ABOUT US | Belles Canto

Belles Canto

Belles Canto is an auditioned vocal ensemble of young women ages 14 – 19, established in 2012 by voice teacher and choir director Diane Haslam.

The mission of the group is to offer young women the chance to develop their musical skills, grow as singers, learn the value of team building and cooperation, and offer special musical experiences to the Aiken and surrounding community. They have appeared in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, and have been featured in the Joye in Aiken Music Festival as well as singing the National Anthem at the Aiken Steeplechase. Belles Canto has collaborated in performance with the Aiken Singers, Bount To Sing boys choir, and Kinderchoir Aine. The group presents major local public concerts per year, a Holiday concert in December and a themed concert in late Spring, performing songs across a broad spectrum of styles, accompanied and a capella.

Bellini

Bellini is a young girls’ vocal ensemble open to ages 8-13 years old.

The group serves as a training choir for Belles Canto and provides younger girls with an exceptional musical and choral experience. Since the group’s inaugural season, Fall 2015, they have been featured in several Belles Canto concerts as well as performing for the USCA Chancellor’s Christmas Party at the Convocation Center and in retirement communities in Aiken.

Music Director: Keely Rhodes

Elizabeth Lindroth

Elizabeth Lindroth is the accompanist for Bellini as well as South Boundary Singers. She studied music at the University of South Carolina in Columbia and graduated with a degree in Piano Performance. She has served as a church musician for many years and teaches private piano and voice lessons in Aiken and Wagener. Mrs. Lindroth is a music teacher for Mead Hall Episcopal School where she teaches General Music for 3k – 1st grade and New Holland Mennonite school where she instructs students in music theory, aural skills, and vocal technique.

Elaine Wengerd

Elaine Wengerd currently teaches drama and music at New Holland Mennonite School, where she has been teaching for 20 years. Her favorite people in the world are her 6 kids, her handsome husband, and all of her wonderful and talented syudents. She is honored to work with Diane Haslam and Bellini.