St. Maries Choral Arts Artistic Director
Dr. Bethany Alvey
Conductor and spiritual director Dr. Bethany Lynn Alvey found her calling in the imperatives Love, Encourage, and Sing. She strives to cultivate positivity within an environment of communicative respect, curious acceptance, hospitable community, and intentional kindness, all toward the goal of connecting others to their innate and unique characteristics. Dr. Alvey is passionate about unhurried, unworried growth in all of life’s contexts.
She began her musical journey in Southern Maryland, as a product of St. Mary’s County Public Schools, and a longtime performer (and later director) in St. Mary’s County Recreation and Parks Summerstock Theatre. She completed a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Towson University in 2007. After returning to teach choral music for a time at Great Mills High School, she went on to pursue a Masters degree in Choral Conducting at Boyer College of Music and Dance, Temple University and a doctoral degree in Choral Conducting at Frost School of Music, University of Miami. During her graduate studies Dr. Alvey also directed ensembles for several faith communities, and launched a choral program at Everglades Correctional Institution in Miami, FL. After completing her dissertation, Spirituality and Scottish Identity in Selected Works of James MacMillan, Dr. Alvey served as Director of Choral Activities at Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, California from 2016-2020.
Her love of learning extends beyond the podium. While performing a qualitative research study in 2021-2022 with Madera County Department of Public Health on their COVID-19 response experience, Dr. Alvey completed a spiritual direction training program with Hole in the Rock Ministries. She now offers spiritual direction to any who are in need of a companion as they are exploring their spiritual life.
On the podium and off, Dr. Alvey seeks to put the three imperatives - Love, Encourage, and Sing - at the center of her work and life.