Janice Trumbull, Conductor, retired from teaching in the public school system in May 2009 and realized the fulfillment of a life-long dream when her private school, Northern Lights Academy, opened. Sun Valley Studios, her private voice studio keeps her busy with private voice students. She currently teaches private voice and conducts 7 local choirs/groups. In addition to conducting, teaching and singing, Miss Trumbull fills her time with quilting, reading, traveling, and, of course, music. She grew up in Fairbanks, and as a student at West Valley High School was selected for the Alaska All-State Honor Choir three times, was selected to represent Alaska in the All-Northwest Honor Choir, and traveled to Europe with America’s Youth in Concert.
Miss Trumbull earned a B.Ed. from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks, a M.Ed. from Cambridge College and a graduate certificate in Bible from Multnomah School of the Bible. As a general music teacher in the local schools, she received her Orff-Schulwerk Level II Certification. She has been a judge for High School All State Honors Choir auditions and regional Solo and Ensemble. Miss Trumbull studied piano with Delores Heine and James Johnson and studies voice with Marvilla Davis and Jaunelle Celaire. She has been in a number of FLOT shows, with leading roles in The Sound of Music and The Secret Garden. She has sung with and been soloist for the University Chorus, the Alaska Chamber Chorale, Choir of the North, Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, and is a frequent soloist in the annual Sing-It-Yourself Messiah. Miss Trumbull was the choir accompanist for all the Northland Youth Choirs for 17 years.
Along with singing and playing the piano at University Park Bible Church, she keeps busy as a Sunday school teacher and board member for the church. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Northland Youth Choir and The Fairbanks Choral Society. Having sung in many different venues, her favorite performance locations include St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Carnegie Hall in New York City, Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris and various concert locations in China, Portugal and Spain.
James Spontak, Accompanist, has served as accompanist for the Fairbanks School of Talent Education since 1996. He began his musical studies in Chicago and continued his education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. In addition to working with the Suzuki flute and sting programs, he accompanies the Northland Youth Choir and has accompanied theAurora Women’s Chorale since its inception. He is a collaborator with and musical coach of many young cellists who participate in the Alaska Cello Intensive workshops, classes, and performance opportunities offered each year. For the past two summers, he has served as a collaborative pianist with the Brian Lewis Young Artist Program. he teaches piano privately and serves as accompanist for many students in the Fairbanks area.
Director Job Application
Director Job Description/Application Timeline
If you are interested in applying for the Aurora Women’s Chorale Director position, please mail your completed application to Virginia Farmier at True North Business Services, 1201 9th Ave #101, Fairbanks, AK 99701 no later than Friday, February 1, 2019. The Board of Directors will review the applications and a conductor will be hired by March 31.
The salary for this position is determined annually when the choir budget is set based upon tuitions and donations received the prior year. The job entails working with the Artistic Director in selecting music for two concerts, directing two semester concerts and some additional smaller concerts in the community as requested, recruiting members, leading weekly rehearsals and community events for publicity, fundraising or recruitment that may arise, educating singers in proper choral and vocal techniques, and creating a vision for the future of the Chorale. Knowledge of healthy vocal technique and choral education, as well as organizational and communication skills are required. Prior conducting experience is expected.