Board of Directors

President: Karin Almjeld

Karin is an Administrative Assistant at Appraisal Services, Inc. in Fargo, North Dakota, and is the president of the Board of Directors. Karin grew up in a musical family, with her father being a choral and symphonic conductor. Karin is active in the Chamber Chorale as a singer and a soprano soloist in addition to her duties on the Board.

Co-Secretary: Nan Froelich

Nan has sung in the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber Chorale for three years. She is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Music and has taught private piano lessons in the Fargo-Moorhead area for over forty years. Nan lives in Fargo with her husband, Andy, and they have three adult children. Nan has sung with the F-M Opera and is a member of the choir at First Presbyterian Church in Fargo. This is Nan's second year on the Chamber Chorale Board of Directors. When not singing or teaching piano, she enjoys tennis, golf and travel.

Co-Secretary: Jan Kenion

Jan joined the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber Chorale Board of Directors in 2009. She has been active on the production committee where she has been responsible for co-coordinating the post-concert receptions. She has long been a community arts advocate in the Fargo-Moorhead area, and enjoys the diverse offerings from individual arts groups and the fine arts programs at the local colleges and universities. Jan has a Bachelor's degree from Iowa State University where she studied food and nutrition, and a Master's degree from the University of Michigan.

Treasurer: Rodney W. Capistran

Rod sings baritone in the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber Chorale and serves on its Board of Directors, and is beginning his first year as treasurer. Rod begins his twelvth season singing in the Chamber Chorale in the fall of 2011. He is an Instructor of Mathematics at Fargo North High School. Rod received hid Doctorate from the University of Minnesota, his Master's degree in mathematics from North Dakota State University, and his Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Music at Bemidji State University, where he studied choral music and sang in the Bemidji Choir under Paul Brandvik.

Director: Doug Herman

Doug begins his second year singing in the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber Chorale and joins the Board of Directors this year. Doug is a judge in the East Central Judicial District in North Dakota; and was appointed to that position in 2004 by Governor John Hoeven. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he served as general council to Great Plains Software and practiced law through the Vogel Law Firm. Doug is married and has three sons. In addition to singing in the Chamber Chorale, Doug also sings in the Master Chorale of Fargo-Moorhead.

Director: Carole Richman

Carole sings soprano in the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber Chorale and serves on its Board of Directors. Carole has a Bachelor's degree from Valley City State University and a Master's in Music Education from Minnesota State University-Moorhead. In addition she holds a Kodaly Certificate from Hamline University. Carole is retired from Fargo Public Schools, where she taught elementary music for thirty years, and currently is on the Adjunct Faculty at Minnesota State University-Moorhead. Carole brings to the Board a solid understanding of public school music education. In addition to Carole's board duties, she serves as the librarian for the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber Chorale.

Director: Lori Watterud

Lori recently graduated with a Master's degree in Music Education, and teaches in the Fargo Public School system; currently at Bennett Elementary School. While in college, she sang in the Minnesota State University-Moorhead Concert Choir. This is Lori's second year on the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber Chorale's Board of Directors.

Director: Brian Wittman

In the fall of 2011, Brian Wittman begins his twenty-second season with the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber Chorale, and chairs the Chamber Chorale's production committee. He is a graduate of North Dakota State University and received his musical training at Bemidji State University, where he sang in the Bemidji Choir and studied choral music under Paul Brandvik. Brian has been the senior technician and production stage manager for the Fargo-Moorhead Opera Company, working on over sixty opera productions. He has been a technician, producer and production stage manager for numerous musical and theatrical productions throughout the area, including Moorhead, Fargo and West Fargo Schools. Along with singing in the Chamber Chorale, Brian enjoys classic cars, politics, road trips and writing.

Past President: Michael J. Burns, AIA

Mike Burns is the past- president of the Board of Directors. Mike is the President of MJB Architects LTD. in Moorhead, Minnesota, has sung with the Chamber Chorale since 2002, and has been on the Board of Directors since 2006. He is concentrating on the tasks of community exposure, and financial support; as he helps the Chamber Chorale to continue to be successful.

Mike is a member of the American Institute of Architects, and is a graduate of North Dakota State University. In addition to singing in the Chamber Chorale, he also sings in the choir of First Presbyterian Church in Fargo.

General Manager: Sheila Christensen

Sheila begins her fourth year as the general manager for the Fargo-Moorhead Chamber Chorale. She handles the day-to day operations of the organization, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, advertising and publicity, box office operations and general communications. She is also responsible for much of the grant writing and administration that is necessary in the Chamber Chorale's operations. When not working on Chamber Chorale activities, she is busy with her Christensen Modeling Agency. Sheila maintains her office in West Fargo, North Dakota.