American Chamber Chorale > About The Chorale

Artistic Director
Staff
Members
Executive Board
Community Board

Executive Director

Linda Johnson, Executive Director of the American Chamber Chorale, holds a Bachelor of Music Education with a major in voice from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Education from Boston University. Her post graduate work includes 15 hours toward a doctorate degree from Northern Illinois University.

Ms. Johnson served 10 years as a Publicity/Promotion Specialist and Program Coordinator in the College of Continuing Education at Northern Illinois University. In that capacity she received and administered a million dollar continuing education grant from the state of Illinois for social workers across the region and bi-state area. Additionally, she has developed, coordinated, and administered programs in the areas of fine arts, engineering, children's literature, physics, and foreign language.

In addition to her role as executive director, Ms. Johnson is a member of the American Chamber Chorale: director of the Chancel Choir of the Lutheran Church of the Living Christ in Florissant, MO; and is a piano/voice instructor at Midwest Music Conservatory in Ballwin, MO.

Assistant Director

Marty Renner-Hughes, assistant director of the American Chamber Chorale, has been a member of the music faculty of St. Louis Community College at Forest Park for the past ten years. She previously taught vocal music on the high school level in the St. Louis area.

Ms. Hughes earned a BA in Music Education from St. Louis University, graduating Summa cum Laude. As a recipient of a Fulbright Fellowship, she studied at the Conservatoire Nationale de la France with Irene Sicot of the Paris Opera. Ms. Hughes was awarded a Nussbaum Fellowship by Washington University, where she received her Master’s Degree in Vocal Music Education.

Besides performing/directing music from the classical repertoire, Ms. Hughes has directed and/or performed in numerous musical comedy productions throughout the St. Louis area. She is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, The Missouri Music Educators Association, and the Voice Care Network. In addition, she is a member of Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Sigma Nu (the Jesuit Honor Society), and Pi Delta Phi (the French Honor Society).

Accompanist

Donna Pyron, accompanist of the American Chamber Chorale, is well known as an accompanist in St. Louis area high schools, churches and universities. She has been a staff accompanist in the music department at the University of Missouri-St. Louis since 2005, playing for Opera Productions Workshop, University Singers, Vocal Point and in private voice and instrumental studios. In her first season with the Chorale she enjoys getting to work with Steve and appreciates being welcomed so warmly by the members of the Chorale.

Program Coordinator

Marsha Armentrout, Program Coordinator of the American Chamber Chorale, holds a Bachelor of Science in Education with a major in voice from Southeast Missouri State University and a Masters of Arts in Teaching from Colorado State University. Her post graduate work includes twenty hours of music education from colleges and universities in Colorado, Illinois and Missouri.

Ms. Armentrout, a retired music educator, taught elementary music in the Pattonville School District in St. Louis, MO, and secondary choral music at Meramec Valley R-III School District in Pacific, MO for a combined twenty-seven years. In addition, for eighteen summers she worked at Geneva Glen Camps in Colorado where she gained extensive experience as Program Director, Administrative Assistant and Director of Music.

Ms. Armentrout is a member of Chorus America, American Choral Directors Association, Missouri Choral Directors Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity.