Who We Are &
What We Do
Our Mission
Celebrating women’s voices and serving our communities through the healing power of music.
Our Vision
To enhance the quality of life of our audiences.
Belle Canto, which means beautiful singing, was founded in 2009. Our varied repertoire includes classical and traditional, secular and sacred choral works, Broadway, Blues, and Jazz.
Performances are enjoyed by audiences who appreciate the ensemble’s ability to connect through creative programming and professional presentation.
From its inception, Belle Canto’s goal has been to create the unique beauty and quality of sound that comes from the blending of women’s voices and to leave audiences feeling joyful and uplifted.
Belle Canto is a non-profit corporation and a proud member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.
Musical Leaders
Artistic Director
Nicole Smith, Conductor
Originally from Miami, Florida, Ms. Smith received her BA with Honors in Vocal Performance at the Petrie School of Music at Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. As a women’s college graduate, she’s particularly sensitive to the challenges and advantages of treble ensemble singing. Having a successful solo career in her own right, Ms. Smith has always treasured ensemble singing. Since moving to Sarasota in the Summer of 2013, she’s wasted no time immersing herself in the city’s thriving music scene. Currently Ms. Smith serves as the traditional Music Director for St. John’s United Methodist Church where she directs the handbell and vocal choirs, has served as the Soprano section leader in Choral Artists of Sarasota (formerly Gloria Musicae) for the past three seasons and has recently been appointed as their Choral Manager for the 2017-18 season.
Accompanist
Jonathan Spivey, Pianist
Jonathan Spivey earned a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Piano Performance from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. A national finalist in the Music Teacher’s National Association auditions, his concert appearances include Long Island; Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall; Melbourne (Florida); Trondheim, Norway; Stockholm, Sweden; and Seoul, Korea.
Dr. Spivey, Principal Keyboard for the Sarasota Orchestra, has been the pianist of the New Artists Piano Quartet of the Florida West Coast Symphony since 1991. He is a founding member of the Arioso Trio in Tampa. He has collaborated with several faculty members of the Sarasota Music Festival where he has been on the associate piano faculty since 1992. He serves as Organist at Pine Shores Presbyterian Church in Sarasota, where he lives with wife, Yoko, and two children, Sebastian and Olympia.
Advisory Board
Jonathan Spivey, Sarasota Orchestra
Melodie Dickerson, State College of Florida
Dr. Gwyneth Walker, Composer
Dr. Susan Lyle, Voice Professor Converse College
Board of Directors
Nicole Smith Artistic Director
Helene Levin President
Randi Brodsky Vice President
Janet Nagourney Treasurer
Julie Friedman Member at Large
Gail Hagenah Member at Large
Betsy Marx Member at Large