Connie Fortunato, Director of Celebration Choir, has been a Santa Cruz County resident for over 30 years. Her passion to help individuals discover the music “inside” and express from the heart is evident in her rehearsal philosophy of providing an encouraging and enjoyable atmosphere for all choir members—regardless of prior musical experience. 

It is that same passion that motivates her to bring the healing gift of music to the disadvantaged children in the post-communist countries of Ukraine and Romania. Her work has resulted in collaborative agreements with the Ministry of Education in Romania and the Department of Social Services in Ukraine.  One of her most recent projects was to conduct a music camp for blind children in Kiev, Ukraine.  The concert was attended by First Lady, Mrs. Katerina Yuschenko.

She is a strong believer that music is powerful in giving hope, dignity, self-esteem, and establishing community among its participants. Whether on the California central coast, or the cities and villages of Eastern Europe, her passion for people, her commitment to excellence, and her dedication to change people’s lives for the better—through music—are the defining characteristics of her work.

She has taught privately, served in church music positions in Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Sacramento; published award-winning adult choir curriculum; served as adjunct professor of music at both the graduate and undergraduate level; and served as guest clinician and choral conductor for conferences and festivals internationally.

Celebration Choir is proud to carry on a Monterey Bay area tradition under the direction of Connie Fortunato.