Ellen Shirley joined Dakota Choral Union as Artistic Director and Conductor in the fall of 2022. A native of Peoria, Illinois, Ellen earned her Bachelor of Music degree magna cum laude from Bradley University, and her Master of Music degree on a full academic scholarship from Kent State University. Ellen has served as the Director of Music at churches in Ohio and Iowa, and currently serves as the Director of Music at South Canyon Lutheran Church in Rapid City. In addition to teaching music at colleges and universities in California, Texas and Iowa, Ellen has had a widely varied career in music performance. Ellen and her husband Tim live in Rapid City and have two sons – one who is grown and married, and the other who is currently studying music and business at the University of South Dakota.
