While Joelle Gouel is probably best known for her work as editor of Les Cahiers Liturgiques, a scholarly interdenominational bi-lingual music journal, and for her work with the highly praised hymnal, Les Chants du Pelerin* (The Pilgrims Songs), she is also active as a pianist, choral director, and composer. A citizen of both France and Switzerland, she completed a B.A. in music at La Sierra University, studying under Perry Beach, and an M.A. in music at Andrews University, where she was a student of Morris and Elaine Taylor.

Additional study was taken under Anita Olsen at Newbold College in England, Nelly Tholen in Portland, Oregon, and John Simons at Trinity College, London. At the Geneva Music Conservatory in Switzerland, she studied piano with Françoise Grandchamp and choral conducting techniques with Michel Corboz.

A lecturer at Newbold College from 1976 to 1980, Gouel also taught at Union Springs Academy in the U.S. and was Head of the Music Department at the French Seminary from 1980-1982. Her principal place of residence has been in Switzerland since 1982 where she pursues a number of music-related activities, including writing, choral conducting, arranging and translating choral works for her vocal ensemble Cantilène.

Three recordings in the Geneva Cathedral have been produced: Chansons sacrées et profanes, Cantilène chante Noël (with harp), and Hymnes et Louanges (with organ and trumpet). Gouel received a Silver Award for a choral Christmas song she wrote for a Swiss television competition in 1983 (recorded in a live Xmas concert, produced last December 2002). She served as Assistant to the General Secretary in the world famous Geneva International Music Competition during its 50^th Anniversary in 1990.

ds/2006