Dr. Colleen Chester serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Winona State University, where she received the 2024 and 2025 Outstanding Professor Award. At WSU, Dr. Chester directs all three choral ensembles in addition to teaching courses in music education (conducting, secondary choral methods, vocal pedagogy) and Women in Music. Prior to collegiate teaching, she was the Director of Vocal Music at San Luis Obispo High School and Laguna Middle School in San Luis Obispo, California. Her passion for music-making at all levels has led to her work with numerous church, community, and non-profit organizations including Choral Arts Initiative, San Luis Obispo Master Chorale, Canzona Women’s Chorus, Pacific Chorale, Oregon Bach Festival, and her most recent appointment as the Director of the Rochester Symphony Chorale (MN). Chester is actively involved in the community as a clinician, presenter, and conductor, and maintains a professional singing agenda both as a mezzo soprano soloist and proud ensemble member of mirabai. She holds degrees from California State University, Fullerton (BA Music Education), University of Georgia (MM Conducting), and Michigan State University (DMA Conducting).
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