Dr. Alissa Deeter, Artistic Director

Dr. Alissa Deeter is a nationally recognized performer with firm footing in classical, operetta and musical theatre repertoire. She is the co-author of The Mélodies of Francis Poulenc: A Study Guide and has several articles published in the Journal of Singing. Alissa’s recording entitled Hier: Mélodies of Francis Poulenc can be downloaded from multiple music services and streamed on Spotify. She can also be heard on the Albany Records recording From the Heartland.

Alissa has served in academic institutions for almost two decades, most recently as the Coordinator of Applied Voice and Vocal Pedagogy at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. During her tenure in Charlotte, she was the co-artistic director of Sine Nomine, a vocal ensemble that engaged audiences through its innovative musical experiences to enrich the lives of all populations through music regardless of culture, age, race, beliefs, or gender. Alissa is an advocate of art to affect change and works to promote singing in local communities as a cultural force. She continues to serve and educate through her work as a conductor, clinician, and voice instructor.

Claire Robertson-Preis, Operations Manager

Claire Robertson-Preis is a mezzo-soprano, arts administrator, and educator committed to revitalizing vocal music as a means for connection through performance and innovative productions. Originally from Missoula, MT. and Boerne, TX., Claire earned double Bachelor of Arts degrees in Music and Russian from the University of Montana in 2016 and a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from West Virginia University in 2019. As a choral musician, Claire is on Portland Symphonic Choir’s roster and has performed with Resonance Ensemble; other recent appearances in Portland include Norah/Alto Chorus in Renegade Opera's innovative outdoor production of Orfeo in Underland and Second Lady in Aquilon Music Festival’s production of The Magic Flute.  Claire also served as music director for RHS Opening Act Theatre’s Mamma Mia! and Failure: A Love Story. Selected credits from Claire’s time as a soprano include: Sam-I-Am in the WV Opera Outreach program of Green Eggs and Ham, and First Lady in the WVU Mainstage production of The Magic Flute (2019). Claire’s non-musical interests include: literature and poetry, horseback riding and hiking.

Cameron Griffith Herbert, Soprano Section Leader

Cameron Griffith Herbert is an accomplished classical soloist who has appeared with numerous local and regional groups around the Pacific Northwest. Section Leader for Portland Symphonic Choir since 1984, member of the Bach Cantata Choir, and soprano for the Rose City Mixed Quartet, Ms Herbert is a highly skilled ensemble musician and soloist.

Ms Herbert was an original member of Choral CrossTies, a professional Portland ensemble under the direction of Dr. Bruce Browne. She soloed with many notable conductors including James DePriest, Murry Sidlin, Carlos Kalmar as well as Robert Shaw and John Elliot Gardiner. She was featured soloist in works such as Orff's Carmina Burana, Handel's Judas Maccabaeus, Poulenc's Gloria, Bernstein's Mass, Beethoven's 9th Symphony, Faure's Requiem, Haydn's Creaton, Mozart's Requiem and Solemn Vespers for the Confessor. Ms Herbert received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Pacific Lutheran University and has actively participated in summer conducting workshops with Rodney Eichenberger over the last 33 years.

Andrew Bergh, Tenor Section Leader

Andrew Bergh has been singing with Portland Symphonic Choir since 2021 and is proud to serve as the tenor section leader. He is in his fourth year teaching at Tualatin High School where he directs the choirs and the on-stage music for the musicals. Prior to his tenure at Tualatin, he directed choirs in the Tillamook for four years for the junior high, high school, and community choir. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and Vocal Performance at George Fox University. In addition to singing with PSC, he performs with Male Ensemble Northwest and the Portland Phoenix Choir. In 2022, he started serving on the board of the Oregon Music Educators Association as the Membership Chair.
In his spare time, Andrew enjoys spending time with his wife, Bobi, and their three dogs, playing games with friends and family, and being a devout fan of the Portland Trail Blazers.

Emma bergman, Alto Section Leader

Emma Bergman is the alto section leader for the Portland Symphonic Choir. She is from La Grange Park, Illinois, where she sang in several choirs. In 2020, she graduated with a Bachelors of Music in music education from St. Olaf College, in Northfield, Minnesota, where she sang with the Manitou Singers, St. Olaf Chamber Choir, and the St. Olaf Choir. For three years, she taught middle and high school choir for the Tillamook School District. Her work in Tillamook was recognized by the Oregon chapter of the American Choral Directors Association in 2023 when she received the Emerging Conductor Award. She currently teaches choir at Tumwata Middle School in Oregon City.  She lives in Portland with her roommate and her roommate's dog, and spends her free time hiking, crocheting, and practicing piano. 

Stephen Lewis, Pianist

Phill Hurley, Bass Section Leader

Phill is originally from Caldwell, Idaho. He started leading singing at church at a young age and always knew he wanted to be a music teacher when he grew up. He attended Columbia Christian College in Portland, Oregon, where he studied voice under Dick Dalzell. He has been teaching music in the David Douglas school district since 1986 and is currently teaching general music at Gilbert Heights Elementary. Phill has performed with Portland Choral Cross-Ties under the direction of Dr. Bruce Browne and now sings Male Ensemble Northwest, Phoenix Choir and Choro in Schola (Choir in Schools). He teaches private voice to high school students and has been a guest soloist at several churches in the Portland area. He and his wife Kim live in Portland with their children.