Choral Educator and Conductor Tesfa Wondemagegnehu Joins Classical Minnesota Public Radio Team

Nov 5, 2013

Classical MPR today announced it has hired esteemed choral educator and conductor Tesfa Wondemagegnehu as its first-ever Choral Stream Representative.

In his new role, Wondemagegnehu will work to expand Classical MPR's popular Choral Stream through blogging, social media, community-building, outreach and education. As the online face and voice of the stream, he'll interact routinely with listeners, singers, composers and conductors, developing an online community for the stream.

"I can't imagine a more perfect person for this role," said Brian Newhouse, managing director of Classical Music. "Tesfa is deeply connected to the choral community, both in Minnesota and across the country, and we are thrilled to have him leading this effort."

A recent transplant from Florida, Wondemagegnehu is also the assistant artistic director at VocalEssence. Before moving to the Twin Cities, he worked in Florida's public schools, serving as Director of Choral Activities at Freedom High School in Orlando, Fla. During his tenure, he was named Orange County Public School Teacher of the Year (2013) and received the Macy's National Gift of Teaching Award (2013). In addition, his conducted his choirs in performances at state conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (2010 & 2012) and the Florida Music Educators' Association (2011).

In high demand as a guest conductor and lecturer, Wondemagegnehu has presented workshops and conducted honor choirs in Florida, Tennessee, Ohio and Costa Rica. As a tenor soloist, he has performed both in the United States and internationally in Germany, Austria , Hungary and Costa Rica under the batons of Andre Thomas, Anton Armstrong, Krzysztof Penderecki, and Pu-Qi Jiang.

About Classical MPR's Choral Stream
The Choral Stream is a pioneering 24-hour, 7-day-weekly stream with a growing online listenership of ±60,000. Originating in Minnesota, the home of one of the country's strongest choral cultures, it features recorded performances from Minnesota choirs as well as those based elsewhere in the United States and the world. The Choral Stream Representative's chief responsibility is to facilitate the stream's continued audience growth through new and traditional media, and through direct contact with choral organizations, media outlets, educational institutions, and other potential adopters, performers, and presenters.