Our Artistic Staff

William Chin, Artistic Director

William Chin conducts Harmonia and A Cappella, the advanced ensembles of Pro Musica Youth Chorus. He has led the Pro Musica on tours to Italy, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and Carnegie Hall. Mr. Chin is also Founder/Artistic Director of The Oriana Singers, a six-voice ensemble that has presented concerts nationally and internationally since 1979, and was Assistant Conductor of the Chicago Symphony Chorus for twenty years. Mr. Chin is director of music at First United Church of Oak Park, chorus director for the Symphony of Oak Park and River Forest, and recording session conductor for GIA Publications. He has taught at both DePaul and Roosevelt Universities, is a choral director at the Chicago High School for the Arts, and is a recipient of a Joseph Jefferson Award.

Laura Pinto, Primo Coro and Canterini Conductor

Laura Pinto conducts Primo Coro and Canterini for Pro Musica Youth Chorus. She has over a decade of experience directing youth choirs, presenting music outreach programs, teaching private voice lessons, adjudicating contests, and conducting masterclasses throughout the Midwest. An equally accomplished performer, she has appeared with Haymarket Opera Company, The Newberry Consort, Sugar Creek Opera, and VOX 3 Collective, and is a regular member of The Oriana Singers. Ms. Pinto holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from DePaul University and a Master of Music in Opera from McGill University. She resides in Elmwood Park with her husband and children.

Linnea Erickson, Principal Accompanist

Linnea Erickson is the Pro Musica Youth Chorus accompanist for all ensembles. She is a middle school orchestra teacher in Niles, Illinois. Ms. Erickson received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from North Park University (Chicago, IL) and Master of Music Education from Vandercook College of Music (Chicago, IL). Ms. Erickson is an active performer and serves as an accompanist for many recitals, concerts and church services. She also works with several area theater companies. Ms. Erickson has had the pleasure of working with Pro Musica since 2007.

Karen Kitto, Executive Director

Karen Kitto joined Pro Musica in April 2021.  She has a Fine Arts degree from Concordia University in Montreal and a degree in Education from The University of Western Ontario.  As an educator and traveler, Karen made her way from her hometown of London, Canada through South America, the Middle East, and Europe before landing in Oak Park in 2004.  With two daughters to focus on, Karen stepped away from full-time teaching, morphing into a school volunteer and community leader.  Karen spent the 2020-21 school season teaching music, drama and English at The Panamerican School of Porto Alegre in the south of Brazil. She and her two daughters return home to Oak Park summer 2021. Karen is thrilled to have this opportunity to combine her passions for music, education, kids, and organizing!

Our Board

Sascha Demerjian, President
Jeff Chandler, Treasurer
Julia Harmon Bell, Vice President
Mary Bellmar, Secretary
Betsy Edgerton
Jen Harden-Finn
Chris Neville
Peter Olson
Margo Thomas-May

Our Staff

Karen Kitto, Executive Director
pmyouthchorus@gmail.com