Conductor and Artistic Director
Dick Brown
(Real name is Carl R. Brown, but nobody knows that.)
Native of Mississippi and graduate of Mississippi College, also studied at the University of Mississippi, the University of Southern Mississippi, Louisiana State University, and the Cincinnati Conservatory. Has conducted choirs, orchestras, chamber concerts, musicals, operas, and clinics in the U.S. and Europe and is well known as an accomplished cellist. Came to Idaho to vacation and now lives in Hailey. Founded the popular Choral Rendezvous in Challis and the Caritas Chorale, teaches at the Community School in the Wood River Valley as well as directing The Chamber Choir of Idaho, Anam Cara.

Assistant Music Director
Jerry Shively
Directed Jr. High vocal music for 5 yrs and High School vocal music for 17yrs. Directed the same church choir for 42 yrs and a barbershop chorus for 14 years. Directed choirs at conferences for NW Music Educators, NW Choral Directors and Idaho Music educators. District Music Coordinator for 18 yrs, enjoys hunting, fishing, and packing llamas (they get pretty heavy at times) - shares the enjoyment of music with wife, Ann, and 2 sons - Scott & Todd.

Singers:

Valeen Archibald - former member
Member of Actor's Equity Association, Worked with Missouri Repertory Company, Master of Fine Arts in Acting and Directing, Studied at the Conservatory of Music, University of Missouri-Kansas City. Sang in Madrigals at UMKC and in Candide and Sweeney Todd with Kansas City Lyric Opera. Sang with the Salt Lake Oratory Choir, student soloist with Utah Opera Company at Southern Utah University.

Gail Birdsong
In her 13th year as Director of Choral/Vocal activities at Skyline High School, taught for 8 yrs at Foothill College in Los Altos, California. Bachelor's in Vocal Performance and Master's in Choral Conducting from San Jose State University where she was the only student member of the National Board of the American Choral Director's Association. Has toured abroad extensively as singer and conductor. Has sung professionally including as back-up vocalist for Rosemary Clooney several times. Conducted choirs for the Methodist Church, was Musical Director of the Los Altos Youth Theater Conservatory. Her Skyline Choirs have performed at both State and North West Division conventions of the Music Educator's National Conference and the American Choral Director's Association.

Camille Blackburn - former member
Native of Idaho Falls with a Bachelor of Music in Choral Education and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance. Northwest finalist in 1982 for The Metropolitan Opera Auditions. Teaches choral music at Hillcrest High School, has a large private voice studio, and is sought after as an accompanist. Married, with two children, and two grandchildren.

Kristine Blaess - former member
B.A. in music (Organ and Voice) St. Olaf College, graduate work in Sacred Music (Organ and Conducting) at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN and a Master of Divinity degree in 1999. Spent a year in Australia on a post-graduate fellowship with her husband (ask her about herding 13,000 sheep!), and is enjoying life as Bereavement Chaplain, Interim Pastor, Pastor's wife, choir member, and dog mom.

Billie Brown
B.S. Mathematics, Mississippi College, M.Ed., Mississippi State University. Taught college and Jr./Sr. High math for 25 years in Mississippi. Now teaches at College of Southern Idaho and works at Bigwood Preschool in Ketchum. Played violin/viola with the Mississippi Symphony, Boise Philharmonic, and the Idaho Falls Symphony. Has sung with many choral groups (came with the marriage - see "Dick Brown", above). Presently sings with Caritas Chorale and St. Thomas Episcopal Choir in Ketchum. Loves Idaho winters - no more Mississippi heat!!

Greg Carroll - former member
Researcher with Bechtel in Idaho Falls. Joined Anam Cara in late 2000. Composes sacred choral music, directs a local church choir and leads the Idaho Falls Sacred Harp Singing Group, which sings traditional early American shape note music (newcomers always welcome). His wife, Laurel Roberts, teaches private piano lessons.

Kathryn Chapman
Mother of six kids (two still at home) and two Siamese cats, Yin and Yang. Started studying piano at age 7. Has taught piano privately for 30 years, and lends her services as an accompanist for many community musical groups and her church. Started singing before she was two years old and has been singing in choirs since Jr. High School. During her high school years her entire family traveled around the region singing - an Idaho Von Trapp family, if you will.

Renie Clements - former member
Music educator 18 years. B. of Music Ed. from U. of Montana, taught choral music at Idaho Falls High School 12 years and now is an elementary music specialist for the school district. Member and past Idaho President and Treasurer of American Choral Directors Association. Education chair for Idaho Falls Symphony, has worked with singers for the Idaho Falls Opera Theatre and the Idaho Falls Youth Arts Centre, adjudicates choral festivals in the Northwest and directs the Trinity United Methodist Church Choir. Involved with music eduation curriculum planning for the State of Idaho Fine Arts Education Department. Charter member of Anam Cara, enjoying her return after a four year hiatus. Children, Kelsi and Brandon, are musicians in their school orcestra and band and enjoy making music with their mom at home.

