Kimberly Moorman has been teaching vocal music at the junior high level for 15 years, currently at Traughber Junior High in Oswego, IL. Her choirs have consistently received Division I ratings at the District and State level of IGMSA Organizational contests and Music in the Parks Contests. Recently her choirs were selected to perform at the Illinois Music Educators Conference. She takes pride in teaching quality repertoire reinforcing proper vocal technique to over 150 students in her choral program. A member of the Illinois Music Educators Association, and is currently the Junior Choral Representative for District 9 of that organization.

Traughber Choral Ensemble includes students who have just completed their junior high experience. All students have been members of the curricular choral program for three or more years participating in four curricular concerts and three contests per year. Many also participate in an auditioned extra-curricular choral ensemble , the annual school musical and are members of the school band.

Tyler's Suite is a nine-piece choral movement dedicated to the memory of Tyler Clementi, a talented young musician who died by suicide after being bullied by his roommate during his first weeks of college. Tyler's Suite explores the voices and experiences of Tyler and his family, and ultimately shines a light of hope and endless possibility thanks to the music of today's top composers: Mark Adamo, John Bucchino, Ann Hampton Callaway, Craig Carnelia, John Corigliano, Stephen Flaherty, Nolan Gasser Jake Heggie, Lance Horne, and Stephen Schwartz with librettist, Pamela Stewart.
 

Mark Adamo first attracted national attention with the libretto and score to his uniquely successful début opera, Little Women, after the novel by Louisa May Alcott. Introduced by Houston Grand Opera in 1998 and revived there in 2000, Little Women has since enjoyed over sixty national and international engagements in cities ranging from New York to Minneapolis, Toronto, Chicago, San Francisco, Adelaide, Mexico City, Tokyo, and the recent European premiere in Belgium (2009) and Canadian premiere in 2010 in Calgary and Banff. It is one of the most frequently performed North American operas of the last decade.

Telecast by PBS/WNET on Great Performances in 2001 and released on CD by Ondine that same year, in autumn 2010 Naxos releases the DVD of Little Women's 2001 broadcast. Comparable acclaim greeted the premiere of Lysistrata, or the Nude Goddess, adapted from Aristophanes' comedy but including elements from Sophocles' Antigone. Lysistrata was commissioned by Houston Grand Opera for its 50th anniversary and premiered in March 2005 with additional performances at New York City Opera in 2006. Adamo's first concerto, Four Angels: Concerto for Harp and Orchestra, was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and introduced in June 2007. Naxos released Adamo's dramatic orchestral song cycle Late Victorians in 2009 on an all-Adamo CD which also features Alcott Music, from Little Women, for strings, harp, celesta, and percussion; Regina Coeli, an arrangement of the slow movement of Four Angels for harp and strings alone; and the four-minute Overture to Lysistrata for medium orchestra, performed by Eclipse Chamber Orchestra. San Francisco Opera commissioned and premiered of his third full-length opera, The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, in 2013. Adamo's latest opera Becoming Santa Claus, a coming-of-age story of Santa and the importance of acts of kindness was commissioned by Dallas Opera and premieres in December 2015. His music is published by G. Schirmer.

Tim Seelig is conductor, singer, teacher and motivational speaker. In addition to Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, he continues a busy guest-conducting schedule. He is Conductor Emeritus of the Turtle Creek Chorale, which he conducted for 20 years. Dr. Seelig holds four degrees, including the Doctor of Musical Arts and the Diploma from the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. He has authored seven books and DVDs on choral technique.                        
                        
His recordings have been on Billboard Top Ten and iTunes Top Ten classical charts. The PBS documentary about the TCC received the national Emmy award for best documentary.  Dr. Seelig’s first career was as a singer: European operatic debut at the Staatsoper in St. Gallen, Switzerland; solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall; and world premieres of composers including John Corigliano, Conrad Susa and Peter Schickele (P.D.Q. Bach).                        
                        
Grammy Magazine says, “Dr. Seelig takes eclecticism to new heights.” Fanfare Magazine says he raises singers from “the ranks of amateur choir to one receiving wide recognition for excellent performances.” The New York Times calls Seelig an “expressive performer,” and the Fort Worth Star Telegram quips, “Seelig slices a thick cut of ham.”                        
                        
He is married to Dan England and is the proud grandfather of the amazing Clara Skye and Eden Mae.    

