned a Golden Diploma and two Champions Competition Level Silver Medals.
In 2017, Mike was named Outstanding Music Educator by the Virginia Music Educators Association for the entire Commonwealth. Mike is past President of the Virginia Choral Directors Association and is currently the event chair for the combined All-Virginia Band, Chorus and Orchestra. He is a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician. Additionally, Mike serves as the Director of Music Ministries at Fairfax United Methodist Church in Fairfax, Virginia.
Accompanist, Melvin Goodwyn
Melvin Goodwyn retired in 2009 from the Prince William County School division after 31 years as choral director and arts administrator. Melvin has served as the accompanist for the Virginia All-State Choir, the VMEA Honors choir, the ACDA “Voices United” conference, and numerous District choirs for over 15 years. Melvin has been awarded the “Excellence in the Arts” award by the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce, the Outstanding Individual Performance Award by Prince William County Schools, the 2006 Seefeldt Award for outstanding arts advocacy and the 2006 Sidney Swiggett Award for service to the Virginia Choral Directors Association . He has served as President of both the Virginia Choral Directors Association and the Virginia Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
Melvin holds a Bachelor of Music degree with in an emphasis in piano from Westminster Choir College and a Master of Music in Conducting from Catholic University. He currently serves as organist at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Woodbridge, VA.
Executive Director, Liss Hindley
Liss Hindley moved to Vienna in 2006 from her native UK. Seeking new friends who shared her life-long love of singing, she found the Vienna Choral Society, a welcoming and vibrant community, where her involvement quickly evolved beyond just singing. She felt a deep desire to give back to the community that had helped her overcome the challenges of moving overseas, and so began her professional journey within VCS. In 2008, she joined the Board of Directors, serving as President of the organization from 2013 to 2014, and then as Secretary from 2014 to 2025.
Prior to joining VCS, Liss dedicated ten years to service in the Royal Air Force. She spent the subsequent decade, focusing on her family while residing in and traveling across the United States, before a five-year tenure in arts administration at Cuppett Performing Arts Center in Vienna followed by five years in the role of Manager at Nothing Bundt Cakes, Vienna. Her diverse background and experiences have honed her skills in leadership, organization, and communication.
She is excited to collaborate with the Artistic Director and the Board of Directors to work together toward realizing their visions and goals for the continued growth and success of their beloved Vienna Choral Society while fostering a positive and inclusive environment for every singer and audience member.
Intern, Julia Rivera
Julia Rivera is a senior at Marshall High School. After she graduates, she plans to study architecture and music at JMU. A choir kid since the 4th grade, she enjoys singing with others and finds music to be her sanctuary. She has participated in her school’s production of Anything Goes this past year and is excited to participate in this year’s upcoming musical.
She loves animals and started a nonprofit animal rescue with her mom last fall: People and Pets Together, Inc. In her free time, she rescues lost animals, writes songs, and plays guitar in her room. She is excited for the 2025-26 VCS season and to be a part of the family!