Festival Archive
Founded in 2000, the Fort Worden Children's Choir Festival has brought together hundreds of treble choiristers for an intense, yet fun-filled two days of music making with one of our nation's leading children's vocal specialists.
Past Festival Participants - Choirs
Festival Guest Conductors - see complete biographies below
2018 Dr. Rollo Dilworth
2017 Elena Sharkova
2016 Dr. Angela Broeker
2015 Dr. Rollo Dilworth
2014 Robyn Reeves Lana
2013 Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán
2012 Rebecca J. Rottsolk
2010 Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán
2009 Emily Ellsworth
2008 Dr. David Brunner
2007 Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán
2006 Rebecca J. Rottsolk
2005 Robert Geary
2003 Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán
2002 Kris Mason
2001 Rebecca J. Rottsolk
2000 Rebecca J. Rottsolk
Past Festival Participants - Choirs
Festival Guest Conductors - see complete biographies below
2018 Dr. Rollo Dilworth
2017 Elena Sharkova
2016 Dr. Angela Broeker
2015 Dr. Rollo Dilworth
2014 Robyn Reeves Lana
2013 Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán
2012 Rebecca J. Rottsolk
2010 Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán
2009 Emily Ellsworth
2008 Dr. David Brunner
2007 Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán
2006 Rebecca J. Rottsolk
2005 Robert Geary
2003 Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán
2002 Kris Mason
2001 Rebecca J. Rottsolk
2000 Rebecca J. Rottsolk
Dr. Angela Broeker, Guest Conductor 2016
Angela Broeker Director of Choral Activities at the University of St. Thomas where she conducts the Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, and Festival Choir and teaches undergraduate courses in choral conducting and choral methodology. During the summers, she teaches choral methods, choral conducting and choral literature courses for students pursuing the Master of Arts in Music Education degree with a choral concentration. Since arriving at UST in 1999, Dr. Broeker’s choirs have performed at the National ACDA convention in 2011, North Central Regional ACDA conventions in 2014 and 2008, MN Collegiate Choral Festival in 2009, ACDA-MN in 2004, and MMEA conventions in 2013, 2007 and 2001.In addition to her university responsibilities, Dr. Broeker presents for national, regional, and state conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, the Organization of American Kodály Educators, and the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. She serves as guest conductor for numerous honor choirs including the ACDA National Children’s Honor Choir in 2015, honor choirs at the Eastern, Southern, Southwest, North Central and Central Division ACDA regional conferences, and all-state choirs in more than 30 states. In 2015, 2011, 2008, 2003 and 1999 she conducted National Honor Choirs for OAKE. Recently, she traveled to Hong Kong and Dubai to conduct international choral festivals sponsored by the Association for Music in International Schools.
Dr. Broeker received her D.M.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma and her M.M. and B.M.E. degrees from Indiana University. Her research interests include seventeenth-century vocal music suitable for treble choirs and authentic, respectful performance of music from diverse cultures. She served as guest editor of the April 2006 Choral Journaland has written articles for the Choral Journalin 2011, 2008, and 2006. Other publications include the July 2000 Music Educators Journal, the NAfME Spotlight on Teaching Chorus, the spring 2008 Orff Echo as well as many local and regional music publications. The book she coauthored with Mary Goetze and Ruth Boshkoff, Educating Young Singers, was published in October, 2009. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her dogs and her husband-composer, Jay.
Angela Broeker Director of Choral Activities at the University of St. Thomas where she conducts the Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, and Festival Choir and teaches undergraduate courses in choral conducting and choral methodology. During the summers, she teaches choral methods, choral conducting and choral literature courses for students pursuing the Master of Arts in Music Education degree with a choral concentration. Since arriving at UST in 1999, Dr. Broeker’s choirs have performed at the National ACDA convention in 2011, North Central Regional ACDA conventions in 2014 and 2008, MN Collegiate Choral Festival in 2009, ACDA-MN in 2004, and MMEA conventions in 2013, 2007 and 2001.In addition to her university responsibilities, Dr. Broeker presents for national, regional, and state conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, the Organization of American Kodály Educators, and the American Orff-Schulwerk Association. She serves as guest conductor for numerous honor choirs including the ACDA National Children’s Honor Choir in 2015, honor choirs at the Eastern, Southern, Southwest, North Central and Central Division ACDA regional conferences, and all-state choirs in more than 30 states. In 2015, 2011, 2008, 2003 and 1999 she conducted National Honor Choirs for OAKE. Recently, she traveled to Hong Kong and Dubai to conduct international choral festivals sponsored by the Association for Music in International Schools.
