Workshops & Guest Artists
Through the gracious support of the Friends of the Pioneer Choirs, local universities, and the University Musical Society, we are proud to provide our students with the chance to work with world class vocal musicians and conductors from around the globe. Our students have been fortunate to recently work with the artists below.
Through the gracious support of the Friends of the Pioneer Choirs, local universities, and the University Musical Society, we are proud to provide our students with the chance to work with world class vocal musicians and conductors from around the globe. Our students have been fortunate to recently work with the following artists:
2024
Dr. Scott Boerma, director of bands and associate professor of music, Western Michigan University (collaboration with the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings)
Christian Simmons, Bass (UMS masterclass)
Dr. Ryan Beeken, professor of choral studies, Wichita State University (MSU Choral Invitational)
2023
Stacey V. Gibbs, composer, Detroit (workshopped new compositions & conducted "Hush!")
Dr. Scott Boerma, director of bands and associate professor of music, Western Michigan University (collaboration with the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings)
Stilian Kirov, conductor (collaboration with the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra)
Paul Appleby, tenor (UMS masterclass)
Dr. Sandra Snow, Dr. Jonathan Reed, & Dr. Derrick Fox, professors of music and director of choirs, Michigan State University (MSU Choral Invitational)
Stacey V. Gibbs, composer, Detroit (solo concert of his music, workshop & conducted "Gloryland")
2022
Dr. Scott Boerma, director of bands and associate professor of music, Western Michigan University (collaboration with the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings)
Miles Mykkanen, tenor (UMS masterclass)
2021
Meg Bragle, mezzo soprano (UMS masterclass)
2020
Stacey V. Gibbs, composer, Detroit (virtual workshop on "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody (Turn Me 'Round)")
2019
Damien Crutcher, Crescendo Detroit (collaboration with the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings)
Philippe Sly, bass (UMS masterclass)
Cappella Pratensis and Stratton Bull, artistic director (clinic)
Jake Runestad, composer (clinic and conducted "Nyon Nyon")
Dr. Brandon Johnson, director of choral activities, Eastern Michigan University (clinic)
2018
Stacey V. Gibbs, composer, Detroit (workshop & conducted "Sit Down, Servant")
Damien Crutcher, Crescendo Detroit (collaboration with the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings)
Yulia Van Doren, soprano (UMS masterclass)
Paul Smith, co-founder of VOCES8 and education director of VOCES8 VCM Foundation (clinic)
Dr. Andrew Crane, professor of choral conducting, Brigham Young University (MSU Choral Invitational)
Dr. Jerry Blackstone, emeritus professor of choral conducting, University of Michigan (clinic)
Dr. Lee Nelson, professor of music, Wartburg College, director of Wartburg College Choir (joint performance)
2017
Damien Crutcher, Crescendo Detroit (collaboration with the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings)
Dr. Jeremy Jones, assistant professor of music, director of the Men's Glee Club, Miami University (OH) (MGC performance)
Dr. Barrington Coleman, associate professor of voice, director of the Varsity Men's Glee Club, University of Illinois (clinic)
Stacey V. Gibbs, composer, Detroit (workshop & clinic on new arrangement of "Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Round")
Dr. Brandon Johnson, director of choral activities, Eastern Michigan University (clinic)
Dr. Lori Hetzel, professor, associate director of choirs, University of Kentucky (UK Women's Choir performance)
2016
Meg Bragle, mezzo soprano (UMS masterclass)
Christopher Aspaas, director of choral activities, associate professor of music, Texas Christian University (MSU Choral Invitational)
David Small, baritone, associate professor of music, Butler School of Music, University of Texas at Austin (masterclass)
Janai Brugger, soprano (UMS masterclass)
2015
Dr. Scott Boerma, director of bands and associate professor of music, Western Michigan University (collaboration with the Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings)
Stacey V. Gibbs, composer, Detroit (SKYPE clinic at choir camp)
Monica Swartout-Bebow, adjunct voice faculty, Eastern Michigan University (clinic)
Dr. Kimberly Dunn Adams, director of choral activities, assistant professor of music, Western Michigan University (clinic & WMU Chorale performance)
Greg Jasperse, assistant professor of music, applied jazz voice, Gold Company, Western Michigan University (Gold Company performance)
Dr. Lee Nelson, director of choral activities, associate professor of music, Wartburg College (clinic)
Dr. Brandon Johnson, director of choral activities, Eastern Michigan University (clinic)
Alice Parker, internationally renowned composer, conductor, teacher (clinic)
2014
Janai Brugger, soprano (UMS masterclass)
Dr. Jerry Blackstone, director of choral activities, professor and chair of conducting, University of Michigan (video project)
Dr. Eugene Rogers, associate director of choirs, associate professor of Conducting, University of Michigan (joint concert)
Molly Quinn, soprano (masterclass)
Jeffrey Cobb, composer and conductor, Northwestern Michigan College (SKYPE clinic)
Dr. Pamela Elrod Huffman, director of choral activities, associate professor of music, Southern Methodist University (MSU Choral Invitational)
Dr. Mike Mitchell, director of choral activities, associate professor of music, Oakland University (clinic)
Tara Erraught, mezzo-soprano, international opera singer, Ireland (UMS masterclass)
Emelie Amrein, assistant professor of choral activities, University of San Diego (clinic)
Shawn Kirchner, composer-in-residence, Los Angeles Master Chorale (SKYPE clinic)
Dr. Jerry Blackstone, director of choral activities, professor and chair of conducting, University of Michigan (clinic)
Stacey V. Gibbs, composer, Detroit (clinic)
2013
Dr. Allen Hightower, director of choral activities, Luther College (MSU Choral Invitational)
Wendy Bloom, mezzo soprano, voice instructor (masterclass)
Dr. Robert Peavler, associate professor of voice, Eastern Michigan University School of Music and Dance (masterclass)
Frank Albinder, conductor, University of Virginia Men's Glee Club, Washington Men's Camerata, former associate conductor of Chanticleer (clinic)
Dr. Greg Ristow, director of choral activities, DePauw University School of Music (clinic)
2012
Dr. Gerald Custer, professional composer, conductor (commission for A Cappella)
Dr. Paul Rardin, associate professor of music, director of choral activities, Temple University Boyer College of Music and Dance
Mischa Zupko, composer of Strung with Glory (MYAF 50th Anniversary Commission)
Dr. Jeff Douma, associate professor of conducting, Yale School of Music, Director of the Yale Glee Club (clinic)
Sweet Honey in the Rock, performing ensemble (sound check and Q&A)
2011
Dr. Jameson Marvin, emeritus director of choral activities and senior lecturer on music, Harvard University (clinic)
Jed Scott, professional composer, arranger, conductor (arranging workshop)
Dr. Brian Altevogt, director of choral activities and associate professor of music, Concordia University (clinic)
Dr. Karen Kennedy, director of choral activities, University of Miami Frost School of Music (clinic)
2010
Dr. Charlene Archibeque, emeritus director of choral activities, San Jose State University (clinic)