Chorus Austin
Austin, Texas
Described as exciting, dynamic and charismatic, Ryan Heller leads the award-winning Chorus Austin as Conductor and Artistic Director, having joined Austin’s vibrant classical music scene in 2009.
Mr. Heller and Chorus Austin have received numerous awards, including the 2017 Dale Warland Singers Commission from Chorus America, a two-time American Prize finalist, and winner of the 2013 Chorus America/ASCAP Alice Parker Award, given to recognize a chorus for programming recently composed music. The ensembles of Chorus Austin have been named one of the Top 10 Classical Musical Treasures by Robert Faires of the Austin Chronicle several times since Heller joined the organization. During the pandemic, Heller and Chorus Austin were honored with the 2021 Telly Award for the "Virtual Choir of Joy," along with the creators of the work: October Project.
Heller has led ensembles across the United States with appearances at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Chicago’s Symphony Hall. He has toured internationally in Italy, Germany, New Zealand, Finland, Estonia, Sweden and, China, where he led combined choirs from Texas at the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing and at the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai. He served as Co-Founder, Conductor and Artistic Director of the Portland Vocal Consort, one of Portland, Oregon’s, premier professional choirs, and spent a decade as the Conductor/Artistic Director of the Southwest Washington Symphony; In 2001, he Co-Founded the Columbia Chorale of Oregon, a group he led until 2010. From 2003 to 2019 he led the internationally acclaimed Pride of Portland Chorus. Today, in addition to leading Chorus Austin, he is the Director of the award-winning Alamo Metro Chorus in San Antonio.
A passionate advocate of new music, as well as a lover of opera and musical theater, Heller’s credits include: Music Director/Conductor for the world premiere of the opera The Canticle of the Black Madonna; Music Director/Conductor for regional productions of Brigadoon, Pirates of Penzance, H.M.S. Pinafore, Sweeney Todd, Annie, Company and Into the Woods; Chorus Master for Norma, La Cenerentola, Die Fledermaus, Carmen, and The Magic Flute, among others. An active performer, he has appeared and/or recorded with the Portland Opera, William Hall Master Chorale, Choral Cross-Ties, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Capella Romana, Lakewood Theater Company and the Broadway Rose Theater Company. He has collaborated with or guest conducted the Austin Symphony, La Follia Austin Baroque, and the Rose City Chamber Orchestra. He and Chorus Austin have commissioned more than 20 new works during his time with the organization, including "The Contemplations of Haifiz," an oratorio for choir, soloists, and orchestra by Donald Grantham.
An Oregon native, Mr. Heller received his Master of Music from Portland State University and his Bachelor’s of Music degree from Chapman University. He has been blessed to work with teachers and mentors including: Bruce Browne, William Hall, Helmuth Rilling, Simon Carrington, Rodney Eichenberger, and others. He is in frequent demand as a conductor, singer and coach.
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Constructing a Community Chorus: Panel Discussion
Friday, July 21, 2023
2:20 PM – 3:10 PM CST