Dr. Broeker received her D.M.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma and her M.M. and B.M.E. degrees from Indiana University. Her research interests include seventeenth-century vocal music suitable for treble choirs and authentic, respectful performance of music from diverse cultures. She served as guest editor of the April 2006 Choral Journaland has written articles for the Choral Journalin 2011, 2008, and 2006. Other publications include the July 2000 Music Educators Journal, the NAfME Spotlight on Teaching Chorus, the spring 2008 Orff Echo as well as many local and regional music publications. The book she coauthored with Mary Goetze and Ruth Boshkoff, Educating Young Singers, was published in October, 2009. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota with her dogs and her husband-composer, Jay.
Dr. Rollo Dilworth, Guest Conductor 2015
Rollo Dilworth teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in choral music education and serves as conductor of the University Chorale. His scholarly and creative interests include: composing for developing voices; choral pedagogy (elementary and secondary); analysis and performance practices in African-American choral music; and teaching choral music in urban settings.
Prior to his appointment at the Boyer College, Dilworth was on faculty at North Park University in Chicago for 13 years where he was Director of Choral Activities and Music Education. Before teaching at the college level, he taught choral and general music at the middle school level in his native town of St. Louis, MO. During his pursuit of graduate degrees, Dilworth was accepted into the composition studios of Robert Harris, Pauline Oliveros, Marta Ptaszynska, and Robert Ray.
More than 150 of his choral compositions and arrangements have been published—many of which are a part of the Henry Leck Creating Artistry Choral Series with Hal Leonard Corporation. Additional publications can be found in the catalogs of Santa Barbara Music Publishing and Colla Voce Music, Inc. Dilworth is a contributing author for the Essential Elements for Choir and the Experiencing Choral Music textbook series, both published by the Hal Leonard Corporation/Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Publications, and for Music Express! Teachers Magazine. He authored a book of choral warm-ups for elementary and secondary choral ensembles entitled Choir Builders: Fundamental Vocal Techniques for General and Classroom Use. Dilworth has co-authored another choral warm-up book entitled Choir Builders for Growing Voices.
Dilworth maintains an interest in working with children’s and youth Choirs. He has held conducting positions with the Jubilate Children’s Choir of the Northshore (renamed the Youth Choral Theater of Chicago), and the Music Institute of Chicago Children’s Choir. He currently serves as a consultant on choral pedagogy for the Chicago Children’s Choir.
A frequent presenter at local, state, regional and national conferences, Dilworth has conducted 29 all-state choirs at various levels (elementary, middle school, high school), and has conducted 5 regional honor choirs and 3 national honor choirs (ADCA and OAKE). He has appeared as guest conductor for international choral festivals in Canada, England, China, Italy, and Australia. During the 2012-2013 season, Dilworth has been invited conduct all-state choirs in Louisiana, South Carolina, Colorado, Minnesota and California. He will also been invited to conduct international choral festivals in France and Japan.
Dilworth is a life member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and serves on the ACDA Eastern Division board as Repertoire and Standards Chair for Student and Youth Activities. He is Chair-Elect for the Chorus America Board of Directors. Dilworth also holds memberships with the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), and American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
Rollo Dilworth teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in choral music education and serves as conductor of the University Chorale. His scholarly and creative interests include: composing for developing voices; choral pedagogy (elementary and secondary); analysis and performance practices in African-American choral music; and teaching choral music in urban settings.
Prior to his appointment at the Boyer College, Dilworth was on faculty at North Park University in Chicago for 13 years where he was Director of Choral Activities and Music Education. Before teaching at the college level, he taught choral and general music at the middle school level in his native town of St. Louis, MO. During his pursuit of graduate degrees, Dilworth was accepted into the composition studios of Robert Harris, Pauline Oliveros, Marta Ptaszynska, and Robert Ray.
