Thomas Jefferson University Choir
The Thomas Jefferson University Choir was founded in 1970 by Dr. Robert Sataloff who conducted it from 1970 until 1975, and from 1980 through the present. Whether you are a seasoned singer or someone who simply enjoys music, we welcome you to be a part of this wonderful opportunity to come together and create something special.
Part of Dr. Sataloff’s vision for this ensemble is to provide a welcoming and high-level music making opportunity for professionals and students who find the more intensive or strict rehearsal attendance policies of other area music ensembles to be a barrier to participation. As such, we also encourage people to spread the word and encourage friends, classmates, and colleagues to come sing with TJUC if they love to sing! Unlike a lot of other choirs, TJUC does not “fire” singers for having conflicts, so if friends say “I don’t know if I have the time” please urge them to come to at least one rehearsal and give it a shot! The more, the merrier! That said, regular attendance is encouraged to offer you ample preparation time in advance of our concerts. We understand that life can be busy! Whether you can make every session or just a few, we want you to participate and enjoy the experience without pressure. The Thomas Jefferson University Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings during the Thomas Jefferson University academic school year.
Why Join?
Build Community: Connect with fellow university members through the power of music.
No Experience Necessary: All levels of singing ability are welcome.
Perform Together: Showcase your talent and enjoy the experience of performing in a group.
Details:
Rehearsals: Wednesday Evenings, 7:00-8:30 PM at Jefferson Alumni Hall (1020 Locust Street)
Contact: Melanie Culhane at office@phillyent.com for more information
If you're interested, please reach out to Melanie Culhane with any questions.
Please join us for the
Thomas Jefferson University Choir’s 56th Anniversary Spring Concert
Friday, April 10, 2026 at 8:00 PM
The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square
1904 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Media
the thomas jefferson university choir and orchestra
56th anniversary Holiday concert recording
thursday, december 4, 2025
the thomas jefferson university choir and orchestra
55th anniversary Spring concert recording
Friday, April 11, 2025
the thomas jefferson university choir and orchestra
55th anniversary Holiday concert recording
Friday, December 13, 2024
the thomas jefferson university choir and orchestra
54th anniversary Spring concert recording
Friday, April 12, 2024
the thomas jefferson university choir and orchestra
54th anniversary HOLIDAY concert recording
Friday, December 8, 2023
the thomas jefferson university choir and orchestra
53rd anniversary Spring concert recording
Friday, april 14th, 2023
the thomas jefferson university choir and orchestra
53rd anniversary Holiday concert recording
Friday, December 9, 2022
Choir Leadership
Conductor
Robert T. Sataloff, MD, DMA, FACS is Professor and Chair, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Academic Specialties, Drexel University College of Medicine. He also holds Adjunct Professorships in the Departments of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery at Thomas Jefferson University and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine; and he is on the faculty of the Academy of Vocal Arts. He has served as Conductor of the Thomas Jefferson University Choir for roughly half a century. Dr. Sataloff is also a professional singer and singing teacher. He holds an undergraduate degree from Haverford College in Music Theory and Composition; graduated from Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University; received a Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance from Combs College of Music; and he completed Residency in Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery and Fellowship in Otology, Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery at the University of Michigan. Dr. Sataloff is Chairman of the Boards of Directors of The Voice Foundation and of the American Institute for Voice and Ear Research. He also has served as Chair of the Board of Governors of Graduate Hospital; President of the American Laryngological Association, the International Association of Phonosurgery, the Pennsylvania Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and the American Society of Geriatric Otolaryngology; Vice President of the Eastern Section of the Triological Society, and in numerous other leadership positions. Dr. Sataloff is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Voice; Editor Emeritus of Ear, Nose and Throat Journal; Associate Editor of the Journal of Singing; on the Editorial Board of Medical Problems of Performing Artists; and he is a reviewer for numerous otolaryngology journals. He has written over 1,200 publications including 79 books, and he has been awarded more than $5 million in research funding. His H-index is 50. He has invented more than 75 laryngeal microsurgical instruments distributed currently by Integra Medical, ossicular replacement prostheses produced by Grace Medical, and novel, patented laryngeal prostheses. His medical practice has been limited to care of the professional voice and to otology/neurotology/skull base surgery and he stopped routine clinical practice in 2024 to focus on education, research, administration and other Department Chair priorities. Dr. Sataloff has been recognized by Best Doctors in America (Woodward White Athens) every year since 1992, Philadelphia Magazine since 1997, and Castle Connolly’s “America’s Top Doctors” since 2002. In 2025, Expertscape ranked him as the number one otolaryngology expert in the world.
