Russell Svenningsen, DMA, M.M.

Biography 

Dr. Russell Svenningsen is the director of vocal studies and associate professor of music at Augustana University. He is the sixth conductor of the Augustana Choir, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2021. He holds a DMA in music education from Boston University, an M.M. in choral conducting from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music and B.M. in music education from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota. He has studied conducting with Dale Warland, René Clausen, Jon Washburn, Elmer Thomas, Earl Rivers and John Leman, and voice with Daniel Weeks, Mark Schowalter and Margaret Hanegraaf.

Svenningsen is an active conductor, performer and clinician. He has worked with professional, high school and community choirs across the U.S. and abroad. He is the first and only South Dakota-based conductor to have directed the South Dakota All-State Chorus — a choir of nearly 1,000 singers from across the state in 2021. He is also a member of the GRAMMY-nominated South Dakota Chorale.

Svenningsen is a proud member of the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, National Collegiate Choral Organization and National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Svenningsen is the adoring husband of Sarah and proud father of two children, Anders and Annika. He is an avid woodworker and a deeply terrible golfer.