Our Staff

Abby Drumm, Pat Teiken, Mary Bussman, Rosie Romportl

Artistic Director

Mary Bussman

“I believe in the power of music to heal, to nurture, to revive the spirit, and to spread joy.”

Mary Bussman brings considerable directing, arranging, teaching, and performing experience to her role as Artistic Director of the Twin Cities Women's Choir, which she founded in 1997.

Ms. Bussman graduated from the College of St. Benedict with a music degree emphasizing choral education, received her Masters degree in Music Education at the University of St. Thomas and her K-12 Administrative Licensure from the University of Minnesota.

A music teacher for thirteen years in the public schools, Ms. Bussman's children's choir from Tuttle Community School in Minneapolis was invited to perform at the 2001 Minnesota Music Educators Association state convention. She now serves as Principal of Central Middle School, Columbia Heights Public Schools.

Prior to conducting the Twin Cities Women's Choir, Ms. Bussman conducted Calliope Women's Chorus. As well as directing music, she was a member of the duo Kindred Spirits, and recorded an original folk music CD with her partner, Tracy E. Tracy.

Ms. Bussman is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and has completed extensive training with The VoiceCare Network. She brings abundant energy to her work and loves to provide a "time-out" from the busy lives we all lead to make music together.

Click here to read an article about Mary published in her hometown newspaper, the Stewartville Star.

Executive Director

Pat Teiken

Pat Teiken is the Executive Director and one of the founding members of the Twin Cities Women's Choir. She has served on the Board of Directors as a non-singing member since its inception. She has also served as concert producer and project coordinator for the last two years.

Pat brings 35 years of experience to the position. She has founded and served as the executive director for several non-profit organizations. She consults with local organizations specializing in working with non-profit boards especially in the areas of staff and volunteer roles and responsibilities, finances, fundraising, policy development, program and strategic planning. As an added bonus, her legal background adds an important dimension to the choir as she is well-versed in non-profit, contract and employment law. Pat continues to pursue her quilt art by creating several commissioned quilts each year. She may be reached at 612.333.8292 (TCWC) or at patteiken@comcast.net.

Accompanist

Rosie Romportl

Rosie Romportl is a skilled and versatile musician who has been accompanist for the Twin Cities Women's Choir since 2003. She has been an elementary music educator and piano instructor for over 25 years and currently teaches K-5 music at Highland Catholic School in St. Paul. Ms. Romportl trains and conducts the Highland Catholic School Children's Choir which recently recorded its first CD, "Sing A Joyful Song." She is co-director of an annual all-school Christmas Program, a creative endeavor highlighting every child in the school, and director of other school musical programs.

Her musical activities outside of teaching include being music minister, liturgical accompanist, ensemble leader and cantor at Corpus Christi Church in Roseville. Ms. Romportl received her B.A. in Music Education from the College of St. Catherine and her Master of Music in Piano Performance degree from the University of Minnesota.

ENCORE! Director

Abby Drumm

Abby Drumm, newly appointed Music Director of ENCORE, recently completed a Bachelor of Music degree from the Setnor School of Music at Syracuse University. A native of upstate New York, Abby has been involved with choral music in that region for many years. In 2003 she was invited to attend the All-Eastern Music Conference in Providence, RI, where she sang in the mixed chorus.

While in college, Abby served as a section leader for the Syracuse University Women’s Choir. She also directed The Mandarins, an all-female a cappella group, for three semesters. In the spring of 2008, The Mandarins took 1st place at the International Competition of Collegiate A Cappella Quarterfinals.

Our Board of Directors

2009-2010 Board of Directors

Emily Reilly, President
Erica Mauter, Vice President
Sage Walen, Treasurer
Barb Gacek, Secretary
Mary Bussman, Artistic Director
Pat Teiken, Executive Director

Marty Grimes
Susan Harris
Melissa Palank
Patti Phenix
Sue Pohlod
Heidi Pross
Gillian Reynolds
Susan Terry