An auditioned chamber chorus that strives for musical excellence in the performance of challenging and diverse repertoire, we seek to foster a vital arts community, collaborate with other organizations, provide opportunities for artistic fulfillment for our singers, and share our love of music with our audiences. Since 1977, Amare Cantare (“to love to sing”) has performed masterworks and choral music from six centuries. Based in Durham, New Hampshire, the group’s members come from all over the Seacoast.
Amare Cantare Welcomes Dr. Kyle Nielsen
Photo by: Erik Flores
Amare Cantare is delighted to welcome our new Music Director, Dr. Kyle Nielsen, who took up the conducting baton from Catherine (Kitty) Beller-McKenna as of July 2025.
Kyle is the Director of the Osher School of Music and Head of Choral Activities at the University of Southern Maine, where he oversees the School of Music as well as leads the choral ensembles and Master of Music in Choral Conducting coursework. Before this appointment, he was Director of Choral Activities at Southern Virginia University, where he conducted the Chamber Singers and Men’s Chorus, led the Choral Studies concentration, taught applied voice, and oversaw the Choral Studies internship. The choirs at Southern Virginia received several performance invitations under his direction, most notably the Chamber Singers’ appearance as the only collegiate choir at the 2022 VMEA Professional Development Conference.
Also in demand as a guest clinician and conductor, recent appearances include the 2025 Maine Music Educators’ Association Professional Development conference, Maine ACDA adjudicated festival, 2025 Maine ACDA Fall Festival, 2024 VCDA District V Honor Choir, and Utah Music Educators’ Association State Choir Festival. Additionally, Kyle was one of six representatives of the United States selected by the ACDA for their International Conductor Exchange Program with Israel.
Previous professional appointments include Artistic Administrator for the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, a project-based professional choir based in Santa Fe, NM; conducting fellow with the Grammy-nominated professional choir Seraphic Fire; and Associate Conductor of the Master Chorale of South Florida. He is also the Founder and Artistic Director of The Origin Initiative, a professional ensemble singing training program which prepares pre-professional vocal artists for contemporary careers through diverse performance, personalized mentorship, and skill development.
Audience Comments
“That was such an amazing and moving performance today. At every level and in so many ways, we found ourselves tugged and tossed, tilted and lifted—lifted, yes, ultimately, out of our skins into and through the transcendence of song. Thank you for sharing your rich gifts and your accomplished performers with us.”
—Todd Hearon
“As a pedal steel guitarist in a country band, and as a jazz lover, I have a deep appreciation for layered harmonies and complex voicings, but I have had little exposure to classical music, and I’d never been to a choral concert until I heard Amare Cantare. It was a revelation; I couldn’t believe how all those blended voices could sound like one giant instrument. Their pitch was spot on and their dynamics were superb. Kitty Beller-McKenna conducted them with great skill and confidence and clearly inspired their expressive interpretations. I also loved the mix of material, from folk and religious songs to Great American songbook standards. I want to hear more.”
Our Newest Album
“En Vivo: Choral Music of Spain and the Americas” draws from live performances in 2018 and 2019 to showcase Amare Cantare at its best. Enjoy our music on your favorite streaming service, and help support us with your purchase. Read more in this Seacoast Online article.
Listen and purchase in Apple Music, Amazon Music, or your favorite digital music source!
Our Board
- Scott Joy, President
- Kam Damtoft, Vice President
- Elizabeth Smardz, Treasurer
- Betsy Shelley, Secretary
- Clark Bourne, Past President
- Kyle Nielsen, Music Director
- Ruth George
- Stephanie McNamara
- Charles Smith
- Theo Wiegand
Auditions
Amare Cantare is an auditioned chamber ensemble generally made up of 24 voices. When openings occur, they are filled by private audition with the music director. We do keep a waiting list, as vacancies sometimes arise unexpectedly. Please email us for more information or to set up an audition.
Contact Us
info@amarecantare.org
603-365-6727
PO Box 742
Durham, NH 03824
USA