|
The American choral conductor, tenor, composer, and educator, Joseph Kemper, obtained his Bachelor of Vocal Music Education from St. Olaf College (2006-2011), where he graduated with departmental distinction. At St. Olaf, he studied with Anton Armstrong, Christopher Aspaas, and Timothy Mahr. During his senior year, he was the assistant conductor, president, and tenor section leader of the St. Olaf Choir. He obtained his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Yale University (2015-2018), where he was awarded the inaugural Robert Shaw Prize from the Yale School of Music. At Yale, he studied with Marguerite Brooks, Jeffrey Douma, David Hill, and Masaaki Suzuki. Conducting engagements at Yale included Benjamin Britten's Cantata Misericordium, J.S. Bach's Motet Jesu, meine Freude BWV 227, Kevin Put's To Touch the Sky, Eriks Esenvalds's Passion and Resurrection, and the doctoral recital of critically acclaimed composer, Reena Esmail. Additionally, he was a co-organizer and artistic director of a benefit concert for the non-profit organization Everytown for Gun Safety.
Joseph Kemper is a conductor, composer, and educator who has worked with professional, collegiate, secondary, youth, community, and church choral ensembles. He was the associate director of choral activities for five years at Winter Park High School in Florida. During his tenure, the advanced soprano-alto choir under his direction, Belle Chanson, was selected to perform at the 2013 Florida American Choral Conductor's Association convention. Also while in Florida, he was the artistic director of the Lutheran Cantata Choir and Orchestra.
Joseph Kemper is currently pursuing his DMA degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Michigan (since 2018; expected graduaion in 2021) with Eugene Rogers. At the University of Michigan, he has worked with Out of the Blue, a prison outreach choir, Opera Chorus, Women's Glee Club, Residential College Singers, and Orpheus Singers. For the 2020-2021 school year, he is honored to be the conductor of Arts Chorale. He is also the minister of music at First Congregational Church of Chelsea. Since August, 2021, he is Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Choirs at Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.
|
