The American Heritage Youth Chorus is led by a staff of professional musicians and educators who work to provide a challenging but uplifting environment where choir members can refine their musical talents and grow spiritually

Rob Swenson, Concert Choir Director/General Director

Rob graduated from Brigham Young University in 2007 with a degree in K-12 Choral Music Education and a minor in Management. Prior to his graduation, Rob taught choral music at Liahona High School in Tonga, where he served an LDS mission. He has taught music classes at American Leadership Academy in Spanish Fork and directed ensembles with the Utah Valley Children's Choir. As a composer and arranger, his music has been performed by groups around the state, including numerous LDS institute choirs. Rob holds both a Bachelors and a Masters degree in Music Education from Bringham Young University. He resides with his family in Springville.

Cheri Hancock, Children's Choir Director/Vocal Coach

Sheri grew up in San Jose California and comes from a musical family of ten children. She holds a bachelors degree in music education-choral emphasis from Brigham Young University. A coloratura soprano, she has held lead roles in many opera productions. She toured Israel and Greece with the BYU a capella choir and was a founding member of BYU Singers, traveling with them to Eastern Europe and Russia. While living in Boston she was a member and soloist with the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, singing with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops. She is currently a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and has soloed with them. She can be heard on their top-ranked Billboard CD “Come Thou Fount of Many Blessings.” Cheri has been an adjunct member of the BYU voice faculty and music education faculty. She holds international certification in Kodaly music training and has taught voice for twenty-five years. She is currently on the music faculty of American Heritage School.

Deborah Otteson, Concert Choir Assistant

Deborah was born in Oakridge, Tenn. She is the eldest of nine living children. She graduated from Ricks and BYU (Provo) with a degree in Secondary Music Education. After serving a mission in the Oregon Portland Mission, she started teaching music in her hometown of Shelley, Idaho and spent her summers in Hartford, Conn. earning a degree in the Kodály Method at the KMTI. During her time in Idaho, she was also involved in many musicals, operas and singing groups. She is excited to be at American Heritage School and to be teaching music to young children.