Loretta Haskell joined Saint Mark’s in 2016 and is delighted to be a part of our community. A native of SC, Loretta is an accomplished musician, vocalist and educator. After earning her undergraduate degree from Furman University and a graduate degree from Northwestern University – both in Voice Performance – Loretta joined the Chicago Symphony Chorus and worked at Northwestern’s School of Speech. In addition, she earned roles with Light Opera Works, located in Evanston, IL. To support herself, while working in the arts, Loretta leveraged her typing skills and worked in the legal department at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. To further her craft, Loretta moved to New York City and for nine years, auditioned for various roles, worked part time in law firms to support herself, and studied under some of the top teachers and coaches in her profession from Juilliard and the Met.
When her mother was diagnosed with cancer, Loretta elected to move back to Summerville, SC to care for her. She created a new life in the South. She opened her own teaching studio, became an adjunct professor of music at Charleston Southern University and established “Music Together of Charleston”. From 2006 to 2009, Loretta also worked as a music critic for The Post and Courier.
Always a teacher at heart, Loretta has enjoyed teaching piano and voice from her studio on James Island. She is committed to continuous learning and is a student and proponent of Dalcroze Eurhythmics, an experiential way of knowing music through the body. More recently, Loretta has joined Charleston Catholic as a part time music teacher. She is on the Voice Faculty of Hungry Monk Music in West Ashley where she also runs special camps.
In Charleston, Loretta has performed as a soprano soloist with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra and the Charleston Chamber Music Society. She has also been a Lowcountry Arts Council Grant Recipient and a solo artist on the Piccolo Spoleto Festival Bishop Gadsden Series, the Saint Luke's Chapel Noonday Concerts and most recently, the Saint Matthew's at Marion Square Noon Concert Series. Prior to joining Saint Mark’s, Loretta worked for eight years as the Choir Director and Organist at Harborview Presbyterian Church on James Island. A resident of James Island, Loretta enjoys time with friends, reading, cooking and working out. She is truly a woman of many talents! Loretta “loves the tradition of Saint Mark’s” and is very happy to be an integral member our church. We are lucky to have a woman of Loretta’s talents in our midst!