The Topeka Festival Singers was founded in 1984 by music director Myles Criss, organist and choirmaster at Grace Episcopal Cathedral, and accompanist Dr. Richard Gayhart, organist at First Presbyterian Church in Topeka. From an initial group of sixteen, the Singers has grown over the years and gained a reputation for high quality performances that have taken them around the northeast Kansas area and on two European tours.
Music director emeritus Dr. Kevin Kellim led the Singers for 32 years, from 1987 until 2019. Under his direction the TFS introduced choral pieces composed especially for the Festival Singers. Libby Larson, Ben Alloway, Daniel Gawthrop, Andre Thomas, Walter Pelz, Donald McCullough, and Dan Forrest have written works first performed by the TFS.
The Singers continued in 2019 under the direction of Dr. Paul Tucker, recently retired from the choral department of the University of Kansas. During the 2020-2021 pandemic, the Singers produced three online concerts in a virtual format.
Dr. Brett Robison is the new artistic director of the Topeka Festival Singers. Brett has conducted choirs and orchestras of all ages and ability levels for the past twenty-five years. Before moving to Northeast Kansas, Brett served as the assistant professor of music and director of choirs at Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI. As a public school music educator for almost ten years, he taught in Iowa, Minnesota, and Arizona. Brett continues to be in demand as a clinician and festival conductor for choirs and orchestras.
Brett is also the executive director of the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and has a passion for nonprofit leadership in the performing arts. Brett founded the music nonprofit organization, Scottsdale Musical Arts and served as the artistic and executive director. As a church musician, Brett has served congregations throughout the Midwest and Southwest. He currently serves as the director of the Trinity Choir at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mission, KS.
Brett’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in music from Luther College, a Master of Music in conducting from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Business Administration, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of Arizona. Brett lives in Overland Park, KS with his wife, Jennaya, three children; Elise, Grace, and Benjamin, and grandson, Lucas.
Dr. Cynthia Neufeld Smith is excited to begin as our new accompanist, after singing alto in the group for the past two years. She teaches organ at Washburn University and accompanies the choirs. She also serves as assistant organist at the First Presbyterian Church.
Cynthia has degrees in music and theology from Bluffton University and Bowling Green State University in Ohio, the Anabaptist Mennonite Seminary in Indiana, and the University of Kansas. She came to Topeka to co-pastor the Southern Hills Mennonite Church with her husband, Roger, which they did for thirty years.
When not involved with music, Cynthia enjoys reading, bicycling, traveling, and spending time with family and friends, especially her twin grandsons.
