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 been honored to serve as Artistic Director
with Another Octave: Connecticut Women’s Chorus since 2016. Performing with AO:CWC since 2002, she had served as Assistant Director since 2003.
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. Currently, she is Director of Bands at Bassick High School in Bridgeport.
Mindy also is administrator and staff arranger with A-sharpArranging.com,
an online service specializing in music arrangements, re-voicing, and engraving.
Melinda Walwer has been honored to serve as Artistic Director
with Another Octave: Connecticut Women’s Chorus since 2016. Performing with AO:CWC since 2002, she had served as Assistant Director since 2003.
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. Currently, she is Director of Bands at Bassick High School in Bridgeport.
Mindy also 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 as Project Manager with
Yale New Haven Health Systems, 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 as Project Manager with
Yale New Haven Health Systems, and is happy to have been a part of Another Octave since 2003.
Bill Hively, Accompanist
Another Octave announces a new accompanist!
A choral conductor, accompanist, and singer, Bill Hively is also director of music ministry at St. Matthew Church in Forestville, general music teacher
at Holy Disciples School in Watertown, piano and voice instructor
for New Britain Recreation and Community Services Dept., and chapel musician
at Luther Ridge in Middletown.
Bill was a board member and singer for 22 years with CONCORA (Connecticut Choral Artists), an all-professional mixed chorus, performing standard, new, and commissioned repertoire throughout New England and upstate New York with the Springfield and Hartford Symphony Orchestras, Orchestra New England, and the National Symphony Orchestra.