Ben Bouton, Tenor
Vancouver, WA
Billy Buhl, Bass
Vancouver, WA
Dan Colgan, Tenor
Olympia, WA
Tenors and Basses
David Cazier, Tenor
Richland, WA
A native New Englander, Benjamin Bouton is currently the Choral Director at Gaiser and Thomas Jefferson Middle Schools in Vancouver, Washington. Benjamin earned his undergraduate degree from Westminster Choir College, and his Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from Boston University, where he studied with Dr. Ann Howard Jones. As a choral musician, he has performed with the New York Philharmonic and Philadelphia Orchestra, and currently sings with Portland based Choro in Schola. Benjamin lives in Vancouver, Washington with his wife, Tara, and three kids Cormac, Conley, and Liadain.
Billy Buhl is the director of choirs at Heritage High School, Evergreen School District in Vancouver, WA. He received his B.M. in Choral Music Education and a Masters in Music Education from Central Washington University. Billy previously served as the director of choirs at Mark Morris High School in Longview, WA. In the summer of 2021, Billy received the "Outstanding Emerging Choral Director Award’ from the Washington State Chapter of ACDA. He currently serves as
the tenor/bass R&R Chair on the WA ACDA Board. An active performer and clinician, he is a member of NAfME, ACDA, and JEN, Billy strongly believes that a quality choral music education serves as the vehicle to create better human beings.
Phillip Denton, Tenor
Vancouver, WA
Philip Denton has been the Director of Skyview High School Choirs for 19 years, and Director of Alki Middle School Choirs for 12 years. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Music Education from The University of Kansas (2006) and a Masters Degree in Music Education from Central Washington University (2022). In addition to directing choirs, he regularly performs with Chor Anno, Choro in Schola, and the Vancouver Master Chorale, of which he is the new Artistic Director (2025). He has an extensive background in theatre. He served as the Director of Theatre Activities at Skyview High School from 2007-2015, where he directed 23 productions, several of which won awards at the 5th Avenue Theatre Awards. He has also led his choirs on many tours around the Pacific Northwest and California.
Joel Karn, Bass
Vancouver, WA
Joel recently retired from teaching in the Evergreen School District where he taught choral music at Union High School. He continues to sing, not only with Chor Anno, but also with the Oregon Repertory Singers as his travel plans allow each year.
Originally from New England, Dan Colgan is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Capital City Chorus of Olympia, and the Director of Music and Organist at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Olympia. He is also the co-dean of the Olympia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and maintains a studio of private voice and organ students. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in music education (voice) from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ, and a Master of Music degree (organ) from Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI. Dan hopes that as a singer, organist, and music educator, he can continue to spread his love and appreciation of music to others.
Sydney Guillaume, Bass
Portland, OR
Originally from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Sydney Guillaume is currently residing in Portland, Oregon working as a full-time composer, conductor and clinician. His recent activities as conductor include the 2022 Georgia All-State Senior Treble Choir, the 2019 Florida All-State Middle School Treble Chorus, the 34th annual Idaho State University Choral Invitational Festival, the 2018 Maine All-State High School Mixed Chorus, an all-Guillaume concert at the Lincoln Center in NYC, and concerts with the Imbroglio Sextet at Carnegie Hall and at the 2018 ISME World Conference in Azerbaijan. Guillaume also writes film music – he has written original film and documentary scores for the Los Angeles based company Loyola Productions.
Dave Cazier was 28 years the Director of Choral Instruction at Columbia Basin College, retiring from that position in June of 2020 (and again in June of 2022). There he directed the CBC Concert Choir, the DeserTones Chamber Choir, and the vocal jazz group, FreeForm. Dave also taught History of Jazz and private voice and was Music Department Lead. His ensembles received numerous awards and accolades regionally and nationally, and both FreeForm and DeserTones traveled extensively in the U.S. Dave is well known as a prolific and outstanding arranger & composer, with over 350 arrangements and compositions to his name in both vocal jazz and traditional choral styles. He also publishes some of these songs through Caztunes.squarespace.com. More are available through personal contact at Caz.caztunes@gmail.com Dave is a native of Southeastern Washington. He is a 1981 graduate of Pasco High and began his college studies at Columbia Basin College. Dave completed his Bachelor of Music degree at Central Washington University as well as his Masters, emphasizing studies in Music Education and Choral Composition. Dave also taught music for two years in Quincy, Wa, and one year at Rogers High School in Spokane. Dave was recognized as Rogers High School's "Teacher of the Year" by its faculty and staff in 1993. Dave frequently serves as a choral/vocal clinician at a variety of Large Group, Solo/Ensemble Contests, All-State jazz choirs and jazz festivals throughout the Western U.S. and is available for booking as a clinician, arranger/composer, retreats and workshops.
