About | SING

About Us

SING: Savannah Inspiring the Next Generation is a non-auditioned community choir for children and youth in grades K - 12 who live in and around Savannah, Georgia.

We are staffed by public school music teachers who believe that every child who loves to sing should have a community in which they can share their voices; to that end, we have adopted a donate-what-you-can model in order to remove barriers for anyone who wishes to join us.

Non-Discrimination Policy

SING is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants, families, staff, volunteers, and community members.

SING does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, religion or religious belief, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This policy applies to all aspects of SING’s programs and operations, including but not limited to:

Enrollment and participation in programs and performances
Hiring, employment, and volunteer opportunities
Access to services, scholarships, and resources
Organizational governance and decision-making

SING is committed to fostering an environment where all children can learn, sing, and grow with dignity, respect, and equal opportunity. Discrimination, harassment, or exclusion of any kind is not tolerated.

Our Artistic Team

Meet our team of dedicated music education professionals:

Executive and Artistic Director

Rebecca Flaherty

Rebecca Flaherty (she/her) is a classically trained soprano with degrees from Oberlin Conservatory and Georgia Southern University, with additional graduate study at the Cleveland Institute of Music. A dedicated performer and teacher of the bel canto technique, she has appeared with organizations including the Savannah Music Festival, Savannah Philharmonic Orchestra, Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Beaufort Symphony, Savannah Winds, and First Coast Opera. Rebecca is deeply passionate about sharing the vocal arts and has played a key role in launching the Savannah Voice Festival while introducing thousands of young listeners to classical music through the Savannah Music Festival’s Musical Explorers Program. Now in her seventh year teaching with SCCPSS at Marshpoint Elementary, she also serves as Music Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Savannah.

Director, Kindle Choir

Allison Hunger

Allison (she/her) is a Savannah native and passionate music educator dedicated to advocating for the arts. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Georgia Southern University in 2022 and completed her Master of Music in Music Education at the University of Georgia in 2025. While at Georgia Southern, Allison served as a choral assistant, was President of the Gamma Theta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, and performed with Southern Chorale during their award-winning appearance at Sing Berlin! in Berlin, Germany. Now entering her fourth year as Director of Choirs and General Music teacher at Pulaski K–8, she also serves as the alto section leader at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and as GMEA District 1 Elementary Chair. Allison enjoys yoga, Pilates, and running, and is passionate about sharing the powerful connection between the arts and physical health with her students.

Director, Spark Choir

Ann Marie Hartley

Ann Marie Hartley (she/her) recently completed her 23rd year of teaching during the 2024–2025 school year and currently serves as General Music Teacher and Choral Director at Jacob G. Smith Elementary School. She has taught music across all grade levels, PreK–12, including band and choral programs, and was the inaugural band director at New Hampstead High School. Ms. Hartley holds degrees from Armstrong Atlantic State University, Georgia Southern University, and Kennesaw State University, and was named Jacob G. Smith Elementary’s 2025 Teacher of the Year and a finalist for SCCPSS District Teacher of the Year. A board member of the Savannah Wind Symphony, she brings creativity, energy, and a love of singing and dancing to everything she does, and is thrilled to share her passion for music with students at SING.

Assistant Director

Kaleb Wimes

Kaleb Wimes (he/him) is a recent graduate of Georgia Southern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with a choral emphasis. Passionate about teaching from an early age, Kaleb knew he wanted to be an educator even before choosing music as his focus. He is an active singer with several ensembles throughout the Savannah area and brings a lifelong love of singing to everything he does. When not making music, Kaleb enjoys cooking, reading, learning new and unexpected things, and collecting board games. He is excited to work with students at SING Choir Camp and hopes to inspire young singers to keep music as a meaningful part of their lives—whether in a choir, on stage, or simply singing for joy.

Assistant Director

Ori Hayes

Ori (they/them) is originally from North Georgia and moved to Savannah in 2017, where she began her musical studies in the chorus program at Garrison School for the Arts. She is a 2022 graduate of Savannah Arts Academy, where she double-majored in Piano and Voice. Ori has played piano since the age of nine, sings soprano in the Chancel Choir at Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, and was an All-State Chorus participant during high school. She is currently studying psychology at Georgia Southern University and is excited to share her musicianship, leadership, and love of music with students at SING, inspiring young singers through her bright spirit and dedication.

Performance Coach

Cheri Hester

Cheri (she/her) has been immersed in the performing arts since childhood, beginning her training in dance, singing, and acting at the age of ten. After graduating from Northwestern University, she pursued a professional performing career in New York City, appearing on and off Broadway. Since making Savannah her home, Cheri has had a lasting impact on the local arts community, teaching drama at Oglethorpe Charter School, spending 29 years as an instructor at Gretchen Greene School of Dance, and inspiring young performers for 12 years as a drama instructor and field trip coordinator at Savannah Children’s Theater. She now combines her love of performance with a passion for wellness as a performance and wellness coach, helping others build confidence and shine both on and off the stage.

Musical Advisor

Ray Ellis

Ray (he/him) has dedicated more than 56 years to enriching the Savannah community through his passion for music and the arts. He retired after 31 years in public education, most recently serving as Choral and Drama Director at South Effingham High School. A charter member of I Cantori, Ray is a frequent soloist in major works such as Messiah and Fauré’s Requiem, and has appeared in numerous productions with Asbury Memorial Theatre Company, Savannah Theatre, Collective Face Theatre Ensemble, and Savannah Children’s Theatre. Since 2000, he has served as Minister of Music and pianist at Asbury Memorial Church. A devoted educator and advocate for the arts, Ray believes deeply in music’s lifelong power and its role in shaping well-rounded individuals.

Pianist

David Rigsby

David Rigsby (he/him) is a lifelong musician who grew up in the Detroit area and later studied in Los Angeles. Over the course of his career, he has served as a church pianist and organist, taught piano, and spent twenty-five years as a choral music educator in the Long Beach and Anaheim public schools. David has also enjoyed a distinguished performing career, including twenty-one years singing with Pacific Chorale in Orange County, California. He is deeply passionate about sharing his love of music and the arts with young musicians and believes that a life lived in the arts is truly the best kind of life.

Pianist

Mercer Manley

Mercer Manley is a piano major at Savannah Arts Academy and has been playing piano since the age of seven. In addition to his musical studies, he plays soccer for SAA. Mercer is Canadian-American and enjoys snowboarding, sailing, and spending time in the snow. He previously sang as a chorister with the Savannah Children’s Choir, where he worked with Ms. Becca during her time as Interim Director, and is excited to join the SING team as a pianist.