Suzanne Isbell – Director

We’re pleased to welcome Suzanne Isbell to the role of our 13th director. Making her transition from the piano to the podium this season, Suzanne Hatcher Isbell is an accomplished singer, conductor, pianist, coach, and arranger. Trained at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music (MM) and the University of Miami (DMA studies), Suzanne has performed on stages from California to Florida, as well as throughout Europe. A versatile musician, she has been nominated for three GRAMMY Awards as a member of the South Florida professional ensemble Seraphic Fire, and she appeared as a soprano soloist with the New World Symphony under the late Michael Tilson Thomas.

Locally, Suzanne sings with Kantorei KC and has appeared with Dramatic Voices Midwest and Lawrence Opera Theatre. She has also performed with the Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City and the Heritage Symphony, and is a former member of the Kansas City Chorale.

Previously on the faculties of the University of South Florida and William Jewell College, Suzanne currently serves as Administrator and Worship Director at Indian Heights UMC, staff accompanist at Kansas City Kansas Community College, and a freelance voice teacher, coach, and accompanist throughout the greater Kansas City metro area.

Maggie Hinchliffe – Accompanist

The Jacomo Chorale is pleased to announce the selection of Maggie Hinchcliffe as its accompanist for the 26-27 season.

Maggie Hinchliffe is a pianist, vocal coach, and educator with extensive experience accompanying opera, choir, and university students. Since 2022, Maggie worked full- time as a Staff Collaborative Pianist at Stephen F. Austin State University in both instrumental and voice areas, where she also taught a thriving piano studio of 14+ students. Maggie previously worked in Colorado as the pianist for Boulder Opera Company and for the chamber chorales at University of Colorado Boulder. As an opera pianist, Maggie has prepared performances of The Rake’s Progress, The Bartered Bride, Die Fledermaus, Il Trovatore, Le Nozze di Figaro, La Bohème, and L’enfant et les sortilèges, among others for SFA Opera, Lakes Area Music Festival, Boulder Opera Company and more.

Maggie is also an advocate for new music, especially works that engage with poetry, nature, and local causes. She has received grants from the Puffin Foundation, Texas Commission on the Arts, New Jersey Composers Guild, Stagetime, and the Paul R.

Judy Center for Innovation and Research to commission works by poets and composers across the U.S. for premieres on themed recital tours. These include “Cowboy Songs” with soprano Leah Hollingshead, “Songs about Trees” with soprano Rose Kearin and

“Works by Women for Flute and Piano” with flutist Michael Alampi. Maggie also writes about music; her poetry and essays have been published by Sparks & Wiry Cries, Sigma Alpha Iota, the International Keyboard Collaborative Arts Society, and more.

Maggie received her MM from the Eastman School of Music and BM from Vanderbilt University. Recently relocated to Kansas City with her husband, composer Ben Morris, Maggie looks forward to accompanying opera and voice activities at University of Missouri Kansas City and joining the Jacomo Chorale as their accompanist for the 2026-2027 season.