MEET RYC’S AWARD-WINNING STAFF!
“I love singing with all of my friends and just being able to make music that is simply beautiful. Hearing the harmonies blend together is one of my favorite things, and the music we have made together over the years is truly something special.”
“The kids are learning to trust themselves, their directors and their peers and always put on a great show.”
“RYC gave me a safe place to be me and grow. I learned about all different kinds of music and learned to express myself comfortably through song. I have gained life long connections in RYC.”
“Rainier Youth Choirs offers an excellent musical education for kids of all ages. The leadership and instruction are top notch and the kids are all passionate, learning, engaged, happy and musical. What could be better?”
“It was the first place I cultivated my serious love for music and learned how to conduct myself in a professional manner. It was a space full of friends and wonderful musicians. I have so many great memories.”
“RYC is full of amazing teachers, and it’s a great place to have children explore their love for singing.”
“RYC gave me a wonderful group of friends but more importantly it was a high-level musical performance group that I truly felt I belonged in. I loved the touring opportunities and the ability to sing much more complex music than my high school choir was capable of.”
“RYC was more than just a choir. I formed lasting friendships, built confidence as a performer, and gained a greater appreciation for the uniting gift that is music. Thanks to choir punctuality, I arrive early to almost every event! I’ll always cherish the time I spent with this choral group.”
“You really are changing the world with your music! These kids give me so much hope!”
“My children get to experience the most professional and kind directors as they excel in music and music theory, which I believe will benefit them for the rest of their lives. They have also made wonderful friends and done a bit of traveling, too.”
“One important life skill I see my child getting better at each year: work hard, do your best to prepare, and then be fearless in performance, knowing mistakes are OK and just a part of the experience.”
“RYC and Leora Schwitters made me the person and music educator I am today. Thank you for inspiring us to do great things in life and have a passion for music.”
“My son has gained self-confidence and organizational skills through his involvement with Rainier Youth Choirs. Our family and friends also get to enjoy fabulous concerts. I only wish he could have joined sooner.”
“I enjoy hearing how much we can improve as a group when we put in the work.”
“RYC’s greatest asset is their staff: professional, caring, talented and inspiring music educators who clearly love the kids, each other and what they do.”
“RYC really helped grow my love of music and I found a family through the RYC program!”
“This was my daughter’s first concert … and she loved every minute of it! I was in awe at how amazing all these singers were—as a former mezzo who studied classical it brings me so much joy! Thank you thank you!”
“My favorite part of RYC is when our voices blend perfectly & it feels like we’re all one voice instead of 30. You can’t make that sound any other way.”
“I loved being in RYC. It was significantly enriching for me, as a young teen, to have a kind community where everyone wanted to be there. As a result, I gained confidence in my musicianship and myself, and it was so much fun! It was an invaluable experience.”
To find out more about each person, click on their name.
Leora Schwitters, Artistic Director/Founder, Director Soprano/Alto Ensemble/Bella Voce
Leora Schwitters retired after 25 years of teaching K-12 choral, instrumental, and general music in the public schools, mainly at Cedar Heights Junior High in Kent, WA. She holds a Bachelor's of Music, Summa Cum Laude, from Yankton College Conservatory of Music, South Dakota, and a Master of Arts for Teachers in Music Education from the University of Washington.
A Past-President of the Washington State American Choral Director's Association (WA-ACDA), she received their 2014 Leadership Award. Her Cedar Heights choirs performed in state and regional conferences for the Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) and ACDA. Active as a clinician and adjudicator, Leora has also served on the board of the Tahoma Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), has presided over the Green River Music Educators Association, and is a member of the National Association for Music Education, NW Kodály Educators, and Chorus America.
Leora conducted the 2014 and 2019 WMEA Junior All State Treble Choirs, and frequently conducts regional MEA Honor Choirs. She sings soprano in the professsional ensemble, Chor Anno. She and her husband enjoy trail running and are avid birders.
Karen Fulmer, Executive Director
Karen Fulmer is retired from the Sumner School District after teaching choral music for 31 years at the junior high and high school levels and serving as district Music Coordinator. She holds Bachelor's and Master's Degrees in secondary music education from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA. Choirs under her direction consistently earned high scores at area contests and assisted in workshop presentations for the Washington Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).
A national Past President of the 20,000 member American Choral Directors Association, Karen previously held the offices of Washington State and Northwestern Division President. She also was named the 1997 Washington State Teacher of the Year for all subject areas.
