Columbia Choirs of Metropolitan Seattle welcomes Grammy-nominated educator, composer, and sought-after conductor and speaker Coty Raven Morris for its 2026 Guest Artist Residency Week running November 3–7, 2026. Coty’s work throughout the week will focus on music as a tool for connection, health, and wellbeing.
Throughout the week, Coty will rehearse with Columbia Choirs’ ensembles, from young children to adult singers. She will also run a workshop for music educators on Wednesday, November 4, focusing on strategies for teaching with authenticity, addressing challenges of today’s classrooms, and balancing creativity with structure. Teachers will walk away with tools to embrace their strengths while meeting the needs of their diverse students. The workshop will be held at Lake Washington High School.
Coty will also lead a Community Sing event on Friday, November 6 at the Together Center in Redmond— an all-ages, all-experiences, free singing event with dinner served. Finally, Coty’s residency culminates in a finale concert on Saturday, November 7 at Northshore Concert Hall that brings all eight ensembles of Columbia Choirs and features a new composition by Coty Raven Morris. Admission is free, with donations collected at the door. 10% of proceeds shared with community nonprofit partner, Be Kind 5.
Educators, conductors, composers, and choral enthusiasts are encouraged to attend, learn, and participate in these opportunities. Visit columbiachoirs.org/residency for more information.
This year’s Guest Artist Residency Week is sponsored by The Heathman Hotel and Amazon, with additional funding from 4Culture.
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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Discovering Your Inner Superhero: Authentic Teaching in Today’s Classroom
Teacher Professional Development Workshop
Open to all educators, teachers, and musicians. Free to all! Clock hours available.
4:30 – 6:00 PM
Lake Washington High School (Kirkland)
Register for the Professional Development Workshop
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Community Sing
Free and open to all! An all-ages, all-experiences, free singing event with dinner served.
5:30 – 7:00 PM
Together Center (Redmond)
Register for the Community Sing
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Residency Finale Concert
Featuring the Columbia Choirs Children, Youth, & Adult Choirs and the premiere of a new work by Coty Raven Morris.
2:00 PM
Northshore Concert Hall (Kenmore)
Get Concert Tickets
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About Coty Raven Morris
Coty Raven Morris is a Grammy-nominated educator, composer, and sought-after conductor and speaker, as well as an advocate for well-being through the arts. Coty is the Hinckley Assistant Professor of Choir, Music Education, and Social Justice at Portland State University. She serves as Chorus Master and Artistic Collaborator with Portland Center Stage, the Oregon Symphony Orchestra, and Choirs of America. She is the Founder of Being Human Together, a community focused on mental health, diversity, and inclusivity in music education.
Want to learn more about Coty Raven Morris? Read Finding your inner superhero: Q&A with Coty Raven Morris, Columbia Choirs’ 2026 Artist-in-Residence.
About Columbia Choirs
Columbia Choirs of Metropolitan Seattle is a community choral nonprofit organization based on the Eastside, with a mission “to bring together people of all ages and backgrounds to learn through music and experience the joy of choral singing.” Since 1984, Columbia Choirs has been a musical home for singers of all ages to find their voice, express themselves, and grow their community. With eight performing choirs—for children, youth, and adult singers—and outreach programs in local elementary schools, Columbia Choirs offers high-quality musical learning opportunities and presents a variety of public performances throughout the year.
Learn more at www.columbiachoirs.org.