Our Staff
Pat Teiken, Mary Bussman & Rosie Romportl
Artistic Director
Mary Bussman
Mary Bussman brings considerable directing, arranging, teaching, and performing experience to her role as Artistic Director of the Twin Cities Women's Choir, which she founded in 1997. A music teacher for thirteen years in the public schools, Ms. Bussman's children's choir from Tuttle Community School in Minneapolis was invited to perform at the 2001 Minnesota Music Educators Association state convention.Prior to conducting the Twin Cities Women's Choir, Ms. Bussman conducted Calliope Women's Chorus. As well as directing music, she was a member of the duo Kindred Spirits, and recorded an original folk music CD with her partner, Tracy E. Tracy. By day, she serves as Principal of Valley View Elementary School, Columbia Heights Public Schools.
Ms. Bussman graduated from the College of St. Benedict with a music degree emphasizing choral education, received her Masters degree in Music Education at the University of St. Thomas and her K-12 Administrative Licensure from the University of Minnesota. Ms. Bussman is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and has completed extended training with The VoiceCare Network. Ms. Bussman believes in the power of music to heal, to nurture, to revive the spirit, and to experience joy. She brings abundant energy to her work and loves to provide a "time-out" from the busy lives we all lead to make music together.
Click here to read an article about Mary published in her hometown newspaper, the Stewartville Star.
Executive Director
Pat Teiken
Pat Teiken is the Executive Director and one of the founding members of the Twin Cities Women's Choir. She has served on the Board of Directors as a non-singing member since its inception. She has also served as concert producer and project coordinator for the last two years.Pat brings 35 years of experience to the position. She has founded and served as the executive director for several non-profit organizations. She consults with local organizations specializing in working with non-profit boards; especially in the areas of board, staff and volunteer roles and responsibilities, finances, fundraising, policy development, program and strategic planning. As an added bonus, her legal background adds an important dimension to the choir as she is well-versed in non-profit, contract and employment law. Pat continues to pursue her quilt art by creating several commissioned quilts each year. She may be reached by calling her at 612.333.TCWC or by email at patteiken@comcast.net.
Accompanist
Rosie Romportl
Rosie Romportl, Accompanist, is a skilled and versatile musician and has been accompanist for The Twin Cities' Women's Choir since 2003. She has been an elementary music educator and piano instructor for over 25 years and is currently in her 12th year of teaching K-5 music at Highland Catholic School in St. Paul. Ms. Romportl trains and conducts the Highland Catholic School Children's Choir which recently recorded its first CD, "Sing A Joyful Song." She is co-director of an annual all-school Christmas Program, a creative endeavor highlighting every child in the school, and director of other school musical programs.Her musical activities outside of teaching include being music minister, liturgical accompanist, ensemble leader and cantor at Corpus Christi Church in Roseville. Ms. Romportl received her B.A. in Music Education from the College of St. Catherine and her Master of Music in Piano Performance degree from the University of Minnesota.
