Our Musicians, Our Vision, Our Mission

Our Community Purpose

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

Our Artistic Purpose

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

Our Journey

A History of Musical Excellence

Founded in 2021, the Bel Canto Singers quickly established a reputation for musical excellence through performances at the Moreton Bay Anywhere Festivals in 2022 and 2023. Our first independent concert, Time Passes… Love Remains (2024) received high critical praise and was followed by an ambitious performance of Fauré’s Requiem alongside local instrumentalists and a school choir.

Now a formally incorporated association and progressing toward full charitable status, the ensemble continues to grow – with a classical jazz collaboration planned for 2026.

WHAT WE SING

A Repertoire That
Moves & Surprises

Our repertoire spans classical and contemporary classical works, thoughtfully blending well-loved pieces with more complex and distinctive compositions. Specialising in intimate settings,

EXPLORE OUR REPERTOIRE
Music Director and Founder

Chloe Seungeun Han

Bachelor of Music (South Korea) · Brisbane Chorale Assistant Conductor · Canticum Chamber Choir

A next-generation conductor recognised for high-quality music and original interpretation of a wide range of choral music – from classic to contemporary. While still a student, Chloe worked as a soprano soloist and assistant conductor, forming her own choir, the Elohim Singers.

Since arriving in Queensland, Chloe has immersed herself in the classical music scene, singing as key soprano and soloist with the Canticum Chamber Choir, and serving as assistant conductor for Brisbane Chorale under renowned conductor Emily Cox.

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

Meet Our Singers

Co-Founder & President

Laura Valenti

Laura’s passion for music began at an early age, nurtured through piano lessons and active participation in school choirs, eisteddfods, and musical productions. Following her school years, she continued performing in amateur musical theatre and as a soloist at weddings, before the demands of career and family took centre stage.

After relocating to the Moreton Bay Region in 2018, Laura rediscovered her love of choral singing through a local community choir and is currently a member of the symphonic choir, Brisbane Chorale. Eager to further challenge and refine her musicality, she joined forces with Chloe to help her establish the Bel Canto Singers.

Outside of her musical pursuits, Laura is a highly respected and innovative leader in the real estate industry, where she owns and operates a group of  successful agencies.

For Laura, Bel Canto Singers offers both creative expression and balance. “Being part of this ensemble allows me to recharge and share my passion for classical music with like-minded people. Under Chloe’s masterful direction, we are creating beautiful harmonies, and I’m excited for what lies ahead for our evolving group.”

Julia Beckitt

Julia’s love of singing began early in school choirs, where she first discovered her passion for music. She went on to perform with the Navy Reserve Band Tasmania, contributing both vocally and instrumentally on flute and piccolo.

Her enthusiasm for performance continued through her involvement with the Pine Rivers Musical Association from 2013 to 2016, where she developed a strong appreciation for storytelling through musical theatre.

From 2015 to 2025, Julia sang with Vocalescence, Sweet Adelines chorus and performed in a number of barbershop quartets. During this time, she competed at a national level and achieved the milestone of qualifying for the international Sweet Adelines quartet competition in 2019.

Outside of choir, Julia is a qualified bookkeeper and balances several part-time roles, including positions with La Boite Theatre and Brisbane Northside Emergency.

Secretary

Karen Healey

Karen’s love of music began at an early age, sparked by a challenge from her father—he would pay for piano lessons if she could teach herself to reach Grade One. She rose to the occasion and has continued playing ever since.

During her school years in the UK, Karen sang in choirs, but for many years her singing was largely confined to the shower. That changed five years ago when she chose to re-engage with music more intentionally, joining the award-winning Sweet Adelines chorus, Vocalescence, in 2019.

In 2024, Karen expanded into chorale singing, joining Brisbane Chorale to broaden her repertoire and develop new techniques. Seeking a greater challenge, Karen also joined the Bel Canto Singers, where she continues to grow as a passionate and dedicated performer.

Lisa Nitschke

Lisa began her musical journey in the United States, where she balanced her passions for both flute performance and vocal music. She pursued tertiary studies in music with a focus on Early Music, performing in an a cappella ensemble dedicated to Medieval and Renaissance repertoire.

After relocating to Australia, Lisa continued her flute studies with Patrick Nolan and has since built a longstanding career in music education, teaching woodwind for over 20 years in both schools and her private studio, with a particular focus on flute.

