About
The mission of the Nashville Choral Institute is to enrich the lives of choristers, their families, and the community through the rehearsal and performance of quality choral literature.
Overview
A regional choir program for singers of all ages, the Nashville Choral Institute (NCI) is committed to the rehearsal and performance of quality choral music in a positive and affirming setting. The choirs are in residence at Immanuel Baptist Church and is a neighborhood partner with Belmont University's Music Education program. The NCI Program includes four sequenced choirs for choristers in grades 2–12 (Prelude Choir, Concert Choir, Vox Nova, & Nashville Youth Choir) and one community choir for adults (Nashville Chorale).
When combined and performing in the community, student choristers make up the Nashville Children's Choir (NCC). NCC fills a dual role as a quality choral organization and as an ambassador of good will, performing frequently throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee with professional performing groups and A-list recording artists.
Auditions for NCI occur two times a year: Spring and Fall. Weekly rehearsals during the school year provide exciting music making opportunities for families from all over Middle Tennessee. For more information regarding our choirs and policies, please see the Handbook in our Resources section.
Our History
Our choirs have been making beautiful music in Nashville and around the world since 1989. Read more about our history.
Explore our five choirs for both children (grades 2-12) and adults and find the ensemble that’s right for you. Learn more.
Mary Bond
Artistic Director &
Vox NOVA Director
Mary Bond is thrilled to embark on a new chapter with the Nashville Choral Institute. As director of Concert Choir for the past 3 years, she specializes in developing young voices at the start of their choral journey. Mary is on faculty at Cumberland University where she directs the Cumberland Chorale and University Singers and teaches courses in Applied Voice, Music History, and Conducting. She is also a professional chorister at the historic Assumption Church in Germantown and serves on faculty at the Poco a Poco young artist training program in Streator, IL. Mary completed her MM in Choral Conducting at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA where she worked with the collegiate choirs and undergraduate conducting students. She also served as Conducting Apprentice with the Mendelssohn Chorus, the longest-standing choral institution in the country, with a focus on excellent performances of standard choral repertoire and the development and premiere of new vocal works. She also served as Vocal Coach at the Philadelphia Boys and Girls Choirs, where she worked one-on-one with choristers to address unique vocal needs. Mary began her music education career at Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH earning a B.S. in Music Education and served as the Education Intern for the Cincinnati Boychoir for 3 years. An experienced educator, Mary has developed middle and high school programs in Davidson and Williamson counties in Middle TN. Choral programs under her direction increase in enrollment two to three-fold and consistently earn high ratings at MTVA Choral Performance Assessment. She is a sought after clinician for middle and elementary schools choirs.
James Wells
CONCERT CHOIR Director
James Wells now serves as the Director of Concert Choir for NCI. He served as a co-director of the Touring Choir (Vox Nova) since 2010 until making the switch to Concert Choir this year. In a full-time role, Mr. Wells serves as the Director of Worship and Arts at Brentwood United Methodist Church. Over his 28 years in ministry at BUMC, he has directed choirs of every age. In 2026 - 2027 James will be pursuing clergy licensure as a local pastor at Brentwood UMC along with his work in Worship Arts. Prior to his full-time church music, he spent 10 years as a general vocal music teacher in the Franklin Special School District. Mr. Wells grew up in Murfreesboro, and studied with Dr. Madeline Bridges (retired program director) while attending both MTSU and Belmont University for his music education. He often spends summer months touring with the BUMC youth choirs and has traveled throughout the U.S. conducting children and youth choirs for school districts, church organizations, festivals, and conferences. James and his wife Amy live in Franklin and recently celebrated 32 years of marriage. They have two adult daughters, and one grandson. When not working, Mr. Wells enjoys time with family, exercise, and spending time outdoors.
Our Leadership
Tyler Merideth
Danielle Taylor
NCI EXECUTIVE Director &
Youth Choir Director
Prelude Choir Director
Timothy Michael Powell
Samantha Altmann
Mary Countess
Nashville Chorale Director
Mentorship & Media Director
Collaborative Pianist
Danielle Leigh Taylor is an award-winning choral director and music educator dedicated to inspiring and empowering the next generation of musicians through high-quality, innovative instruction. Since 2014, she has built dynamic and inclusive choral programs that foster artistry, confidence, and community among singers of all ages. A three-time CMA Music Teacher of Excellence recipient, Danielle has served as a conductor with the Nashville Children’s Choir since 2023, where she develops young vocalists through engaging rehearsals, purposeful repertoire, and opportunities for professional-level performance. As both a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, she brings a versatile approach to choral leadership, integrating musicianship training, modern ensemble skills, and cross-genre repertoire to prepare students for success in a wide range of musical settings.
