Welcome to the Bel Canto Singers

Created in 2021, the Bel Canto Singers is a small ‘a Capella’ vocal group based in the Moreton Bay Region.

Our repertoire is made up of classical and contemporary classical pieces, performed in intimate settings where our pure harmonies can be refined and enjoyed.

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

Contact us

Chloe Seungeun Han

Musical Director & Founder

Musical 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 Musical 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 controller 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 & Secretary

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 is a successful businesswoman as managing director of a large independent 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

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.”

Mezzo-Soprano Chorister

Catherine Jackson

Catherine’s love of music was encouraged by her parents with opportunity to learn both piano and violin and participate in school and church choirs. It was not after the birth of her son in 1999 that Catherine commenced performing in amateur musical theatre in Wellington NSW and Rockhampton Qld. Catherine graduated from the Sydney Institute of TAFE with a Certificate III in Theatre Performance and Practice but it was many years before she found her way into choral singing.

After moving to the Gold Coast from NSW in 2013, Catherine joined Harmony in Paradise (an all female, a Capella singing group) and was an active member for many years.

Following a recent move to the north-side of Brisbane, Catherine was delighted to become the newest member of the Bel Canto Singers.

Catherine’s regular job is a far cry from music, she works in freight rail transport as a Business Development Manager which sees her travelling frequently across the length and breadth of Australia.

“I live to sing. Creating beautiful harmonies and singing with a group provides me with the opportunity to share my love and joy of music and life!”

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.”

Mezzo-Soprano Chorister

Gabi Mika-McNaughton

Hailing originally from New Zealand, Gabi was born into a very musical family and learnt the cello as a youngster. Gabi’s mother Lindsay was a talented soprano opera singer and moved the family to Sydney in the 1980’s when she won a Joan Southerland Scholarship.  This stimulated Gabi’s interest in singing and was fortunate to have had singing lessons on tap from Mum!

Possessed with creative talent, Gabi studied fashion and textiles at East Sydney Tech, then later studied drama and voice at Ensemble studios under the directorship of Hayes Gordon.  Later Gabi had tuition from Gordon Kemble – the presiding Chorus Master with Opera Australia.

As is the case with many women, motherhood then took over. But over the years, Gabi never let singing go and attended many voice workshops and belonged to various Choirs, finding the Bel Canto Singers in 2024.

“I am thoroughly enjoying singing with Bel Canto Singers under the directorship of Chloe. It is fabulous belonging to a choir that listens carefully to the professional sound they wish to produce!’

Gabi is a talented Visual Artist by profession and is a Recognized Australian Landscape painter.

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.