Director:

Ann Williams is the Conductor of the Con Brio Choir.  She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and Elementary Education from The College of St. Benedict, followed by an MA in Music Education at the University of St. Thomas. 

Ann is inspired by youth and loves teaching.  For the past forty years, she has served as a classroom educator, music educator and youth choir director.  She began her teaching career as a third grade classroom teacher at The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary School in Bloomington. She then moved her career to the Osseo Area Schools, where she served as a K-6 music specialist for thirty-five years. 

In addition to music teaching, Ann is passionate about youth choral music.  Her directing experience includes the auditioned District 279 Children’s Chorus, and was a founding director of the Twin Cities Youth Chorale (TCYC), an auditioned children’s chorus in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis.  

Over the years Ann’s choirs have had the distinction of performing at both state and national conventions for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME and MMEA) as well as the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA-MN).  Ann was also selected as an elementary honors choir co-director for ACDA-MN.  

Choirs under Ann’s direction have performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Dale Warland Singers, and the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University Chamber Choir.  TCYC also performed with the Minnesota Children’s Chorus Consortium at the Chorus America National Conference as well as with many other community-based choral and instrumental organizations throughout the Twin Cities.  Ann was a member of the Education Board for the Dale Warland Singers (DWS), and assisted with curriculum writing for both the DWS, and the Osseo Area Schools.  

Ann holds memberships in both ACDA and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).  In June of 2024, she was honored to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of St. Benedict for her work with youth in music. As a vocalist, Ann currently serves as a cantor at the Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis.

 

Philosophy:

The young artists of Con Brio will not only experience the joy of choral singing but also learn singing techniques specifically designed to aid in the healthy development of their young voices. Pitch matching, breathing, posture, and vowel production are at the heart of every rehearsal. The Con Brio Choir performs age appropriate diverse repertoire. Singers will perform and explore pieces in both unison and harmony.  Through fun rhythmic, melodic, harmonic exercises, games and activities singers will learn, practice and hone their music reading skills. Performances are considered an opportunity to present our unified choral voice. During concert preparations important choral performance protocols are modeled and taught.  Singers will learn how to work together to create a cohesive ensemble. Con Brio singers will develop as artists and engage in a year of fun and friendships. They will also learn foundational choral skills which will ultimately build their confidence to pursue their future choral endeavors.