About Us: Personnel
Susan Pote, Founding Artistic Director
A graduate in Voice and Music Education of Texas Christian University, Mrs. Pote has taught elementary school music in Houston, Texas; Richardson, Texas; and Pensacola, Florida. Mrs. Pote is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and the Florida Music Educators Association. As a clinician, she has led many workshops for young singers in the United States and Canada. She has been the director of the Pensacola Children's Chorus since its inception and has overseen the organization's growth to over 350 children in six choirs. Mrs. Pote has conducted chorus members in concerts as well as prepared them for performances with other arts organizations in Northwest Florida, including the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Pensacola Opera, and the Choral Society of Pensacola. Mrs. Pote is a community recipient of the "Spirit of Women" Award, a national competition conducted by Sacred Heart Health System, and a two-time winner of the Arts Council of Northwest Florida's Muriel Shugart Award recognizing outstanding accomplishments in music.
Allen Pote, Founding Artistic Director
A nationally known composer of choral music and musicals, Mr. Pote travels extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad as a conductor for festivals and workshops. He has received numerous commissions and has published over 300 choral works, including 14 musicals for youth and children, many of which have been premiered and recorded by the Pensacola Children's Chorus. Mr. Pote composed the score for "Seaplane," a stage musical about early aviation which has been presented in Pensacola, Florida; Hammondsport, New York; and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. He composed "And A Little Child Shall Lead Them," a work for full orchestra and children's voices which was commissioned by the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. Also commissioned by the Pensacola Symphony was Mr. Pote's "Pensacola Overture" which was premiered as part of the City of Pensacola's tricentennial celebration in 1999. A former member of the National Board of Choristers Guild, Mr. Pote is a recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship and is a three-time winner of the Arts Council of Northwest Florida's Muriel Shugart Award recognizing outstanding accomplishments in music. He has also received an annual award from the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers for a number of years. For more information or to purchase Mr. Pote's original compositions, please visit www.hopepublishing.com
Together, Susan and Allen Pote were named the 1999 Cox/Bravo "Champion for the Arts" for Escambia County in recognition of their efforts as arts advocates and for making a difference in the lives of young people. In 1999, they were also awarded the Escambia/Santa Rosa Bar Association's Liberty Bell Award in recognition of their leadership in the community.
Debbie Denes, AISTD and AISTD diploma, Choreographer
A native of High Wycombe, England, Ms. Denes received her teacher training at the Royal Academy of Dancing and the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing in London, England. Teaching qualifications held by Ms. Denes include the Associate of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing as well as the Imperial Society's Associate Diploma. Ms. Denes was trained from age six in ballet, jazz, tap, and modern dance. She pursued further studies under several Royal Ballet principal dancers and she is the former owner and director of the Debbie Quinn School of Dancing. Performance credits include numerous roles in shows such as "Godspell," "West Side Story," "Oliver," "Showboat," and "Carousel" in both London and Oxford. Ms. Denes also has extensive choreography experience. In 2000, she was awarded the Arts Council of Northwest Florida's Muriel Shugart Music Award for excellence in music.
Gayle Perry, Office Manager
Mrs. Perry was hired in February 2007. Prior to coming to work at the Pensacola Children’s Chorus, Mrs. Perry worked with her husband, Ed, in a family business. Mrs. Perry has been an administrative assistant for two large churches. She also brings over 25 years experience as an office manager, secretary, and bookkeeper to a number of other businesses in Escambia and Santa Rosa County.
Shannon McLachlen-Payne, Bookkeeper
Mrs. McLachlen was hired in September 2004. However, she has sewn costumes for the organization as a parent volunteer for a number of years. Prior to working for the Pensacola Children’s Chorus, Mrs. McLachlen was employed for five years by Dr. Claude D. Strickland, D.D.S. as his payroll clerk and bookkeeper.
