The Bienen School of Music is proud of all of its alumni. Here is a selection of some of our choral conducting graduates.
Dr. David Brunner
Dr. David L. Brunner is acclaimed as one of today’s most active and versatile conductors and composers. His wide and varied expertise embraces all ages in professional, university, public school, community, church and children’s choruses. Dr. Brunner is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Central Florida, where he conducts the University Chorus and Chamber Singers, teaches courses in conducting and music education, and coaches composition students. Dr. Brunner received his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University.
Dr. Julia Davids
Dr. Julia Davids enjoys a thriving career as a versatile musician. Dr. Davids has been Music Director of the North Shore Choral Society since 2009. She is the Stephen J. Hendrickson Endowed Chair of Choral Activities at North Park University, Chicago, where she directs the choirs and teaches conducting and music education. Dr. Davids has been the Artistic Director of the Canadian Chamber Choir since 2004. Dr. Davids received her Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University.
Dr. David Dickau
Dr. David Dickau is a choral conductor and composer residing in Mankato, Minnesota where he has served as Director of Choral Activities at Minnesota State University, Mankato since 1991, conducting the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers and teaching conducting and composition. He recently received the Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award from his university. Dr. Dickau received his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University.
Dr. Rollo Dilworth
Dr. Rollo Dilworth teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in choral music education and serves as conductor of the University Chorale at Temple University. Prior to his appointment at Temple, Dr. Dilworth was Director of Choral Activities and Music Education at North Park University, Chicago. More than 150 of his choral compositions and arrangements have been published, in addition to multiple books to which he has contributed or authored. Dr. Dilworth is Chairman of the Board of Directors of Chorus America. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University.
Dr. Cheryl Frazes Hill
Cheryl Frazes Hill has served as Head of Music Education and Director of Choral Activities at Chicago College of Performing Arts since 2002, where she conducts the Conservatory Chorus. An award winning educator, Dr. Frazes Hill teaches, advises and manages the preparation of music education students in coursework for certification in instrumental, choral and general music education grades K-12. Dr. Frazes Hill holds the position of Associate Conductor of the Chicago Symphony Chorus where she has assisted Margaret Hillis and Duain Wolfe. Dr. Frazes Hill received her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University.
Paul French
For nearly two decades, Paul French has worked in parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago, and in 2001 he was named music director at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. He served as Music Director of the William Ferris Chorale from 2005-2016, in that time establishing it on the professional choral scene as the premier ensemble for breathing life into works of lesser-known and living composers. He has received critical acclaim for his performances with the William Ferris Chorale in concert as well as for his recordings with them on the Cedille label. Paul French received his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University.
Josephine Lee
Josephine Lee has served as artistic director of the Uniting Voices Chicago (formerly Chicago Children’s Choir) since 1999, and was appointed president in 2010. Through her vision and leadership, the Choir has become a civic treasure and cultural icon. Ms. Lee has solidified longstanding partnerships with Chicago’s renowned arts institutions, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera, and Ravinia Festival, and has expanded the Choir’s artistic breadth through celebrated collaborations with the finest theater and dance organizations. In 2002, Chorus America named Ms. Lee the first Robert Shaw Conducting Fellow. She received her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University.
Andrew Lewis
Andrew Lewis is artistic director of Bella Voce, music director of the Elgin Choral Union, founder and artistic director of The Janus Ensemble, a professional chamber orchestra specializing in Baroque and new music, Choirmaster at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Evanston, and is on the conducting faculty at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He is also artistic director emeritus of the Lutheran Choir of Chicago and formerly taught conducting at DePaul University. Mr. Lewis has been a guest lecturer at Concordia University Chicago, the nationally recognized Lectures in Church Music series, Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, and has appeared as a guest conductor with the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. He received a Bachelor of Music in Music Theory from Northwestern University.
Dr. André J. Thomas
Dr. André J. Thomas is a Visiting Professor of Conducting and Interim Conductor of the Yale Camerata. Thomas is an Emeritus Professor of Music at Florida State University. He previously served as a faculty member at the University of Texas, Austin. He is in demand as a choral adjudicator, clinician, and director of Honor/All-State Choirs throughout North America, Europe, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, and Africa.
Dr. Thomas has conducted choirs at the state, division, and national conventions of the Music Educators National Conference (MENC) and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Since 1988, he has also served as Artistic Director of the Tallahassee Community Chorus. Dr. Thomas has also distinguished himself as a composer/arranger, published by Hinshaw Music Company, Mark Foster Music Company, Fitzsimons Music Company, Lawson Gould, Earthsongs, Choristers Guild, and Heritage Music Company. Dr. Thomas received his Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Northwestern University.
Anne Tomlinson
Anne Tomlinson is Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, conducting the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers; she is responsible for the educational and artistic development of the Chorus. She is also Children’s Chorus Mistress for Los Angeles Opera, where she has prepared children for major operatic works. She has also prepared children’s choirs for Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale on numerous occasions. Ms. Tomlinson received her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Northwestern University.