Artistic Director
Dr. Christopher Owen (he.him) conductor/pianist/organist/harpsichordist/tenor, holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Wisconsin at Superior, Master of Music in Choral Music Education and Choral Conducting from University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.
Dr. Owen is currently the Director of Choral Activities, Associate Professor, and Acting Music Department Chair at Northeastern Illinois University. He conducts the NEIU Chamber Singers, University Chorus, teaches conducting, vocal music methods, supervises clinical and student teachers, and is frequently on the podium for NEIU Opera Productions.
In addition to his work at the university, Dr. Owen is a sought-after clinician and adjudicator and is a contributing author to the Teaching Music Through Performance in Choir Series.
As a performer he has served as a conductor and chorus master for Vox3 Collective, Chicago Opera Vanguard, and Chicago Folks Operetta. His work as a conductor has also had him on the podium in concert with the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble, Chicago Brass Festival, Minnesota Chorale, Minnesota Oratorio Society, Omaha All-City Honor Chorus, Chicago All-City Choir, and Chorakademie am Konzerthaus Dortmund in Germany.
He has worked as an artistic partner with the professional men’s vocal ensemble, CANTUS, as an ensemble coach, and his choral preparation work is featured in the DVD ‘Parables’ by Robert Aldridge, available on the Naxos label. Recent performances include chorus master for Chicago Folks Operetta’s performance of Korngold’s Die Katrin, named as one of the top ten performances of 2022 from Chicago Classical Review. As a pianist, Christopher has recently performed alongside Dr. Katherine Petersen at the International Congress of Voice Teachers Conference in Vienna, Austria.
Windy City Performing Arts 