Lisa currently performs as a flautist and piccolo player with the Moreton Bay Symphony Orchestra. Alongside her instrumental work, she greatly values the opportunity to reconnect with her passion for choral singing through chamber choir performance.

Trish Guthrie-Watt

Trish’s passion for music began at an early age, singing in her local church choir alongside her mother in the country town of Bega. She started piano lessons with the local nuns and went on to achieve her A.Mus.A, a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, and a Master’s degree in Piano Pedagogy. For over 40 years, she has been dedicated to teaching piano and working as an accompanist.

Stepping out from behind the piano, Trish enjoys the connection and energy of group singing. For a decade, she was a member of the a cappella group Voiceweavers in Tweed Heads, where she both performed and arranged music. A standout moment in her vocal journey was singing in the chorus of Aida with Opera Australia as part of Opera on the Beach.

After relocating to North Brisbane in 2024, Trish joined the Bel Canto Singers, embracing the opportunity to connect with a new musical community. “Joining a small vocal group has been a wonderful way to make new friends in a new area, united by a shared passion.”

Outside of music, Trish enjoys a range of creative pursuits, including crafts and gardening, and is also a keen social and ballroom dancer.

Ellen Stockdale

Ellen began singing in high school, performing in choir and vocal ensembles, and commenced opera training in her final year, continuing throughout her university studies.

While at University of Queensland, Ellen joined QUMS community choir.  She later performed backup vocals in a progressive metal band, which led to an invitation to join the chorus for an Outcast Opera production—an innovative Brisbane-based company exploring contemporary vocal works beyond traditional forms.

From 2018 to 2024, Ellen was a member of Choirworks (formerly Brisbane Concert Choir), performing regularly and touring internationally, including appearances at notable venues such as the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal.

In addition to singing, Ellen is a flautist and has been a member of the Moreton Bay Symphony Orchestra since 2019.

Rebecca Frith

Rebecca’s love of choral singing began early, growing up in a family where music was a way of life. With both parents actively involved in singing and directing choirs, her family earned the affectionate local nickname “the Von Friths,” inspired by The Sound of Music.

Rebecca sang extensively throughout her schooling, including international tours with her school choir to California, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic and France. She  has continued her choral journey into adulthood, performing with a variety of choirs across the UK, Hong Kong and Southeast Queensland.

Now based in the Moreton Bay region, Rebecca is delighted to be settling into the community and has embraced both the challenge and the close connection that comes with singing in a small ensemble as a member of Bel Canto.

Dagmar Scherer

Growing up in Germany, Dagmar attended a specialist music school where she studied piano, organ, and flute, alongside formal voice training. She was an active member of the school choir, performing annually at the opening of the renowned Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt.

After moving to Australia, Dagmar continued her passion for singing by joining various choirs and remaining actively involved in choral music, currently a member of the symphonic choir, Brisbane Chorale. A founding member of Bel Canto Singers, Dagmar enjoys the challenge and musicality of being in a small choir.

Alongside her musical pursuits, Dagmar runs two businesses and manages an Australia-wide breed-specific dog rescue. Singing provides a valuable opportunity to unwind and step away from the demands of daily life.

For Dagmar, choir is as much about connection as it is about music. “I have always enjoyed being part of choirs, not just for the singing but for the company of like-minded people. In our small ensemble, I hope to bring joy to others and offer a moment of escape from life’s worries.”

Zoe Heath

Zoe was born and raised in Darwin, where her passion for singing began at a young age. She started with piano lessons and school choir before commencing formal vocal training at eleven.

Over the years, Zoe has performed with several ensembles, including the Gondwana Children’s Choir, the Darwin Chorale, and Vocalective. Zoe holds an AMusA in singing and has also completed Grade 6 piano for leisure.

In 2020, Zoe relocated to Brisbane to study engineering and took a short break from singing. Now working in Brisbane, she is delighted to have returned to music as a member of the Bel Canto Singers.

Outside of music, Zoe enjoys ballet, spending time in nature, and playing board games.

Penelope Philipson

Penelope has loved music from a young age, starting with violin and piano lessons as a child. She has performed in school, university, and church choirs across Australia, the Solomon Islands, New Zealand, and Scotland, gaining a deep appreciation for a wide range of choral styles. She is especially drawn to the music of Bach and the tradition of sacred harp singing.

By day (and sometimes night), Penelope works in disaster and emergency management. Singing with the Bel Canto Singers provides a creative and expressive balance, allowing her to connect with others and bring beautiful music to life.