Founded in the fall of 1989, Another Octave: Connecticut Women’s Chorus (AO:CWC) celebrates our choices and experiences through the power of music. An auditioned chorus with roots in the lesbian community, we are open to all women and encourage diversity. Another Octave performs an eclectic repertoire, including standard concert pieces as well as traditional and contemporary music that reflects women’s lives. Together, we work for musical excellence and perform for the pleasure of our audiences and ourselves.
Melinda Walwer, Artistic Director
Melinda Walwer has recently accepted the position of Artistic Director
with Another Octave: Connecticut Women’s Chorus where she had served as Assistant Director since 2003 and performed since 2002.
Mindy studied at the American Band College, the University of Illinois, and Illinois State University where she received degrees in conducting,
music education, and the visual arts. For over 30 years, she has been
a certified teacher of music in both Connecticut and Illinois.
Mindy is administrator and staff arranger with A-sharpArranging.com,
an online service specializing in music arrangements, re-voicing, and engraving.
Melinda Walwer has recently accepted the position of Artistic Director
with Another Octave: Connecticut Women’s Chorus where she had served as Assistant Director since 2003 and performed since 2002.
Mindy studied at the American Band College, the University of Illinois, and Illinois State University where she received degrees in conducting,
music education, and the visual arts. For over 30 years, she has been
a certified teacher of music in both Connecticut and Illinois.
Mindy is administrator and staff arranger with A-sharpArranging.com,
an online service specializing in music arrangements, re-voicing, and engraving.
Kris Montgomery, Assistant Artistic Director
A professional singer since 1982, Kris is a member of Actors’ Equity Association (theatrical union), SAG-AFTRA (film/television union), and the Dramatists Guild (as a playwright). Kris has acted, sung, and danced in 40 states and 10 countries, performed in regional theatres and on several Broadway National Tours, worked as an entertainer on a cruise ship, sung for the president of the United States, and starred as Eva Peron in two international tours of Evita. She was also a cast member of the PBS news magazine series In the Life. Connecticut appearances include the Oakdale Theatre and both the Rich Forum and the Palace Theatre in Stamford. Kris has also directed and musical directed numerous shows from Maine to New Jersey.
Kris studied acting at HB Studios in NYC, voice at Boston University and privately with opera singer Filippo DeStefano. She now works in Information Technology Systems for
Yale New Haven Hospital, and is happy to have been a part of Another Octave since 2003.
Kris Montgomery, Assistant Artistic Director
A professional singer since 1982, Kris is a member of Actors’ Equity Association (theatrical union), SAG-AFTRA (film/television union), and the Dramatists Guild (as a playwright). Kris has acted, sung, and danced in 40 states and 10 countries, performed in regional theatres and on several Broadway National Tours, worked as an entertainer on a cruise ship, sung for the president of the United States, and starred as Eva Peron in two international tours of Evita. She was also a cast member of the PBS news magazine series In the Life. Connecticut appearances include the Oakdale Theatre and both the Rich Forum and the Palace Theatre in Stamford. Kris has also directed and musical directed numerous shows from Maine to New Jersey.
Kris studied acting at HB Studios in NYC, voice at Boston University and privately with opera singer Filippo DeStefano. She now works in Information Technology Systems for
Yale New Haven Hospital, and is happy to have been a part of Another Octave since 2003.
Polina Mann, Accompanist
Polina is a teacher and musician with a variety of experience. She has been teaching music in private school settings for 10 years, with experience in both Episcopal and Catholic school education. As a musician, Polina has worked in both denominations as music director and accompanist. She currently works as accompanist for the Prince of Peace Parish in Woodbury as well as with Another Octave.