About Us
Staff
Allison Fromm, Director, has directed choral ensembles at Yale University, Dutchess Community College, Boston University, and the University of Illinois. As founding Director of Joyful Noise, she was named Philadelphia Eagles 2002 Community Quarterback runner-up. In Champaign, Illinois she initiated the Exodus and Whirlwind interfaith arts organizations and established the Whirlwind Interfaith Choir and Shabbat Singers. A graduate of Yale and Boston Universities and a doctoral candidate at the University of Illinois, she is currently writing her dissertation: Aaron Copland’s “In the Beginning”: Context and Creative Process.
Cathy Sonnenberg, Associate Director, attended the New England Conservatory of Music on a full scholarship. She studied piano with Veronica Jochum and Theodore Lettvin, and chamber music with Benjamin Zander. She sang in the Conservatory chorus directed by renowned choral conductor Lorna Cooke DeVaron and under the baton of Seiji Ozawa of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Cathy has given piano recitals in the Canary Islands, Madrid and Boston, played cabaret shows in Philadelphia, and conducted and accompanied Camden Catholic High School's chorus. She performed in the Liberace Revue at the Tropicana in Atlantic City and served the Marian Anderson Historical Society as pianist for the unveiling of the Marian Anderson Stamp at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.
Cathy took a 3-year hiatus after the birth of her daughter, Stephanie, and is now back on the scene happily conducting and accompanying Joyful Noise, doing ensemble work, and teaching piano in Philadelphia and New Jersey. She has recorded a CD entitled Cathy Sonnenberg Elegant Ensemble.
Mark Gary, Assistant Director, received his undergraduate degree from Morehouse College in Atlanta. He has earned masters’ degrees from the University of Illinois in both Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance. With the University of Illinois Opera Theater, Mark has sung the tenor roles of Dr. Blind in Die Fledermaus, Don Curzio in Marriage of Figaro, Daniel Buchanann in Street Scene, and Ferrando in Così fan Tutte. He has also appeared as soloist with the Quad Cities Symphony, the University of Illinois Symphony and Oratorio Society, Sinfonia da Camera, and the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana.
Equally at home on the podium, Mark has conducted and prepared choral ensembles in Pennsylvania, Georgia and Illinois. He currently serves as Director of Music Ministries at Solebury United Methodist Church. Mark is also Artistic Director of the Swarthmore Chorale in Delaware County and performs with various choral organizations in the area.
