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CONDUCTING MASTERCLASS

Congratulations to our five conductors selected for the NW-ACDA Student Conducting Masterclass with Dr. André Thomas! Please support these students by attending the masterclass on Thursday Jan. 25th from 2:00 - 3:30 pm in the Fox Theater. 

Daniella Papirnik, a senior at Pacific Lutheran University, is a student of secondary choral music education. Embracing a passion for choral leadership and gesture throughout her academic journey, she has honed her skills under the guidance of distinguished mentors such as Dr. Richard Nance, Dr. Brian Galante, Dr. Geoffrey Boers, and Dr. Tiffany Walker. A pinnacle moment in her conducting career was featuring a choir of Ukrainian refugees from her home church at Benaroya Hall for a Ukrainian Benefit Concert.

Undergraduate Conductor

Daniella Papirnik

Pacific Lutheran University

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Domnique Williams (Alternate) is in his Senior year at Oregon State University and is planning on graduating this spring term. He is currently residing in Corvallis for school but afterwards, he plans on moving back to his hometown while he is teaching within the Willamette Valley. He has conducted at Oregon State for all three years he has been there and has conducted the Meistersingers choir and the University Chorale class. Domnique is currently studying under Dr. Steven Zielke and Dr. Sandra Babb for his undergraduate in Music Education. He plans on getting his masters degree in Choral Conducting.

Undergraduate Conductor Alternate

Domonique Williams

Oregon State University

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Emily T. Peterson is a graduate student at the University of Wyoming pursuing a master’s degree in music performance with an emphasis in choral conducting. She studies under the tutelage of Dr. Brian C. Murray and has conducted UW’s Singing Statesmen and Collegiate Chorale. Emily has participated in various masterclasses as part of her master’s degree program, including work with Drs. Elizabeth Swanson and Joshua Brown. Emily earned a bachelor’s degree in 2013 and a master’s degree in 2023 from the University of Wyoming. In between her degrees, she taught for ten years in the public schools.

Graduate Conductor

Emily T. Peterson

University of Wyoming

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Kimi Gubler Davies is from Central California. She got her undergraduate degree in Music Education. Kimi taught choir at a charter school and at a private school and directed the Heritage Children's Choir for two years. She is currently a second-year graduate student in Choral Conducting at Portland State University, where she directs the Rose Choir (auditioned tenor/bass) and the Hawthorne Choir (non-auditioned mixed). She also conducts a local church choir and cantors during church services. Kimi is a member of the PSU Chamber Choir and has been involved in various choirs for the past sixteen years.

Graduate Conductor

Kimberly Gubler

Portland State University

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Natalie Houle is currently a senior at Whitworth University in Spokane, WA studying Music Education and Secondary Studies. Originally from Mukilteo, WA, her love for choral music began in high school and continued to grow as she participated in various competitions and festivals across the Pacific Northwest. Following high school, she developed her love for music education, gaining teaching experience in public school choir classrooms across Spokane. Upon graduation in May, Houle hopes to find a public-school job teaching choir and music. She looks forward to this opportunity to further her experiences with choral music and the amazing community of directors!

Undergraduate Conductor

Natalie Houle

Whitworth University

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