Artistic Staff

KEN ABRAMS has been the artistic director for the Danville Girls Chorus since 1993. When he came on board, DGC had 40 girls in one choir. The program now boasts 5 choirs, 8 staff members, and over 160 girls. Mr. Abrams received his undergraduate degree from California State University -Hayward majoring in vocal performance and graduating with honors. He earned his master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Illinois -- Urbana-Champaign in 1990 where he graduated magna cum laude. Mr. Abrams was selected as the “Teacher of the Year” by the Danville Chamber of Commerce in 2006 and by the San Ramon Valley Unified School District in 1995. Most recently, Mr. Abrams was voted to be president for the California American Choral Director’s Association. In addition to his duties with the Danville Girls Chorus, Mr. Abrams has been the choral director at San Ramon Valley High School since 1984. His choirs there are noted for their commitment to excellence and their high rankings at festivals and competitions.

Jennifer Brown has been the director of the DGC Apprentice Choir since 2002. Jennifer earned her degree in Elementary and Music Education from Brigham Young University. She taught for 6 years in Utah where she directed an elementary school choir. In 1991, Jennifer returned to her native California and began teaching at Charlotte Wood Middle School. She has served as choral director at Charlotte Wood since 2000. Since that time, Jennifer has directed six musicals with large casts. In addition, Jennifer also co-conducts an adult community choir in Oakland. She adores musical theater and has been singing and performing since age 4. Her greatest desire is to make sure every girl has a song in her heart to get through the ups and downs life brings.

Frank Ryken has taught vocal music in Contra Costa County elementary schools since 1992. Since 1997, he has taught private voice lessons to children in Walnut Creek. In addition, he has directed the Festival Opera Chorus, the Rossmoor Community Chorus and the Moraga Community Chorus. He currently teaches the "After School Drama Club" at Tassajara Elementary in Danville and is musical director for the "After School Drama Club Summer Theater Camp."

Angela Borba has been directing the Preparatory choir since 2004. Ms. Borba holds a Bachelors of Music in Music Education with a Choral Concentration from the University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA. She recently completed her Masters in Music Education with a Kodaly emphasis from Holy Names University. Along with her Kodaly training she completed her Orff Level I Certification at Belmont University in Nashville. Ms. Borba's musical experience is varied and widespread. When she is not teaching, she loves to spend time performing in ensembles, especially her Sweet Adeline barbershop quartet. Currently Ms. Borba teaches Chorus at Stanley Middle School, and vocal music and chorus at Happy Valley Elementary School in Lafayette.