Music Director

Executive Director

Accompanist

NWCC Board of Directors

Northwest Chamber Chorus Staff

Mark Kloepper,
Music Director

Music Director of the Northwest Chamber Chorus since 2006, Mark earned a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, where he studied under Joan Conlon, Geoffrey Boers, and Peter Eros. He has also received training from Rod Eichenberger, Helmut Rilling, Alice Parker, Robert Shaw, Paul Hillier, Moses Hogan, Anton Armstrong and Peter Philips and has conducted at international festivals in Cuba, Canada, and the USA. Mark directs the vocal music program at the prestigious Tacoma School of the Arts.

Locally, he has conducted the Seattle Peace Chorus, the Polyphonic Singers, and the Seattle Labor Chorus. He directed the choral program at Sumner High School, the choir at Magnolia United Church of Christ, and was chorus master for the UW Opera. Under his leadership, the NWCC participated in the American Masterpieces Choral Festival with Dale Warland and Morten Lauridsen in 2007, appeared in the St. John Concert series in Olympia and Seattle Presents series at Seattle City Hall in 2008, and as guest artists at the Northwest Gold Choir Festival in 2009. In addition, he directed the Northwest Chamber Chorus's 40th Anniversary Celebration in June 2008 with the premiere of a new work by Northwest composer Joan Szymko commissioned in honor of the occasion. He has directed the NW Chamber Chorus for four years in the annual Duke Ellington Sacred Concert presented by Earshot Jazz.

 Betsy Brockman,
 Executive Director

Engaged by the Northwest Chamber Chorus in 1991 as Managing Director and promoted to Executive Director in 2006, Betsy Brockman brings over 25 years experience in performing arts administration including management positions with the Seattle Girls' Choir, the Shenandoah Valley Music Festival in Virginia, Musica Viva Chamber Chorus in Virginia, and the MIT International and Faculty Concert Series in Boston. During her tenure as Executive Director of the Northwest Chamber Chorus, she has successfully managed numerous projects funded by the Washington State Arts Commission, 4Culture, and the Mayor's Office for Arts and Cultural Affairs, as well as special projects funded by the Wyman Youth Trust, Behnke Foundation and the Newland Charitable Trust. In 1995, she served on the planning committee for the National Chorus America Conference held in Seattle and has served as a management consultant to Seattle Pro Musica, Seattle Repertory Jazz Orchestra, Philharmonia Northwest orchestra, Seattle Peace Chorus and many other local arts organizations.

Alexandra Webb,
Accompanist

Alexandra Webb, NWCC accompanist as of Fall 2009, is a native of Burien, WA, where she attended Kennedy High School and sang under the direction of Mark Kloepper. Ali earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Pacific Lutheran University. While at PLU she accompanied nearly every choir on campus, working with choral directors Kathryn Lehmann and Richard Nance. She now spends most of her time as music director and teacher for The Hi-Liners in Burien, and also teaches classes for Village Theatre's Kidstage program. Ali also accompanies and sings with Sonoro, a Tacoma-based choir started by her PLU friends. In her free time she enjoys singing in the Tacoma Opera chorus and teaching voice and piano lessons from her home in Seattle.

Northwest Chamber Chorus Board of Directors

Nelson K Wong PE
Board President
Electrical Engineer, Sound Transit

Nelson was born in Seattle and joined the chorus in April of 1997. He joined the board in 2005 and is currently working in the Board Development group. He has been singing in choirs and small groups since 1971. When not singing, you may find him bicycling or working on one of his antique radios (13 at last count!).

John Hushagen
Board Vice-President
Arborist, Owner of Seattle Tree Preservation, Inc

John has a BA in American History from Pacific Lutheran University and a MS in Urban Horticulture from the University of Washington. He has been singing in church and other choirs since 1993. He has been a member of NWCC since 2008 and has recently joined the Resource Development group. When not working or singing, he enjoys tending his large garden and long-distance walking.

Matthew A Eng
Board Treasurer
Strategic Advisor, City of Seattle

Matthew is a native of Spokane, WA, and began volunteering at Chorus concerts in June of 2006. He became a board member in 2009 and is currently working in the Resource Development group. He enjoys traveling, walking, and reading about Seattle's history.

Deon K Miyoi
Board Secretary
Licensing Coordinator, Microsoft Game Studios

Deon grew up in Hawaii and attended college in Washington, D.C. She is a licensed attorney focused on internet and technology law. She joined the Chorus in 2008 and will be working with the Artistic Development group. She is a big fan of guinea pigs, video games, and pasta.

Elaine Fick Hardin
Board Member
Music Teacher, Retired

Elaine Hardin is a native of Wisconsin and holds a bachelor's degree in education and a master's degree in music education. She taught for five years in the Midwest and 28 years in Washington and had a one-year Fulbright appointment to the Netherlands. She currently works with the University of Washington on a study of the effects of aging on mental abilities. A board member since 2003, she currently works in the Resource Development group.

Wendy C Roedell
Board Member
Educational Administrator, Retired

A native of New York, Wendy moved to Seattle in 1968, and joined the chorus in 1969. In 2008 she retired from her position as Assistant Superintendent for Early Childhood at Puget Sound Educational Service District. She enjoys birding and experiencing wildlife, both in Washington and in interesting locations such as Central and South America, Antarctica, Borneo, and Africa. She joined the board in 2010, and works with the Resource Development group.

Debra Smiley
Board Member

Originally from Chicago, Debra has been in Seattle since 1997. Debra enjoys choral music, having participated since elementary school. She joined the NWCC Board in 2010 and is happy to be involved in a choir again. Debra is a Personal Trust Associate at Union Bank, N.A., where she assists high net-worth individuals and families in achieving their financial goals. Debra's interests include (in no particular order) sewing, cooking, and reading. She also describes herself as "a complete TV/movie junkie" — and that is her best Jeopardy category.

Kathy Young
Board Member
Teacher, Retired

Kathy is a long-time Seattle resident and former NWCC member: she sang alto in the chorus from the early 80s until 2005. She is a recently retired second grade teacher who also had the good fortune to teach K - 3 music. She enjoys spending time with her two Seattle grandsons, volunteering in the public schools, singing with her church choir, and traveling with her husband. She served on the board twice in previous years and most recently signed on in 2010.