An Iowa native, Rick Kvam studied music at Harvard College and Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and has lived in Rochester, Minnesota since 1980. Rick founded the Rochester Men’s Capella in 1982, the Choral Arts Ensemble in 1985, and the Honors Choirs of SE Minnesota in 1992. The 48-voice Choral Arts Ensemble has collaborated with, among others, the Dale Warland Singers, The Singers-MCA, Minneapolis Guitar Quartet, and Cantus; has performed with SPCO and Bach Society of Minnesota; has commissioned over 65 new choral works; and has sung on MPR, ACDA and Chorus America conventions, and Prairie Home Companion.