About the Choir
Western Sky Choir is a brand new pop choir in Bend, OR for self identified women and non-binary individuals who want to sing. This choir welcomes singers of all levels and no prior choral, musical or music reading experience is needed.
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Music is taught through call-and-response and both sheet music and practice tracks are provided to help singers learn the songs.
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The choir will rehearse toward a concert, but the primary goals are to have fun, learn more about singing, make friends, and build community.
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About the Director
Hello! I'm Ashley Bontje, and I'm so excited for the first season of Western Sky Choir. I grew up on Long Island and as an adult, lived in various parts of the Pacific Northwest. I have sung in choirs for most of my life, including school, church, a cappella, barbershop, classical and pop choirs. While living in Canada, I founded and directed Peninsula Ladies Choir (now Island Song) in Victoria, BC, and directed Joyful Voice Community Choir in Vancouver, BC. I moved to Bend two years ago, and am looking forward to building another musical community here.
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I studied music composition and love arranging songs for choirs. I continue to arrange for choirs I used to sing with, including Seattle Ladies Choir, The Choirs YYJ, and Island Song. I am very excited about our Season 1 set list, and can't wait to sing these songs with you!
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This choir will be about having fun and singing songs we enjoy and love. Singing can be scary, but I work hard to build a supportive environment where you will feel comfortable exploring your voice and learning more about singing. If you are new to singing, this is a great place for you.
Please reach out with any questions, and I hope to see you at a rehearsal!
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Contact: westernskychoir@gmail.com ​​
About the Accompanist
I’m Amy Hansen, and I’m excited to be the piano accompanist for Western Sky Choir. I’ve lived in Bend for a decade after bouncing around the West in the years before.
My musical education began as soon as I could sit at the bench of my family’s piano (especially under the guidance of my grandfather, who was a marvelous pianist and pop organist). I took lessons from primary school through college and spent several years as a piano teacher. I’ve sung in a community choir or two, but the piano always pulls me back to the bench.
My full-time jobs now are as a coparent of three kids and as a pharmaceutical research scientist. Whenever I get a chance to play, I love working on centuries-old classical pieces, classical crossover music, and duets with musical friends.
I’m thrilled to be a part of this supportive, inclusive, and fun musical community. See you soon at rehearsal!
