Anton Armstrong is the founding artistic director of the Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy and an award-winning teacher widely recognized for his work with singers of all ages. He is the Harry R. and Thora H. Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, and has been conductor of the internationally acclaimed St. Olaf Choir since 1990. A graduate of St. Olaf, Armstrong earned advanced degrees at the University of Illinois and Michigan State University. Armstrong conducts and lectures around the world and has conducted ensembles and appeared before regional, national, and international gatherings of the American Choral Directors Association, Chorus America, National Association for Music Education, Choristers Guild, and the International Federation for Choral Music.
Dr. Therees Tkach Hibbard has served as conductor, adjudicator, and clinician for numerous choral organizations throughout Great Britain, Europe and North America; as well as in Hong Kong, Oman and recently in Lesvos, Greece. Her work as a vocal and movement specialist in the training of choral singers and conductors has created unique opportunities for her to collaborate with choirs and conductors from around the world. Her research on enhancing choral performance through movement training has led to the development of a comprehensive choral education philosophy of “BodySinging”; most clearly demonstrated through her work with the Oregon Bach Festival Youth Choral Academy, the St. Olaf Choir, and the American Boychoir. Therees has been on the faculty of the SFYCA since its inception, and was a member of the Oregon Bach Festival Berwick Chorus for over 20 years. She is presently Associate Professor of Choral Music at St. Olaf College where she directs the Manitou Singers and St. Olaf Chamber Singers.
Chelsea Young was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon. Her interest in the Oregon Bach Festival was first piqued when she was lucky enough to see and hear Bobby McFerrin perform with the Youth Choral Academy in 2001. Since joining the SFYCA as a participant in 2002, Chelsea has continued to be part of the OBF community as a festival volunteer, an SFYCA Activities Director, and now the SFYCA Chorus Manager.
Chelsea holds a Bachelors degree (magna cum laude) in Environmental Humanities-Music from Whitman College. Currently, she teaches Choir, Language Arts and Farming at the Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm in Santa Rosa, California.
Sandy Holder was raised in Louisville, Kentucky, where she studied piano and voice at the Youth Performing Arts High School. She began her career as a freelance pianist at age 14 and was awarded a scholarship at 16 from the University of Kentucky to study with David Doran. She received a Bachelor of Music degree from the Oberlin Conservatory, studying with Russian pianist Lidia Frumkin. She completed a Master of Music at the University of Oregon, studying with Victor Steinhardt. Sandy has worked with the Eugene Symphony, Eugene Opera, Oregon Symphony, Eugene Children’s Choirs, Oregon Festival of American Music, Oregon Mozart Players, and the Oregon Bach Festival. She has performed in numerous recitals at the University of Oregon and Lane Community College. She is an instructor at Lane Community College and also has a private piano studio in Eugene.
Philip Biedenbender holds a bachelor’s degree in theory/composition from St. Olaf College and a master’s degree in choral conducting from Florida State University. As a pianist, he has collaborated with numerous honor choirs, ensembles, and organizations, including the St. Olaf Choir and the Oregon Bach Festival Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy. A former Choral Director at Ashbrook High School in Gastonia, NC, he currently serves as Managing Director, Assistant Director, and Pianist for the Charlotte Master Chorale as well as the Chancel Choir Director at First ARP Church in Gastonia, NC. His music is available from earthsongs and Biedenbender Music Publishing.