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 , directs the High Desert Ringers (advanced community handbell choir), and plays piano/keyboard for the Prescott Pops Symphony. In addition, he and Eileen sing in the Mountain Reformed church choir.
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.
Ezra Hawthorne, Accompanist
Ezra Hawthorne is a pianist and organist. Born in Hayward, Wisconsin; he grew up in Prescott.
Home-schooled alongside his five siblings, he spent his extra time fostering an interest in music. This led him to Yavapai College, where he sought out lessons in music theory, voice and piano.
Here he began to accompany Yavapai Youth Choirs, perform with ensembles and learn from many inspiring artists.
Nowadays, Ezra can be found playing with various bands around town, working with choirs and providing liturgical music for St Paul’s Anglican church. He is grateful for all the support he gets from the community which allows him to continue to pursue his passion full time.
Our Singers…

Eileen Klein
Soprano

Staci Knotek
Soprano
Sopranos
Eileen Klein
Staci Knotek
Pat McCarver
Emily Spencer
Diane Thornbrugh

Patricia McCarver, PhD
Soprano

Emily Spencer
Soprano

Diane Thornbrugh
Soprano

Gayle Gregory, M.D.
Alto

Linda Hoover
Alto
Altos
Gayle Gregory
Linda Hoover
Ember Larson
Helen McDowell
Katie Staudt

Ember Larson
Alto

Helen McDowell
Alto

Katie Staudt
Alto

Ryan Gastonguay
Tenor

Timothy Jordheim
Tenor
Tenors
Ryan Gastonguay
Timothy Jordheim
James McCarver
Wesley Traver
Bill Wollam

James McCarver, M.D.
Tenor

Wesley Traver
Tenor
In 2017 he discovered his love for musical theatre and has since performed in 12 musicals between PCA and YC his most recent being as Cornelius in Hello Dolly.

Bill Wollam
Tenor

Don Brenneman
Bass

Dave Cavanaugh
Bass
Basses
Don Brenneman
Dave Cavanaugh
Sandy Johnson
Nathan Spencer
John Thompson

Sandy Johnson
Bass

Nathan Spencer
Bass
Nathan is a freshman at Prescott High School where he plays the violin as the orchestra’s concert master. He is also a violinist with the Prescott Pops Symphony Orchestra. An Acker Scholarship recipient, Nathan has won first place in his division for both piano and violin for the Prescott Center for the Arts Youth Scholarship Competition three consecutive years in a row. In Oct. 2021 Nathan was a vocal soloist for the Prescott Chorale’s performance of Dan Forrest’s Requiem for the Living. Last summer Nathan was the youngest of all applicants selected from around the country and abroad for the piano section of the BYU Musicians’ Institute. Nathan currently serves on the Arizona Youth Arts Council, representing north-central Arizona. This past fall he enjoyed running on the PHS men’s cross country team.

John Thompson, M.D.
Bass