Biography
Dr. Sonja Poulter is an adjunct faculty member in the Choral Conducting and Ensembles Division and was named director of BYU Women’s Chorus in 2019. A native to Germany, Dr. Poulter previously received undergraduate degrees in Music Education, Musicology, and English at the University of Music and Performing Arts and Goethe Universities in Frankfurt Germany. She obtained her Master of Music degree and Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance, having studied under Dr. Barlow Bradford and Prof. Kiersten Gunlogson at the University of Utah.
Before her appointment at BYU, Dr. Poulter maintained a large vocal studio and remains a highly sought-after vocal instructor and diction coach. She is a choral clinician and adjudicator for secondary school choirs and community ensembles in great demand.
As the founder and conductor of the Kammerchor Vocalis, an acclaimed ensemble of Latter-day Saint Young Single Adults in Europe, she has performed all over Germany, and in cities such as Salzburg, Paris, London, Copenhagen, Prague, Budapest, and Zurich. She co-founded the AMAVI Chorale, a project-based chamber ensemble with highly trained and experienced choral singers from along the Wasatch Front. The ensemble has established a reputation of innovative programming, refined sound, and expressive artistry. She presently serves as the conductor and artistic director.
Additionally, Poulter enjoys a career as a mezzo-soprano, performing as a soloist as well as a member of various choral ensembles, including the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
Dr. Poulter serves on the Hymnbook Committee of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints and cheerfully resides in Draper, Utah with Cameron, her husband a BYU Men’s Chorus alumnus, and their son, Samuel.