Nancy S. Ypma

Nancy S. Ypma, D.Mus., is professor of music and Chair of the Division of Visual and Performing Arts at McKendree University, where she directs the Chamber Choir, teaches organ lessons and courses in music history, fine arts, musical theatre, conducting.  Dr. Ypma received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from UCLA and her Master of Music and Doctorate of Music degrees in organ performance from Northwestern University. As a student at UCLA, Dr. Ypma was one of 40 organists chosen from around the world to study at the Royal School of Church Music in England and was subsequently invited to perform at Westminster Abbey in London.   During her collegiate years, Dr. Ypma won first prize in the Long Beach AGO competition and was the National Winner of the Gruenstein Memorial Organ competition, sponsored by the Chicago Club of Women Organists. After her graduate studies, Dr. Ypma studied at Cambridge and at the American Church in Paris. She also participated in a faculty exchange in 1999, which gave her the opportunity to study and perform in The Netherlands. As a concert organist, Dr. Ypma has performed throughout out the United States and Canada.  Dr. Ypma is also organist and music director at St. George’s Episcopal Church in Belleville where she plays for services and directs the adult choir and the choristers.