Biography

Captain Bonnie Alger is the Officer in Charge of The U.S. Army Chorus, the first female director in the ensemble’s history. A native of New Milford, Connecticut, she holds a doctorate in conducting from the University of Maryland - College Park, where she was a graduate assistant in the orchestra program and performing arts center. While at Maryland she sang with the University of Maryland Concert Choir in performances with the Baltimore and National Symphony Orchestras. Alger also holds a master’s degree in music education from the University of Southern California, a master’s degree in conducting from the University of Northern Iowa, and a bachelor’s degree from Lawrence University. Her dissertation focuses on the history and culture of women’s orchestras outside of the United States.

Alger has led performances with The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” at Fort Myer, Virginia; The United States Army Field Band at Fort Meade, Maryland; and the Training and Doctrine Command Band at Fort Eustis, Virginia. She previously served as Executive Officer for the 1st Cavalry Division Band at Fort Hood, Texas.

Prior to joining the Army, Alger maintained an active schedule as a freelance conductor, singer, violinist, clinician, educator, and arts administrator throughout the D.C. metro area, the Midwest, and Los Angeles. She also spent two years as the Director of Choral Activities at GEMS American Academy in Abu Dhabi, where her students were invited to sing at an international honor choir festival in Stavanger, Norway, as well as participate in collaborations with Philadelphia-based Orchestra 2001 and the legendary recording artist Quincy Jones. She has served as both a cover conductor and music librarian for the National Symphony Orchestra, an adjudicator for the Association of Music in International Schools, and a clinician for universities and high schools across the United States.

Alger lives in Northern Virginia.