CHOIR CONDUCTOR: Dr. Anton Armstrong
Anton Armstrong is the longest tenured Conductor of the St. Olaf Choir. He is the Harry R. and Thora H. Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College. He is editor of a multicultural choral series for Earthsongs Publications and co-editor (with John Ferguson) of the revised St. Olaf Choral Series for Augsburg Fortress Publishers. In June 1998, he began his tenure as founding conductor of the Oregon Bach Festival Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy. Dr. Armstrong currently serves as Chair of the National Board of Chorus America and has returned to serve on the National Board of The Choristers Guild and has served as a guest lecturer, clinician and conductor across the globe.
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MUSIC DIRECTOR: Megan Engel
Megan Engel loves how music can support individual spirituality and build community. Her formal training includes a BMus in Organ Performance, a MA in Organ Performance, and additional graduate work. She serves as the Director of Music and Worship at Bethel Lutheran in Northfield.
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ARTIST IN RESIDENCE: Vonda Drees
Vonda draws inspiration from the natural world, the writings of mystics and voices for justice. Contemplative from an early age, creative practices gave her space to converse with the questions and ponderings deepest in her. She writes, “There are things I learn about myself, my particular ways of seeing and being, that through art surprise me and sweep me into Mystery.”
Vonda and her husband, Jim, live in a blue-roofed log cabin named “Sombrero Azul” on the ancestral land of the Tonkawa people near La Grange, Texas. They served as directors of the Grünewald Guild, an art and faith retreat center in Washington State, from 2016-2020. Vonda shares images from her devotional practice over social media, teaches, and hosts online creative journaling communities.
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Katie Houts is the Sacred Choral and Curriculum Editor for Choristers Guild. Serving CG since 2013, Katie curates and edits sacred choral anthems, collections, musicals, curriculum, and teaching resources; she also serves on the faculty of the Choristers Guild Institute. She studied music at Wartburg College (Waverly, IA), where she majored in Church Music (Organ) and Religion. She has served in ELCA, UCC, and UMC congregations as Director of Music, Worship Curator, Organist, and Children’s Choir Director. Read more
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