2025 Howard Swan award Winner: LYNN BIELEFELT

Dr. Lynn Bielefelt is known by those who knew her as a unique, charismatic, caring, loving, kind, and immensely musical person. Her gift of text expression, ability to create musical phrases, attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to her students make her one of the more influential educators of her time. Lynn had a deep respect for the composer and poet, and worked diligently to prepare her scores so that their voice was heard authentically, and with the most thorough interpretation. She developed a classroom environment where everyone was appreciated, valued, cared for, and loved. Lynn’s legacy lives on through the countless singers, conductors, and colleagues who were fortunate enough to spend time with her.

Lynn Bielefelt lived from 1949-2001. She was born in Santa Monica and lived in Southern California her whole life. Lynn’s parents, Robert and Connie, moved several times when Lynn was young, settling in Westchester in 1967. She had two brothers, a step sister and a step brother. Her eldest brother Ronald described Lynn by saying, “She would work at something and master it … she was going to accomplish whatever she set her mind to no matter what.  Nothing was going to stand in her way. But at the same time she was very caring. She took on the charismatic qualities of our father.”

Lynn received the Bachelor of Arts in Music from UCLA (1972), Master of Music in Choral Music (1981) and Doctor of Musical Arts (1989) both from USC, where she worked with Rodney Eichenberger. Lynn was the conductor of Los Cancioneros Master Chorale from 1981-1984, a community chorus based in the South Bay Area of Los Angeles, music director at St. John’s Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles (1978-1989), and music director at First United Methodist Church of Glendale (1990-1996). Her teaching positions include the Marlborough School in Los Angeles (1972-1975), Pierce College (1981-1984), Cal State University Long Beach (1988-1999), and University of Southern California (1999-2001).
Lynn’s final performance was Mozart’s Requiem, with the Idyllwild Festival Choir and Orchestra in August of 2001. Although she was terribly ill at the time, her conducting was impeccable , her energy was impressive, she showed the strongest commitment to the score, and her inspiring leadership were on full display. Lynn was, and still is, someone who gave everything she had, all the time, so the music making could be at the highest level, and so she could help her singers experience the thrill of truly being expressive, vulnerable, and part of something greater than themselves.
If Lynn were here today she would be so overcome with joy to receive this tremendous award. Certainly she is deserving and on behalf of all her students, thank you.