Founders
Gary Aamodt
Gary Aamodt has deep roots in and a deep commitment to choral music. While at college, Gary sang in the St. Olaf Choir, and in graduate school at Yale, he was a member of the Yale Russian Chorus.
Professionally, Gary co-founded A-R Editions, Inc., a publisher of historical musicology and the inventor of the world’s first computerized system capable of setting music. In 1979 A-R Editions issued the first large publication of text and music entirely set by computer—an historical landmark. A sister company, MusicNotes, is the world’s largest online library of digital sheet music. From 1992-95 Gary served as President and CEO of Augsburg Fortress Publishers. Prior to his business involvements, Gary taught philosophy at Yale University and the University of Wisconsin—Madison. In retirement, he has been an active real estate investor and has served on several nonprofit boards. He has also been a commissioner of significant musical compositions for choir and orchestra.
Gary is a co-founder of the Together In Hope Project that seeks to bring reconciliation, renewal, and healing through the transformative power of music. He holds degrees from St. Olaf College and Yale University.
Celia Ellingson
Celia Ellingson has enjoyed a successful career in business, with varied roles as a marketer, consultant, and strategic leader. She served as Vice President – Strategic Development for Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies, a leading US grantmaking organization, providing leadership and guidance through a major organizational ramp-up on both philanthropic strategy and organizational development. Prior to focusing on philanthropy and nonprofits, Celia spent many years with Arthur Andersen as a marketer and business consultant in the areas of strategy and process.
An amateur musician who plays five instruments, Celia is also a co-founder of the Together In Hope Project, a nonprofit organization that creates “music with a purpose” projects. She and Gary Aamodt have commissioned several major musical compositions over the last several years and organized high-profile performances on the world stage.
Celia holds a Bachelor of Arts with double majors in History and Child Psychology and a Masters’ in Library Science from the University of Minnesota.
Advisors
W. West Allen
Robyn Sand Anderson
Brandon Boyd
Michael Bussewitz-Quarm
Catherine Dehoney
Richard Haass
William H. Halverson
Robyn Hilger
Brian Newhouse
Karl Paulnack
Jim Rindelaub
Eugene Rogers
C.B. Rykken
Tina Sayers
Shantel Sellers
Joseph K. Thiegs