More than 150 of his choral compositions and arrangements have been published—many of which are a part of the Henry Leck Creating Artistry Choral Series with Hal Leonard Corporation. Additional publications can be found in the catalogs of Santa Barbara Music Publishing and Colla Voce Music, Inc. Dilworth is a contributing author for the Essential Elements for Choir and the Experiencing Choral Music textbook series, both published by the Hal Leonard Corporation/Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Publications, and for Music Express! Teachers Magazine. He authored a book of choral warm-ups for elementary and secondary choral ensembles entitled Choir Builders: Fundamental Vocal Techniques for General and Classroom Use. Dilworth has co-authored another choral warm-up book entitled Choir Builders for Growing Voices.
Dilworth maintains an interest in working with children’s and youth Choirs. He has held conducting positions with the Jubilate Children’s Choir of the Northshore (renamed the Youth Choral Theater of Chicago), and the Music Institute of Chicago Children’s Choir. He currently serves as a consultant on choral pedagogy for the Chicago Children’s Choir.
A frequent presenter at local, state, regional and national conferences, Dilworth has conducted 29 all-state choirs at various levels (elementary, middle school, high school), and has conducted 5 regional honor choirs and 3 national honor choirs (ADCA and OAKE). He has appeared as guest conductor for international choral festivals in Canada, England, China, Italy, and Australia. During the 2012-2013 season, Dilworth has been invited conduct all-state choirs in Louisiana, South Carolina, Colorado, Minnesota and California. He will also been invited to conduct international choral festivals in France and Japan.
Dilworth is a life member of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and serves on the ACDA Eastern Division board as Repertoire and Standards Chair for Student and Youth Activities. He is Chair-Elect for the Chorus America Board of Directors. Dilworth also holds memberships with the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), and American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
Robyn Reeves Lana, Guest Conductor 2014
Robyn Reeves Lana is the Founder, Managing Artistic Director and Conductor of the award winning Cincinnati Children’s Choir (CCC), Ensemble-in-Residence at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Together with CCM, CCC hosted the Chorus America Conducting Masterclass in January 2013. Under her leadership, CCC earned a gold medal in the 2012 World Choir Games.
Lana has directed international, state and regional honor and festival choirs, including Florida (2014), Georgia (2015), Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin (2014), ACDA Southern Division Honor Choir, an international children’s festival choir at Carnegie Hall, and in Beijing, China (2014). She is a founding co-director of the Coastal Song Children’s Choir Festival and hosts the Queen City Children’s Choir Festival in Cincinnati annually. Her choirs have performed for State, Regional, and National professional development conferences including ACDA Central Division. She has presented workshops for the World Choir Games 2012, NAfME state and regional conventions (Arizona, Indiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee), Chamber Music America National Convention, and regionally at colleges and universities.
Lana regularly prepares her choirs for collaborations with the Cincinnati Symphony, the Cincinnati Pops, the Cincinnati May Festival, and CCM choirs and orchestras. Her work can be heard on two Telarc label recordings with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra under Maestro Erich Kunzel. She has also prepared her singers to perform with a Broadway touring company.
She is presently serving ACDA as National Chair for Children’s and Community Youth Choir Repertoire and Standards.
Robyn Reeves Lana is the Founder, Managing Artistic Director and Conductor of the award winning Cincinnati Children’s Choir (CCC), Ensemble-in-Residence at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Together with CCM, CCC hosted the Chorus America Conducting Masterclass in January 2013. Under her leadership, CCC earned a gold medal in the 2012 World Choir Games.
Lana has directed international, state and regional honor and festival choirs, including Florida (2014), Georgia (2015), Kentucky, Indiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Wisconsin (2014), ACDA Southern Division Honor Choir, an international children’s festival choir at Carnegie Hall, and in Beijing, China (2014). She is a founding co-director of the Coastal Song Children’s Choir Festival and hosts the Queen City Children’s Choir Festival in Cincinnati annually. Her choirs have performed for State, Regional, and National professional development conferences including ACDA Central Division. She has presented workshops for the World Choir Games 2012, NAfME state and regional conventions (Arizona, Indiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee), Chamber Music America National Convention, and regionally at colleges and universities.
Lana regularly prepares her choirs for collaborations with the Cincinnati Symphony, the Cincinnati Pops, the Cincinnati May Festival, and CCM choirs and orchestras. Her work can be heard on two Telarc label recordings with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra under Maestro Erich Kunzel. She has also prepared her singers to perform with a Broadway touring company.