Kurt Ala-Kantti, Artistic Director and founder of Harmonia Choir of Ottawa, is also Artistic Director for Tone Cluster-quite a queer choir, Director of Music for St. Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church, Artistic Director of Cross Town Youth Chorus, Music Director for the Cumberland Community Singers, and served as Artistic Director for the national choral festival Unison Festival Unisson, which took place in Ottawa in May 2014. With a keen interest in choral performance and excellence, he has been a member of several local choirs, including a founding member of the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, singing professionally with the critically acclaimed Ottawa Bach Choir, and currently performing with the 12 voice renaissance acapella ensemble Coro Capriccio.

Harmonia Choir of Ottawa was formed in 2003 to provide an opportunity to perform choral music from Canada and around the world. The result is a group of singers with a wide range of choral experience from across the city, and around the globe, performing a broad range of repertoire with a focus on promoting local, and Canadian composers and compositions. The choir has performed in concert with various musicians over the years, including Julie Nesrallah, Kenny Rogers, the Maple Leaf Brass, Divertimento Orchestra, Ottawa Chamber Orchestra, Regimental Band of the Governor General's Foot Guards, and was invited to sing Brahm's German Requiem in Carnegie Hall with John Rutter directing. In addition to regularly premiering new works, and arrangements, including commissions from Canadian composers Mark Sirett, Stephen Hatfield and Brian Tate, the choir has taken on various projects; an Apprentice Directorship programme, a Composer-in-Residence programme, and Harmonia’s MosaiK Choral Festival, bringing top-notch choral conductors and composers together with local choirs to celebrate Canada's mosaic of cultures through music. www.harmoniachoir.com

Kristy Brumfield has recently completed her second season as Artistic Director of The Mississippi Girlchoir. She has served as a conductor with the organization since 2005, and has directed each of its divisions. Kristy holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Mississippi College, and studied conducting under Richard Joiner and Jamie Meaders. She has recently received her third Teacher of the Year Honor, and was named "Educator of the Year, 2016" by the Vicksburg-Warren Chamber of Commerce. Kristy is active as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout the Southeast. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Music Educators Association and the Mississippi Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. She is an active member of First Baptist Church of Vicksburg, and teaches Children's Choir and Sunday School as well as singing in the Adult Choir and Ensemble. Kristy is the proud mother of three college students, and wife to a champion bass fisherman.

The Mississippi Girlchoir is Mississippi's premiere choral organization for girls in grades 3-12. The organization was founded by Lillian Lee in 1995 with just seventeen singers, and has grown to four divisions: Prima, Lyrica, Bel Canto, and the Voices Ensemble. Since its inauguration, The Mississippi Girlchoir has performed in Italy, England, Australia, Washington DC, Hawaii, New York, Chicago, and many other locations nation-wide. The choir performs for a variety of community, church, and civic organizations each year. Several MGC singers are selected for state, regional, and national honor choirs each year. The Mississippi Girlchoir has performed with Vienna Boys Choir, American Boychoir, Mississippi Symphony, and has been a featured guest with many community and college choirs in their state. This concert marks their third Carnegie Hall engagement.

Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for the current Broadway hit Wicked, and has also contributed music and/or lyrics to Godspell, Pippin, The Magic Show, The Baker's Wife, Working (which he also adapted and directed), Rags, and Children of Eden. He collaborated with Leonard Bernstein on the English texts for Bernstein’s Mass and wrote the title song for the play and movie Butterflies are Free. For children, he has written songs for two musicals, Captain Louie and My Son Pinocchio.

He has also worked in film, collaborating with Alan Menken on the songs for Disney’s Enchanted as well as the animated features Pocahontas and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and writing the songs for the DreamWorks animated feature The Prince of Egypt. His first opera, Seance on a Wet Afternoon, was produced at Opera Santa Barbara and New York City Opera. A book about his career, “Defying Gravity,” has  been released by Applause Books. Mr. Schwartz has been inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and has been given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame​. Awards include three Academy Awards, four Grammy Awards, and a tiny handful of tennis trophies. http://www.stephenschwartz.com.

Ysomar Echazabal Granados was born in Venezuela. In 1990, She was awarded a full scholarship to study at the University of Miami, School of Music, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree. Granados was granted a Teaching Assistantship at the same institution, where she obtained her Master’s and Doctorate degrees. Currently, she serves as a full time teacher at St. Bonaventure School and choir director for the St. Bonaventure Children’s Chorale.

