Tinson Lam is a music educator, arts administrator, and professional musician from Lowell, Massachusetts. He completed his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with vocal and instrumental emphases from Asbury University in Kentucky. During his time there, Tinson taught violin for the Bluegrass Arts Collective and participated in opera/musical theatre workshops and choral residencies in England and Italy.

He furthered his education by earning a Master's Degree in Performing Arts Leadership and Management from Shenandoah University in Virginia. Tinson's dedication to education through arts integration was recognized when he won the 2022 Shenandoah University Research Expo.

Currently, Tinson teaches general music, orchestra, and chorus in the Lowell School District. He also provides voice, violin, and viola instruction at his private home studio, virtually, or in students’ homes. When not teaching, Tinson music directs and performs for weddings and special events. He actively contributes to the Greater Boston arts scene as a member of multiple orchestras, including the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra, Firebird Pops Orchestra, Gateway City Orchestra, New England Film Orchestra, Sudbury Savoyards, and Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tinson's commitment to the arts extends beyond performance and teaching. He is the Executive Director/President of the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO). Tinson was recently awarded the 2025 Greater Lowell Chamber of Commerce Young Professional Award for his work and ongoing leadership with the LPO. He previously served as the Interim President of the Gateway Symphony Orchestra. Tinson is passionate about arts integration in education, youth development, and engaging and empowering the arts community.

Peter has B.A. and M.A., degrees in Physics, and has worked as a reliability engineer in the semiconductor industry since moving from Minnesota to Massachusetts in 1986. He joined NECS in 1996, and has served in a variety of Board positions, including a four year stint as president. In addition to the NECS board, Peter has held leadership positions with his church, and on a number of professional engineering boards and committees.

A North Shore native, Matt earned his BA in English and Theater from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where a love of words and performance first drew him to choral singing. He joined the New England Classical Singers in 2023 and quickly found a second home among colleagues who share his passion for expressive ensemble work. When Matt isn’t rehearsing Mozart or Magnificat, you’ll likely find him onstage with local theater companies across Greater Boston, lending the same storytelling instinct to dramatic roles. By day he designs enterprise-scale solutions as an IT architect, a career that satisfies his problem-solving side; by weekend he recharges on New England’s hiking trails. Matt is grateful for the chance to fuse art, community, and a bit of adventure with NECS each season.

Diane grew up in upstate New York, earning her BA in English at St. Lawrence University and her MA in American Civilization at  George Washington University. Diane served as Curator of Textiles and later Director of Interpretation at the American Textile History Museum in Lowell, MA, for more than 30 years. She joined NECS in 1991. After 37 years living in Andover she retired to New Hampshire in 2018.

Mandi grew up in Andover, MA. She holds an AS in Accounting from Northern Essex Community College and a BS in Business from SNHU. She has worked in finance at World Travel Holdings for over 25 years and she is currently Assistant Controller.  Mandi is a pop culture fanatic! In her free time, she enjoys going to movies and concerts, playing video games, and attending various fan conventions around the area.  More than anything, she enjoys spending time with her beloved dog, Bear.  She has been with the chorus since 2019.

Jim grew up in New Jersey and lived in Andover for 37 years before retiring to New Hampshire in 2018. He holds a BS in Economics  from St. Lawrence University and a MS in Accounting from SUNY Albany. Jim has served on the NECS board many times (as president twice) and was a singing member for 30 years.

Gail grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. She graduated from Vassar College and earned her MA and Ph.D. in Historical Musicology from the Catholic University of America. She has worked at Carnegie Hall, The American Classical Orchestra, and currently has her own freelance business, Notes to Go, providing educational materials for all audiences. She is also the Mom to twin boys and three dogs. She lives in North Andover.

Leslie Benvenuti Ellard is from Haverhill, MA and graduated from Bradford College with a degree in Fine Arts. She has been with the chorus since 2012 and has served on the Board in a variety of roles. Her proudest accomplishments are her children and grandchildren.

A choral singer since the age of 7, music has always been a central part of Piper’s life. While she was growing up in Connecticut, Piper had the opportunity to sing with many choirs and talented musicians, finding her home singing and touring with Chorus Angelicus and Vocalis. Piper is a graduate of University of New Hampshire, where she obtained her B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy, and the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law, where she received her J.D. Upon joining NECS post-graduation, Piper has found joy, fulfillment, and an opportunity to continue her passion of contributing one voice to a musical collaboration. 

Martin Heller is a baritone from Andover who joined NECS in 1999 and never left. He has a B.A. in Physics and Music from Haverford College and a Ph.D. in Physics from Brown University. Over the years, Martin has been an NECS board member-at-large, Treasurer, and Co-President.