Paula Jane Francis

The instrumental backbone of the Cape Breton Chorale is provided by Paula Jane Francis. She has been with the choir since 1976.

Ms. Francis joined the group following the completion of a Master's Degree from the University of Oklahoma. While there as a Rotary International Scholar, she specialized in organ performance.

In the fall of 1977, Ms. Francis continued her studies at the Royal College of Music in London on a British Commonwealth Scholarship and received the A.R.C.M., A.R.C.O., and L.R.A.M. Diplomas. During her two years in London she sang in the Bach Choir under the direction of Sir David Willcocks.

On her return to Canada, Ms. Francis presented numerous organ recitals at St. James Cathedral and Yorkminster Park and was a member of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir under the direction of Dr. Elmer Iseler.

In 1987, Ms. Francis resumed her position as accompanist for the Cape Breton chorale. Professionally, she is a music educator with the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board.

Her musical talents find additional outlets as organist and choir director at Carman United Church, Sydney Mines, and co-director of the Northside Honour Choir. She also works frequently with the Nova Scotia Choral Federation both as accompanist and conductor.

Ryan Billington, Director 2017 -- 2025

BM Jazz Studies/Voice 
MM Voice Performance

Ryan Billington holds a tenured position, as Music Professor, at St. Francis Xavier University In Antigonish. Since 2017, Ryan has brought his wealth of experience, skill, and knowledge to the members of Cape Breton Chorale, leading us in performances at the Celtic Colours International Festival, Fortress of Louisbourg, and many of our own concert productions. His beautiful singing voice and technical abilities to help us produce lovely, flowing sounds became evident at our first rehearsal under his guidance.

Since coming to Nova Scotia in 2004, Ryan has taught master classes, has served as clinician and adjudicator for many festivals, and his student vocal ensemble has been featured on CBC Radio 2. Ryan has a great love of Jazz and manifests his creativity in that genre both vocally and in arrangements for vocal ensembles. As a vocalist, he has sung in Musical Theatre, Oratorio, Blues in addition to Jazz. He has performed as a soloist with Halifax Camerata Singers, Acadia University, Lady Cove Women’s Choir, and in original compositions of Peter Togni.

As an arranger and composer, Ryan has written music for contemporary vocal ensembles, male chorus, handbells, theatre productions, and for solo voice. He has served as Resident Conductor of the Nova Scotia Youth Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble Director at the University of Toronto, and was Founding Director of the Antigonish Choral Ensemble.

 Brandon Mollon, Assistant Director, 2024-2025

Brandon Mollon is a High School Music Educator in Sydney Mines, Nova Scotia. Mr. Mollon, a resident of Cape Breton, completed his undergraduate studies in both music and music education; and, achieved a master’s degree in music specializing in Choral and Instrumental Conducting. These degrees, all from Memorial University of Newfoundland allowed him the privilege of being mentored in conducting by Dr. Doug Dunsmore OC., Dr. Jason Caslor, Dr. Paul DeCinque, Dr. Jakub Martinec, and Mr. Bill Brennan. In addition to his school and work commitments, and the Chorale, Mr. Mollon works as the Co-Director of the Cape Breton Chordsmen Barbershop Chorus. He is also a past Director/Assistant Director/Guest Director of the Cape Breton Orchestra, Second Wind Community Band, Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra, Festival 500: Come All Ye, and the Anchormen Barbershop Chorus. Mr. Mollon is currently serving in the Canadian Forces as an Officer working with the Cadet Instructors Cadre.  He has held the position of Director of Music at both Greenwood CTC and Blackdown CTC,  and the position as Officer in Command of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Cadets. 

Rosemary McGhee (Interim Conductor) 2015 -- 2017

A native of York, England, Rosemary McGhee graduated from the 'Guildhall School of Music and Drama' in London and gained a Certificate of Education from the 'University of London' Institute of Education. She holds a diploma in Kodaly Education.

After teaching in northern England, Ms. McGhee came to Canada, settling in Cape Breton as a music educator in 1974. Since that time she has taught music at the elementary, junior high and high school levels within the jurisdiction of the Cape Breton Victoria Regional School Board.

Throughout her career Ms. McGhee endeavoured to foster the development of choral music, conducting choirs at all age levels and acting as accompanist for the Cape Breton Youth Choir for nine years. She undertook the role of assistant conductor of the Nova Scotia Youth Choir for two years and acted as accompanist for a summer camp organized by the Nova Scotia Choral Federation.