Mary Countess is a Belmont graduate and a collaborative pianist and piano teacher. She works as an accompanist and arranger at the Nashville Ballet. She also accompanies choirs, soloists, and instrumentalists at Crievewood United Methodist Church and Montgomery Bell Academy. She enjoys playing for the musicals at Montgomery Bell and Harpeth Hall schools. She teaches privately in the Nashville metro area as well as at the Belmont Academy. She is excited to continue making music with the Nashville Choral Institute!
Timothy Michael Powell is a composer, conductor, and music educator. Timothy was one of only 25 educators in the United States to be named a Semi-finalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award, and is a winner of the American Prize in Choral Performance. He was a National Choristers Guild Scholar, and a Fulbright Scholar to Bulgaria. Timothy has successfully led choral programs in middle school, high school and colleges, performing multiple times by peer-reviewed invitation at National Association for Music Education and American Choral Director Association conferences. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of South Carolina and his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Belmont University. He enjoys membership in ASCAP, Pi Kappa Lambda, the Society for Composers and Lyricists, NAfME, the Game Audio Network Guild, ACDA, and is a voting member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMY). Called "a skilled composer who understands the voice in all stages of development" by New York Concert reviews, Timothy composes for films, schools, and churches, with multiple premiers at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and around the world. In addition to directing the Nashville Chorale, Timothy is the co-artistic director of CorAthena: the Nashville Recording Choir, Minister of Music at Immanuel Baptist Church Nashville, and co-founder and co-director of Athena Festival Records. He and his wife Jennifer have two musical children.
Tyler Merideth holds a Bachelor of Music in Church Music, graduating cum laude, and a Master of Music in Music Education, both from Belmont University. He currently teaches four levels of choir at James Lawson High School in Nashville, Tennessee. Known for his vibrant conducting style, innovative teaching approach, and ability to build thriving music programs, Merideth is a sought-after clinician for honor choirs of all ages. As a collaborative pianist, he has performed at the International Church Music Festival in Coventry, England, and is a specialist in the Suzuki Violin repertoire. His musical versatility has also led to performances with a local improv comedy troupe and appearances on Nashville Classical Radio’s Live in Studio C. He has contributed to the Tennessee All-State Choirs since 2005 and has performed with honor choirs at both the 2020 and 2026 ACDA Southern Region Conferences. Merideth has twice been named the MNPS Students’ Choice Academy Teacher of the Year and is a two-time recipient of the prestigious CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence Award. He began his work with the Nashville Children’s Choir in 2007 as collaborative pianist for the Nashville Youth Choir, stepping away in 2014 to focus on his growing family before returning in 2022 as Program Director and conductor of the Nashville Youth Choir. In 2026, he spearheaded the transition to create the nonprofit Nashville Choral Institute, where he now serves as Executive Director. Merideth’s journey in music education began with a piano—a 19th-century upright player piano rescued and restored by his father and grandfather after being discovered abandoned in a barn. It was on this instrument that his older sister, Emily, gave him his first lessons. Had that piano never been found, he’s convinced his path might have led instead to the NBA.
Samantha Altmann serves as the Mentorship and Media Director for NCI. Originally from the suburbs of Chicago, she moved to Nashville to pursue her passion for music education at Belmont University. During her time at Belmont, Samantha studied under Dr. Madeline Bridges, former NCC program director, before stepping into an internship role with the Nashville Children’s Choir. After earning her Bachelor of Music, Samantha spent five years working with middle school voices in Metro Nashville Public Schools and currently serves as the middle school choral director at Ensworth. Over her 10 years with the program, Samantha has grown from intern to assistant conductor, where she worked with the Touring Choir (Vox Nova) alongside James Wells. With a deep passion for both student singers and aspiring educators, she now serves as Mentorship & Media Director, partnering closely with families, the community, and the Belmont Music Education department to support and inspire the next generation of singers and music teachers.
A native to the Nashville area, Eliot Hinson is a full-time musician working primarily as a collaborative pianist with singers, instrumentalists, and choral ensembles. He is currently on staff at Brentwood United Methodist Church and Lipscomb University. With his background as a band director, orchestral conductor, and brass player, with training in both classical and jazz piano - he is ready for all kinds of music making at just about any time of day, as long as he’s had his coffee.
Collaborative Pianist