Leora Schwitters, Founder and Conductor, Rainier Concert Choir and Rainier Ensemble, retired after 25 years in public education in 2005, having taught music at all levels, K-12.  Most of her choral teaching experience occurred at Cedar Heights Junior High in Kent, WA.  She holds a Bachelor’s of Music, Summa Cum Laude, from Yankton College Conservatory of Music in South Dakota and a Master of Arts for Teachers in Music Education from the University of Washington.  She is President of the Washington American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA).  Active as a clinician and adjudicator, Leora has also served on the board of the Tahoma Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and has presided over the Green River Music Region organization. She and husband Larry enjoy trail running and are avid birders.

Sue Lundy Green, Conductor, Junior Choir and Rainier Kids, has been a K-12 vocal music specialist for over 20 years.  After five years of teaching elementary music and choir at Jenkins Creek Elementary in the Kent School District, she will be assuming the choral position in KSD’s Meeker Middle School.  Sue previously directed secondary choirs for the Scappoose School District in Oregon, headed the music program at Portland Public Schools’ performing arts high school magnet program, and directed choirs in Banks and Roseburg, Oregon.  She has a Masters of Music from the University of Arizona and a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Willamette University.  Sue is currently the Western Liaison for Washington ACDA, and was the Membership Chair for Oregon ACDA before moving to the Puget Sound area.  She is married to Jonathan and is the stepmother to two boys, Matthew & Joshua.

Lori McEwen, Accompanist, Concert Choir and Rainier Ensemble

Lori McEwen currently also accompanies several Kent School District choirs and local students for solo/ensemble contests and NATS competitions each year. She studied piano and voice at Central Washington University. She and her husband Bill have led music at the contemporary worship service and have sung in the chancel choir at Fairwood Community United Methodist Church in Renton for over 25 years. Lori accompanies both children and youth choirs directed by her husband at the church. Together they provide music for weddings and other special events.

Brad Wills, Accompanist, Junior Choir

Brad Wills teaches general music and choir at Fairwood Elementary School in Kent. He studied music at Wheaton College's Conservatory in Illinois and frequently accompanies Kent students and choirs at solo/ensemble festivals.  Prior to teaching music, Mr. Wills taught special education for 15 years.  In 2002, he was honored as Kent School District's Teacher of the Year.

Penny Cramer, Accompanist, Rainier Kids

    Penny Cramer has taught music at all levels, K-12 and is the choir and orchestra director at Olympic Middle School in Auburn.   She holds a degree in vocal education from the University of Idaho and is a member of The Esoterics, an a cappella choir based in Seattle.  Penny has accompanied school choirs as well as college and community choirs in Idaho and Florida.  She is currently the accompanist for the choir at Messiah Lutheran Church in Auburn and works with band, choir and orchestra students in solo and ensemble festivals at the local and state levels.  

 

                                                                   

Executive Board

Jim Starr, President

Jennifer Wise, Vice President

Christie Fokkema, Secretary/Treasurer

Doreen Davis, RYC Liaison to Rainier Choral Arts

Joy Lauderbaugh, RCA Liaison to RYC

Shannon Hesketh, Executive Director/Business Manager

Kalena Eller, Ensemble Liaison

Carol Freitag, Concert Choir Liaison

Amy Leonard, Junior Choir Liaison