Peter Schleif

Peter Schleif is currently in his 3rd decade directing choirs. He has worked with school, church, and community ensembles in Colorado, North Dakota and Minnesota. Choirs under his direction have performed all over the United States, as well as in Austria, Germany, Poland, The Czech Republic, Finland, and Sweden. Schleif received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where he studied with René Clausen and has done graduate work at the University of Minnesota and St. Mary’s University. In addition to his role as the Director of I Cantanti, Schleif is also the Director of the Vocal Performance Program at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Faribault, MN, a specialized training program for high school singers, as well as the Adult Choir Director at Bethel Lutheran in Northfield. 

In his teaching, Schleif emphasizes singing as a communal act: a space where students learn to listen deeply, and to support one another. In rehearsal and performance, his work centers on the belief that choral singing strengthens community and gives everyone a place to belong. He is also a fierce advocate for the Performing Arts in the schools, having built several MS and HS programs up in both enrollment and quality. Schleif is also an advocate for underrepresented composers, seeking out opportunities to commission and perform new works.

He is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association, the International Federation of Choral Musicians, and the Minnesota Music Education Association. He lives in Northfield, Minnesota with his wife Lori, and two sons, Isaac and Ian.

Peter Schleif is based out of the Twin Cities Metro area.