KaeRenae Mitchell, also known as Katherine or Kathie Mitchell and Kathie Mitchell-Parker, is the director of the Virginia Women's Chorus and the founder of the Virginia Belles, the oldest female a cappella group at the University of Virginia.
From 1977 to 1981, she assisted University Orchestra conductor Doug Hargrave in directing the VWC and began the tradition of the Candlelight Concerts in the Chapel and the Spring Pops Concerts. In 1982 she was hired as full time director and faculty member and began the traditions of performances at the National Cathedral and exchanges with other male glee clubs, and supervised East Coast tours. The Chorus was also selected by rigorous audition to perform at the American Choral Directors' Association Convention under her direction.
The Virginia Women's Chorus disbanded in 1989 due to insufficient funding when the McIntire Department of Music made the decision to disband the two single-sex choral groups. During the Women's Chorus' final concert, Carter Beauford with the Dave Matthews Band was the drummer. Katherine also arranged Simple Gifts for the final conert, which has become the Chorus' signature song.
She helped re-form the Chorus as a CIO (Contracted Independent Organization) in 1994-1995, but resigned to raise her young family and continue her work as Director of Music at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Church, Unitarian Universalist. She returned to the directorship in 2006 and holds the position to this day.