Welcome to the Bel Canto Singers

PURPOSE:

1. To build a professional level singing group offering a unique ‘classical’ musical experience to audiences in the Moreton Bay Region and beyond.

2. To provide an opportunity for local singers and musicians to nurture and showcase their talents through membership and collaboration.

HISTORY:

Formed in 2021, the Bel Canto Singers is a small vocal group based in the City of Moreton Bay.

The group’s performances at both the 2022 and 2023 Moreton Bay Anywhere Festivals were very well received by audiences. This was followed by a successful Christmas Carol series at the end of 2023. In 2024 they held their first independent concert ‘Time Passes…Love Remains’ to a full audience and high critical acclaim.

As of 2025 the group became an incorporated association and is currently on the path to gain full charitable status.

REPERTOIRE:

Bel Canto Singers’ repertoire is made up of classical and contemporary classical pieces, mixing both familiar pieces with more complex, unique works. The group performs in intimate settings where its pure harmonies and high-quality, professional sound can be enjoyed.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

Would you like to know more about joining our group, or hiring us to perform at your next event?

Contact us

Chloe Seungeun Han

Music Director & Founder

Music Director and Founder

Chloe is a next-generation conductor, recognised for her high-quality music and original interpretation of a wide range of choral music, from classic to contemporary.

Chloe received a scholarship for a Bachelor of Music, which she studied in South Korea. While still a student, Chloe worked as a soprano soloist and assistant conductor of various choirs and even formed her own choir, the Elohim Singers, in which she gathered other skilled students to perform beautiful music at various events and community functions.

Chloe continued to build her choir experiences through tours of South Korea and eight European countries. She then completed additional studies in the genre of contemporary African American gospel, highlighting her continued passion for learning and exploring new styles of music.

Since arriving in Queensland, Chloe has immersed herself in the classical music scene, singing as key Soprano and soloist in the Canticum Chamber Choir.  In 2021, Chloe worked as Music Director for the Redcliffe City Choir and is currently assistant conductor for Brisbane Chorale under the tutelage of renowned choral conductor Emily Cox.

As founder and creative director of the Bel Canto Singers, Chloe imparts her rich musical experience and wide repertoire to create beautiful, engaging music that all audiences will enjoy.

Meet Our Members

Soprano Chorister & President

Laura Valenti

Laura’s interest in music was nurtured from a young age as a pianist and participant of school choirs, performing in eisteddfods and school musical productions. After school, she performed in amateur musical theatre and as soloist at friends’ weddings until her career and family took over.

After moving to the Moreton Bay Region in 2018, Laura’s interest in choir singing was reignited when she joined a local community choir. Seeking a more challenging venture, Laura joined with other classical choir enthusiasts and helped to form the Bel Canto Singers.

In her ‘regular’ job, Laura owns and runs a large real estate company and is highly regarded throughout the industry as an innovative and respected leader.

“Being a part of Bel Canto Singers allows me to recharge my batteries and express my passion for singing classical music with like-minded people. We are producing exquisite harmonies under the masterful direction of Chloe, and I am excited to see what the future holds for our innovative group.”

Soprano Chorister & Secretary

Karen Healey

Karen’s love of music started from an early age when her father offered to pay for piano lessons if she taught herself to achieve grade one. She did and continues to play regularly to this day.

Whilst she sang in choirs through high school in The UK, she retreated to shower singing until deciding to pursue music more actively five years ago; joining the award winning Sweet Adeline’s chorus Vocalescence in 2019.

As of 2024 Karen has turned to Chorale music to widen her repertoire and learn new techniques, joining the Brisbane Chorale and the Bel Canto Singers.

Mezzo-Soprano Chorister

Lisa Roberts

Lisa has been singing since childhood, including on a children’s television program and talent quest. Blessed with a versatile vocal tone and range, Lisa has sung everything from country music to opera.

Lisa’s experience in community musical theatre boasts memorable roles including Bloody Mary in ‘South Pacific’, Marion the Librarian in ‘The Music Man’, Fiona in ‘Brigadoon’, Winnie in ‘Annie Get your Gun’, Ottoline in ‘White Horse Inn’, Potiphar’s wife in ‘Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’, Dame Carruthers in ‘Yeomen of the Guard’, and Mary, the mother of Jesus in ‘Easter Live’. Lisa was in the chorus of two operas with Opera Queensland, ‘La Boheme and ‘Barber of Seville’.

Professionally, Lisa has performed in a duet and a Capella trio ‘Chrysalis’. She has sung in community choirs, and for 20 years was a member of church worship music teams. An interest in writing song lyrics and poetry led her to produce her own album ‘Called to Love’ featuring original and cover songs.

“I am thoroughly enjoying the camaraderie of the Bel Canto Singers and the challenge of learning the close harmonies. I look forward to opportunities to share this wonderful music.”

Alto Chorister

Dagmar Scherer

Growing up in Germany, Dagmar attended a specialist music school where she learned to play the piano, organ and flute and had voice training. She was an active member of the school choir that would sing every year to the opening of the famous Nuernberger Christkindles Market (Christmas market).

After moving to Australia she continued to sing in various choirs.

Dagmar keeps busy running two businesses and an Australia-wide breed specific dog rescue. Singing allows her an outlet to have ‘me time’ and let the stresses of day-to-day life melt away.

“I have always enjoyed being in choirs not just for the singing, but also the company of like-minded people. In our small ensemble I hope to take people away from the worries of their lives and put a smile on their faces.”

Alto Chorister

Trish Guthrie-Watt

Trish developed an early interest in music attending her local church choir with her mother in the small country town of Bega.  She began piano lessons there with the local nuns and went on to gain her A.Mus.A in piano, a B.Mus in piano performance and eventually a Masters Degree in Piano Pedagogy.  She has been actively teaching piano and accompanying for over 40 years.

Trish enjoys getting out from behind the piano and indulging her love of group singing.  For the past 10 years she has been a member of an acapella group in Tweed Heads, the Voiceweavers, where she has enjoyed performing with and also arranging material for the choir.  A vocal highlight for Trish was performing in the chorus of “Aida” with Opera Australia in their performance of Opera on the Beach.

After relocating to the northern Brisbane area in 2024, Trish joined Bel Canto Singers.

‘Joining a small vocal group is a great way to make new friends in a new area where a common interest and passion is shared.’

When is not at the piano or making music Trish enjoys other artistic pursuits, crafts, gardening and is a keen social/ballroom dancer.