She is presently serving ACDA as National Chair for Children’s and Community Youth Choir Repertoire and Standards.
Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán, Guest Conductor 2003, 2007, 2010, 2013
Conductor, composer, arranger, and music educator from the Dominican Republic, Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán is currently director of the jazz program and assistant professor of music education at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He has conducted festival, recording studio, shows, and summer camps orchestras, among other instrumental ensembles. He has written many arrangements of Caribbean and Latin American music, some of which are published by Boosey & Hawkes. He has conducted choirs, concert bands, jazz bands, and orchestras in several countries during the past twenty-four years, and he serves as consultant for the design and implementation of the nationwide music education curriculum in the Dominican Republic. Guzmán holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from the Florida State University and a degree in Electromechanical Engineering from the Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Guzmán received a bachelor's degree from Luther College, and a master's degree from Florida State University in music education. While attending Florida State, he also received an associate degree in pedagogy of music theory. He frequently serves as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in national and international festivals.
Conductor, composer, arranger, and music educator from the Dominican Republic, Dr. Juan-Tony Guzmán is currently director of the jazz program and assistant professor of music education at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He has conducted festival, recording studio, shows, and summer camps orchestras, among other instrumental ensembles. He has written many arrangements of Caribbean and Latin American music, some of which are published by Boosey & Hawkes. He has conducted choirs, concert bands, jazz bands, and orchestras in several countries during the past twenty-four years, and he serves as consultant for the design and implementation of the nationwide music education curriculum in the Dominican Republic. Guzmán holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from the Florida State University and a degree in Electromechanical Engineering from the Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra in Santiago, Dominican Republic. Guzmán received a bachelor's degree from Luther College, and a master's degree from Florida State University in music education. While attending Florida State, he also received an associate degree in pedagogy of music theory. He frequently serves as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in national and international festivals.
Rebecca J. Rottsolk, Guest Conductor 2000, 2001, 2006, 2012
Rebecca J. Rottsolk served as Artistic Director of the internationally renowned Northwest Girlchoir in Seattle, Washington from 1982 to 2001. Under her leadership, the Choir’s outstanding repertoire, creative and varied performances, and professional recordings won accolades from and became a model for other choirs and music educators. As an accomplished soprano, respected conductor and music educator, Rebecca frequently presents workshops on treble voices, conducting and rehearsal techniques, and choral repertoire. She is in constant demand as a guest conductor and clinician for festivals including many state and regional ACDA and MENC honor choirs, Heritage Festivals, Worlds of Fun Festival, Manhattan Concert Productions and Pacific International Children’s Choir Festival, (2002 and 2004). In February, 2005, she conducted the TexasMEA Women’s All-State Chorus and in 2006 will conduct Colorado Women’s All State Choir. Rebecca edits a choral series for Alliance Music Publications. Additionally, Rebecca taught elementary music for 16 years and directed several adult and youth church choirs. She received the degree of Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from St. Olaf College, continued vocal study at the University of Washington and received her MA from Pacific Lutheran University. She received her CME Artist-Teacher diploma in 1992. She is the 1997 recipient of the Washington State ACDA Award for Choral Leadership and served as National ACDA (American Choral Director’s Association) Chairperson for Children’s Choirs from 1998-2004. At home in Port Townsend, Washington, she conducts several adult community choruses.
Rebecca J. Rottsolk served as Artistic Director of the internationally renowned Northwest Girlchoir in Seattle, Washington from 1982 to 2001. Under her leadership, the Choir’s outstanding repertoire, creative and varied performances, and professional recordings won accolades from and became a model for other choirs and music educators. As an accomplished soprano, respected conductor and music educator, Rebecca frequently presents workshops on treble voices, conducting and rehearsal techniques, and choral repertoire. She is in constant demand as a guest conductor and clinician for festivals including many state and regional ACDA and MENC honor choirs, Heritage Festivals, Worlds of Fun Festival, Manhattan Concert Productions and Pacific International Children’s Choir Festival, (2002 and 2004). In February, 2005, she conducted the TexasMEA Women’s All-State Chorus and in 2006 will conduct Colorado Women’s All State Choir. Rebecca edits a choral series for Alliance Music Publications. Additionally, Rebecca taught elementary music for 16 years and directed several adult and youth church choirs. She received the degree of Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from St. Olaf College, continued vocal study at the University of Washington and received her MA from Pacific Lutheran University. She received her CME Artist-Teacher diploma in 1992. She is the 1997 recipient of the Washington State ACDA Award for Choral Leadership and served as National ACDA (American Choral Director’s Association) Chairperson for Children’s Choirs from 1998-2004. At home in Port Townsend, Washington, she conducts several adult community choruses.
