2026 Guest Teacher-Conductor
Dr. Jeffrey Douma
Yale University
Yale University
Dr. Jeffrey Douma is the Marshall Bartholomew Professor in the Practice of Choral Music at the Yale School of Music, and has served as Director of the Yale Glee Club since 2003. The Glee Club has been hailed under his direction by The New York Times as "one of the best collegiate singing ensembles, and one of the most adventurous." He also heads Yale's graduate program in choral conducting and serves as founding Director of the Yale Choral Artists and Director of the Chamber Choir and Choral Conducting Workshop at Yale's Norfolk Festival.
Douma has appeared as guest conductor with choruses and orchestra on six continents. He has also led lead the Yale Alumni Chorus on eleven international tours. Choirs under his direction have performed in Leipzig's Neue Gewandhaus, Dvorak Hall in Prague, St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Notre Dame de Paris, and he has prepared choruses for performances under such eminent conductors as Marin Alsop, William Christie, Valery Gergiev, Sir David Willcocks, Dale Warland, Krzysztof Penderecki, Craig Hella Johnson, and Helmuth Rilling.
Active with musicians of all ages, Douma served for sevel years on the conducting faculty at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. He frequently serves as clinician for festivals and honor choirs, and he has had residencies at the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing and at Luther College as Visiting Conductor of the internationally renowned Nordic Choir.
In 2003, Douma was one of only two North American conductors invited to compete for the inaugural Eric Ericson Award, the premier international competition for choral conductors. Prior to his appointment at Yale, he served as Director of Choral Activities at Carroll College and taught on the conducting faculties of Smith College and St. Cloud State University.
Douma earned the Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Michigan.
He lives in Hamden, CT, with his wife, pianist, and conductor Erika Schroth.
Douma has appeared as guest conductor with choruses and orchestra on six continents. He has also led lead the Yale Alumni Chorus on eleven international tours. Choirs under his direction have performed in Leipzig's Neue Gewandhaus, Dvorak Hall in Prague, St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Notre Dame de Paris, and he has prepared choruses for performances under such eminent conductors as Marin Alsop, William Christie, Valery Gergiev, Sir David Willcocks, Dale Warland, Krzysztof Penderecki, Craig Hella Johnson, and Helmuth Rilling.
Active with musicians of all ages, Douma served for sevel years on the conducting faculty at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. He frequently serves as clinician for festivals and honor choirs, and he has had residencies at the Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing and at Luther College as Visiting Conductor of the internationally renowned Nordic Choir.
In 2003, Douma was one of only two North American conductors invited to compete for the inaugural Eric Ericson Award, the premier international competition for choral conductors. Prior to his appointment at Yale, he served as Director of Choral Activities at Carroll College and taught on the conducting faculties of Smith College and St. Cloud State University.
Douma earned the Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Michigan.
He lives in Hamden, CT, with his wife, pianist, and conductor Erika Schroth.
2026 Collaborative Pianist
Rhonda Kwiecien
We are pleased to announce the return of Rhonda Kwiecien of Carroll University as the 2026 NextDirection collaborative pianist!!
Rhonda Kwiecien is a widely recognized and highly respected collaborative pianist in the greater Milwaukee area. In her 26th year at Carroll University, where she is the senior member of the collaborative piano team, she works with students, colleagues, and choral ensembles presenting recitals and concerts. Rhonda also serves as the University Organist, playing for convocations, Baccalaureate, and other special events.
In addition to her position with Carroll University, Mrs. Kwiecien is the Keyboard Artist for First Congregational Church in Wauwatosa and the Collaborative Pianist for the Choral Music Department of Muskego High School. She has shared the stage with featured ensembles from Muskego at several choral conventions.
During her career, Rhonda has worked with and premiered compositions by renowned composers Vijay Singh, Joseph Martin, Craig Hella Johnson, Eric Barnum, Jim Bassi, Robert Harris, Paula Foley Tillen, and Zachary Moore. As a pianist for the Wisconsin NATS competitions, she has traveled state-wide to play for both semi-finalists and finalists. Mrs. Kwiecien is also a board member for the Brew City Opera in Milwaukee. She and her husband are long-time residents of Waukesha.
Rhonda Kwiecien is a widely recognized and highly respected collaborative pianist in the greater Milwaukee area. In her 26th year at Carroll University, where she is the senior member of the collaborative piano team, she works with students, colleagues, and choral ensembles presenting recitals and concerts. Rhonda also serves as the University Organist, playing for convocations, Baccalaureate, and other special events.
In addition to her position with Carroll University, Mrs. Kwiecien is the Keyboard Artist for First Congregational Church in Wauwatosa and the Collaborative Pianist for the Choral Music Department of Muskego High School. She has shared the stage with featured ensembles from Muskego at several choral conventions.
During her career, Rhonda has worked with and premiered compositions by renowned composers Vijay Singh, Joseph Martin, Craig Hella Johnson, Eric Barnum, Jim Bassi, Robert Harris, Paula Foley Tillen, and Zachary Moore. As a pianist for the Wisconsin NATS competitions, she has traveled state-wide to play for both semi-finalists and finalists. Mrs. Kwiecien is also a board member for the Brew City Opera in Milwaukee. She and her husband are long-time residents of Waukesha.
