Director Dr. David Judisch

Dr. David Judisch, the director of Luren Singers since 1975, also serves as Director-in-Chief for the Norwegian Singers Association of America, a post he has held since 1984.

He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Iowa, and is Professor Emeritus of Music at Luther College where he was Professor of Music, Head of Voice and Opera, and Director of the Dorian Summer Music Camps.

Dr. Judisch was recently decorated with the St. Olaf Medal by Norway’s King, His Majesty, King Harald V. Read More…

Luren is truly blessed to have a director the caliber of Dr. Judisch. His good humor and infinite patience along with his exceptional directing ability make singing with Luren a most pleasant experience.

Assistant Director Douglas Poppen

Doug Poppen retired in 2018 after 35 years of teaching vocal music, the first three at Sigourney and the remainder in West Union at North Fayette Valley Community Schools. He continues to lead the West Union Community Chorus in their annual presentation of Handel’s “Messiah,” now in its 78th year. Doug sings in the Zion Lutheran Church choir and the Decorah Chorale. He earned a BME degree from Wartburg College, an MA from the University of Iowa, and did graduate work at Northwestern University.

Doug’s wife Leslie also recently retired after 35 years of teaching vocal music. They delight in their two children, Sam (a Master’s student at Pacific Lutheran University) and Lily (a second year student at Bowdoin college in Brunswick, Maine.)

Doug is an avid Chicago Cubs fan. One of his life-long dreams was realized when the Cubs won the World Series just moments before his birthday in 2016!

Pianist Christopher Hadley

Chris is from the Waterloo area. He received a BA degree in Applied Music on saxophone and piano at Wartburg College and his music education license at UNI. His student teaching experience was here in Decorah with Jim and Liz Fritz. Chris has been 5th-12th grade band and instrumental music director at Central Elkader, Maquoketa Valley, and most recently St. Mary’s International School in Tokyo, Japan. He moved to Decorah in August 2018 and is the Educational Music Representative at West Music and directs the Nordic Dancer Orchestra.