Thomas (Chip) Carney was born in Jamacia, New York. He attended Saint Clare’s elementary school in Rosedale, New York, and Saint Francis Xavier High School in Manhattan. While attending SUNY New Paltz, he met his wife and soulmate, Marian Pavis, and they've been together for over 50 years.
His early influences include Pete Seeger, Peter Paul and Mary and many other folk musicians of the 60’s and 70’s. That led to performance music with The Long Island Banjo Society , Sing Out Long Island, and Up With People, and the beginning of “Folk Mass” with Saint Clare’s Catholic Church.
Chip started with the Saint Gregory’s choir in 1991 and began directing shortly after and continues today.
Chip is known for his teaching and including as many choir members as possible along with congregation regulars and visitors in a participatory and welcoming music program.