Sallie Penn Turner
HENRICO,VA
Summary
Dynamic choral director and music educator with a proven record of building and leading high-quality music programs. With over 20 years of experience teaching in Richmond and in independent schools, including Collegiate School and St. Christopher’s School, I specialize in developing disciplined, expressive ensembles through strong pedagogy, thoughtful curriculum design, and performance leadership. As the founder of the Schola Cantorum choral program at Hunter, I have trained students to perform Renaissance polyphony and great classical choral works in Latin, cultivating advanced listening, independence of line, and ensemble cohesion. I develop musical excellence through rigorous training in sight-singing, solfège, and music theory, and am committed to engaging students of all abilities in beautiful and artistically compelling performance.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Schola Cantorum
The Hunter School
03.2022 - Current
- Founder of Schola Canotrum (the Latin name for "School of Singers"), a choral program rooted in sacred and classical polyphony and traditional Latin choral texts
- Founder of the school's renowned Lessons and Carols Service -performed in the style of King's College Cambridge
- Director of choral program for grades 3rd-9th; lead multiple vocal ensembles
- Teach vocal technique, music theory, sight-singing, solfège, and Curwen hand signs across multiple grade levels
- Develop and implement choral curriculum for varied skill levels
- Select and conduct repertoire for major annual performances, including our legendary Lessons and Carols Service, Maundy Thursday, and the Spring Music Concert
- Lead weekly music chapel and teach the entire school body how to sing in 4-part harmony from a hymnal
- Build ensemble cohesion through disciplined rehearsals, decorum, and musical literacy training
- Serve as piano and organ accompanist for music chapels and performances
Director of Strings
The Hunter School
03.2022 - Current
- Founded and developed the School's strings program from inception, including curriculum design and ensemble development
- Teach violin, viola, and cello
- Taught 4th-9th grade strings classes and beginning orchestra
- Prepared students for multiple performance opportunities each year
- Led and conducted all major performances
Head of Latin Department
The Hunter School
03.2022 - 05.2025
- Founded the Latin program at Hunter
- Created and implemented curriculum
- Taught 3rd-8th grade classical Latin
- Oversaw continuity between grade levels and teachers
Strings Department Assistant and Violin Instructor
Collegiate School
05.2013 - 06.2017
- Executive Assistant to the Head of the Strings Department
- Supported orchestra and ensemble instruction
- Served as piano accompanist and substitute teacher across the department
- Taught private violin students within a premier independent school strings program
Music Intructor
St. Christopher's
08.2016 - 05.2017
- Taught 30+ 2nd graders how to play violin, viola, and cello
- Taught bi-weekly group classes
- Helped facilitate the end of the year recital
- Served as an orchestra conductor substitute
Education
Bachelor of Music - Music Performance
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, VA05-2013
Skills
- Choral Conducting and Ensemble Development
- Sight-singing & Solfège Pedagogy
- Repertoire Selection and Concert Preparation
- Collaboration and Performance Coordination
- Music Theory & Aural Skills
- Vocal Pedagogy & Technique
- Gregorian Chant, Renaissance Polyphony, SATB harmony
- Program Development (Choral and Strings)
- Piano & Violin (Proficient)
- Curriculum Design for Classical Education
- Liturgical and Classical Music Leadership
- Latin choral texts and translations
Timeline
Director of Schola Cantorum
The Hunter School
03.2022 - Current
Director of Strings
The Hunter School
03.2022 - Current
Head of Latin Department
The Hunter School
03.2022 - 05.2025
Music Intructor
St. Christopher's
08.2016 - 05.2017
Strings Department Assistant and Violin Instructor
Collegiate School
05.2013 - 06.2017
Bachelor of Music - Music Performance
Virginia Commonwealth University