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Director Bio

   Dennis Gephart, with a remarkable twenty-three-year tenure as Director of Choral Activities at Port Washington High School, oversees a diverse musical landscape, leading four core choral ensembles and three extracurricular vocal groups. Under his guidance, these choirs have graced audiences with their harmonious talents across various prestigious venues, from the grandeur of New York City's St. Patrick's Cathedral and Lincoln Center to the historic Basilica San Marco in Venice, Italy.

   In 2016, Dennis played a pivotal role in a pioneering initiative, collaborating with fellow educators in conjunction with the Wisconsin State Music Association to establish the nation's inaugural Contemporary A Cappella Solo and Ensemble event for Wisconsin students. That same year marked the inception of Wisconsin's first A Cappella Summer camp, "A Cappella University," a transformative gathering held at UW Parkside in July, catering to both students and educators.

   Dennis's leadership has earned recognition and acclaim. In 2015, the Contemporary A Cappella ensemble "Limited Edition" from Port Washington High School had the distinct honor of being featured at the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association State Convention. Moreover, the group has made an impressive mark on the national stage, securing a remarkable eight appearances at the International High School A Cappella National Championships in New York City. Among these appearances, they clinched the National Championship in 2010 and consistently ranked among the top five groups in the nation, most recently in 2022.

   In 2019, "Limited Edition" gained further accolades, earning the title of the Nation's Best High School Contemporary Ensemble at the National A Cappella Music Awards and featuring prominently in the PBS special "ACAPOCALYPSE: A Capella's New Note." Their musical excellence extends to the "Best of High School A Cappella" compilation album, where they have been showcased on six occasions, representing the pinnacle of contemporary A Cappella artistry in the nation.

   Beyond his school's ensembles, Dennis's dedication to choral music education extends to his service as the WCDA State Honors Vocal Jazz Assistant director (2007-2011) and assistant director for the Wisconsin Vocal Jazz Institute (2010-2015). He has contributed significantly as the WCDA State Men’s Choir Repertoire and Standards chair (2012-2016) and currently serves as Wisconsin’s Repertoire Standards chair for Contemporary Commercial Music. Dennis is an active clinician, sharing his expertise with vocal groups across the nation, leaving an indelible mark on the world of choral music education.

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