Chorus Leaders

Cary Burns, Director of the Tempe Community Chorus since August 1998, shares his wealth of music knowledge, enthusiasm and love for the musical art form. Cary has been engaged with music since childhood. Cary has directed and coached singing groups including jazz choirs, barbershop choruses, chamber choirs, mixed choruses, and local ensembles and performers. He writes and arranges music for several vocal groups. Currently, Cary is a music judge in the music category for the internationally known Barbershop Harmony Society, previously known as S.P.E.B.S.Q.S.A., where he judges music competitions and coaches vocal groups all over the United States and Canada. Cary is the director of the Fiesta Chorus, a member of the international female barbershop organization, Sweet Adelines. Cary is also Assistant Director for the Spirit of Phoenix Chorus, an internationally competitive men’s barbershop chorus.

Mary Sievert, Tempe Community Chorus Pianist, has been playing piano since early childhood. She started piano lessons at age 4 (and her mother never let her quit!). Mary has sung alto in the Bach and Madrigal Singers, has directed numerous hand-bell choirs, and has accompanied multiple musical productions, singers, and instrumentalists over the years. Mary has been the pianist for Dayspring United Methodist Church for 20 years and has also sung with the Chorale in Europe four times. 
Mary is a Licensed Family Therapist working for managed care, and she also has a small private practice. She made her way through graduate school by playing the piano at night – mostly musicals. Mary feels very fortunate to be involved in her two loves of life – psychology and music!