PERFORMERS Kantorei is a premier choral ensemble based in Denver and comprised of volunteer singers under the direction of Artistic Director Joel M. Rinsema. Kantorei’s choral artists have studied at schools with strong music programs across the United States such as Baylor University, Brigham Young University, Eastman School of Music, Indiana University, St. Olaf College, Wartburg College, and Westminster Choir College. Many of the singers serve as choral music educators, conductors, and teachers. In addition to its Denver-based concert season, Kantorei frequently performs at major choral conventions across the U.S., has toured around the world, and works with composers and conductors of international renown. Naxos released Kantorei’s recording—its first to be professionally produced—of works by Kim André Arnesen in 2018. In May 2019, Kantorei recorded the music of Jake Runestad, anticipating release in the spring of 2020. Santa Barbara Music Publishing Inc., publishes the Kantorei Choral series. Kantorei performs a broad range of a cappella choral music with the mission “to elevate the human experience through choral excellence.” Managing Artistic Director Joel M. Rinsema joined Kantorei in 2014, becoming the second conductor in its history. A frequent collaborator and champion of new works for chorus, Joel has commissioned and premiered work of many of today’s leading composers including Kim André Arnesen, Ola Gjeilo, Cecilia McDowall, Jake Runestad, and Eric Whitacre. In the summer of 2018, Joel conducted the Central American premiere of Ola Gjeilo’s “Dreamweaver” in Guatemala City and Antigua, Guatemala with Capella Cantorum de Guatemala. Joel is a passionate advocate for the professional choral art form, and he frequently consults with other choral arts organizations around the country. Because of his leadership in his field, he received the Louis Botto Award for “Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal” from Chorus America, the industry’s advocacy, research, and leadership development organization for choruses, choral leaders, and singers. Joel serves as the North American Choral Promotion Manager for Oxford University Press based in Oxford, England and Music Director at First Plymouth Congregational Church in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. He holds music degrees from Arizona State and Whitworth Universities and is a member of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammys), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and Colorado Music Educators Association (CMEA).
PLEASE CONSIDER TURNING IN YOUR PROGRAM AT THE END OF THE CONCERT TO BE RE-USED AND RECYCLED.
JENNAYA ROBISON SPOTLIGHT CONDUCTOR
Dr. Jennaya Robison is in demand as a conductor, clinician, and soprano throughout the United States. She currently serves as Associate Professor of Music at Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) where she conducts Aurora, Collegiate Chorale, and the Luther College Gospel Choir and teaches courses in conducting and vocal pedagogy. This summer she joined the conducting faculty for the summer Master of Music program in choral conducting at Simpson College in partnership with CORO. Prior to moving to Iowa, she was the Artistic Director of Scottsdale Musical Arts, a multi-generational organization comprised of a professional orchestra and choir as well as children’s choirs and youth orchestras. She has taught in public schools in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. She is also active as a church musician and serves as Director of Music at First Lutheran Church, Decorah, Iowa. Dr. Robison has presented lectures and workshops at national, regional, and state ACDA conferences and state NATS conferences. She has been an invited conductor and clinician at numerous festivals including All State Choirs in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and North Dakota, Wisconsin Middle Level Honors Choirs, Alabama Collegiate Honor Choirs, Texas
Collegiate Women’s Honor Choir, Montreat Music Conference Festival Choir (North Carolina) and various regional and state honor choirs in Colorado, Texas, Nevada, Arizona, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. She will serve as guest conductor of the Consort Chorale, San Francisco in 2020 and make her Carnegie Hall conducting debut in the summer of 2021. She holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona, the Master of Music in conducting and voice from the University of New Mexico, and the Bachelor of Arts in music from Luther College. She is currently the coordinator of Collegiate Repertoire and Standards and director of Student Activities for the North Central chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. Her choral series is published with Pavane Music and additional arrangements and compositions are published by Kjos Music and Morningstar Music. She resides in Decorah, Iowa with her husband Brett and three children, Elise, Grace, and Benjamin.