Ms. McGhee has been a member of the 'Cape Breton Chorale' since 1974. In the recent decade she has provided extensive sectional leadership for the men's voices and, in 2011, she assumed the greater role of Assistant Conductor of the 'Chorale'. She has directed the senior choir at St. Anthony Daniel Parish in Sydney for thirty-four years. In her capacity as church musician she has conducted many combined choirs of the Antigonish Diocese and given workshops in choral music.

Since retiring from teaching in 2006, Ms. McGhee has continued to pursue an active role in the field of choral music.

Sister Rita Clare (Founding Conductor)1973 -- 2014, (Conductor Emeritus) 2015 -- 2017

Dedicated to the love of music and the pursuit of excellence in its teaching, Sister Rita Clare was recognized as an outstanding educator.

She completed a Master of Arts degree in Music and Music Education at Columbia University in New York and pursued further studies at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, the Saratoga Potsdam Choral Institute, New York, and the Voice Care Network, Collegeville, Minnesota. She has been associated with workshops with such outstanding conductors as Sir David Willcocks, Dr. Elmer Iseler and Jon Washburn.

Until her retirement, she was the Supervisor of Fine Arts for the Cape Breton District School Board. She is past director of the Holy Angels Chorale and the Cape Breton Youth Choir, and is the founding and current director of the Cape Breton Chorale.

Under her direction, the Cape Breton Chorale has been recognized nationally and internationally for its artistic performances.

Sister Rita Clare's efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 1985, she was made an Honorary Citizen of the City of Sydney. The Government of Nova Scotia expressed its gratitude for her work in organizing and conducting a two hundred voice choir organized for the Jeux Canada Games in 1987. Also, in 1992 she received a commemorative medal on the occasion of the 125th anniversary of the Confederation of Canada.

She is an honorary life member of the Nova Scotia Music Educators Association (1998) and the Nova Scotia Choral Federation (1998) as well as well as the Jubilate Award of Merit presented by the Canadian Music Educators Association in recognition of significant contribution to Music Education in Canada (2005).

One of Sister's most cherished awards is the degree of Doctor of Letters Honoris Causa in 1991 from the University College of Cape Breton recognizing her as a "leader in the Arts in Cape Breton and a foremost promoter of music education in Nova Scotia."

The internationally-acclaimed Cape Breton Chorale has been thrilling audiences at home in Canada and around the world since its formation in 1973 with its unique style of classical, modem, religious and secular music. Under the direction of Sister Rita Clare, CND, the 50-plus voice mixed adult group has played an important role in the cultural life of Cape Breton, performing at a variety of venues large and small throughout the island, mainland Nova Scotia, and further afield.

The Chorale has given more than 250 performances at home and abroad, touring England and representing Canada at the International Musical Eisteddfod in Wales in 1993. Four years later, in 1997, the Cape Breton Chorale forged links with a number of communities in Scotland, bringing the music of "New Scotland" to appreciative audiences in various cathedrals and castles from Edinburgh to the Isle of Iona. Again in July 2004, the Chorale ventured overseas for a musical tour of the Republic of Ireland bringing the choral music of Nova Scotia to many receptive audiences. All proceeds from these concerts were returned to the local communities.

Canadian radio and television audiences have been able to enjoy the music of the Cape Breton Chorale through a number of appearances on various programs, including the CBC Choral Competitions where the Chorale competed as Atlantic finalist.

The Chorale has shared the stage with musical stars including Celine Dion and Rita MacNeil, and has performed before numerous visiting dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II. It has hosted and sung with visiting choirs from Canada and Europe, participated in workshops with distinguished Canadian choral conductors, and has joined with other Nova Scotia choirs to perform major works.  2010 marks the Chorale's eighth consecutive appearance at the renowned Celtic Colours International Festival.

The Cape Breton Chorale has released five recordings, "Christmas with the Cape Breton Chorale" (1990), "Songs of Atlantic Canada" (1991), "Remembering the Forties" (1995), "Songs of Land and Sea" (1997) and "Rejoice and Sing!" Christmas with the Cape Breton Chorale (2006). Two of its selections were chosen for the compilation "A Noteworthy Christmas: Great Canadian Choirs Sing Holiday Favorites" and the Chorale is included in "Song for the Mira", a compilation of the works of Allister MacGillivray, as well as recordings from Celtic Colours performances.

In four decades, the Cape Breton Chorale has demonstrated, through its versatility and repertoire, its well-deserved reputation for excellence.