Emily Ellsworth, Guest Conductor 2009
Nationally recognized as a leader in the choral field, Emily Ellsworth has served as Artistic Director of ANIMA – Young Singers of Greater Chicago since 1996. Under her direction, ANIMA has won several national awards, including the ASCAP award for adventurous programming in 2001 and 2013; the Dale Warland Singers Commissioning Award given by the American Composers Forum and Chorus America, in 2009; the once-in-an-organizational lifetime Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from Chorus America in 2009; and in 2000, the U.S. Library of Congress’ Local Legacies Award, acknowledging the chorus as one of the nation’s cultural treasures.
Ms. Ellsworth currently serves as advisor to the Opera Workshop choral series with Boosey & Hawkes publishing, has served several times on music panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, and has over 20 years of singing and teaching experience on the music faculties of the College of DuPage, St. Andrews Presbyterian College in North Carolina, and the University of Southern California. She served for many years on the faculty of Doreen Rao’s Choral Music Experience Institute for Choral Teacher Training, from which she received the artist teacher certificate in 1995.
As guest conductor and clinician, Ms. Ellsworth has conducted all-state choirs and festivals in over 20 states, as well as for the Northwest, North Central, and Southwest divisions of ACDA. She has conducted featured performances and presentations in Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, in the UK, Brazil, Hong Kong, and at national conferences of ACDA, the Organization of Kodaly Educators, and Chorus America. She has prepared youth choruses for Chicago’s major musical organizations, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Symphony, Music of the Baroque, and many others. Collaborations have included performances with eighth blackbird, actress Julia Roberts, the Soul Children of Chicago, Garth Brooks, Dennis DeYoung, and Barenaked Ladies. In addition, Ms. Ellsworth has prepared ANIMA for performances with the Berlin Philharmonic, concert tours to six continents, 8 CD recordings, and featured broadcasts on WFMT.
Nationally recognized as a leader in the choral field, Emily Ellsworth has served as Artistic Director of ANIMA – Young Singers of Greater Chicago since 1996. Under her direction, ANIMA has won several national awards, including the ASCAP award for adventurous programming in 2001 and 2013; the Dale Warland Singers Commissioning Award given by the American Composers Forum and Chorus America, in 2009; the once-in-an-organizational lifetime Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from Chorus America in 2009; and in 2000, the U.S. Library of Congress’ Local Legacies Award, acknowledging the chorus as one of the nation’s cultural treasures.
Ms. Ellsworth currently serves as advisor to the Opera Workshop choral series with Boosey & Hawkes publishing, has served several times on music panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, and has over 20 years of singing and teaching experience on the music faculties of the College of DuPage, St. Andrews Presbyterian College in North Carolina, and the University of Southern California. She served for many years on the faculty of Doreen Rao’s Choral Music Experience Institute for Choral Teacher Training, from which she received the artist teacher certificate in 1995.
As guest conductor and clinician, Ms. Ellsworth has conducted all-state choirs and festivals in over 20 states, as well as for the Northwest, North Central, and Southwest divisions of ACDA. She has conducted featured performances and presentations in Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, in the UK, Brazil, Hong Kong, and at national conferences of ACDA, the Organization of Kodaly Educators, and Chorus America. She has prepared youth choruses for Chicago’s major musical organizations, including the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Grant Park Symphony, Music of the Baroque, and many others. Collaborations have included performances with eighth blackbird, actress Julia Roberts, the Soul Children of Chicago, Garth Brooks, Dennis DeYoung, and Barenaked Ladies. In addition, Ms. Ellsworth has prepared ANIMA for performances with the Berlin Philharmonic, concert tours to six continents, 8 CD recordings, and featured broadcasts on WFMT.