Dr. Paul Piersall, Adult Chorus Conductor, received his BA and MA degrees from Central Washington University and the doctor of musical arts in vocal performance degree from the University of Oregon in 1971 at the age of 28.  He began his career as a director of college choral ensembles in 1965 at Columbia Christian College in Portland, Oregon, and returned after completing his doctoral studies as director of choral activities and humanities division chair until leaving the college for the position of director of choral activities at Pepperdine University.  He is currently professor of voice at Abilene Christian University where he has served as director of choral activities for 10 years and department chair for the past 9 years.  During that time he has conducted the A Cappella Chorus, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and the University Chorale.  He currently directs the University Chorale, teaches voice, and serves as associate department chair.

For over 40 years Dr. Piersall has been involved as a singer or conductor in university and professional choral ensembles which include the Portland Symphonic Choir, Orange County Master Chorale, Pacific Chorale, Hollywood Master Chorale, William Hall Chorale and Orchestra, and Choral Society of Southern California.  He served as associate conductor for the Choral Society of Southern California in 1985-86 before moving to Abilene in 1986.  His choirs have performed in all parts of the United States, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary and for many celebrities including Mrs. Nancy Reagan.

As a bass soloist, Dr. Piersall has performed with orchestras and choral groups throughout the United States, Europe, and Korea.  He has been featured with the Pacific Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Downey Symphony, Nuremburg (Germany) Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Kyung Buk (Korea) Symphony, and the Abilene Philharmonic.  He has performed numerous opera roles with companies such as Long Beach Opera, Los Angeles Opera Theater, Inland Empire Opera, and Abilene Opera Association. 

Piersall has enjoyed an active career as choral director, adjudicator, clinician, and singer.  He has held regional offices in the American Choral Directors Association and currently serves as the Texoma Region (Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico) Governor of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.  He is currently immediate past president of the Texas Association of Music Schools, having served that organization as president for two years.

As a 20-year resident of Abilene, Piersall is dedicated to being an active part of the musical life of the city.  His groups have frequently performed with the Abilene Philharmonic and for many civic functions.  His wife, Marian,currently serves as Technology Services Director for the Abilene Independent School District.

Jonathan Krake is the conductor for the Classical Youth Chorus and the Classical Youth Chorale.  Mr. Krake received his undergraduate degree in Music Education and his Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting, both from Hardin-Simmons University.  He is a member of Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers, The Chancellor’s List, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the Texas Music Educators Association and The Texas Choral Directors Association. In addition to his directing responsibilities, Mr. Krake is a Music Specialist at College Heights Elementary School where he teaches grades K-5 and is the director for the College Heights Honor Choir.  He serves as the church pianist at Broadview Baptist Church where he also worked as Interim Music Minister in 2001.  Mr. Krake served for three years as the Associate Choir Director for Cooper High School and was the instructor of an award-winning Advanced Placement Music Theory Class.  He lives in Abilene with wife Amy and son Connor Paul.

Gaye Lynn Williams, CCC Conductor, received a Bachelor of Sciences degree in education with a specialization in music from Abilene Christian University in 1980.  Since that time, she has worked as a music teacher and an elementary classroom teacher in both the public and private school settings, and has ten years experience conducting a 1^st – 4^th grade choir as well as a 5^th-8^th grade choir.  She was the director of a local Christian school for 3 years.  She has taught piano privately throughout most of the past two decades.  Mrs. Williams is currently employed with AISD, working at Long Elementary as a 1^st grade teacher.  She attends Beltway Baptist Church.  She is married to Randall Williams, CCAD tenor, and has 5 wonderful children:  Justin and wife, Hope, Kristen and husband Brandon, and Cara.  Kristen had the privilege of joining the Classical Youth Chorus at its inception and both she and Cara participated in the Chorus for 5 years and 4 years respectively.