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Home > Who We Are > Staff Biographies
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Staff Biographies Artistic Director With more than 25 years of choral education experience, Mia Hall Savage is known for her excellence in choral artistrty, along with her enthusiasm and passion for conducting young people. In the Fall of 2003 Mia founded Pacific Youth Choir, which has grown to include 240 singers in eight choirs. Since its inception, the choirs have enjoyed collaborations with Portland's finest artistic groups. In addition to PYC, Mia directs the Coventry Singers at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, and is a popular adjudicator and clinician. She conducted the Oregon Music Educators Association, 2009 All-State Elementary Honor Choir and the 2011 All State Middle School Women's Choir, Pacific University's "Music in May", as well as many high school women's festivals. Mia holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music from the University of Oregon. She studied further in Stuttgart, Germany while singing in choirs under Helmuth Rilling and Frieder Bernius. She has continued her conducting studies with Rodney Eichenberger. Scott Tuomi Associate Conductor As a choral conductor, Dr. Tuomi has toured internationally with the Pacific University Chamber Singers. He has appeared as guest conductor, adjudicator and choral clinician for music festivals throughout the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Tuomi is currently Music Deparment chair and director of choral and vocal studies at Pacific University where he conducts the Pacific University Chamber Singers and Concert Choir. In addition, he maintains a private vocal studio in Portland and is director of music at St. Michael and All-Angels Episcopal Church where he conducts the 50 voice St. Michael's Singers. He is a founding member of the professional vocal ensemble Choral Cross-Ties and maintains an activie performance schedule both as tenor soloist and choral conductor. Dr. Tuomi currently appears in recordings on the Freshwater and Narada labels and most recently on Koch International where he is featured on the world premier chamber recording of Aaron Copeland's opera, Tender Land as Mr. Splinters. He holds a doctorate in vocal performance and musicology at the University of Arizona. Kaeli Porter Artistic / Admin Assistant Kaeli Porter has been involved with Pacific Youth Choir since its inception in 2003 and has been singing with Mia Hall Savage since the 3rd grade. A Portland native, Kaeli attended Cleveland High School where she worked under the direction of Steve Peter. Her high school experience inspired Kaeli to pursue a career in music education. After her graduation in 2004, she attended the Oregon Bach Festival Youth Choral Academy where she had the honor of working with Maestro Helmuth Rilling and Dr. Anton Armstrong. In 2008, Kaeli graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and went on to earn her teaching license in 2009. In addition to her role at Pacific Youth Choir, she is currently teaching private voice in the Portland area. |
Donna Kagan
Associate Conductor Donna is an associate director for the Pacific Youth Choir and conducts the two elementary choirs; Coro Nova 1 and Coro Nova 2 as well as our brand new choir, Music Makers for singers in Kindergarten and 1st grade. Prior to this position she was the preparatory director for the Oregon Children’s Choir and Youth Chorale. Donna has adjudicated and directed elementary choral festivals both locally and on the east coast. She directs a recorder ensemble, a steel pan band and four choirs weekly. As well as being an active church musician, Donna plays the harp, piano, recorder and flute and is a member of ACDA, OMEA and AOSA. Donna attended the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama at the University of Wales where she certified in elementary education and music. Donna emigrated to the U.S. in 1980 and taught in both private and public schools on the east coast and in West Linn, Ore. She is currently the music director at Stafford Primary School in West Linn. Michael Barnes Pianist Michael Barnes has accompanied singers and instrumentalists of all ages since his earliest years in Seattle so very long ago. He is heard on several CD's and has played for Pavarotti, Sarah Brightman, Dawn Upshaw, and visiting singers from the Chicago Lyric, Houston Grand and Metropolitan Operas. He has taxied Sherill Milnes in his car, and hugged Marilyn Horne. No coward, he has toured tirelessly for Community Concerts and is one timid third of the hapless and hilarious comedy troupe "The BoZoArtZ Duo." He collaborates with the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, the Bravo Vancouver Chorale, Portland Opera, Portland State University, Marylhurst University, and holds sway over the noon concert series at The Old Church. He is the organist at Westminster Presbyterian Church and assists at Temple Beth Israel and Sixth Church of Christ Scientist. Janet Coleman Pianist An accomplished and versatile pianist, Janet Coleman is in great demand throughout the Northwest, and has been presented with recitalists in Europe, Central America, and across the United States. Widely regarded as a world-class accompanist, she has collaborated with hundreds of singers and instrumentalists, and has shared the stage with such artists as Marilyn Horne, Richard Stoltzman, Janos Starker and Charles Wadsworth. As featured soloist, Janet has appeared with the Salem Chamber Orchestra, the Southwest Washington Symphony, and the Oregon Symphony; as chamber musician, she was the pianist for several World Premiere performances with the Third Angle New Music Ensemble, Fear No Music, and the Portland Chamber Orchestra. Mark Woodward Assistant Conductor Mark Woodward is excited to join the faculty for the 2011-12 season as conductor of Pacfic Youth Choir's boys choir. Mark is an energetic conductor and singer in many of Portland's arts institutions and choral ensembles. He currently directs the children's choruses at Community Music Center and First United Methodist Church, the adult choirs at Multnomah Arts Center, and enjoys volunteering at Ethos Music Center for underserved youth. He runs a private music studio where he teaches voice, piano, and violin. Mark holds a master's degree in music from the University of Missouri, where he founded the Columbia Camerata and taught courses in music theory. He has studied with countertenor, Patrick Craig of the Tallis Scholars, tenor, Kenneth Wood, and soprano, Tiffany Blake. |
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