We are thrilled to welcome the Jonathan Law Advanced Vocal Ensemble and the Lisa Clayton Singers as Performing Choirs during our Ensemble Showcase.

These ensembles and their fierce, passionate conductors are an important part of the choral landscape in Connecticut, and we are excited to share in their art.

Kelly Jones is currently the director of the choral ensembles at Jonathan Law High School. She has been serving as a choral director and music elective teacher in Milford Public Schools since 2010. She was honored as Teacher of the Year for Milford Public Schools and has also been recognized as Conductor of the Year by ACDA. In addition, Kelly served as a co-chair for the Mixed Southern Region CMEA Honors Ensemble, where she helped support and guide outstanding student musicians from across the region.

Originally from Pennsylvania, Kelly graduated with a music education degree after attending Temple University and graduating from West Chester University. She holds a graduate degree from the University of Saint Joseph in Curriculum and Instruction and her Sixth Year in Technology Integration in the Classroom.

Kelly’s passion for music began in junior high school band, where she played the flute and piccolo. It was there that she realized how one teacher can make a difference in students' lives. That belief continues to shape her work each day. Working with dedicated, talented students and musicians is what makes every day meaningful, and she finds constant inspiration in the shared pursuit of creating beauty through the unity of music. Kelly is deeply grateful for the students who have helped build this program and who have challenged, inspired, and shaped her into the educator she is today. Every member of JLHS choir, present and past, have helped build a strong foundation for the program to continue to grow and thrive. She hopes to honor their impact by inspiring future generations through the learning process and maintain a lifelong love of music.

For more than 30 years, Lisa Clayton has been dedicated to developing and inspiring voices for music ministry. In 2021, she founded the Lisa Clayton Singers (LCS), an exceptional ensemble of talented vocalists united by their love of gospel music and its powerful message.

LCS celebrates the rich and enduring tradition of gospel music, honoring its earliest musical expressions while embracing the energy and artistry of today’s Contemporary Gospel sound. With dynamic vocals, heartfelt performances, and an infectious spirit of joy, the ensemble brings each song to life and creates an experience that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Since its founding, the Lisa Clayton Singers have shared their music on stages throughout New England, spreading joy, uplifting hearts, and proclaiming the Good News through the transformative power of gospel music. Under Lisa’s leadership, LCS continues to inspire, encourage, and bring people together through the universal language of song.