The Children’s Chorale was created by Dr. Ysomar Echazabal Granados in 2010 for children in 3rd grade to 8th. The mission of the St. Bonaventure Children’s Chorale is to offer children the opportunity to study and perform liturgical, traditional, and contemporary forms of choral music. The chorale regularly performs in Archdiocesan community activities. It is a member of The International Federation of Pueri Cantores since 2010. In December of 2015, the ensemble participated in the International Pueri Cantores Congress in Rome, Italy. They concluded the congress on January 1st, 2016 singing in the mass for Peace presided by Pope Francis.

Dr. Brandon Dean serves as Assistant Professor of Music at Gustavus Adolphus College where he conducts the Choir of Christ Chapel and Lucia Singers, and teaches courses in choral literature, music theory and music history. Prior to his appointment at Gustavus Adolphus College, Dr. Dean completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where he served as the conductor of the UC Women's Chorus from 2008-2011. Frequently appearing as a clinician and adjudicator, Dr. Dean served on the international panel of adjudicators for the 2012 World Choir Games. Other recent guest conducting engagements include the 2011 National Conducting Symposium with the Vancouver Chamber Choir, the Midwest American Honor Choir, the Dakota Valley Conference Festival, the Missota Conference Festival, and all-state music camps for the Iowa Choral Director’s Association. Dr. Dean is a past winner of the Nebraska Choral Director’s Association Graduate Scholarship in Choral Conducting and prepared the University of Nebraska opera chorus for The Bohemian Girl, which won the Best Choral Presentation Award at the Waterford International Festival of Light Opera. Dr. Dean is actively involved in several professional choral organizations and currently serves as the Chair of Youth and Student Activities for the American Choral Directors Association of Minnesota.In addition to the DMA degree in conducting from CCM, Dr. Dean holds the MM degree in choral conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and the BM degree in vocal music education from Luther College. He has studied conducting with Weston Noble, Tim Peter, Sandra Peter, Peter Eklund, Earl Rivers, Brett Scott and Elmer Thomas. After receiving the MM degree, he was the Director of Choral Activities at Ankeny High School (Iowa) from 2003-2008.

Musicorum was founded in 1995. Dr. David Taylor founded the group and served as Musicorum's first music director, from 1995 to 1999. Musicorum became well known for its December performances of holiday choral music in Mankato's Good Counsel Chapel. ​ ​ Today the ensemble has about 24 singers. The group performs many outstanding choral works that bridge centuries of composition. Musicorum holds its winter concerts each December, with spring performances the last Saturday in April. Musicorum enters this season committed to the mission that animated its founding: to bring outstanding performances of high-quality music to Southern Minnesota audiences.

Mrs. Kimberley Blair is one of two choir directors at Benton Middle School in Manassas, Virginia. She attended Brigham Young University-Provo where she earned a piano scholarship and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Choral Music Education, studying under world-renowned choral director, Mack Wilberg. Mrs. Blair is very involved with choirs of all ages in her community, both as a director and accompanist. She married her high school sweetheart, Chris, in 1994. They have four children. Mrs. Blair is so proud of her hard working students who are here for their first Carnegie Hall/DCINY performance!

Benton Middle School is a public school located in Manassas, Virginia, and is part of the Prince William County school system. Of the approximately 1400 6th-8th grade students who attend Benton Middle School, more than 1200 participate in the choir, orchestra and band programs. The choral program boasts nearly 500 members and consistently ranks as one of the top middle school choral programs in Virginia. Choir directors, Mrs. Blair and Mr. Fitch, along with the Benton Middle School staff, send their congratulations and best wishes to our amazing singers participating in this Carnegie Hall/DCINY choral event!

Jon Starling began his education in Henderson, TX, where he graduated in 2007 from Henderson ISD. He continued his education at Kilgore College and Texas A&M University-Commerce where he studied Music Performance, Music Education and Pipe Organ Studies. Starling graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education with a minor in organ in 2012. He became the first African American Director of Music for HISD in 2013, and is in his fourth year there. He is head director of the High School Choirs, and oversees the instruction of the Middle School program. He is active in within the music department of churches across the state of Texas which is his first love. Starling has performed all across the state of Texas, several other states, at Carnegie Hall and in Brazil. He is an active member of Texas Choral Directors Association (TCDA) and Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), and sits on the board of directors of the Longview Symphony Orchestra. Starling is completing his Master’s Degree in Music Education and Curriculum Design, and plans to continue to earn his Doctorate of Musical Arts with Boston University in Boston, Massachusetts.

