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Sally Bytheway Brinton, of Draper, believes everyone benefits from music and she has spent the past 17 years making sure residents in the south end of the Salt Lake Valley understand that.

Brinton, a native of Salt Lake City, said her love for choral music started during her years at East High School, where she was active in the music and vocal programs.

Now, she spends her time teaching others about music and helping them develop their own musical skills.

In 1989, she helped found what is now known as the ARTS (artistic resources for teachers and students) program in local schools. The program teaches elementary school students across the state about classical music and composers.

For the past year, she has been director of the Sally Bytheway Chorale, and has led its nearly 70 members in several community performances.

The chorale has nearly doubled in size during its first year, and it includes former members of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, the Eleanore Kennard Chorale, and Lex DeAzevado's Millennium Choir.

"Music can do all kinds of things. It has the power to calm and heal; it can bring happiness to life," Brinton says.

The choir was born when singers from groups along the Wasatch Front approached Brinton nearly two years ago and asked if she would be interested in starting and directing a community choir.

She agreed, and the Sally Bytheway Chorale, a nonprofit community choir was started in her home.

Byron Putnam, one of the founding members of the chorale, looks forward to the group's weekly rehearsals. He says Brinton is one of the most dynamic directors he has ever worked with.

"Performing with the choir is a great break for the middle of my week. You can't feel anger when you're singing. The women's voices are so beautiful they give you chills," he says.

The choir performs a wide range of music, from jazz to gospel. The group outgrew Brinton's home, and rehearsals are now held in a church in Draper.

Its spring concert performance was held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Sandy. The next scheduled performance is set for December and will be full of Christmas music. All performances are free, Brinton said.

When Brinton isn't directing the chorale, she enjoys teaching. As part of the ARTS program, she helps children learn about classical music through dramatic plays. She the music to evoke emotion in her young students.

"Kids love to learn, and it's fun to watch them become engaged," she says.

It saddens Brinton when art and music programs are cut from public schools, but that is one of the things that drives her to keep music accessible in the community.

Mike Brinton, her husband of 29 years, recently joined the chorale's tenor section and supports her passion for music and community service.

While Brinton enjoys performing with her husband, she says the chorale members have become like one big family.

"We love being together, studying the music and watching all the members learn, and seeing the concert come together," she says.