The Choral Program at Sprague High involves students from virtually every demographic in 5 different choirs including Men’s and Women’s Choirs, Ensemble, Concert Choir, and Framework, the advanced vocal jazz ensemble. Each of the choirs perform numerous times throughout the year at various public concerts, festivals, and competitions. Choir at Sprague continues a rich tradition of musical excellence in the Salem-Keizer school district and is a Grammy Signature School.

David Brown is an Arizona native having received a doctorate degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Arizona. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, also from the University of Arizona and a Master's degree in Educational Administration from Northern Arizona University. Dr. Brown has studied conducting with Jo-Michael Scheibe, Maurice Skones, Edith Copley, Weston Noble and Bruce Chamberlain.

The Chariton High School Concert Choir, under the direction of Mr. Tyler Urich, is the premier vocal ensemble of Chariton High School in Chariton, Iowa. Comprising 50 singers in grades 9–12, the choir studies and performs a diverse repertoire spanning multiple styles and genres. Each year, the ensemble presents four major concerts. In February 2017, the Concert Choir made its Carnegie Hall debut under the direction of Dr. Lee Nelson. They returned to Carnegie Hall in February 2020, performing under the baton of Mack Wilberg and 2023, under the direction of Jonathan Griffith.

Tyler Urich serves as the 6–12 Vocal Music Director for the Chariton Community School District. A Garner, Iowa native, he graduated from Garner-Hayfield High School in 2003 and earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Wartburg College in 2007, with additional graduate work at the University of Northern Iowa. During his time at Wartburg, he performed in renowned venues worldwide, including Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, Prague’s Rudolfinum, Eisenach’s Georgenkirche, Cape Town’s St. George’s Cathedral, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center. Now in his 19th year of teaching and 13th in Chariton, Tyler lives with his wife, Alesha, and stepson, Lucas.

Open to all students in grades 9-12, the Friends’ Central Upper School Chorus performs in two concerts annually and at school assemblies and events. Students are encouraged to consider how their unique personalities and musical gifts enhance the chorus as a community. The US Chorus recently participated in a commission consortium through Chorus America with Philadelphia composer Suzzette Ortiz, who led workshops with the ensemble and attended their performance of her “Bomba Hollande.” Additionally, the US Chorus has hosted Grammy-nominated quartet New York Polyphony as well as composers Melissa Dunphy and Dominick Diorio.

Michele Zuckman has been the Upper School Choral Director at Friends’ Central School since 2011. In addition to conducting the Upper School Chorus and Quaker Noats, Friends’ Central’s select a cappella ensemble, Michele music directs the annual Upper School musical and teaches a variety of music electives. Outside of school, Ms. Zuckman is a member of the Chestnut Street Singers, Philadelphia’s collaborative chamber choir, where she is a soprano, conductor, rehearsal accompanist, former board member, and potluck contributor. This is her sixth time participating with students in a DCINY event!

The Louisburg High School Select Choir is an audition only group that consists of students in grades 10 through 12. The Louisburg High School Select Choir has consistently earned 1st division (superior) ratings at the Kansas High School Activities Association's State competitions for the past 15 years. Under the direction of Alison Moore, the Louisburg High School Select Choir prides itself most for its community and service involvement. All of its members are very excited and proud to get to perform under the direction of Eric Whitacre!

Alison Moore has been a music educator for 24 years. She attended the University of Kansas earning her bachelors in Music Education and Spanish and recently completed her Masters' Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Emporia State University. She is proud to have spent the past 22 years teaching kids in her hometown of Louisburg, Kansas. Starting her career as an elementary music teacher, Alison now enjoys directing choirs at Louisburg Middle School and at Louisburg High School. She also directs both school's musicals and teaches Theatre Arts at the high school. Tonight's concert is the 3rd time that the LHS Select Choir has performed with DCINY. Alison and her husband, Tommy have 4 children, Austin, Alyse, Ashton and Adelyn.

The Foothill High School Choral Program is made up of four choirs and two student-led ensembles, all of which are represented in the group that is here today.

Will Segal (they/he) is the Choir and AP Music Theory teacher at Foothill High School in Pleasanton, California. They are so proud to bring their amazing students to this distinguished event.

The Perry High School Choir was relaunched five years ago. They have grown from 20 singers in 2020, to over 100 students this year. The choir receives superior marks at Large Group Performance Evaluations every year. This year, 18 students from the group auditioned into Georgia's All-State Chorus. 5 students auditioned into the All-State Reading chorus. The group has also placed first at a Music in the Parks festival, and has performed in the Candlelight Processional at Disney's Epcot. These singers are highly motivated and skilled, often learning music without teacher assistance.

Joy Dumas has been a choral music educator for 26 years. She received her Bachelors degree in music education from the University of Georgia, and her Masters from East Carolina University. She has spent all but the first 5 years of her career teaching the students in Houston County, Georgia. She taught for 15 years at Warner Robins High School and has been at Perry High for 5 years. Her groups are known for their superior sight-reading ability and consistently receive superior marks for performance at Large Group Performance Evaluations. She has been married to Chuck Dumas for 25 years. They have two beautiful daughters, one at UGA, and one on the stage tonight.

Chamber Singers is an auditioned, advanced, mostly a cappella ensemble that serves as the flagship of the choral program at SFCC. They've been a regular bi-annual attendee at Carnegie Hall performances and regularly send graduates to become music educators across the Pacific Northwest.

Nathan Lansing is in his 17th year at SFCC & 30th professional year as a choir director, instructor of music theory & history, musical theater collaborator, choral arranger, and lyricist. He is also the Baritone Choral Scholar and Handbell Choir director at St. John's Cathedral in Spokane, Washington.

The singers performing today are part of the larger group of singers in the Edwardsville High School Choral Program. The program is made of three curricular choir: Concert Choir I for the entry level singers; Concert Choir II for more advanced singers; and Chamber Singers, a small ensemble of the most advanced singers/musicians. There are also two extra-curricular choirs, a treble group, Bel Canto, and a low-voiced group, AcaFellaz. The total program has 120 students who love to sing and share their artistry. From classroom music theory exercises to performing at Carnegie Hall — and every step in between! — our goal is to provide students with not only quality musical instruction but also a safe space within which to grow. We strive to create unique musical experiences both for our performers and their audiences. In order to achieve this, our choir members are appreciated, supported, accepted, and encouraged to find their own unique voices.

Emily Ottwein holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, a Master of Music in both Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance, and a Vocal Pedagogy Certification from Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville. Accomplished in many styles of singing, Ms. Ottwein has performed throughout the area as a featured concert soloist. She has also performed in, directed, and musically directed various theater productions in the area. She served as adjunct faculty in the music departments at SIUE, McKendree University, and Lewis and Clark Community College, and has a private voice and piano studio. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Business Administration. She is passionate about the choral art form and about encouraging others to be a part of the magic of corporate singing. She endeavors to empower individuals to find their own unique voice and provide opportunities for those individuals to combine their voices with others to create meaningful experiences for both those in the choir and those listening. A graduate of Edwardsville High School and its choral and theater programs, she is delighted to be teaching at her alma mater with her incredibly talented colleagues in the Performing Arts Department.