A team of twenty-five passionate singers, who continue to promote excellence through their musical expressions. Involved in many different activities, these young ladies never let the audience down when it comes to a musical experience had between the audience and choir. During the past three years, these young ladies have taken the reigns, and pressed forward with hast into a new day of musical experiences for the program. They made their first big stage debut in April of 2016 at Our Lady of the Lake University, San Antonio, TX. Nervous, they took to the stage with energy, passion, and precession. Up against 5 and 6A 60-70 member choirs, they came home with a third place honor in the Heritage Festival. Within two weeks following their return home, they were personally invited by Dr. Vladimir Silva of Federal University in Campina Grande, Brazil, to join the University Chorale in a recent performance which we were unable to attend this year. We certainly look forward to working with Dr. Silva and the Federal University of Campina Grande, Brazil in the future.

Justin Odwak is an active performer, choral conductor and vocal instructor. His performances include Soundstreams at Toronto's Koerner Hall, Rocky Mountain Music Festival,, the Sarah Sommer Chai Folk Ensemble, Edmonton's Jubilee Auditorium, Winnipeg’s Centennial Concert Hall, and the International Karmiel Festival in Israel. Performing as soloist with organizations such as the Winnipeg Singers, Canzona, Camerata Nova, the Winnipeg Philharmonic Choir, in Messiah with Orchestra London and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. As a choral conductor, Justin is co-founder and director of the Kolot Choir at the Rady JCC, is the current choir director of Shaarey Zedek Synagogue in Winnipeg.

Johanna Hildebrand has enjoyed a life-long involvement in music of all styles and genres. Her choral experience includes working with singers of all ages through university, community, public and private schools and she has served as an adjudicator and guest conductor at various Manitoba choral days, including Provincial Honour Choir.

Now in its 18th season, the 70-voice ensemble is celebrated for its musicianship, creative programming and community outreach.  Under the dynamic leadership of Co-Artistic Directors Johanna Hildebrand and Justin Odwak, the Rainbow Harmony Project sings a wide repertoire ranging from classical to pop, jazzy to folk – often with a “queer” twist but always leaving its audiences uplifted and inspired.  We build bridges to all people by providing a positive, affirming image of the LGBTQ2 community.  Each year the Chorus offers two concerts, “Many Gifts” in December and a spring concert in May, reaching an audience of approximately 900.  In addition, the chorus performs in churches and at community events.

Born in Venezuela, María Leticia González has been teaching vocal music at the elementary and middle school level for over 20 years. She studied Choral Conducting with Maestros Alberto Grau and María Guinand and the Master of Music in Choral Conducting at “Simón Bolivar University”. Mrs. González’s professional accomplishments include founding the “Pequeños Cantores Teresiano Choir”, “Pequeños Cantores Humboldt Choir” and “Voces Claras Mater Salvatoris”. Mrs. González  also acted as Chair of the Department of Gregorian Chant at the Inter Diocesan Seminary of San José in her country. She was an active member and Assistant Conductor of the renowned “Cantoría Alberto Grau” and a member of the “Schola Cantorum de Venezuela” touring across Latin America, USA, Europe, Asia and Australia. María Leticia was invited to participate as a conductor and professor in the program “Música para Crecer”, an initiative of the CAF (Development Bank of Latin America) that fosters the social, intellectual and cultural development of children and young people with limited resources. Since fall of 2015 she began teaching Choir and General Music at Presentation of Mary Academy in Hudson, NH.

Presentation of Mary Academy Children's Choir was founded in 2015 for middle and junior high students. With just twenty singers at first, the ensemble has grown into two levels, creating Junior and Senior Choirs with a total of 90 members. From its beginnings, Presentation of Mary Academy Children’s Choir has been receiving vocal training, studying and performing traditional, contemporary and liturgical choral music in several languages and difficulty levels with an average of five concerts per year. The Senior Choir members are very excited for their first performance at Carnegie Hall.

Bradford Chase has been the director of the chorus program at Wellington High School for the past 10 years. He loves his job and the students he works with. 
The Wellington Chamber Chorus is the premier choral ensemble at Wellington High School in Wellington Florida. Students in this ensemble sing love music and each other.

Jessica Fedora Amadea started her debut singing in choir when she joined Paduan Suara Anak Indonesia (Indonesian Youth and Children Choir) under the director of Aida Swenson Simanjuntak and Batavia Madrigal Singers conducted by Avip Priatna. Jessica joined Purwa Caraka Music Studio Choir as a Director from 2007. Under her direction the choir has received various awards in international choir festivals and competitions across Asia. Jessica also directed 78 Youth Choir and Svara Prasetiya which has received awards in Asia and Europe.

