Choir Conductor

Dr. Swilley is the retired Professor of Music at Carson-Newman College where she taught flute, woodwinds, music theory, and woodwind methods, and directed the flute choir and woodwind ensemble. She has been flutist in the Baton Rouge Symphony, Flint (Michigan) Chamber Symphony, and the KSO.

Choir Coordinator, Flute & Piccolo

Mary started playing flute in the 7th grade and went through the band programs in the San Antonio and Birmingham public schools. During her pre-med college program she played in the campus orchestra. Following medical school she played in a community band in New Mexico and then in the Maryville College Community Orchestra. Mary organized a flute trio to perform at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Maryville. The group survived and grew to become the foundation of Grace Notes Flute Choir. Mary has been the coordinator of the choir since its inception. She plays locally upon request as a church soloist, orchestra or ensemble member and in small ensembles with friends from the choir at area nursing homes. In November of 2006, she had the good fortune of performing with the East Tennessee Concert Band in Carnegie Hall. She retired in 2006 after practicing psychiatry for 30 years and resides in Maryville, TN with her husband and two of her four sons.

Flute and Alto

Charlotte Ellis, private flute instructor, member of several area ensembles, and founder of Morningstar Flute Ensemble, which made a concert tour of Hungary in May, 2006, studied flute at Cadek Conservatory in Chattanooga and at Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia, and has played in master classes for Goran Marcusson. She has performed with the Veterans Administration National Medical Musical Group both in the U.S. and in China, Australia, New Zealand, and Great Britain. Owner of Flour Fancies Bakery in Blountville, Tennessee, she has a business degree in Economics from the University of Tennessee

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Flute and Piccolo

Choir Treasurer, Flute and Piccolo

Flute

Karen was first chair flute at Sullivan Central High School in Kingsport, Tenn. where she made All State her senior year. She was voted Most Talented by her class. She played for a year in the Anderson University Wind Ensemble in Anderson, Ind. She has played in the Cokesbury UMC Ensemble in Knoxville, and at several weddings and other events.

Choir Secretary, Flute and Alto

I was born and raised in Knoxvile, TN. I started playing flute in the 6th grade. While in high school I studied flute, piano and theory privately. In college I majored in Music for two years at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where I marched in the Pride of the Southland Band. I played for 12 years in the Wallace Memorial Baptist Church orchestra where I also taught in their music program. Currently I am playing in the music program at St. John's Lutheran Church where I am featured on " Raise This River" a song on a Worship CD the music minister John Tirrojust recently released. Since joining the Grace Notes I have taken an interest in playing the alto flute and now own one that I am enjoying very much. I currently work in sales at DLC Lighting and live in Knoxville with my husband David.

Choir Public Relations Director
Flute, Alto and Bass

A native of Lawrence, Kansas, Kris moved to the Maryville, TN area with her family at the age of 10. She started playing flute in 4th grade and went through the Maryville City Schools band program. She was picked to be 1 of the fife players in a drum and fife group that made special appearances in the Blount County area during the 1976 bicentennial. Later she played flute in her church and in the early 1990's became flutist and singer in the Christian alternative rock band Crimson Moon for 4 years. The band opened 2 years in a row for the Christian Music Connection Festival, released 1 album and performed as backup for other musicians in the Knoxville area. She joined the Flute Choir in 1995. Kris currently resides in Maryville and teaches Graphic Design at Loudon High School.

Flute, Alto, Bass, Piccolo
and Contra Bass

Ally Tarwater

Flute

Choir President, Flute and Bass

Laura has been playing flute since the summer of 1996. She has been a member of the First Baptist Church of Powell for over 10 years. During her time at Carson-Newman College , she was a member of: Carson-Newman College Marching Band (Piccolo and Drum Major), Symphonic Band (Flute and Piccolo), Wind Ensemble, Woodwind Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, and studied under Dr. Sue Swilley. She founded the Rose Cottage Flute Choir in 2006. In 2007, Laura graduated from Carson-Newman with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services. She joined the Grace Notes Flute Choir about two years ago and was elected President this year.

"I praise God for all that he has given me, including my love of music. May God receive all of the Glory that is due his Name in all that we do."