When first meeting Cris Evans, you may immediately notice her startling blue eyes — and then observe her warm smile — and then hear her welcoming voice. You will know that you’d like to sing with her.

Cristine Temple-Evans, a former educator and music director…present church choir director…published composer… joined the Chorale’s 60 singers, immediately melding into a planning schedule which produced a schedule for the coming year including both holiday and spring concert dates.

Earning her degrees at ASU, Cris has lived in Mesa, Chandler, and now Gilbert. She comes to the Chorale via the Sun Lakes United Methodist Church where she has directed the choir for over 10 years. After 21 years of public school teaching, she retired in 2010 from Hamilton High School. Readers who were educators will understand her joy at finding a group which is consistently motivated, attentive, and experienced. When one’s new director almost immediately generates the smiles and enthusiasm characterizing joyful singers, it’s a logical result that good music will be produced.

Cris is completely immersed in music. Her husband, Bart, is the recently retired Choral Director of Dobson High School. Among their numerous shared projects, their choirs annually collaborated with Red Mountain High School to present the festive “Christmas Madrigal Feaste.” Those who attended may well recall the soaring voices and professionalism of their students.

Some time ago, responding to a request made by her husband, Cris created a moving choral composition for his students. Yes, along with finding time to be teacher, wife, parent, and grandparent, Cris has also embarked on this additional career. When asked to describe her compositions, she simply says that her music may seem a little discordant and not necessarily to everyone’s taste. Perhaps our readers may wish to sample her published work by accessing the website of Santa Barbara Music Publishing, clicking on the “Composers” link, and looking for her name in the alphabetical listing. Prepare to be impressed.

When asked what her goals are for the Chorale, Cris said she wants her singers to be able to leave rehearsal with a smile on their face, and — above all — to feel the joy of music and the enjoyment of sharing it with others. As for personal goals, this new phase of her life offers the opportunity to do more composing. To say she’s enthusiastic might be an understatement.