RCR Workshops are open to Singers and Instrumentalists (A=440) of all skill levels.
We will explore music from a given theme: that theme could be a specific place, composer, publication, genre, text, or historical event.
Rehearsals will be fun and informal, with enough time built in to talk about the music, and without the pressure of a performance. Participants are encouraged to prepare the music ahead of time if they are not excellent sight-readers, but mistakes will elicit an understanding chuckle rather than a sharp glare from the podium.
Each workshop will consist of:
a 30-minute lecture on the topic of the day
a two hour guided-rehearsal featuring a mixture of well-known and unknown gems from the topic area
a mini-recital given by the professional singers who act as section-leaders and vocal coaches during the rehearsal
Registered participants will receive the following resources two weeks prior to each workshop:
marked .pdf scores of all of the repertoire, with translations of the texts.
a curated selection of recordings to help prepare the music and be introduced to the interpretative challenges of the repertoire.
recommended academic articles and book chapters to help broaden the participant’s understanding of the cultural, religious, political, and sociological context of the music and the biography of the composer.
Fees: $40 for the three-hour workshop.
These fees go towards the rental of our rehearsal venue as well as the contracting of professional singers who serve as section leaders and vocal coaches during the workshop.
All workshops take place at Grace Episcopal Church, 1535 NE 17th, Portland, Oregon
Our Section Leaders
Each Rose City Renaissance workshop is anchored by professional section leaders who have been with us since the founding. They sing alongside our participants, supporting each section from within and bringing experience from Portland's finest ensembles to every workshop.
Kristen Buhler
Alto
Kristen is a native Oregonian and lover of music from all genres. Praised for her "smooth and heartfelt" singing (Artslandia), she has performed, toured, and recorded professionally with many local groups including Cappella Romana, In Mulieribus, Cantores in Ecclesia, Resonance Ensemble, The Ensemble of Oregon, Portland Baroque Orchestra, Oregon Catholic Press, The St. Tikhon Choir, Third Angle, 45th Parallel, and The Julians.
She earned Bachelor of Arts degrees from George Fox University in Newberg, OR in both Vocal Music Performance and Writing/Literature, then went on to Portland State University where she garnered a Master of Music degree in Conducting, and a Master of Science degree in Special Education (vision emphasis). By day, Kristen teaches braille and assistive technology skills to students with visual impairments. She has been a co-author of a national braille curriculum entitled Building on Patterns for the past 19 years, published through American Printing House in Louisville, KY. In her spare time, she is always up for pub quiz, or a spur of the moment trip just about anywhere.
Chris Engbretson
Tenor
Chris Engbretson holds a B.A. in piano performance from Linfield College, and an M.M. in choral conducting from Northern Arizona University. Having crafted his career as a pianist, singer, and conductor, Chris has worked extensively both locally and abroad. His conducting and piano credits include Dido and Aeneas, Town Hall, A Hand of Bridge, The Telephone, Into the Woods, Beauty and the Beast, Little Shop of Horrors, Once Upon a Mattress, Spring Awakening, Annie, 9 to 5, Musical of Musicals, Clue, Britten's The Rape of Lucretia, and collections of scenes from the repertory.
He regularly performs with several Portland vocal ensembles including Cantores in Ecclesia, Resonance Ensemble, Evenstar, and Cappella Romana. Chris currently works on the Genitourinary and Prostate Malignancies Research Program at the Knight Cancer Institute, where he coordinates clinical trials for cancer patients.
Michael Hilton
Tenor
Michael Hilton, tenor, is an active member of the Portland choral music community. He currently sings with Cantores in Ecclesia, Cappella Romana, and Resonance Ensemble. He has been a soloist for many years with the William Byrd Festival. A native of Portland, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Pacific University under the tutelage of Scott Tuomi. Michael is known for his lovely floating tenor voice.
Vakarė Petroliūnaitė
Soprano
Praised for her "wonderful sensitivity" and "sparkling tone," soprano Vakarė Petroliūnaitė brings radiant musicality and heartfelt connection to every performance. Her repertoire spans centuries — from Hildegard's Ordo Virtutum to the U.S. premiere of Ēriks Ešenvalds' Passion and Resurrection — guided by deep curiosity and expressive clarity.
She is especially drawn to the intimacy and emotional depth of Bach's music, having performed as soprano soloist in numerous cantatas — including BWV 32, 51, 84, and 202 — and at the Leipzig Bach Festival, honoring his work at its source. Vakarė is also a passionate advocate for new music and thrives on the creative dialogue of working directly with composers.
A devoted collaborator, she has performed with Portland Baroque Orchestra, Cappella Romana, Resonance Ensemble, Fear No Music, 45th Parallel, Vancouver Symphony, and the Bach Cantata Choir, among others. Her singing is often described as luminous, thoughtful, and deeply engaging.