Faith Choral Festival

Dr. Christopher Ellis

Dr. Christopher Ellis is the director of choral activities and music department chair at Faith Baptist Bible College, where he conducts the Faith Chorale, Chamber Choir, and Orchestra. Dr. Ellis has also been the music director at Ankeny Baptist Church since 2003. Prior to becoming the director of choral activities at Faith, Dr. Ellis was the artistic director of the Canticum Novum Music Association chorale and orchestra.

Dr. Ellis earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Music from Faith Baptist Bible College, a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies from Faith Baptist Theological Seminary, a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from St. Cloud State University, and a Doctor of Arts in Choral Conducting and Music Education from Ball State University. He has studied conducting with Dr. R. Irving Van Hooser, Dr. Lee Nelson, and Dr. Andrew Crow.

Dr. Ellis is a frequent choral clinician, especially for Christian school and church choirs. He has led choir tours across the United States and Europe. He has made conducting appearances at Ball State University, Ohio State University, and Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Dan Forrest

Dan Forrest (b. 1978) has been described as having “an undoubted gift for writing beautiful music….that is truly magical” (NY Concert Review), with works hailed as “magnificent, very cleverly constructed sound sculpture” (Classical Voice), and  “superb writing…full of spine-tingling moments” (Salt Lake Tribune). His music has sold millions of copies, has received numerous awards and distinctions, and has become well established in the repertoire of choirs around the world via festivals, recordings, radio/TV broadcasts, and premieres in prominent international venues.

Dan’s work ranges from small choral works to instrumental solo works, wind ensemble works, and extended multi-movement works for chorus and orchestra. His Requiem for the Living (2013) and Jubilate Deo (2016) have become standard choral/orchestral repertoire for ensembles around the world, with LUX (2018), the breath of life (2020), and his new CREATION oratorio (2023) also receiving critical acclaim.

Dan holds a doctorate in composition and a master’s degree in piano performance, and served for several years as a professor and department head (music theory and composition) in higher education. He currently serves as Editor at Beckenhorst Press, Chair of the American Choral Director’s Association Composition Initiatives Committee, adjunct Faculty at Furman University, and Artist-In-Residence at Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church (Greenville, SC). Details about Dan and his work can be found at www.danforrest.com

Leah Barnett

Iowa native Leah Barnett has received accolades as both a cellist and a singer, and has won numerous state, regional, and national competitions. She has appeared onstage in China and Italy in concert and in operatic roles; she has also appeared onstage with renowned bass-baritone Simon Estes in his Roots & Wings concerts in Iowa. Operatic roles include Governess (Turn of the Screw), Pamina (Die Zauberflöte), Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflöte), among others. Barnett received a bachelor’s degree in voice and cello from Drake University (Des Moines), and a master’s degree in Vocal Performance from University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Sherri Nicholson

Sherri Nicholson completed her Bachelor’s degree in Music with an emphasis in piano performance from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College. She earned a Master of Arts from Bob Jones University in Piano Pedagogy. She is a current student at Iowa State University pursuing her Doctorate. Her experience includes teaching at Musical Impressions, Northwestern Music Academy, and operating her own studio Discovery Piano Studio as a Nationally Certified Teacher. She serves as the faculty advisor for Faith Music Department Collegiate Chapter of the Music Teachers National Association.

Throughout her career, she has actively served as a musician in churches, conferences, and presented in her local Des Moines Piano Teacher chapter. She is an active adjudicator for Des Moines, The National Federation of Music Teachers, MAACS Fine Arts, St. Paul Piano Teachers, and MTNA. Her volunteer roles include Vice President of the St. Paul Piano Teachers and the editor for the Iowa Music Teachers Magazine.

She has studied piano with many distinguished pianists such as Dr. Kenon Renfrow, Dr. Paul Wirth, Dr. Alan Huckleberry, and Dr. Rene Lecuona.

Her hobbies include hiking, jogging, traveling, and spending time with her husband, four daughters, and two golden retrievers.