Claire Jurs serves as the Director of the Greensboro Youth Chorus and is currently a PhD candidate in music education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She earned a bachelor's degree in music education from Furman University and a master's degree in vocal performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she received the Boris Goldovsky Prize in Opera for the most outstanding contribution to the opera program. With over 20 years of teaching and performing, Claire focuses on the intersection of vocal pedagogy, community engagement, and choral leadership. She also completed Level 1 Kodály certification at DePaul University, emphasizing her dedication to music literacy and effective teaching practices.

Claire has taught general music in both public and private schools across Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, creating inclusive and dynamic musical environments for students of diverse backgrounds. Her teaching experience extends to higher education as well, having served on the voice faculty at Elon University, Allegheny College, and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

While teaching at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA, Claire founded early childhood music classes that later developed into a community children's chorus that she directed. This initiative sparked her passion for community-based music programs, fostering creativity and collaboration among young singers. Her work with youth choirs extends beyond educational settings, as she is committed to building music programs that nurture emotional and social growth in young people.

In addition to her work with youth choirs, Claire has extensive experience directing singers of all ages in church settings and is currently the Director of Handbells and Children and Youth Music at Elon Community Church in Elon, NC. Additionally, she is an active member of the North Carolina chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and the North Carolina Music Educators Association.