Mission Statement
The Northwest Chamber Chorus presents a broad range of classical repertoire in consistently compelling performances. We create, nurture, and uplift a community inspired by a love of choral music.
About Us
The Northwest Chamber Chorus attracts large audiences and wins extensive praise and support from the Seattle arts community. During an annual season of six main-stage performances and numerous community outreach appearances, the chorus attracts a loyal audience of music patrons, characterized by a keen interest in classical and contemporary choral music.
The Northwest Chamber Chorus does not advocate, support, or practice discrimination based on race, sex, age, physical ability, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, marital or family status, national or ethnic origin. This applies to all Northwest Chamber Chorus programs and activities.
The Northwest Chamber Chorus stands in support of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
As choral artists, we know that critical self‐reflection and corrective action are parts of the artistic process. With the shooting of Jacob Blake, the deaths of George Floyd, Amaud Arbery, Brionna Taylor, and so many others, we are compelled to closely examine our own practices. We Present our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement:
Chorus Members
| Sopranos | Altos | Tenors | Baritones/Basses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dori Baunsgard | Shireen Deboo | Mike Anthis | Adam Brown * |
| Betsy Brockman | Maya Endarwan | Matt Everett + | Chip Florey |
| Kayo Brown | Nancy Fisher | Kevin Fansler + | Joshua Horowitz |
| Sara Elliott | Kayla Gerken | Rachel Flamm + | Michael Huber |
| Christi Everett | Susan Jenkins | Pete Jones | John Hushagen |
| Ashley Gechore | Decatur Macpherson | Mark Lee | Matthew Peterson |
| Joni Hafner +,* | Lauren Sandven * | Bobby Lindsey | Ethan Roday + |
| Taryn Jones | Cindy Shultz | Halie Looper | Mark Sandstrom |
| Auralee MacColl Carter | Carly Thornburg | Ben Rider +,* | Chris Shultz |
| Molly Middaugh | Egiju Ungure | ||
| Dalia Taylor | Ali Webb | ||
| Kaitlin Wick | |||
| Catherine Wilson | |||
| * Section Leader | + Board Member |
Staff
Mark Kloepper, Music Director
Music Director of the Northwest Chamber Chorus since 2006, Mark began his lifelong love of choral music at age 7 as a boy soprano in his church choir. He earned a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, where he studied under Joan Conlon, Geoffrey Boers, and Peter Eros. He has also received training from Rod Eichenberger, Helmut Rilling, Alice Parker, Robert Shaw, Paul Hillier, Moses Hogan, Anton Armstrong, and Peter Philips. He has conducted internationally in Europe, Cuba, Canada, and the USA. Having directed musical theatre, opera choruses, church choir, and school choirs, Mark recently retired from directing the vocal music program at the prestigious Tacoma School of the Arts.
Under his leadership, the NWCC went on tour to Slovakia and Hungary, participated in the Seattle Sings! Festival and the American Masterpieces Choral Festival with Dale Warland and Morten Lauridsen, and appeared in the St. John Concert series in Olympia, the Seattle Presents series at Seattle City Hall, in ACT Theatre productions, and as guest artists at the Northwest Gold Choir Festival. Mark has directed the Chamber Chorus for ten years in the annual Duke Ellington Sacred Concert presented by Earshot Jazz.
In 2008, Mark premiered Carpe Diem by Joan Szymko, commissioned for the NWCC in honor of the 40th Anniversary Season.
In 2018, Mark premiered Days Gone By by Eric William Barnum, commissioned for the NWCC in honor of the 50th Anniversary Season.
Carly Thornburg, Executive Director
Carly began her journey in choral singing under the direction of Gene Peterson at Campolindo High School in Moraga. From there she moved to Seattle and sang with UW Choirs until 2020. After spending 5 years living in Olympia singing folk songs, Carly joined the NWCC alto section in 2017. She coordinated the chorus’s Spring Benefit Auction for two years with great success before being hired as Executive Director. She considers herself a Relationship Professional, having worked in volunteer management, fundraising, training, and community building. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to promote the choral arts in our community.
Alexandra Webb, Accompanist
Alexandra (Ali) Webb, NWCC accompanist as of Fall 2009, is a native of Burien, WA, where she attended Kennedy High School and sang under the direction of Mark Kloepper. Ali earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Pacific Lutheran University. While at PLU she accompanied nearly every choir on campus, working with choral directors Kathryn Lehmann and Richard Nance. She now spends most of her time as music director and teacher for The Hi-Liners in Burien, and also teaches classes for Village Theatre’s Kidstage program. Ali also accompanies and sings with Sonoro, a Tacoma-based choir started by her PLU friends. In her free time she enjoys singing in the Tacoma Opera chorus and teaching voice and piano lessons from her home in Seattle.