Te Deum KC forms partnership with UMKC Conservatory

Te Deum has launched a new partnership with the UMKC Conservatory, creating the UMKC Conducting Fellowship. Each season, a graduate Conducting student will receive the Conducting Fellowship and join Te Deum at rehearsals and performances serving in an artistic assistant role.

Executive & Artistic Director Matthew Christopher Shepard is thrilled to form this partnership with UMKC and support promising students at the Conservatory. "This fellowship will be a wonderful opportunity for a talented conductor to gain experience working with an exceptionally skilled ensemble, and learn about civic choir leadership on the artistic and organizational level."

For this inaugural year, the Conducting Fellow is Bryan Waznik. Bryan is an incoming graduate student in Choral Conducting and will be moving to the Kansas City area from Minnesota to pursue his advanced degree. “I am extremely grateful to Matthew and Te Deum for this opportunity.  Singing in civic choirs has been a central part of my musical experience. I’m very excited to get involved and learn what it takes to create these experiences from the other side of the podium.”

About Bryan Waznik: Bryan is a student in the M.M. in Choral Conducting program at UMKC. He comes to Kansas City from Minnesota, where he taught Vocal Music at Zimmerman Middle/High School in Zimmerman, MN. Along with his regular teaching engagements, Bryan has also served as a section coach for the Minnesota All-State Choirs, and maintains an active career as a performer. As a Tenor, Bryan has performed with MPLS (imPulse) and The Singers: MCA, and has had the opportunity to present a number of new works and masterworks around the Twin Cities. Bryan holds a B.A. in Music from Luther College (2015).