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
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
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
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.