Associate Conductor
Melanie Culhane, MM, is a lyric soprano who currently resides in Philadelphia, PA, where she works with Dr. Sataloff as his executive assistant and as the Executive Coordinator of the Voice Foundation and Managing Editor of The Journal of Voice. She also is a piano and voice teacher at New Groove Music Studio, and is employed as a Section Leader of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Germantown. Melanie earned her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Temple University and graduated in May of 2020. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Mississippi in 2017. Melanie Culhane has had ample stage experience; most recently, Melanie performed in the Philadelphia 2023 Fringe Festival with Ex Anima Artists in Here Be Sirens and with Delaware Valley Opera in their production of Liebovar for the Philadelphia 2022 Fringe Festival. Highlights from previous seasons include the principal role of Adina in Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore at Temple University, Tatyana (online study) in Eugene Onegin and Francesca (cover) in Rachmaninoff’s Francesca da Rimini with Russian Opera Workshop, Magda (cover) in Puccini's La rondine at Chicago Summer Opera, Melanto in Il ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria at Temple University, Nella in Gianni Schicchi at Red River Lyric Opera, and Nancy in Albert Herring at the University of Mississippi.
Former Associate Conductors
Philip Andrew Doucette, MM, MA, CCC-SLP, has an interest in the human voice which has taken him down many paths as a performer, collaborator, teacher, conductor and clinician. He studied choral conducting with Michael Mendoza at the College of New Jersey and currently serves as assistant conductor for the TJUC. Additionally, he is Associate Director of The Wilmington Children’s Chorus where, among other duties, he serves as Director for The Young Men’s Ensemble, a 30+ voice ensemble of young men ages 12-18 in various stages of voice change. Mr. Doucette holds a Master of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Arts in Speech- Language Pathology from West Chester University. He is a member of The National Association of Teachers of Singing, The Voice Foundation, The American Speech and Hearing Association, the American Guild of Musical Artists and The American Choral Directors Association. He is a licensed speech voice therapist and singing voice specialist at Philadelphia Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, as well as Instructor in the Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine.
Margaret Baroody, MM, Associate Conductor Emerita, was a singing voice specialist in the voice medicine practice of Drs. Robert T. Sataloff and associates for 29 years until her retirement in 2019. She remains Assistant Professor, Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine. Widely recognized for her work with injured voices, Ms. Baroody is also a highly respected singing teacher who maintains a busy private studio and teaches on the faculty of the Peabody Conservatory. Ms. Baroody has written frequently on the subject of singing, particularly with regard to the injured voice and vocal health. She is the author of over 25 published articles on voice. She is also a contributing author to numerous articles and books including Dr. Sataloff’s Vocal Health and Pedagogy, 3rd Edition, Professional Voice: The Science and Art of Clinical Care. 4th Edition and others. Ms. Baroody has demonstrated her commitment to the vocal health and training of the professional voice community with the presentation of numerous in-service programs. She is also a frequent lecturer throughout the United States and Canada on the subject of voice and vocal health. Ms. Baroody is a professional mezzo-soprano with extensive performance experience in opera, oratorio and recital. She received her undergraduate degree in voice performance from Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C., her Master of Music from the Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts, and she was a four-year scholarship student at the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia. She joined the TJU choir in 1997 as a soloist and an associate conductor of the choir.