About the Director
Who We Are
The Woodbridge Senior High School Choir Department
has established a tradition of excellence. Performing ensembles include the Varsity Choir, Men's Choir, Women's Chorale, Treble Chamber Choir, Woodbridge Chorale, Woodbridge Singers, and two student-run a cappella groups: the Viketones and Treblettes.
Students also distinguish themselves through individual efforts in All-County, All-District, All-State, Virginia Senior Honors Choir, and other festivals and clinics.
Participation in the WSHS Choir Department is so much more than performance preparation; it fosters teamwork, growth in self-esteem, individual and community
responsibility, respect
for all cultures, and a life-long appreciation
of the intrinsic worth of music in the human experience.
WSHS Choirs has been under the direction of Mr. Joel Shapiro since Fall 2017.
Past choral directors include Mr. DJ Godinez (2013-2017), Ms. Carol Ann Rethmel (2001-2013), Mr. Mac Lambert (1996-2001), Ms. Gaylie Lund (1985-1996), Ms. Jeanne Busse (1974-?), Ms. Laura Blevins, Mr. John Hayward, Ms. Becky Reames, and more. If you have more information on the history of Woodbridge Choir, please share with us at our email address!
Sing with us!
About the Director
Mr. Joel Shapiro was appointed as Director of Choirs at Woodbridge Senior High School in Woodbridge, VA in and started teaching in August 2017. Between 120 and 160 students are enrolled in choir each year at Woodbridge in a proud tradition that stretches back years.
He has had the privilege to serve as a Honors Choir Conductor for the Loudoun County Public Schools All-County TTBB Choir, as well as the Fauquier County All-County TB Choir.
Mr. Shapiro was born and raised in Niskayuna, NY, where he attended Niskayuna High School and was inspired to teach choir by the wonderful Mrs. Paula Brinkman. While in high school, he was an active member of three choirs and two bands, and spent his evenings performing in musicals throughout the region.
He started teaching at Woodbridge Senior High School in Fall 2017. At Woodbridge, he teaches Varsity Choir, Women’s Chorale, Treble Chamber Choir, Viking Men’s Choir, Woodbridge Chorale, and Woodbridge Singers, in addition to sponsoring two incredible student-run a cappella groups: The Treblettes and The Viketones.
In 2019, Mr. Shapiro and The Woodbridge Chorale had the honor of representing Woodbridge Senior High School at the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference at The Homestead in Hot Springs, VA. They performed for an enthusiastic and appreciative audience of music educators from around the commonwealth.
Before coming to Woodbridge, Mr. Shapiro taught at Clarke County High School and Johnson-Williams Middle School in Berryville, VA from Fall 2014 to Spring 2017. He founded two extracurricular ensembles in Clarke County: the Men’s Choir and CCHS A Cappella.
He has had the privilege to serve as a Honors Choir Conductor for the Loudoun County Public Schools All-County TTBB Choir, as well as the Fauquier County All-County TB Choir.
Mr. Shapiro received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Temple University and his Masters in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL. At Temple, he directed the all-male a cappella group Broad Street Line, leading the ensemble through two albums and a performance at the White House for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. He studied choral music education under the direction of Dr. Paul Rardin, Dr. Paul S. Jones, Dr. Mitos Andaya, Dr. Rollo Dilworth, and Dr. Robert Sinclair. Mr. Shapiro sings professionally with various groups throughout the DMV region.
