Dr. Clelyn Chapin
Dr. Clelyn Chapin serves as the Associate Director of Choirs at the University of Northern Colorado, where she leads choral ensembles and teaches courses in choral music education. As a frequent presenter and clinician throughout the country, Clelyn focuses on non-hierarchical rehearsal practices and making individual vocal technique accessible and efficient in the choral rehearsal. She continues to serve Colorado public schools as a frequent clinician in schools and honor choirs, including the 2024 Colorado Middle School All-State festival.
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Her scholarly work centers on creating collaborative rehearsal spaces and amplifying the work of women composers. You can read her contributions in the recently published Choral Literature of Women Composers or listen to her performances with mirabai, a professional treble choir, on Spotify.
In addition to her work in schools, Clelyn is committed to expanding arts access for the community. In 2024, Clelyn was recognized with the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts (CBCA) Next Wave Leadership Award for her work with the Denver Women’s Chorus. Under her leadership, the chorus expanded from 100 to 180 active singers and has partnered with many nonprofits to amplify the voices of organizations that promote mental health, housing access, and care for the environment.
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Before joining the faculty at UNC, Clelyn spent 14 years teaching and conducting secondary, collegiate, and community ensembles in Texas, Colorado, and Michigan. During that time, her choirs were invited to perform at state conferences, and she developed a reputation for her engaging and inclusive approach to choral rehearsal.She completed her Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at Michigan State University, studying under Dr. David Rayl and Dr. Sandra Snow, and holds a Master of Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado where she studied under Galen Darrough. When she’s not conducting, she enjoys hiking, reading with her cat, and beating her husband at pickleball.