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Our Directors & Staff
Dr. Joel Schreuder
Director
Dr. Schreuder is a professor of music at Chadron State College (CSC) in Chadron, Nebraska. His teaching duties at Chadron State include conducting the Concert Choir, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, teaching music history, conducting, choral education classes and private voice lessons.
Dr. Schreuder is in demand as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator in Nebraska and the High Plains region. Since his arrival at CSC in 2002, Dr. Schreuder has directed the High Plains Festival Choir as well as several district music festivals and honor choirs in Nebraska, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana and Colorado. His international conducting and performing experience includes concerts, tours and conferences in China, Germany and Ukraine.
A native of Portland, Oregon, Dr. Schreuder received his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Arizona State University, his Master of Arts in Conducting from Washington State University and his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Pacific Lutheran University.
Paul Ormseth
Assistant Director
Paul joined the Gillette Chamber Singers in 1988 and was named Assistant Director in 2015. Paul retired from Crook County School District in 2016 after teaching junior high and high school music for 31 years. When he’s not working with the GCS in rehearsals and sectionals, Paul spends time with Marilyn, his wife of 49 years, and visiting his three children and seven grandchildren.
Diana Rutz
Accompanist
Diana and Mike McDaniel started the Gillette Chamber Singers in 1986. She has been the accompanist for the group since its inception, working with all five directors and leading the group for one season in 1991.
She graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in music education, has taught Suzuki piano for over 40 years, and serves as Music Director for the First Presbyterian Church in Gillette.
Diana’s favorite role is “Mimi” to her grandchildren.
Our Singers