Jeff Selden, Bass
Ellensburg, WA
Brian Hoskins, Bass
Maple Valley, WA
Jeff Selden joined Chor Anno in 2019. Although his formal education is in mathematics (Ph.D., University of Arizona, 2004), Jeff has been devoted to music since his early teens. His previous choral experience includes the Birmingham Symphony Chorus (UK) and the University of Wyoming Collegiate Chorale. In addition to singing, Jeff plays guitar, banjo, and bass.
Justin McLeod, Bass
Bio to appear.
Mike Scott, Tenor
Pasco, WA
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Daniel Schreiner,
Bass
Sumner, WA
Daniel Schreiner (b. 1990) has his Master’s in Choral Conducting and Bachelor’s in Music Education from Central Washington University. During his time at CWU, he sang in the CWU Chamber Choir, the CWU Vocal Jazz 1, the CWU Wildcat Chorus, and the University Chorale. A lover of musical theatre, Daniel serves as Resident Music Director for ManeStage Theatre Company in Puyallup, WA. Daniel was the recipient of the 2011 Opus 7 Undergraduate Composition Award for his piece "Cain," and the 2020 Robert Scandrett Memorial Graduate Composition Award for his piece “I Am Glad.” His music is self-published and published through Walton Music and Santa Barbara Music Publishing.Daniel teaches music in the Tahoma School District in Maple Valley, WA. He sings with Resonate, the PLU Choral Union, the Wellspring Ensemble, Evergreen Ensemble, and Chor Anno and is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.
Jeff Horenstein, Bass
Muketlio, WA
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Mike Scott was born at a very young age and is a distinguished performer, adjudicator, and educator with over 30 years of experience in singing and music performance. He is widely regarded as one of the leading music educators in the Pacific Northwest. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Choral Music Education from Central Washington University, where he sang in the prestigious CWU Chamber Choir under Dr. Gary Weidenaar and nationally acclaimed CWU Vocal Jazz 1 under Vijay Singh. Mike earned his Master’s in Choral Conducting from Western Washington University studying with Dr. Angela Kasper and Professor Tim Fitzpatrick, and has reinstated and reinvigorated the vocal jazz program at WWU. He has had the great opportunity to perform with many great musical icons including Bobby McFerrin, Nancy King, John Pizzarelli, Sara Gazarek and Josh Nelson, The New York Voices, and more. A musician on the side as well, he performed in a professional vocal jazz group named Last Call directed by Kelly Kunz (from Groove For Thought) and is absolutely thrilled to be performing again with Chor Anno. Currently, in his role as the Director of Choral Activities, Mike oversees the choral programs at Columbia Basin College. Notably, he has also served on the Washington ACDA board and currently serves on the Northwest ACDA board, all while juggling a demanding adjudication and retreat clinician schedule and his busy family schedule with his wife, Angela, their children Penny and Ollie, their beloved old lady cat Agnes, and their goldendoodle sweetheart, Phyllis.
Jeff Horenstein believes in the power of music to foster empathy and bring people together. Jeff is the choir and vocal jazz director at Meadowdale High School and Edmonds College, both in Lynnwood, Washington. His ensembles have received invitations to perform at numerous state and regional conferences, as well as recognition in Downbeat Magazine’s Student Music Awards. Jeff has been honored as a Country Music Association Music Teacher of Excellence, the Washington ACDA Leadership and Service Award, and the Washington Music Educators Association High School Teacher of the Year. Jeff is an active clinician and adjudicator in both the choral and vocal jazz worlds, and lives in Mukilteo, Washington with his wife Maren, son Henry, and daughter Ingrid.
Nico Benabid, Bass
Wenatchee, WA
Nico Benabid is a choir director who recently completed his first year teaching middle school choir in the Issaquah School District. Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, he will serve as Director of Choirs at Wenatchee High School. He graduated from Central Washington University with degrees in Choral Music Education and Vocal Performance, where he participated in Chamber Choir, Vocal Jazz 1, Opera, and Jazz Combos and placed multiple times in NATS competitions. He is currently completing a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction. He has also written choral pieces which have been performed at regional and national ACDA conferences as well as at CWU's Choral Festival, and he was the recipient of the 2025 Undergraduate Robert Scandrett Memorial Award. In his free time, he enjoys spending time outdoors and with friends and family.
