Nancy Summers's Bio

Nancy Summers is Music Director and Conductor of West Michigan New Horizons Music Ensembles in Grand Rapids, Michigan, a position she has held for fourteen years. During her tenure the organization has flourished musically and grown dramatically in membership and number of ensembles. WMNHME is one of over 230 like organizations established since inception of the original parent group, New Horizons International Music Association. She has conducted at gatherings in Chautauqua, New York; Atlanta, Georgia; and London, Ontario and continues to be active in leadership roles within NHIMA. Dr. Summers served as Music Director at Grandville United Methodist Church in Grandville, Michigan and directs the handbell choir, now in her 19th season. She is the creator and Music Director of the Annual Winter Solstice Celebration in Grand Rapids, MI. Her conducting duties also include the position of Associate Conductor for Grand Rapids Civic Theatre. Dr. Summers has held faculty positions at Aquinas College, Grand Valley State University and Hope College.

As an oboist, Dr. Summers recently retired after 30 years from the position of principal oboe in the West Michigan Symphony. She is a long time member of the St. Louis Muny Opera Orchestra, continues to perform solo and chamber music engagements and is the Music Director of Prizm, a double reed ensemble. She earned the Bachelor of Music degree from Illinois Wesleyan University, the Master of Music degree from Southern Illinois University and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The University of Michigan. She is a member of the founding committee of MOSL.