Meet our Staff and our Volunteer Board

Come Join The Chorus — All Are Welcome!

Please contact us and come to our first rehearsals in September for the Autumn/Christmas Season or in January for the Spring Season. 

  • We welcome all with and without Nordic heritage who have a desire to be a part of a choral group that explores Nordic languages and choral music.
  • There is no formal audition…only a basic vocal skill and a desire to actively participate and grow in our community as a vocal/choral musician and experience Nordic music and languages.
  • We have native speakers and language experts on hand to coach us on pronunciation, so no previous Nordic language experience is necessary.

Rehearsals

Rehearsal/Concert Expectations

Our expectation is that singers will attend most rehearsals. It is also our expectation that if you are rehearsing with us, you will sing in the Nordic Holiday Concert and Spring Concert; and then join us for as many as possible of the other performances.

If you are going to miss a rehearsal, please check in with our membership team so that we know you will be missing. Being adequately prepared to perform is your responsibility.

Song Pronunciation Audio Files to Help You Learn

We sing in beautiful Nordic languages, and to help you learn how to produce those native sounds, find the latest audio files created for you to practice your current songs on the Singers Only page, which is password protected for current members to access. On that page at the bottom, there are also links to video pronunciation guides for you to watch people speak the basic sounds of each language.

Annual Membership Dues

  • $50 per term (fall and spring) or $100 per year; please make your check payable to: Portland Nordic Chorus or see Jody Jones, Treasurer, at a rehearsal to use credit or debit card.
  • Dues help us finance the purchase of new music and support our director and accompanist

We LOVE Our Volunteers — Please Consider Helping

  • Join us with liking and sharing our Facebook posts, administration tasks, filing music, baking or selling pastries, copying or posting fliers, and helping set up or break down for rehearsals, concerts, and other events.
  • To volunteer, contact us or call Alana at 503-706-9882.

Help Promote the Chorus

STAFF

Vance R. Sele, Artistic Director

A lifelong Oregonian with Minnesota Norwegian (a little Swedish) and Canadian (Icelandic) roots, Mr. Sele first assumed the baton of the Portland Scandinavian Chorus in September of 2010 and held it through June 2020. In his first ten years with the Chorus it grew to perform in five Nordic languages: Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, and Icelandic, and was officially named the Portland Nordic Chorus in January of 2020 to reflect this expanded scope. Mr. Sele retired in 2018 from his teaching career at Glencoe High School in Hillsboro, Oregon after 36 years as High School Choral Director, Choral Teacher, and Guitar Teacher. In July 2025 after four years away from the Chorus Vance has returned to lead the Portland Nordic Chorus into the future.

He lives in Hillsboro with his wife Kyle where they enjoy working around the house on endless projects and spending time with great friends. He is blessed with, and proud of, two adult children and two adult step-children, all of whom live active, positive lives in Portland, Hillsboro, and Seattle.

Karl Jurisons, Accompanist

Christopher Wilson, Associate Accompanist

Austin Buchholtz, Web Designer

Volunteer Board Members

  • Sara Betz, President
  • Silja Tobin, Vice President
  • Jody Jones, Treasurer
  • Alana Mapes, Membership
  • Katariina Lehtonen, Community Outreach
  • Karen Henell, At-Large, Past President
  • Greg Kaminski, At-Large, Past Vice President
  • Debra Meyer, At-Large
  • Gary Olmon, At-Large
  • Maggi Olmon, At-Large
  • Kelly Otto, At-Large
  • Kris Roley, At-Large