Clare Craig - former member
Twenty years of choral singing experience, including performances ofBeethoven's 9th Symphony, Orff's "Carmina Burana" and the Verdi Requiem. Was a member of and frequent soloist for the Westminster Choral Arts Society in Westminster, MD for eleven years before arriving in Idaho Falls. Also a member of the Idaho Falls Symphony Chorale.

Rob Farnam
Attorney with Holden, Kidwell, Hahn and Crapo in Idaho Falls for 38 years. Former president 7th District Bar Association. Originated and coordinated "It's the Law" newspaper column for 20 years. Has performed 40 principal roles in Idaho Falls Opera Theatre productions. Board member of IFOT for many years and president for 11 years. Frequent soloist with the Idaho Falls Symphony and other Easter Idaho musical groups. Board member and past president of Idaho Falls Community Concert Association. Active member of The First Baptist Church. Married with three grown children. Coached youth baseball, soccer and basketball. Avid golfer with two holes-in-one!

Jim Hansen - former member
Registered Nurse (Critical Care) and BA from Brigham Young University in Music/Choral studies. Studied music and theatre in high school and participated in several Idaho Falls Opera Theatre and Latter-day Sounds productions. Has lent his voice to 5 CD recordings and numerous choral groups including the BYU Concert Choir and Men's Chorus, The Early-Music Ensemble, and a cappella groups "Clueless" and "Leading Tone". His love for the polyphony of Tallis and Byrd brought him to Anam Cara in 2001, and he continues to arrange music for his church.

Mark Huntley - former member
Radiochemist at Argonne National Laboratory West with 16 years experience. BS in Chemistry from Idaho State University/MS in Analytical Chemistry from University of Idaho. Sang in choruses and choirs for many years but after a twenty year break is now getting back into singing. Is also learning to play piano and hopes to be as good as his teacher, someday. Originally from Cleveland, was a member of The Southeast Summer Theater. Proud father of two beautiful girls. Enjoys running and camping in Idaho's short summers and skiing in the long winters.

Annette Jones
B.M in Choral Music Education and minor in Spanish from BYU. Lived in Hollister, California from 1997-2002 where she taught choir, Music Theory and Spanish at San Benito High school, was assistant director of the Oriana Chorale (community choir), soloed in The Messiah and with the Hartnell College Choir, started private music studio with 40 piano and voice students, met and married Jeremy, gave birth to their beautiful daughter Aleah. Moved to Idaho Falls in December of 2002 and is thrilled that the arts are alive in Idaho!!

Karel Kingrey
Began studying voice as a teenager and received a B.A. with a music major from the University of Missouri. Then received degrees in chemical engineering and chemistry from the University of Washington. Worked at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory for eighteen years. Toured France and Switzerland as a soloist with the Caritas Chorale. Has been a soloist with the Idaho Falls Symphony Chorale and the Idaho Falls Opera Theatre and is a pushover for golden retrievers..

Dieter Knecht
Has sung leading tenor roles for the Idaho Falls Opera Theatre and as soloist for the Idaho Falls Symphony and Chorale. Performed with the Oberlin College Choir and the University of Minnesota early music Collegium Musicum ensembles. Past director of the music program and choir at Idaho Falls Congregational Church. Retired Ph.D. chemist and researcher from the Idaho National Laboratory. A 30+ year resident of Idaho Falls he also enjoys skiing and hiking and recently climbed many of the highest peaks in the Teton range, including the Grand Teton.

Chris McIntosh - former member
Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics and Coordinator, Agribusiness Degree Program, University of Idaho at Idaho Falls, Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Texas A&M University, fly fisherman, amateur zymurgist, and, a rarity in Idaho, admits to being a democrat. Played with the University of Idaho Symphony, the Washington Idaho Symphony, the Brazos Valley Symphony, sang with the University of Idaho Chamber Singers, the Brazos Valley Chorale, the Athens Master Chorale, the Athens Chamber Singers and has played in bands ranging from bluegrass to rock and roll. Married, with 3 kids.

Paul Menser
Began singing seriously at age 10, when he joined the men and boys choir at the Cathedral Church of St. John in Wilmington, Delaware. Moved to Idaho Falls in 1982, and has sung in many Idaho Falls Opera Theatre productions. Member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, where he was choir director for two-and-a-half years in the mid-1990s. Sings and plays guitar in a five-piece rock 'n' roll band.

Diane Mondell
B. in Music Ed., Univ. of Montana. In Idaho Falls 31 yrs, voice teacher longer than that. Teacher and guest artist at Choral Rendezvous. As a child was featured "Star of Tomorrow" on Jimmy Valentine's radio show in St. Paul. Active in Idaho Falls Music Club, a founder of the Idaho Falls Opera Theatre (has sung over 20 leading roles), was a member and soloist with the Idaho Falls Symphony and Chorale, is a member of the Viva la Voce chorale, directed church choirs, was choir teacher at Bonneville High School, is Newspaper in Education Coordinator for the Idaho Falls Post Register. Married, has 2 grown children, and might be the shortest in the choir, but has some close competition.

