Arianne Abela

Arianne Abela (founder of Justice Choir-Detroit) is currently on conducting faculty at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, and is founder and director of the Detroit Women's Chorus, an ensemble dedicated to social-justice and community empowerment. She is director the Fort Street Chorale, and has formerly conducted choirs at University of Michigan the UMS Choral Union. In the realm of opera, Abela was one of ten women selected to participate in the inaugural Dallas Women's Conducting Institute. She has guest conducted opera productions with Detroit's OperaMODO and serves as music director for Vancouver-based opera company, Re:Naissance. In 2012, Abela was featured conducting on NBC's Today Show and was a semi-finalist in Season 8 of America's Got Talent as director of Connecticut-based 3 Penny Chorus and Orchestra. The ensemble later recorded for the soundtrack of Hollywood film Walk of Shame starring Elizabeth Banks. While in Connecticut, Abela served on faculty at Wesleyan University, Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts, The Westover School and Notre Dame High School. Abela received her doctorate in conducting from the University of Michigan, holds a master’s degree in choral conducting from Yale University, and bachelor of arts from Smith College. Abela sings professionally in ensembles across the country such as Yale Choral Artists, sounding light, Etherea Vocal Ensemble, and Audivi. Originally from the San Francisco bay area, she lives in Detroit with her husband, Noah, and one-year-old, Hazel.