Featured Guests:
Dr. David Thomas
(Keynote Address, The Whole Truth: Encouraging Excellence in the Everyday, Voice Performance Master Class, Conducting Master Class)
David M. Thomas moved to Portland after finishing his doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting at Rimksy-Korsakov Conservatoire in St. Petersburg, Russia. Dr. Thomas (baritone) excels as a choral musician through his unwavering commitment to healthy vocal production in the choir. He attributes much of his success as a teacher and conductor to his years of study and performance with Dr. Ronald Staheli. Dr. Thomas holds additional degrees in Russian language and vocal performance.
Dr. Thomas’s interest in Russian music emerged from his two-year service (1996-1998) as a Russian-speaking missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Estonia, Lithuania, and Belarus. He has continually integrated Russian music in his research and performance, most recently presenting scholarly work at the American Choral Directors’ Association national convention in Miami, Florida. Currently Corporate Training Manager for Graphic Products, Dr. Thomas has previously served as Artistic Director of Portland Choirs and Co-Director of Hoffman Academy of Music. He and his wife Emily (soprano) enjoy performing together and operating Studio Thomas: Music Performance Instruction , as well as loving the wonders of life with their three girls and two boys.
Emily Thomas
(Keynote Address, The Whole Truth: Encouraging Excellence in the Everyday, Voice Performance Master Class, Strengthening Sisters Through Song)
Emily Thomas made her first musical debut at age 3 on the fireplace hearth in her home and has loved performing ever since. She had wonderful experiences as a member of the Utah Valley Children’s Choir and then later became a teacher in that same organization. These early years of performance led to a Bachelor of Music Degree (Vocal Performance) from Brigham Young University. She has toured as a performer throughout much of the U.S. and also internationally in England, Russia and Lithuania. She has a great passion for teaching and especially loves the challenge and joys of teaching music to children. She and her husband David Thomas have been operating their own private vocal studio and children’s choir for over 15 years. Most recently, she has done some local recording projects and plans to spend more time in the sound studio. Favorites of Emily include reading, chocolate, fast walks, and dates with her husband. Emily and David live in the Portland area with their 5 children, ages 2-15.
Additional Presenters
Sandy Bennion | Kay Card | Laura Friend
Dana Garrett | Allen Green
Ramona Jones | Cecily Kiester
McKay Marshall | Nathan McConkie
Sandy Bennion
(Music Chair Boot Camp)
Sandy Bennion is the Beaverton, Oregon West Stake Music Chairman. She loves music! She met her husband, Gary in the Ricks College a cappella choir. They have continued to sing and have taught their 13 children to sing as well. Being called as ward choir director, and then as stake music chairmen were not anything she ever expected, but she has learned that the Lord truly qualifies those he calls–even in music.
Kay Card
(Choral Reading)
“Music is one of the most forceful instruments for governing the mind and spirit of man.” (Gladstone).
As a young girl, Kay was taught piano by her dear grandmother. Beginning in junior high school she played the cello and learned to play the organ being taught by her father and grandmother. As a college student she began singing in a women’s small group and also her ward choir and then the world has forever changed for her since. Singing in choirs and small groups, directing ward choirs and a women’s community choir, being a stake and ward music chair, ward organist, Primary chorister and pianist, Relief Society pianist, a piano and organ teacher and a current student of organ, music envelopes her life and brings joy and peace and substance to her busy schedule. Kay has been a part of the Portland Regional Music Workshop committee since 1995 and has been blessed with many lifelong friends in the music community.
Laura Friend
(Nursery Music)
Laura is a current resident of Beaverton, Oregon and is a busy wife and mother of six. She has taught primary music for over 11 years and is returning to our workshop as a presenter (she has taught the Primary Music Class). Laura loves incorporating the gospel into music and believes that music is a powerful way to help children feel the spirit and strengthen their testimonies. She currently serves as ward nursery leader and loves singing time with two year olds! Come find out the WHY of nursery music and learn creative ways to teach nursery children primary songs that will engage them and have them singing to their parents at home, as well as prepare them for their transition into primary. This class would be appropriate for primary choristers, nursery leaders, daycare/preschool teachers (many principles taught could carry over into any musical setting), and parents who want to teach their children music in the home.
Dana Garrett
(Hymns at Home)
I’ve lived in Portland the last 20 years with 1 terrific husband and 3 fabulous children who have all flown the nest. I love to be outdoors, create and eat. I enjoy all types of music and still have dreams of either conducting the MoTab or playing bass guitar in a rock band. Bachelor’s Degree in Music and a Masters Degree in education and no outstanding warrants.
Allen Green
(Hymn Conducting Made Easy)
Allen Green began playing drums professionally in high school. While a student at BYU, he accompanied such popular, touring singing groups as The Hi-Lo’s and The Four Preps, in addition to leading his own dance combo. Upon graduation with a master’s degree, he continued his drumming avocation by traveling the world with the New Oregon Singers; once accompanying the actor and folk singer Burl Ives; and playing with the Jim Brown Orchestra, which he continues to do today. He has been called as the priesthood pianist multiple times since a teenager and is, at present, serving in that capacity, as well as music chairman, in the Beaverton Ward. He has performed vocally and/or instrumentally under the direction of numerous accomplished conductors, including the incomparable Bruce Kelly. His class on “Hymn Conducting Made Easy” features his own “Tom-Tom Method” of music conducting.
Ramona Jones
(Basic Organ)
Ramona has always loved music. Piano has been her main instrument for over 50 years. A few years agoshe took advantage of an opportunity to learn organ. She is very familiar with the challenges pianists encounter as they strive to acquire the knowledge and coordination needed to play the king of instruments. Ramona encourages music training with her children and grandchildren. She recently returned from serving a mission with her husband, Ivan, in the highlands of Guatamala.
Cecily Kiester
(Primary Music)
Cecily Kiester is a long-time teacher and singer in the Portland area. While employed with the Sherwood school district, she taught high school choir, music theory, middle school choir, and elementary general music.
Cecily received her Bachelor of Music and her Master of Education degrees from Portland State University where she studied music education and conducting with Debra Glaze and Dr. Bruce Browne. As a PSU student, she sang and soloed with the internationally acclaimed Portland State Chamber Choir in various cities around the world. Cecily continues to perform in the area, most recently as a soloist for the North Clackamas Community Choir’s performance of The Messiah in December. She also performs with various professional chamber ensembles in Portland, including Resonance Ensemble.
Cecily recently completed three super fun years as primary chorister for the Murrayhill Ward in the Beaverton Oregon West Stake. She has previously served in other music callings including music chair and ward choir director.
McKay Marshall
(Organ Registration)
McKay has been playing the piano and organ for 24 years. He was called to be the ward organist at the age of 13. In college he studied music composition and film scoring, and was awarded a scholarship from Fresno State University. While his professional life revolves around the visual arts, he continues to use his musical background. He has composed music for independent films, advertising, and web content. McKay is a husband and a father of 2 little girls who are grateful to have a musical daddy that plays the piano for their daily dance parties.
Nathan McConkie
(Creative Organ Playing)
Like many Latter-day Saints, Nate began playing the piano classically as an elementary student. In his teen years and college, he dabbled in jazz music and developed an ability to play by ear. In his late 20s, he became interested in playing the organ and learning how to make LDS organ music interesting, energizing, and worshipful. In addition to his keyboarding, Nate loves music theory and has sung in various choirs at the University of Utah as well as the Portland Ensign Choir.