Karen was a founding board member and singer in the adult community choirs, Northwest Repertory Singers and Chor Anno. She sings in Choral Union at PLU, and toured internationally with them multiple times.
Karen adjudicates local music contests as well as ones in California, Kansas, Hawaii, Washington D.C. and Vancouver, B.C. She has conducted state honor choirs in Washington, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.
Karen and her husband enjoy family activities, especially at their lake cabin near Spokane.
Brian Hoskins, Director Tenor/Bass Ensemble/Consonare
Brian Hoskins is the choral director at Lindbergh High School in Renton, WA. He received his BA in Music Education from Washington State University and Masters Degree in Music Education from the Steinhardt School at New York University.
Mr. Hoskins is a two time recipient of the “Ahead of the Class: Excellence in Teaching Award” presented by the Renton Chamber of Commerce, was presented "Educator of the Year" by Soundview Music Region in 2018, and received the 2020 “Outstanding Choral Conductor Award” from Washington ACDA.
Prior to moving full time to Lindbergh HS, his Nelsen MS Concert Chorus premiered several works from local and national composers, and performed on stage at Seattle's Paramount Theater as well as performed with and premiered New York composer/jazz pianist Pete Malinverni's jazz/gospel suite “Joyful!”. This choir also sang for the regional conference of NW ACDA in 2012. In New York, studying with Francisco Nunez and David Elliott, Brian was a Conductor in Residence, Satellite School Conductor and Intermediate Chorus Conductor for the Young People's Chorus (YPC) of New York City.
An accomplished pianist, Mr. Hoskins has accompanied many MENC and ACDA honor choirs as well as various soloists and ensembles throughout the Washington state and New York City areas. In July 2004, Brian had the honor of performing with and accompanying the Young Men's Chorus and Concert Chorus of YPC in the Gold Medal winning performances at the World Choral Olympics in Germany. Brian is also featured playing the Hammond-XK2 on three albums ("My Northwest Home," “Songs To Get Your From Here To There” and “By the Side of the Lake”) with Seattle folk artist Wes Weddell. He performs on electric bass with his own band 'Mixed Bag' and with the Wes Weddell 'Super Band' year round. Brian also sings in Chor Anno.
He served on the WA-ACDA board as the Repertoire and Standards Chair for Multicultural Music, is Past-President of the Soundview Music Region, and regularly serves as a clinician, adjudicator, and honor choir director throughout the state.
Jackie Grant, Director Colla Voce
Jackie Grant has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Central Washington University and a Masters Degree in Music Education from Boston University. She became a National Board Certified Music Teacher in 2016. Jackie taught middle school choir for 20 years in the Tahoma School District, creating a large and sustainable program that grew over 700% under her leadership. Jackie and her family reside in the Maple Valley area where they are the proud parents of 5 humans, 2 Golden Retrievers and the owners of Rainier Bicycle.
Brittney Clegg, Director Primo Voce
Brittney Clegg teaches in the Kent School District as a K-5 Elementary Music Specialist. Prior to assuming directorship of RYC's Primo Voce, she also directed middle school choirs and orchestras at several schools in the Northwest.
Brittney has directed community youth choirs, faith-based adult choirs, and has served as Church Cantor. She has organized multiple youth choir festivals and contests, performance fundraisers, and advocated for music programs with neighborhood communities during her 12 year teaching career.
Mrs. Clegg earned a Bachelor of Music Education in Choral Methods from Central Washington University and is currently working on a Masters of Elementary Curriculum and Instruction from Seattle City University. She next plans to pursue a Masters in Conducting at the University of Washington.
Brittney has extensive experience working with regional choirs and non-profit organizations and is in her third season directing with Rainier Youth Choirs. She is a member of the National Association of Music Education, National and Northwest Chapters of American Kodály Educators, and the American Choral Directors Association.
Kelly VandeGuchte, Assistant Director Primo Voce
Kelly VandeGuchte has been a music educator in many different capacities all around the country. Most recently, she has served as a Kodály Instructor for the National Children’s Chorus, certified in Kodály Levels I - IV. Before relocating to Washington, Mrs. VandeGuchte held the musical specialist position at Keystone Academy in Bellevue, Michigan, teaching classroom music to K-5th grade, and establishing a choral program for grades 6th through 8th.
Mrs. VandeGuchte earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Southeastern Louisiana University and a Masters of Music Education from Texas Tech University.
Kelly's family is full of musicians and music educators, and she enjoys singing in a choir just as much as she enjoys conducting and teaching. Mrs. VandeGuchte uses Kodály-inspired teaching to bring the love of music to as many people as she can.