JOSEPH SVENDSEN was named the fourth Artistic Director of the Las Vegas Master Singers starting in the 2021-22 season. During his tenure the ensemble has continued its scholarship and senior living outreach initiatives and started the Nevada Lives commissioning series for up-and-coming composers.

Svendsen is the Director of Choral Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During his tenure at UNLV the choirs have toured internationally and regionally and performed at professional conferences and festivals in the southwestern United States.

Svendsen is the Chorus Master for Opera Las Vegas, where he made his company debut with 2017's Rigoletto under the baton of Gregory Buchalter. He will prepare the chorus for the 2023-2024 season's performance of La bohème.

Other professional engagements include singing tenor with Anúna and the San Antonio Chamber Choir, serving as a guest conductor for various honor choir festivals, and serving as music director at Faith Community Lutheran Church in Summerlin, where the church’s choral scholars undertake a biennial residency at St Albans Cathedral in Hertfordshire, England.

Svendsen holds a doctorate in choral conducting. He studied with Richard Bjella, Chester Alwes, Craig Arnold, and Timothy Peter.