UMKC Cantate Choral Invitational 2022
Festival Clinicians
Jake Runestad is an award-winning and frequently-performed composer of “highly imaginative” (Baltimore Sun) and “stirring and uplifting” (Miami Herald) musical works. He has received commissions and performances from leading ensembles and organizations such as Washington National Opera, VOCES8, the Swedish Radio Symphony, the Netherlands Radio Choir, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Seraphic Fire, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, and more. “The Hope of Loving,” the first album of Jake’s music, recorded by Craig Hella Johnson and Conspirare, received a 2020 GRAMMY® award nomination, and Jake’s ground-breaking choral symphony “Earth Symphony” garnered a 2022 EMMY® award nomination. Jake’s visceral music and charismatic personality have fostered a busy schedule of commissions, residencies, workshops, and speaking engagements, enabling him to be one of the youngest full-time composers in the world. Considered “one of the best of the younger American composers” (Chicago Tribune), Jake Runestad holds a Master’s degree in composition from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University where he studied with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts, in addition to formative mentoring from acclaimed composer Libby Larsen. A native of Rockford, IL, Mr. Runestad is currently based in Minneapolis, MN. Find out more at: JakeRunestad.com
Charles Robinson is Professor of Choral Music and Music Education at the UMKC Conservatory. He conducts the Conservatory Concert Choir, and teaches choral/vocal pedagogy and methods, choral conducting, and graduate courses in music education. Robinson earned undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Florida State University and a master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach. His early career included teaching choral music in middle schools and high schools in Florida, and he has worked with singers of all ages, from children to older adults. Robinson is an active conductor throughout the United States and was the recipient of the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Excellence in Teaching Award (1991 and 1999), and the Excellence in Faculty Service Award (2006 and 2013) from the UMKC Conservatory. Robinson is the recipient of Luther T. Spayde Award of Excellence for significant contributions to choral music in Missouri. and Florida State University’s Ella Scoble Opperman Faculty Citation for distinguished achievement in music education and scholarly research in music.
Jennaya Robison is the Raymond R. Neevel/Missouri Professor, Director of Choral Studies in the Conservatory at the University of Missouri-Kansas City where she conducts Conservatory Singers and leads the graduate choral conducting program. She is in demand as a conductor, clinician and soprano throughout the United States. A passionate advocate for the use of singers’ authentic voices in the ensemble, Robison has presented at national, regional, and state ACDA, NAfMe, and NATS conferences and has served as an invited conductor and clinician for numerous All State festivals and honor choirs. She has conducted and taught courses in choral singing and global connection in the United States, Namibia, South Africa, and Germany. She currently serves as the American Choral Directors National Co-Chair for Student Activities (programming.) She holds degrees from the University of Arizona, the University of New Mexico, and Luther College. Her compositions are published by Pavane Music, Kjos Music and Morningstar Music and a contributor, “In Perfect Harmony: 50 Inspiring Stories from Choral Musicians Around the World.” (GIA)
