Northwest High School Honor Choir

Steven Zopfi is director of choral activities and professor of music at the University of Puget Sound where he oversees four choirs, teaches conducting, applied voice, and conducts the award-winning Adelphian Concert Choir.

Prior to his appointment at Puget Sound, Zopfi served on the faculties of Penn State University, the University of Washington, and Pacific Lutheran University. Choirs under his direction have been invited to sing at the local and regional conventions of the American Choral Director’s Association, the National Association for Music Education, the Society of Composers, Inc., the Colorado Early Music Society, and other professional organizations.

A native of New Jersey, Zopfi has a bachelor's degree in music education from the Hartt School of Music, a Master of Music degree in conducting from the University of California, Irvine, and Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of Colorado. He taught in the public schools in Vermont and New York, where he also served as Vermont State President of the American Choral Directors Association and an executive board member of the Vermont Music Educators Association.

Since coming to the Pacific Northwest in 2001 he continued to remain active in professional organizations serving as Chair of Collegiate Activities for WA ACDA and NW ACDA. He is in constant demand as a conductor, adjudicator, and clinician. In 2015 he was named the Outstanding Choral Conductor of the year by WA ACDA.

Erin Guinup is a composer, conductor, and arts consultant whose innovative work spans multiple continents and communities. As the founding executive and artistic director of the Tacoma Refugee Choir, she led singers from 75 countries in performances for more than 50,000 people, including the Governor’s State of the State Address, TEDxSeattle, and national conferences for ACDA and Welcoming America. 

Her teaching career includes guiding voice students to Broadway and operatic stages and directing choirs and orchestras in major works such as Handel’s Messiah and Rob Gardner’s Lamb of God. As a performer, she has sung in more than 20 languages across three continents, appeared as soprano soloist with Symphony Tacoma, starred in Mary Poppins, and toured internationally with her one-woman show honoring female musical-theatre composers. Her compositions have been performed by the U.S. Air Force Band and Rainbow City Orchestra, and featured on PBS.

Guinup’s accolades include Chorus America’s Louis Botto Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the American Academy of Teachers of Singing Award for Inclusion and Inspiration, and 253 Lifestyle Magazine’s Person of the Year. She holds an MBA in Arts Innovation and bachelor's degrees in vocal performance and music education from the University of Puget Sound.

Chris Maunu is a conductor, educator, and composer dedicated to inspiring singers of all ages and shaping the future of choral music. He serves as artistic director of the acclaimed Pacific Youth Choir and affiliate faculty at the Portland State University School of Music. Previously, he led the award-winning choirs of Arvada West High School in Colorado for 17 years.

A four-time GRAMMY® Music Educator of the Year Finalist and two-time CMA® Foundation National Music Teacher of Excellence, Maunu has earned national recognition as a passionate advocate for transformative music education. He has conducted choirs at 14 major conferences of National and Regional ACDA and Music Educators Association events, and led the 2025 National ACDA 11-12 Honor Choir, and his ensembles have received honors including The American Prize in Choral Performance and a Gold Diploma at the Rimini International Choral Competition.

Throughout his career, Maunu has received numerous accolades for his contributions to choral music. He was named Colorado's "Best of the Best" Teacher, honored with a Commendation from the House of Representatives, and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Northern State University, where he later delivered the Commencement Address. He also co-founded and directed the professional Anima Chamber Ensemble for seven years, inspiring thousands of public school students through its unique community engagement mission.

Maunu holds degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northern State University. For more information, visit chrismaunu.com