Church Music Institute

Jennaya Robison

Week 1: June 15–20, 2025

Jennaya Robison is the artistic director of the National Lutheran Choir and is a highly accomplished conductor, educator, and vocalist. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of Arizona, a Master of Music in conducting and voice from the University of New Mexico, and an undergraduate degree in music (education and voice) from Luther College. Her extensive work in the field of choral conducting includes serving as the Raymond R. Neevel/Missouri Associate Professor and Director of Choral Studies at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory until 2023, Associate Professor of Choral Music at Luther College from 2013 to 2020, and founding Scottsdale Musical Arts in 2009.

In demand as a clinician and guest speaker, Robison frequently appears at regional and national choral conferences and seminars; regularly leads All State and honor choirs, workshops, and festivals; and has taught courses in choral singing and global connection in the United States, Namibia, South Africa, Germany, and an upcoming festival in Italy (2024). She is the editor of the National Lutheran Choir Series with MorningStar Music Publishers as well as the Jennaya Robison Series with Pavane Publishing, and she is an active arranger of choral music. Robison has served as soloist and chorister with the Dale Warland Singers, True Concord Voices, Spire Chamber Ensemble, and the Tucson Symphony among many other ensembles. She is the national chair of Music in Worship for the American Choral Directors Association, a member of Chorus America, and has held leadership positions at Lutheran churches in Arizona, Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota.

Mark Burrows

Week 2: June 22–27, 2025

Mark Burrows is a composer, conductor, and educator whose music is published by many major houses. Mark’s works are featured on numerous state and festival lists, and he receives multiple commissions each year for groups ranging from children’s choirs to adult ensembles to intergenerational festival choirs. As a conductor and educator, Mark serves as a guest clinician with honor and festival choirs throughout the country. He also leads workshops and reading sessions at several state and national conferences each year.

Mark received his undergraduate degree in music education from Southern Methodist University and his graduate degree in conducting from Texas Christian University. He lives in Fort Worth, Texas with his wife, Nina, and their daughters, Emma and Grace.

Dr. Heather Ankerbrand

Monday to Thursday Each Week, 10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.

Handbell Director/Clinician and CMI Assistant Director

Heather Ankerbrand will lead sessions on handbell technique, repertoire and their use in worship, and will give opportunities for attendees to conduct. She will also lead a session on congregational psalmody. Heather earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance – Organ from Shenandoah Conservatory, is director of music and organist at Front Royal Presbyterian Church, and has been active in the Winchester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Dr. Wayne L. Wold

Various Sessions

Various Sessions on Hymnology, Hymn-Leading and Hymn Choosing

Wayne L. Wold is director of the Church Music Institute at Shenandoah Conservatory and serves as an adjunct associate professor of music at Shenandoah University; director of music at First Lutheran Church in Ellicott City, Maryland; professor emeritus at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland; and is an active composer, author, performer and clinician.