Our Mission
The mission of Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota is to promote the highest standard of excellence in the preparation and performance of choral music, seeking to provide artistic challenge and growth opportunities for youth throughout the region and enjoyment for the community at large.
History
Founded by Dr. Rick Kvam as an auditioned high school choir in Rochester, Minnesota in 1992, today Honors Choirs of SE MN is the largest youth music organization in the area, serving 250-350 young singers from the Rochester and surrounding communities. Dr. Kvam believes participating in choir develops neurons in young brains, gives youth the chance to learn cooperation without competition, and affirms to young people the power of beauty through joyful singing.
From inception, the organization’s reputation for excellence emerged quickly, and within three years the small ensemble had grown to nearly 90 members. Between 1997 and 2001, the organization added several choirs and expanded to include singers in grades 3-12. In 2015, Honors Choirs expanded its programming to include a class for children in grades 1 and 2.
After 32 years of existence, over 2,000 singers have participated directly as members of an Honors Choirs ensemble, and thousands of young people have experienced choral music through area school outreach performances.
Achievements
In recognition of commitment to the arts, youth, and excellence, the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council named Honors Choirs the 2001 Arts Organization of the Year. The organization received the Mayor’s award for Outstanding Youth in the Arts in 2014, and Excellence in Arts Education in 2018. Founder, Rick Kvam, was recognized in 2014 by Greater Rochester Arts & Cultural Trust with an award for Outstanding Leadership in the Arts. He was inducted into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
The choirs have performed on tour in places near and far including New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago and Ames (IA), and international venues in Czech Republic, Austria, Netherlands, France, Italy, British Columbia, Montreal, San Diego, Newfoundland, Finland, Estonia, Sweden, and Ireland.
Current Season
Between 285-325 singers enroll in the Honors Choirs program each season, representing over 50 schools and 25 communities in southeastern Minnesota. The choirs perform several major concerts for the community, host a choral festival for area elementary & middle schools, and regularly tour area schools in an effort to reach out to other young people in the community. The organization regularly collaborates with Choral Arts Ensemble and has also provided programming at Rochester Boys and Girls Club in the past.
Conductors
Dr. Ryan Deignan
Artistic Director & Concert Choir Conductor
Ryan Deignan joined Honors Choirs in 2024, bringing an outstanding skill set as a conductor, educator, administrator and professional musician. He has been the Associate Director of Choral Activities at University of Minnesota-Duluth since 2019, and has served as the Interim Director of Choral Activities at UMD, directing the University Singers and the vocal jazz ensemble, Lake Effect, and teaching ear training and vocal pedagogy. Concurrently, he led as artistic and executive director of the Twin Ports Choral Project, a Duluth-Superior community choir which includes a 24-voice professional Chamber Choir recently featured at the Minnesota State ACDA convention. Prior to UMD, Dr. Deignan ran award-winning high school choir programs in Iowa for six years. He maintains an active schedule as a professional tenor soloist and choral artist. A 2010 graduate of Luther College with a degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance, Dr. Deignan earned a Masters in Music Education from the University of Iowa, and a DMA in Choral Studies with a Cognate in Voice Science and Pedagogy from the University of North Texas. He also serves as the artistic director for Rochester-based Choral Arts Ensemble. Dr. Deignan, his wife Abby and their four children live in Rochester.
Aaron Schumacher
Chorale Conductor
Aaron Schumacher has been directing Chorale since 2018. He holds a bachelor of arts degree in vocal and instrumental music from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, where he sang under the direction of Dr. Rene Clausen as a member of The Concordia Choir. He is in his 17th year working in education at Zumbrota Mazeppa Schools, having focused on vocal and classroom music at the middle school level, and most recently taking on a district-wide administrative role. During his time at ZM Schools he has also taught band lessons, directed musicals, coached Mock Trial teams, and been a Peer Coach for fellow teachers. He is a member of Choral Arts Ensemble. Aaron lives in Zumbrota with his wife, Stephanie, and their children, Kate and William.
Stephanie Schumacher
Children’s Chorus Conductor
Treble Choir Conductor
Director, Education & Enrichment
Stephanie Schumacher is excited to begin her third season with Honors Choirs as the conductor of both Children's Chorus and Treble Choir, and the Director of Education and Enrichment. Stephanie holds a bachelor of arts in music education from Concordia College, where she studied with Dr. Rene Clausen. Prior to joining Honors Choirs, Stephanie worked in the public schools, teaching choir and directing musicals. Under her direction, many of her singers participated in the MN All-State Choirs and ACDA honor choirs. She serves as the Southeast District Chair of ACDA of Minnesota, and is an adjudicator for MMEA, ACDA, and various local contests. She is a member of Choral Arts Ensemble. Stephanie lives in Zumbrota with her husband, Aaron, and their children, Kate and William.
Amber Olson
Half Notes Director
Amber Olson is a recent graduate of Luther College with a bachelor of arts in music. Amber sang with Honors Choirs for six years, Nordic Choir at Luther College for three years, and she is currently a member of the alto section with Choral Arts Ensemble. She is a lead teacher at Eureka Kids in Rochester. Amber especially enjoys working with children, and is thrilled to be back at Honors Choirs in the role of Half Notes Director.
Pianists
Jon Davis
Chorale and Half Notes Pianist
Jon has a bachelor of arts in music (emphasis in piano performance) from Mankato State University, plays piano for a big band in Rochester called Swing Street, frequently plays with D’Sievers jazz combo in various venues, and has been the pianist and/or musical director for over 80 musicals. Jon begins his 10th season with Honors Choirs.
Administrative Staff
Jayne Rothschild
Executive Director
Jayne Rothschild joined the organization in 2010. She is a Rochester native and graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College with a bachelors of arts degree in organizational management. Previously a managing director at a promotion agency in Connecticut, her professional background is in marketing, special events and promotions. She is the 2023 recipient of the Advocate for Choral Excellence (ACE) Award for Southeast MN, given by the ACDA of MN. Jayne and her husband, Steve have raised two daughters, Lili & Aimee, and live in Rochester.
Karri Campbell
Financial Administrator
Karri Campbell joined Honors Choirs in 2012 and manages operational finances and provides administrative support. She holds a degree in accounting and worked previously for a Rochester hotel in the finance department. Karri and her husband, Scott live outside St. Charles, with their two daughters, Brianna & Kyleigh.
About the Board
Our Board is made up of both parents of singers and people from the community who are committed to supporting the arts and youth. Each member serves for a 3-year term and can serve for up to two consecutive terms.
Board meetings are generally held the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 pm at the Honors Choirs offices at Bethel Lutheran Church. Meetings are open to the public. Please call the office if you would like to attend a meeting.
If you wish to reach a current board member by email, please contact President, EMILY ANDERSEN. If you are interested in serving on our Board, we'd love to hear from you! Please fill out the board member application form below.
Board Members
+ Emily Andersen, President
Emily Andersen cherishes music, from the tradition of the family band and singing carols for 4-H as a young child to memories of State Piano Solo Ensemble performances. She now enjoys watching the thrill her children find in vocal arts along with piano, violin, and drumming. A family favorite is attending community musicals and worship concerts. Emily has two children involved in Honors Choirs, Per in Chorale Choir and Kai in Concert Choir. Kai has also performed in 2 of the Honors Choirs summer productions. After attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison for 3 years, Emily completed her undergraduate degree at North Dakota State University followed by a Master's in Education from Minnesota State University Moorhead. She is currently teaching her 19th year as an Early Childhood Special Education Teacher for the Rochester Public Schools Early Intervention team (home visiting for children birth to three years and their families).
+ Deanne Wallenstein, Vice President
Looking for an opportunity to expose her daughter to develop her natural talents led Deanne to the Honors Choirs of SE Minnesota. It has been an incredible journey for her to see the skills and abilities that are brought out in the area youth through these choirs, and also the passion that stems from the entire organization. Deanne is a nurse manager in Family Medicine and has been blessed to see the healing power of music throughout illness and health. It is a joy for her to be a part of an organization that fosters inclusivity and an appreciation of the fine arts.
+ Jolene Hansen, Secretary
My exposure to Honors Choirs happened many years ago. My husband Alan sang with Choral Arts for 20 years. I was on the board of directors and served as President for a term. Several years ago we had a niece sing in Honors Choirs and attended many concerts. Most recently our grandchildren have been involved. What a wonderful experience for them and us. This organization is a treasure for our community and we look forward to many years enjoying the terrific talent of the Choirs.
+ Katherine Walters, Treasurer
+ Simon Glaser, PAST President
+ Amen Amusan
+ Nikki Anderson
+ James Haase
+ Marissa Hansen
+ Andy Kollengode
+ Dotti Loutfi
+ Adam Sansale
+ Phil Teng
+ Silvia Titan
+ Carolyn Warner
As a Rochester native, Carolyn was blessed to have the opportunity to sing with Honors Choir as a high school student. She is incredibly thankful that her daughters are now able to develop an appreciation and deeper knowledge of choral music through their experience with Honors Choir. Passionate about all the performing arts including music, dance, and theatre, Carolyn once (in a former life) thrived performing onstage with groups such as the Rochester Civic Theater and Children’s Dance Theatre. She now spends her days helping patients improve their sleep as a nurse practitioner, and managing the beautiful chaos that comes with raising three young daughters.
