
The Choir
Meet the people behind the choir…
James Klein, Artistic Director
Jim holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Choral Music and Piano Performance from Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD, and a Master of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of Iowa. He taught secondary choral music in Iowa for seven years and was the Minister of Music at American Lutheran Church in Huron, SD from 1978-1990.
From 1990-2016 Jim served as full-time Minister of Music at American Lutheran Church in Prescott where he directed seven vocal choirs, five handbell choirs, and various instrumental ensembles. He conducted the Yavapai College Master Chorale from 1993-2007, leading the Chorale on three international tours to Central Europe in 1998, Italy in 2002, and Scandinavia in 2007.
He and his wife Eileen, who served with him as organist in his church positions, are officially retired, but they are not REALLY retired! Besides serving as Artistic Director of Camerata Chamber Singers (CCS), Jim sings in the YC Master Chorale and St. Luke’s Choir, directs the Ringers of St. Luke’s handbell choir, High Desert Ringers (advanced community handbell choir), and plays piano/keyboard for the Prescott Pops Symphony. He is also arranger and advisor for Eine Kleine Freunden Musik (EKFM), a four-person ensemble of handbells, vocals, and piano, that has provided music for area worship services, both live and virtually during the pandemic.
Jim and Eileen have two children, Eric and Julie, and three grand dogs, Bill and Ted, Paddles, and Ripley. They also are proud owners of Marco, a sweet Maltipoo who provides daily entertainment.
Eileen Klein, Accompanist
Eileen Klein received a B.A. degree in Sociology from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, SD, where she also studied organ with Dr. Mary Helen Schmidt. She has served as organist and choir accompanist since 10th grade in churches in rural Brookings, SD; Sioux Falls, SD; Sibley and Forest City, IA; Huron, SD; and American Lutheran Church here in Prescott for 26 years.
She has led numerous workshops on organ literature, technique, and worship planning, served as accompanist for various community choirs, PFA concerts, and the Yavapai College Master Chorale under both Jim Klein’s and Dennis Houser’s direction. Major works that she has accompanied are Requiems composed by Gabriel Faure, John Rutter, Maurice Durufle, Malcolm Archer, Johannes Brahms, as well as Handel’s Messiah. In addition, she performed Handel’s Organ Concerto 0p. 4/4 with the Yavapai College Community Orchestra under conductor Rich Longfield.
She is enjoying retirement, serving as substitute organist at various churches in the Prescott area.
Our Singers…

Sue Boyce
Soprano

Linda Hoover
Soprano
Sopranos
Sue Boyce
Linda Hoover
Staci Knotek
Pat McCarver
Diane Thornbrugh

Staci Knotek
Soprano

Patricia McCarver, PhD
Soprano

Diane Thornbrugh
Soprano

Gayle Gregory, M.D.
Alto

Ember Larson
Alto
Altos
Gayle Gregory
Ember Larson
Melanie McCally
Helen McDowell
Katie Staudt

Melanie McCally
Alto

Helen McDowell
Alto

Katie Staudt
Alto

Ryan Gastonguay
Tenor

Jacob Gilbert
Tenor
Tenors
Ryan Gastonguay
Jacob Gilbert
Timothy Jordheim
Russ Parker
Bill Wollam

Timothy Jordheim
Tenor

Russ Parker
Tenor

Bill Wollam
Tenor

Joshua Harper, D.Mus
Bass
Dr. Joshua Harper enjoys a multifaceted career as a Conductor, Tenor, and Educator. He is the Director of Choral Activities at Yavapai College. Harper is a Guest Conductor with the Arizona Philharmonic and founding Artistic Director and Conductor of the Professional Chorus, Quartz Ensemble. A native of Huntsville, Alabama, he holds the Doctor of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University. Read more at JoshuaHarper.Instantencore.com.

Sandy Johnson
Bass
Basses
Joshua Harper
Sandy Johnson
Jim McCarver
Craig Ralston
John Thompson

James McCarver, M.D.
Bass

Craig Ralston, DMA
Bass

John Thompson, M.D.
Bass