Soren Engstrom, Bass
Ellensburg, WA
Soren Engström is a graduate in choral music from Central Washington University (CWU). Engström spent the Fall 2025 conducting “Music When Soft Voices Die,” text by P.B. Shelly, arranged by Charles Wood and edited by Stuart McIntosh for CWU’s Vox Divina [treble voice choir]. Under the leadership of Dr La [Nicole Lamartine, Director of Choirs], Engström directed a powerful performance of longing for a loved one at the Fall Choral Classic Festival and the Fall Choir Concert. Just as
Engström was a welcome addition to the choral program at CWU., we welcome him to Chor Anno. His energetic and humorous personality, combined with his earnest passion for music, can inspire us all.
Justin Wisness, Tenor
Puyallup, WA
Justin Wisness has poured his passion for music into shaping students' lives and their musical journeys for 23 years. Under his direction, choirs have performed in iconic locations like New York City, San Francisco, Washington DC, Vancouver, and all over the Pacific Northwest. They’ve also had the honor of performing at the 2018 Northwest ACDA Convention, the 2016 and 2024 WMEA State Conventions, and the MENC Northwest Convention in 2006. Beyond the choir room, Justin is a sought-after clinician and conductor, regularly adjudicating contests, guest conducting honor choirs, and leading retreats in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska. Justin enjoys playing guitar and singing in the rock band “Slim Wizzy” with his brother. He also enjoys coaching his son’s basketball team, coaching the Rogers High School Girls Bowling team, and playing golf with his wife, Sarah.
Kent Wilson, Tenor
Salem, OR
Kent Wilson is an award-winning musician, music director, vocal coach, and educator, who’s worked at many Portland theatres including Broadway Rose, Lakewood Center for the Arts, Stumptown Stages, and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Students of his have gone on to complete degrees at Ball State, Abilene Christian, Grand Canyon University, and Oregon State. When not working in theatre, he is a middle school choir teacher by day, and staff singer at St. Mark Lutheran in Salem, Oregon.
Brian Hoskins has degrees in music education from WSU and from the Steinhardt School at New York University. He currently serves as the choral director at Nelsen Middle School and Lindbergh High School in Renton, Washington. He is a two-time recipient of the “Ahead of the Class: Excellence in Teaching Award” given to outstanding teachers by the Renton Chamber of Commerce. Brian studied choral conducting in New York with Francisco Nunez, founder of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City and world-renowned composer. He performs with the Wes Weddell “Super Band” throughout the year. Brian is currently director of the Young Men's Ensemble and Director of the Rainier Youth Choir's Consonare.
Justin Raffa, Tenor
Richland, WA
Justin is originally from South Jersey. Justin has a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College in Princeton. He taught music in Bisbee, AZ before receiving his Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Arizona in Tucson. Justin has sung with the Berkshire Choral Festival, Spoleto Festival USA, Voces Novae et Antiquae, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the Berwick Chorus of the Oregon Bach Festival, and ongoing performances as a founding member of the Tucson Chamber Artists (now called True Concord). In addition to Chor Anno, Justin is a member of Male Ensemble Northwest alongside his friend and voice instructor, Reginald Unterseher
Reginald Unterseher, Bass
Kennewick, WA
Reg Unterseher is a composer, conductor, and voice teacher based in Kennewick, Washington. His works are published by Oxford University Press, Walton Music, and at his web site, www.reginaldunterseher.com. He is the music director at Shalom UCC in Richland, WA, and associate director of Mid-Columbia Mastersingers. His voice students range from beginners to a Tony Award winner.
Reg has more works performed inside nuclear reactors than any other composer in the history of the world, living or dead.
Joseph To, Tenor
Seattle, WA
Joseph To is a highly accomplished music director with various music organizations across the Pacific Northwest, including the Norwegian Ladies Chorus of Seattle, the Magnolia Chorale, Northminster Presbyterian Church, and as a teacher for orchestras at Washington Middle School, Seattle Public School. With a master's degree in conducting and a bachelor's degree in music education, Joseph's passion for world music, especially Chinese and Norwegian choral music, illuminates his expertise. He has conducted extensive research and delivered captivating presentations on Mandarin and Cantonese choral music, as well as Southeast Asian choral music, effectively integrating ethnomusicology into secondary music education.
In addition to his roles, Joseph serves as the World Music and Culture Repertoire and Resources Chair for the Washington Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (WAACDA). His remarkable contributions to the community earned him the prestigious "Outstanding Emerging Choral Director" award from WAACDA in 2022. Joseph is actively involved as a presenter on ethnomusicology at local and regional music conferences, demonstrating his steadfast commitment to fostering Access, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ADEI) in choral music-making. Through his leadership, he ensures that every individual has a meaningful and inclusive musical experience.