|
|
Artistic Director
Michael Culloton is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester, MN. He is a graduate of Concordia College (Moorhead, MN) where he studied with René Clausen, and received his Master of Music degree in choral conducting at the University of Arizona, where he studied with Maurice Skones.
While in Arizona, Culloton served as Interim Conductor of the University of Arizona Symphonic Choir, the university's premiere undergraduate choir. He also served as Director of Musical Activities at Spanish Trail Lutheran Church, and conductor of the Tucson Medical Center Community Choir. For his work with the Symphonic Choir, which he conducted while completing his degree, The University of Arizona presented him with the 1999-2000 Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award.
After completing his Master's degree in Arizona, Culloton served as a Visiting Instructor of music at Luther College in Decorah, IA. While at Luther, he conducted four choirs, taught choral conducting, was a voice class instructor, and taught private voice lessons.
After teaching at Luther, Culloton worked as conductor of choirs at Winona Senior High School in Winona, MN for three years. His work there included conducting the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers, as well as providing musical direction for the annual all-school spring musical.
While living and teaching in Winona, Culloton enjoyed a three year association with the National Lutheran Choir, one of America's premiere choral ensembles. He first served as Interim Conductor during the 2001-2002 season, and was then hired to be the choir's Assistant Conductor, a position he held through the 2003-2004 season.

Michael Culloton was hired to become the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Choral Arts Ensemble in 2004. This semi-professional 40-voice auditioned choir is recognized for its commitment to choral excellence, history of new commissioned works, and collaborations with regional organizations including the Dale Warland Singers and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. He is also the Artistic Director of the Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota, a youth choir organization with four choirs for singers in grades 3-12, and serves as conductor of the Honors Concert Choir. In 2006, Mr. Culloton was named MN-ACDA Young Conductor of the Year and was also honored with the 2006 ACDA/VocalEssence Creative Programming Award for his work with Choral Arts Ensemble.
Along with his brother Matthew Culloton. Michael is co-editor of the "Matthew and Michael Choral Series" with Santa Barbara Music Publishing.
|