Staff

Kimberly Waigwa (they/them) is a lover of cats, a meower or tunes, a conductor, and an educator dedicated to the goal of intentional music making. They focus on the intersections of racial justice, queer advocacy, and community building. Waigwa strives to expand aspects of learning beyond the musical realm and to dive into the internal work of learning and growing in the spheres of anti-racism, ABDEI, and the music of the global majority. 

Waigwa has served as a facilitator and clinician for the choral department at Temple University and the Choir School of Delaware. Most recently they participated in a GALA Choruses webinar focused on intentional programming and performing music of the marginalized, as well as participating in the inaugural Chorus America Choral Executive Leadership Academy. 

Waigwa served as artistic director of the Phoenix Women’s Chorus and Desert Voices Mixed Chorus. Additionally, they served as music director of Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation and held a variety of other musical positions including Interim Director of the St. Nicholas and After School Music Program Choirs, private vocal and piano instructor, and guest conductor with multiple ensembles in southern Arizona. 

As a conductor, Waigwa has been selected by audition for the National American Choral Directors Association’s Conference masterclass both as an undergraduate student and graduate student. They have had masterclasses with Jason Max Ferdinand, Eugene Rogers, Joe Miller, Ann Howard Jones, Arian Khaefi, Jerry Blackstone, and James Jordan. 

Waigwa received their masters of music in Choral Conducting at Temple University, a student of Dr. Paul Rardin, and they received their Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, from the University of Arizona. 

As of July 2023, Waigwa has taken the helm as artistic director of One Voice Mixed Chorus in St. Paul, Minnesota, a queer chorus with the mission of “Building community and creating social change by raising our voices in song.” Waigwa also sings with Elevation, the flagship professional performing ensemble of Elevate Vocal Arts.

A Texas native and recent Twin Cities transplant, Waigwa is intrigued by their first adventure into the midwest. They are a lover of Star Trek, ice cream, oil pastels, long walks, and podcasts. 

Casey Oliver (she/her) has spent the last 10 years in leadership roles growing the capacity for creative small businesses. Most notably she played a key role in structuring the retail model for the Transit Tees flagship store in Chicago, and doubled the production capacity for custom wallpaper murals designed by Black Crow Studios. She recently earned a certificate in Nonprofit Management and is excited to bring her knowledge and experience to advance One Voice's mission. She uses a pragmatic, yet empathetic, leadership style, and brings humor and compassion to everything she does. Casey also has had a lifelong affinity for music, learning to play a variety of instruments throughout childhood and participating in school choirs. She believes music is a universal language that brings people together and can transcend any boundary. 

Outside the office, you might find Casey trying new restaurants, watching B movies, or trying to complete unfinished sewing projects.

Jen Rivera (she/they) has been a tenor singer and 5^th Section volunteer with One Voice since 2006, and a volunteer staff Office Assistant since 2014! She is an expert proof-reader, organizer, and a gentle, delightful soul. When not singing or volunteering with One Voice you might find Jen singing with her church choir, taking care of her canine friends, cheering on the MN Gopher & MN Lynx Women’s basketball teams, texting her grandkids, or officiating at MSHSL Track & Field and Cross-Country meets!                                                                                                         

Emily’s music career began at age 6 when she joined the Children's Choir at Nativity of Mary Church
in Bloomington, and for over 30 years she continued to study and teach choral and instrumental
music. After earning a Bachelor's in Music from Gustavus Adolphus College, Emily worked with
students of all ages as a freelance piano teacher, community theatre vocal director, conductor for
youth and adult ensembles. Emily returned to school earning a Music Education degree from UMN
and currently teaches 6-12 Music at Community of Peace Academy in Saint Paul.

Maureen Armstrong has been a dynamic force in the Twin Cites music scene for decades. She is in high demand as a collaborative pianist for many of the region’s finest performers, ensembles and musical theater productions. Her advocacy of young and developing artists is the reason she enjoys her time playing for many Twin Cities High School choirs as well as voice students at St. Olaf College. Organizations that have benefited from her meaningful leadership include The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists and the MN Orchestra Young People’s Symphony Concert Association. She also enjoys spending time during the summer as a MN State Fair Talent Competition finals judge.