Gloria Matilda Benson Almquist

Background

Almquist, Gloria Matilda Benson was born on April 12, 1932 in Ridgway, Pennsylvania, United States. Daughter of Carl Algot and Marian Matilda (Larson) Benson.

Education

3 Year Junior College Music Degree, North Park University, Chicago, 1953. BMusEdn, Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, 1954. Master of Music, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, 1962.

Certified in Mental Health, Pennsylvania State University, 1998.

Career

Music teacher, supervisor Ridgway Area School District, Pennsylvania, 1954—1992, vice president, 2009—2010. Choir director Evangelical Covenant Church, Ridgway, since 1969, Ridgway Concert Choir, since 1999. Assistant governors Rotary, Dist 2, since 2009.

Guest director Intermediate Unit 9 Children's Chorus, Ridgway, 1995. Accompanist Missoula Children's Theatre, St. Mary's, Pennsylvania, 2003. Guest director United Methodist Children's Choir, Ridgway, 1985.

Arranger, composer music for own performances. Director Concert Choir of Elk County, since 2004.

Achievements

• Gloria Matilda Benson Almquist has been listed as a noteworthy music educator by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member Elk County Council of the Arts, Ridgway, since 2002. Organizer Red Hat Society for Ridgway, 2003. Member Ridgway Area School Board, since 2001, vice president, 2006.

Board directors Meals on Wheels, 2002. Organist Evangelical Covenant Church, since 1969. Member of Ridgway High School Alumni Association (chairman since 1994), Business and Professional Women (president 1990-1991, Woman of Year 1994), Elk County Women's Association, Red Hat Group (queen mother Lilies of Valley branch), Ridgway Rotary (president).

Connections

Married Donald Leroy Almquist, July 12, 1969 (deceased April 1999).

Father:

Carl Algot Benson

Mother:

Marian Matilda (Larson) Benson

Spouse:

Donald Leroy Almquist