Carolyn Ives began singing at age 5 in the Children’s Church Choir, in Duluth Minnesota, where her father was minister. From performing in the Adult Choir, she gained knowledge of classical music. She acquired experience in popular music in high school and in college, where she was active in theater, securing lead roles in shows such as Oklahoma. As a young adult, she joined the Rochester (Minnesota) Civic Chorus and in the process, renewed her memories of performing Handel’s Messiah as a youngster.

Her adult years took her away from singing during college and as she pursued a career in psychology. Three decades later, in 1997, she moved to Santa Fe and joined the choir at Santa Fe Community College and soon after, The Santa Fe Symphony Chorus.

In 2002, Carolyn’s work took her to the north woods of Minnesota, where she joined the Itasca County Community Chorus. Eleven years later, she returned to Santa Fe and, thanks to help from then Chorus Manager, Paul Rose, and support from Director Linda Raney, she was able to audition for the Santa Fe Symphony Chorus and take her place in the group once more.

For Carolyn, singing in performances of Handel’s Messiah are a marvelous experience of shared joy with Santa Fe’s enthusiastic and appreciative audiences. “Being a member of the chorus is extremely rewarding,” she says, “and I was delighted when the opportunity arose to give something back by becoming a Council member and Chorus Librarian.”