Andrew Steffen is in his eighth year at Richland High School. Prior to coming to RHS, he was a graduate teaching assistant at Oklahoma State University, studying with Dr. Z. Randall Stroope.
Outside of teaching, Andrew is also a conductor and composer. His works are performed across the US at high schools, colleges, conferences, and reading sessions. From 2011 to 2013, he served as composer-in-residence for The Master Singers (Eau Claire, WI), and in 2014 was named the national winner of the ACDA sponsored Raymond W. Brock Composition Contest. Recently, he served as Co-Artistic Director of the organic Twin Cities organization Pop-Up Choir and interim director of the Stillwater Chamber Singers (OK).
As an accomplished pianist, Andrew has accompanied numerous choral ensembles and has played for sessions at conventions and festivals. Collaborative opportunities include the North Central American Choral Directors Association, Oklahoma Music Educators Association, and Music Celebrations International.
From 2011 to 2013, Andrew served as The Master Singers (Eau Claire, WI) composer-in-residence. His works are performed with increasing frequency and featured at reading sessions and conventions across the United States. His compositions have also won several prestigious competitions including the Raymond W. Brock Student Composition Competition, sponsored by ACDA. Additionally, in 2013, Andrew’s work Adoro te, Devote won the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Student Composition Contest.
His works are published through Walton, Alliance, ECS, Carl Fischer and Colla Voce. For more information, visit www.apsteffen.com
Professional affiliations include TCDA, TMEA, and ACDA.
Lorelai Taylor is beginning her third year with the RHS Choir Department as the Associate Director. Previously, she taught middle school/JH in the DFW area for 21 years. She taught at North Richland Middle School for the last 9 years, and also Central JH (6 years) and Euless JH (5 years) in HEB. Under her direction, her choirs have consistently received sweepstakes ratings at UIL Contest, as well as Best in Class and Grand Champion awards at music festivals. Her Varsity Treble choir performed at Southwestern ACDA in both 2012 and 2018, as well as TMEA in 2018. Before she taught in the classroom, she taught private voice for JH and High school. She also performed with Fort Worth Opera for six years, where she was also the chorus manager. Mrs. Taylor received her Bachelor of Music in vocal performance and pedagogy from UT Arlington. When not teaching, she enjoys lots of outdoor activities with her husband Ray, and spending time with family. She holds memberships in TMEA, TCDA, and TMAA. Mrs. Taylor is grateful to have the daily adventures of teaching in the choral classroom, and looks forward to joining the team at RHS.