Dr. Brett Robison
Dr. Brett Robison is a distinguished conductor, educator, and nonprofit arts leader who is excited and humbled to begin his work as the Artistic and Executive Director of Great River Chorale. With more than twenty-five years of experience conducting choirs and orchestras of all ages and ability levels, he is widely recognized for his ability to inspire musicians, cultivate artistic excellence, and build meaningful connections through music.
In addition to his artistic leadership, Brett brings extensive executive experience in the performing arts. He has served as Executive Director of Friends of Chamber Music Kansas City and the Topeka Symphony Orchestra, where he led strategic growth, strengthened financial sustainability, and expanded community engagement. He also founded a multi-generational nonprofit music organization, Scottsdale Musical Arts, dedicated to ensemble music-making and arts education.
Brett’s career began in education, where he spent nearly a decade as a public-school music educator in Minnesota, Iowa, and Arizona. He later served as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choirs at Viterbo University, mentoring young musicians and future educators. He remains active as a clinician and guest conductor for choirs and festivals across the country. Deeply committed to the role of music in community life, Brett has also served as a church musician throughout the Midwest and Southwest. Most recently, he has served as Director of the Trinity Choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mission, Kansas.
Brett holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Luther College, a Master of Music in Conducting from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Business Administration from Viterbo University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona. Brett is married to Jennaya Robison, the Artistic Director of the National Lutheran Choir, and has three adult children and two grandchildren.
Great River Chorale Roster – Spring 2026
Artistic staff
- Mary Kay Geston, Artistic Managing DirectorSponsored by Anita & Don Fischer, Charles & Judith Welter
- Stephanie Otremba, Operations Assistant
Soprano
- Janet Anderson
- Jessica BasolSponsored by Donna Harris, Roberta Basol
- Rebecca BotzSponsored by Steve & Sharon Botz
- Jamie DeeringSponsored by Any Day Kayak Adventurers
- Maria Erceg
- Anita FischerSponsored by Gina Bystedt, Deanne & Patrick Hollermann, Katy Korby, Kristin Wolf, Jeanne & Mike Woods
- Darcy Lease-GubrudSponsored by John & Nancy Lease
- Nina Lasceski, OSBSponsored by Carolina & Fred Shermock, Deanne & Patrick Hollermann
- Marit Ortega
- Stephanie Otremba
- Caitlin OttoSponsored by Dale & Cathy Hutchcraft
- Marit RipleySponsored by Doug & Mary Kay Geston
- Carol ShowalterSponsored by Brad Petry
- Jennifer Stoutenburg
- Amy WalkerSponsored by Jason Walker, Gary Sneide, Cathy Bussey-Wolff
- Aera WenischSponsored by Dave Wenisch
Alto
- Anna Blommer
- Natalie CopelandSponsored by Stacey Johnson
- Hayley Elvendahl-Rumley
- Eileen Farrell
- Donna Harris Sponsored by Mary Munger, Marc & Cynthia Cannon, Roberta Basol
- Chris Ann Johnson Sponsored by Charlotte Stephens in memory of Lowell Olson, The Old Man Wool Farm
- Erin Rysavy JurekSponsored by the Rysavy Family
- Ellen Kain
- Amanda KoubskySponsored by Bob & Cindy Koubsky
- Jean KraftSponsored by Mark Larcom
- Emily Kvidt
- Maureen Otremba
- Lori Roggenkamp
- Claire StudtSponsored by Larry Studt
- Lisa Whiteoak
- El Wilder
- Kate Wilder
Tenor
- Lucas Ford
- Calvin Denson Lehman
- Jacob Lohman
- Chris Nhotsavang
- Matthew Palmateer
- Aelred Senna, OSB
- Tony StoutenburgSponsored by His Best Friend
- Jeremiah Weber
- Derik WeldonSponsored by Nancy, Hannah & Cecelia Weldon
- Riley WenischSponsored by Dave Wenisch
- Charles Wright
Bass
- Wayne Anderson
- Chris Brown
- Bill Cook
- Dennis Douma
- Dirk Edmonds
- Matthew Kiminski
- Seth MIller
- Timothy Ostby
- Brad PetrySponsored by Carol Showalter
- Tim RysavySponsored by the Rysavy Family
- Rick RysavySponsored by the Rysavy Family
- Mike Schut
- Chris StadtherSponsored by Kathleen Stadther, Ben & Caryn Stadther
- Mike StadtherSponsored by Ben & Caryn Stadther, Desiree Kukuk
- Charles WelterSponsored by MOverland Consulting
- Matthew Zook