Music Director

Jillian “Jae” Carelli is a music director, vocalist, and interdisciplinary musician with over a decade of experience leading ensembles in sacred, community, and educational settings. They bring a spirit of patience, care, and creative vision to all their work, fostering musical growth, collaboration, and expressive confidence among their performers.

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Jae currently directs The Free Tones, a treble voice a cappella group advocating for the educational rights of disabled students nationwide. The group performs throughout the New York Metro Area, raising awareness of the students at iBrain (International Institute for the Brain) and uplifting local communities through song. By night, the ensemble performs as Chromatica NYC, celebrating the unique colors and textures of a cappella singing. Chromatica debuted at The Tropicana in Atlantic City, NJ, performing the National Anthem for Boxing Insider in spring 2024.

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In sacred music, Jae currently serves as Music Director at Bethany Congregational Church in East Rockaway, NY, and has extensive experience in Roman Catholic liturgical music. Their past roles include Director of Music Ministries at St. Mary Parish (Wrentham, 2018–2023), LifeTeen Music Director at Resurrection of the Lord (Hingham, 2021) and St. Julie Billiart (Dartmouth, 2017–2018), Cantor and Accompanist across multiple parishes in Massachusetts, and Children’s Choir Director at St. John the Evangelist (2014–2017). Jae also served as Interim Music Director with The Crossing, an ecumenical congregation at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Boston (2022–2023).

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Jae has a longstanding commitment to community engagement and social impact through music. They directed the Women’s Chorus at the Women’s Lunch Place day shelter in Boston, starting as a volunteer in 2018, becoming accompanist in 2019, and assuming the role of director in 2021. Across all their leadership roles, Jae integrates artistic excellence, inclusivity, and mentorship, cultivating ensembles that are both musically vibrant and socially engaged.