Choir History:
The Sugar Hill LDS Choir was established in September 2005 as a service oriented musical organization under the direction of Pamela Gates with musical talents provided by accompanists Eric Kristjanson and Michelle Whetten. The choir consists of 60-plus volunteer musicians who meet nearly two hours every Thursday to learn and perfect a variety of music from sacred to spiritual, patriotic and Broadway. The choir desires to build musical bridges into the community to promote good will and understanding. Nominated in the Atlanta Journal Constitution as one of the best choirs in Gwinnett, the Sugar Hill LDS Choir has participated in a variety of events and brings a high level of professionalism and energy to each performance. Past performances include Atlanta’s Festival of Trees, Lighting of Gainesville, Sugar Hill Tree Lighting, Gainesville’s Multi-Cultural Concert, City of Norcross’ July Patriotic Celebration, and Sugar Hill’s Fall Festival. They also have been invited to perform at several churches in the metro area. For the past two years, the choir has teamed up with the 50-piece Gwinnett Community Band, under the direction of Ron Brooks, to put on free community shows in the spring. In addition, the band and choir have performed jointly at City of Norcross’ Patriotic event. Formed # years ago, the band’s strong reputation includes being named one of the top five bands in the United States. The choir continues to look for opportunities to share their love for music. Please contact Choir President Cindi Pickett at 678.714.0340 if you are interested in scheduling a free performance with the Sugar Hill LDS Choir.

Pamela Gates, Director:
Pamela has been a choir director for more than 25 years, with a special love for choral music. Musically trained as an opera singer, Pamela has performed in Germany as well as several opera companies in the United States. She was recognized by the Seattle opera with the Grane Award that is given to aspiring Wagnerian sopranos. In addition, Pamela also was a top 15 finalist in the Western Region Metropolitan Opera auditions and a winner of the Southern California National Teachers of Singing auditions. She has given extensive recitals and has performed as a soloist with symphony orchestras. Pamela is a resident of Suwanee and has two children and six grandchildren.

Michelle Whetten, Accompanist:
One of two accompanists for the Sugar Hill LDS Choir, Michelle is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, and studied music at the University of Utah. With more than 32 years of experience of accompanying school and church choirs that dates back to the 9th grade, Michelle has been sought after as an accompanist by vocalists, instrumental performers and choir directors seeking to establish the right balance between the supporting piano and the performing musician. A resident of Suwanee, Michelle and her husband of 25 years have raised a trombonist, bassoonist, and within the next five years hope to have finished raising a drummer.

Eric Kristjanson. Accompanist:
Eric has been playing the piano and organ for more than 35 years. At the young age of 12, he began serving as his congregation’s organist. Eric toured from coast-to-coast in the United States while performing with college choirs. A piano teacher for 15 years, Eric’s unique talents enable him to adapt to several styles including spiritual, jazz and gospel music. A resident of Lawrenceville, Eric is married with four children and two grandchildren.

Kimberly Nilsson. Accompanist:
Kimberly is a very accomplished musician who has been playing the piano for nearly 30 years and the organ for almost 10. She has spent a large portion of those years accompanying various soloists, church choirs and congregations. In addition to playing for the Sugar Hill LDS Choir, Nilsson also plays for the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra Chorus and her local congregational choir. She is married to Darrin, who sings in the Sugar Hill LDS Choir, and they have two sons.