About the Ensemble

Belles Canto is an auditioned vocal ensemble of young women ages 13 – 18, established in 2012 by voice teacher and choir director Diane Haslam.

The mission of the group is to offer young women the chance to develop their musical skills, grow as singers, learn the value of team building and cooperation, and offer special musical experiences to the Aiken and surrounding community. They have appeared in the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in Charleston, SC, and have been featured in the Joye in Aiken Music Festival as well as singing the National Anthem at the Aiken Steeplechase. Belles Canto has collaborated in performance with the Aiken Singers, Bound to Sing boys choir, and the Aiken Kinderchoir. The group presents two major local public concerts per year, a Holiday concert in December and a themed concert in late Spring, performing songs across a broad spectrum of styles, accompanied and a capella.

Dr. Keely J. Rhodes, mezzo-soprano, received the Bachelor’s of Music from Oberlin Conservatory and Master’s and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Texas in Austin. In academia, Dr. Rhodes has served as a director of choirs, head of vocal studies, and an assistant professor of music. She has also had the honor of serving as a Fulbright scholar to Italy in 2006-2007. Along with teaching private voice lessons, Keely performs as a soloist and collaborative artist for choral, chamber, and symphonic groups and as an opera singer in the United States, Europe, Central America and South America.

KEELY RHODES, D.M.A.

Artistic Director, Belles Canto

BIOGRAPHY

Meet the Director

Interested in joining Belles Canto?