Bio
Revised – 1/1/11
Ruth E. Dwyer is a frequent guest conductor and clinician for festivals, conferences, colleges and universities across the United States and abroad. She is internationally recognized as a treble choir specialist and Kodály educator. She has conducted numerous MENC, OAKE and ACDA All-State and Honor Choirs throughout the USA.
Mrs. Dwyer is the Director of Education and Associate Director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir (ICC). Her work with the children’s choir has allowed her to tour and conduct in a wide variety of venues. Choirs under her direction have performed for the Indiana Music Educators Association, in Carnegie Hall, the National Orff Schulwerk Conference, the Pacific International Children’s Choir Festival, in Canada, Alaska, Hawaii and across the United States and Central Europe. As the ICC Director of Education she is highly involved in curriculum and program development, as well as, mentoring the teaching staff. Dwyer is the author three theory and sight-reading books published by ICC.
Ruth Dwyer is also the Artistic Director of the Columbus Indiana Children’s Choir, a co-operative effort of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. She occasionally teaches music methods for Butler University and is a published composer, choral arranger and editor. Mrs. Dwyer is a consultant for Hal Leonard’s choral textbook series and studio conductor for Heritage/Lorenz. Presently, her choral works are available through Colla Voce and Hal Leonard.
Prior to her fulltime position with ICC, Dwyer served the State of Indiana for 19 years as a public school music educator. In 1996, Mrs. Dwyer was named the Outstanding Elementary Music Educator of The Year and the 2011 Hoosier Musician of the Year by the Indiana Music Educators Association. Her work in the education field involves multi-cultural activities, educational needs of inner city youth, and a particular awareness of special needs students. Her teaching experiences have included K through 12 choral/general music, collegiate studies, handbell and church choirs. Mrs. Dwyer recently received the Rising Star award for her support and volunteer work with Indianapolis Public Schools.
Ruth Dwyer earned both her bachelor and master’s degrees from Indiana University where she majored in music education, voice and secondary education. While attending Indiana University she also received her Kodály certification under the tutelage of Mary Goetze and Jean Sinor.