Staff Meet the Staff of Southeast Minnesota's Premier Youth Choirs
Michael
Culloton, Artistic Director
Concert Choir
Mr. Culloton earned his undergraduate degree in choral music from Concordia College (MN) where he studied under Dr. René Clausen. He earned a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Arizona where he studied with Maurice Skones. He has served as a visiting instructor at Luther College (IA), conductor of the Winona High School Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, and interim and associate conductor of the National Lutheran Choir. Currently, he is also Artistic Director of Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester, a semi-professional 40-voice adult choir. Mr. Culloton is co-editor of the Matthew and Michael Culloton Choral Series (Santa Barbara Music Press). In 2006 he was named the MN-ACDA Outstanding Young Choral Director of the Year and was also honored with the ACDA/Vocal Essence Creative Programming Award. This is his fifth season with Honors Choirs.
Jon Strommen Campbell
Chorale
Mr. Strommen Campbell received his bachelor's degree from Luther College (IA) where he majored in music with an emphasis in vocal performance and composition and sang in the Nordic Choir. He earned a Master of Sacred Music degree from Luther Seminary in St. Paul where he studied choral conducting with Anton Armstrong, Bob Scholz and Paul Westmeyer. He currently serves as Cantor at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Rochester. This is his fourth season as conductor of the Chorale.
Bill Nelson
Treble Choir
Mr. Nelson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in vocal and instrumental music from Luther College (IA) where he studied with Weston Noble and was a member of the Nordic Choir and the Concert Band. He spent six years as the middle school and high school choir director at Kingsland Public Schools where his choirs received many honors. Currently, he is the tenor section leader with Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester, directs the Zion Lutheran Church Senior Choir in Stewartville, and is a financial advisor with Think in Rochester. This is his seventh season as conductor of the Treble Choir.
Amy Nelson
Children's Chorus
Ms. Nelson holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in vocal music from Luther College (IA) where she sang in the Nordic Choir under the direction of Weston Noble. She taught music in Rochester at St. Pius X for four years, started a summer music program for children in Stewartville, and has taught private voice lessons. Ms. Nelson has also sung in the Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester, and this is her sixth season as the Children’s Chorus conductor.
Siri Strommen Campbell
Music Instructor
Ms. Strommen Campbell graduated from Luther College (IA) with a degree in music education, focusing on voice and composition, and then taught elementary music in Salem, Oregon. While attending Luther Seminary in St. Paul, she served as music director at Mount Carmel Lutheran church. As a singer/songwriter, Ms. Strommen Campbell has produced two CDs of her own music. Now serving as Pastor of Adult Education at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Rochester, she continues to teach voice lessons to women of all ages and incorporates music in all areas of her life.
Pianists
Laurie Priniski – Concert Choir & Treble Choir
Glenna Muir – Chorale & Children’s Chorus
Administrative Staff
Debra Bauch, Finances
Karen Danielson, Public Relations, Tours, & Education
Mary Wille, Concert Production & Music Library
Jackie James, Administrative Assistant
