Dr. Paul Piersall, Conductor of the Classical Chorus, received his BA and MA degrees from Central Washington University and the doctor of musical arts in vocal performance degree from the University of Oregon in 1971.  He began his career as a director of college choral ensembles in 1965 at Columbia Christian College in Portland, Oregon where he returned after completing his doctoral studies as director of choral activities and humanities division chair until leaving the college for the position of director of choral activities at Pepperdine University.  He is currently professor of voice at Abilene Christian University where he has served as director of choral activities for 10 years and department chair for the 9 years.  During his ACU tenure he has conducted the A Cappella Chorus, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the University Chorale.  He currently directs the University Chorale, teaches voice, vocal literature, opera history and serves as associate department chair.

For over 40 years Dr. Piersall has been involved as a singer or conductor in university and professional choral ensembles which include the Portland Symphonic Choir, Orange County Master Chorale, Pacific Chorale, Hollywood Master Chorale, William Hall Chorale and Orchestra, and Choral Society of Southern California.  He served as associate conductor for the Choral Society of Southern California in 1985-86 before moving to Abilene in 1986.  His choirs have performed in all parts of the United States, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary.

As a bass soloist, Dr. Piersall has performed with orchestras and choral groups throughout the United States, Europe, and Korea.  He has been featured with the Pacific Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Downey Symphony, Nuremburg (Germany) Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Kyung Buk (Korea) Symphony, and the Abilene Philharmonic.  He has performed numerous opera roles with companies such as Long Beach Opera, Los Angeles Opera Theater, Inland Empire Opera, and Abilene Opera Association

Piersall has enjoyed an active career as choral director, adjudicator, clinician, and singer.  He has held regional offices in the American Choral Directors Association and currently serves as the Texoma Region (Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico) Immediate Past-Governor of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.  He is past president of the Texas Association of Music Schools having served that organization as president for two years.

As a 22-year resident of Abilene, Piersall is dedicated to being an active part of the musical life of the city.  His groups have frequently performed with the Abilene Philharmonic and for many civic functions.  His wife, Marian, worked for the Abilene Independent School District for 23 years before retiring in 2008.

Jonathan Krake is currently in his fourth season with Chorus Abilene serving as the Conductor for Youth Chorus and Youth Chorale. Mr. Krake is a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University where he received both his Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of Music in Choral Conducting. In addition to working with Chorus Abilene, Mr. Krake is the Worship and Outreach Pastor at Southwest Park Baptist Church.  Prior to his church work, Mr. Krake taught music for five years with the Abilene Independent School District, three of which were spent as the Associate Choir Director and Advanced Placement Music Theory Instructor for an award-winning class at Cooper High School.  Mr. Krake also served as the pianist for Broadview Baptist Church where he also served as Interim Music Minister in 2001-2002.  Mr. Krake has taught private piano lessons for the past twelve years and private voice lessons for the past five.   He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Texas Music Educators Association, Music Educators National Convention, Chorus America and Texas Choral Director’s Association. He has been honored by being named to Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers, the National Dean’s List and the Chancellor’s List. He and his wife, Amy, are the proud parents of their two sons, Conner and Camden.

Gaye Lynn Williams, Conductor of the Children’s Chorus, received a Bachelor of Sciences degree in education with a specialization in music from Abilene Christian University in 1980.  She has worked as a music teacher and an elementary classroom teacher in both the public and private school settings and has fourteen years experience conducting elementary choirs.  She was the director of a local Christian school for 3 years.  She has also taught piano privately.  Mrs. Williams is currently employed with AISD, working at Long Elementary.  She attends Beltway Baptist Church.  She is married to Randall Williams and has 3 children and one granddaughter:  Justin Williams with wife, Hope, and baby Hannah; Kristen and husband, Brandon Pierce; and Cara Dowdy & her new husband.  Both Kristen and Cara enjoyed many years in the Abilene Youth Chorus.

Shirley J. Anderson is in her fourteenth season as accompanist for the Adult Chorus.  She is an honor graduate of Hardin-Simmons University with Bachelor’s and Masters degrees in Music.  While a student she was recipient of the Dean’s Honor Award, the SAI scholarship, and winner of the TMTA Composition Contest.

Mrs. Anderson has maintained a successful independent piano studio in Abilene for 37 years, teaching preschool through adult students.  Abilene Music Teachers Association selected Mrs. Anderson as Teacher of the Year in 1979, 1984, and 2003.  In 1995 Texas Music Teachers Association presented her the prestigious award for Outstanding Pre-College Teaching.  Mrs. Anderson has held numerous offices in AMTA and during her presidency in 2002, Abilene MTA was chosen as the Outstanding Local Association of the Year by Music Teachers National Association.

Shirley Anderson teaches class piano and serves as a staff accompanist at Hardin-Simmons University.  She is the pianist at Lytle South Baptist Church.   She is married to chorus charter member Marcus Anderson.  They have a daughter April (Mrs. Bill) Darroch and two grandchildren, Hannah and Samuel.

Van Hayes has accompanied the Abilene Youth Chorus and Chorale for the past 15 years. He received his Bachelor of Music degree from McMurry University and his Level 1 Orff Schulwerk training in music education at Southern Methodist University.  Mr. Hayes teaches 1st and 2nd grade music at Wylie Elementary School.  He was chosen as Teacher of the Year for 2004-2005. He also serves as the Organist at Aldersgate United Methodist Church. His wife, Kristy, is the Choral Director for the Wylie ISD.  Mr. Hayes is the originator of what has become the informal slogan for the youth choirs: Adapt, Improvise and Overcome!

Terry Graham is accompanist for the Children's Chorus.   Ms. Graham has a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Angelo State University. She has also completed Level II of the West Texas Kodaly Initiative. Ms. Graham has taught elementary music for the Abilene Independent School District at Taylor for 18 years, where she was also coordinator for the AISD Children's Convocation Choir for three years.  She is currently chairman of the AISD Elementary all-district choir committee.   She has also taught private piano lessons for 24 years and served as an assistant director of the Children's Chorus for the 1997-1998 concert season.  Ms. Graham is the proud parent of three sons 24, 19, and 17, and has one grandchild, Ali, born in December.

Gwynn Haseltine, Executive Director, is originally from Oklahoma and graduated from Oklahoma Christian College with a degree in Social Work. She has been involved with the Classical Chorus since 1994 in a variety of roles, including Lead Parent and Head Parent, as well as serving on the Board of Directors. Mrs. Haseltine began her duties as Executive Director in 2002.  Her husband, Jeff, is Assistant Dean in the Abilene Christian University College of Arts & Sciences, and they have four daughters, all youth alumni.