Robert Mance has been directing Vocal Standard since its inception in 2015. Under his direction, Vocal Standard has quickly earned popularity and grown tremendously in musical excellence. So much so, that in the ensemble's first competition (4 months after chartering) they earned 2nd Place overall. Robert is also the musical director of the 3rd place International medalist men's chorus, Central Standard, of the Barbershop Harmony Society.
Robert is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of Kansas, where he has been conductor of the Oread Consort. He is also the Director of Music at the Shawnee Presbyterian Church in Shawnee, Kansas where he also maintains a private voice studio.
Before starting his studies at KU, Robert most recently served as interim Director of Choral Activities and interim Voice Area Director at William Jewell College in Liberty, MO. Robert has also sung professionally with such groups as the Kansas City Chorale under Charles Bruffy and the Westminster Symphonic Choir and Wesminster Choir under Joe Miller.
He is an active clinician for high school vocal ensembles, maintains a recording studio, and serves as an active barbershop coach and society judge.
Robert completed his undergraduate studies at McGill University in Montreal, QC in voice performance, and completed his graduate studies at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, NJ in choral conducting and voice pedagogy.
Robert resides in Kansas City with his wife Kristin, an English teacher.