Solveig Nyberg-Akert
After moving to Idaho from Nebraska 2 years ago, has become Artistic Director of Idaho Falls Opera Theatre, Choir Director at St. Paul's Methodist Church, Conductor of Idaho Falls Symphony Chorale and operates a private studio teaching voice, piano, and violin. B. of Music from Yankton College and Masters in Vocal Performance from the U. of Nebraska. Has sung with Dale Warland Singers, the Oregon Bach Festival, Mannheim Steamroller and many opera, oratorio and musical theater productions. Has assisted with musical direction of Anam Cara.

Clancy L. Passey
Has been singing her whole life. Sang in all her high school choirs. Studied music and sang in choirs at Utah State University for two years. Involved in church choir. Private voice lessons for two years. Sang in Idaho Falls Opera Theatre productions of Madama Butterfly and The Marriage of Figaro, as well as other musical theater performances. Dabbles at the piano. Married with two small children, Mac and Ella. Loves being a mom, hanging out with family and playing ultimate Frisbee! Looking forward to more opportunities to sing!

Joe Podany - former member
Physician and surgeon with a practice in Idaho Falls. Never sang much, except in the shower, until wife (see "Karen Podany", below) told him he could sing. Saw Karen do the Mozart Requiem, was hooked, and has been singing in one group or another ever since. Still hasn't sung "THE" Requiem, however. Studied piano and organ from age 5 to about 13 when sports took the front seat for a while (played football for Syracuse University). Studied cello briefly. Has really come to love music...all kinds...almost.

Karen Podany - former member
Registered nurse (ER and Coronary Care), studied music at Idaho State University. At-home mom of 3 beautiful teen-aged daughters. Composer, poet, gourmet cook, amateur photographer, and "day-trader". Performed roles in "The Mikado", and "The Apple Tree", 1st place talent awards (county, and state), Jr. Miss 1970-Pennsylvania, Lions Club Award for vocal performance, church soloist.

Pearl Rutherford - former member
Originally from Guam, earned a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. Studied piano from age 8 through most of college, didn't start voice lessons until college. Had lead roles in college, church and community productions in Hawaii and in Idaho Falls. Has appeared as a soloist with the Hawaii Chamber Orchestra, the Idaho Falls Symphony, the Snake River Chamber Orchestra and (believe it or not) at two Pro Bowl games in Aloha Stadium. Has 1 husband, David, 2 children, Emily (7) and Evan (6), and 3 cats, Serge, Zubin and Chloe.

Michael Schofield
Graduated Idaho State University, a CPA and Budget Officer for The Department of Energy, Idaho Falls. Since his youth has performed lead tenor and major support roles in local community choirs and theater productions. Currently serves as his church's choir director and is a Board Member of the Idaho Falls Opera Theatre, and The Idaho Falls Symphony Chorale. Frequently requested to sing solos and ensemble works, has shared his music for free for over forty years, so he can't give up his day job. Lived all his life in Idaho except for the 10 years he camped-out in Texas, Mississippi, and California. Lover of Rita and their six children.

Joan Tallman
B.S. Art Ed./Music minor, cheerleader (we like to say she was on a football scholarship) at University of Wisconsin. Soloist with Idaho Falls Opera Theatre (for 22 years), Idaho Falls Symphony, Idaho State Civic Symphony, Elkhorn Summer Symphony. Private voice teacher and clinician, adjunct voice faculty at Ricks College, vocal and language coach at Choral Rendezvous in Challis, Idaho. Soloist with Michigan Opera Theatre, Pennsylvania Opera Festival, Pittsburgh Madrigal Singers. Currently serving on the Opera Theatre board, and the Community Concert board. Married, 3 daughters, 3 grandsons.

Doug Taylor
B.S. Pomona College, MBA Stanford. Retired from career at Pacific Bell, where he managed a variety of programs and projects in data processing. Sang in glee club at Pomona and came back to singing in the St. Thomas choir, and, later Caritas Chorale in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Paula J. Way
Raised in a rural Michigan village, began singing at 5 years old and started soloing in church at twelve. Married a career Army man, Jack, and raised a son and daughter in Europe and the Middle East. After Jack’s retirement, has lived in Ammon, Idaho since 1991. B.A. in Elementary Education, minor in music, studied voice with Dr. Mei Zhong at Idaho State University. Teaching and being with two wonderful grandsons keeps a song in Paula's heart. When asked how she would be different from her mother, Paula replied that she would just sing better. (It was not to be! Her mom still has a beautiful voice at 68 years young! )

Kathryn Welsh-DeVries
B.A. Child Psychology, M.A.s Special Education - Multi Impaired and Early Childhood. Has taught children with disabilities and their families for 25 years, 17 years in the beautiful counties served by the Eastern Idaho School for the Deaf and Blind. Played classical violin and sang in high school. Has sung with the Idaho Falls Opera Theatre, Idaho Falls Symphony Chorale, and Sounds Choir summer musicals. Married, with two fantastic grown daughters. Bird watcher, kayak nut and chocoholic.