Purwa Caraka Music Studio Children Choir was established in 2007 consisting of auditioned students of Purwa Caraka Music Studio. Under the direction of Jessica Fedora Amadea, the choir has been actively participating and received many awards in various festivals across Asia. Their latest achievement was to become category winner of Children Choir under 16 years old and competing at Grand Prix round of Singapore International Choir Festival in Esplanade Theater, Singapore.

Joseph Wilkinson has held the position of artistic director for the Meistersingers since 2012 and has garnered rave reviews for their musical excellence. Joseph Wilkinson is also the Director of Worship and Music at Crossgates United
Methodist Church in Brandon, Mississippi. Wilkinson earned a bachelor of music degree in vocal
performance from the University of Mississippi. He earned his master’s degree in music from Southern Seminary, majoring in vocal performance and choral conducting. He did post-graduate studies at Oxford University and Cambridge University in England, where he was a choral scholar; and Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he was a conducting scholar. In addition to studying conducting with Jerry Jordan, John Dickson and Stephen Cleobury, Wilkinson has been mentored by Craig Jessop.

The Meistersingers has been a part of the Hattiesburg Concert Association (HCA) since 1996. It was the original artistic component of HCA. It has created lasting memories with exceptionally entertaining concerts, galas and musical productions. The Meistersingers personnel have included talented amateur and professional vocalists from throughout the area. This civic chorus has been known for presenting some of the most creative, respected and well-attended cultural events in the state of Mississippi.

Angel Lira’s musical experience began as a child, when he played tuba, trumpet, and piano. He earned a scholarship to a fine arts magnet school in San Antonio. He later studied at Valley City State University, Austin Community College, and Minnesota State University Moorhead, majoring in vocal performance with minors in trumpet and piano. Lira began as a co-director of the chorus in May 2014, and assumed the Artistic Director position later that year. Lira has led FMGMC through four concert seasons and countless local performances, and says he is excited to share FMGMC’s talents on a NYC stage!

The Fargo-Moorhead Gay Men’s Chorus is a group of gay, bisexual, and supportive men who love to sing. Our purpose is to use music to change the general public’s image and attitude toward the LGBTQ+ community; to provide high quality choral performances; and to make the world a better place. New members are always welcome. It doesn’t matter if they have a degree in Music Performance or if they have never sung in a choir, as long as they enjoy singing. The chorus was formed in 2014 and has presented five concerts with attendance ranging from 175 to nearly 600.

Dr. Ben Riggs joined Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus as Artistic Director in August 2012. Under his direction, TCGMC performs three major concerts each year and appears at dozens of outreach performances in the Twin Cities metro and across the state of Minnesota. Ben recently conducted TCGMC in the Upper Midwest premiere of Andrew Lippa's oratorio, I Am Harvey Milk, and commissioned & premiered Two Boys Kissing by composer Joshua Shank, based on the young adult novel by David Levithan. From 2011-2016 Ben served on the Board of Directors of GALA Choruses, an international association of LGBT Choruses.

Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus (TCGMC) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer community chorus whose mission is Gay Men Building Community Through Music. As an organization that celebrates diversity and uses music as a way to transform, educate and heal, the Chorus works towards the elimination of homophobia and intolerance through community outreach. Through musical excellence, this award-winning chorus has built a solid reputation for dynamic programming.

Beth Moore is the director of Choral Activities at Central Regional High School in Bayville, NJ. She is also a freelance pianist and conductor. Highlights of her choirs performances include The White House, Harvard University, The National Christmas Tree, and Carnegie Hall. She has a book "Teaching piano to the teenage beginner" set to be released in September. She has degrees from Westminster Choir College and Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers University with additional studies at The Aspen Music Festival. Prior to teaching at Central, she was on the faculty of The Westminster Conservatory in Princeton.

The Central Regional High School Choirs are from Bayville, NJ. They have a busy schedule including annual concerts and numerous community events. They have sung at The White House, The Ryman in Nashville, Vanderbilt University, Harvard University, St Mary's of Times Square, St John the Divine, The NJMEA Winter Conference, and Trinity Wall Street. They have sung at Carnegie Hall, by invitation, three times. They love working with contemporary composers and have two commissions that are in process. What is most important to the choir is serving the needs of our community through music.

Edward P. Norris III is the director of Choral Music at Glen Cove High School. He conducts the seventy five voice Mixed Chorus and the forty three voice Select Chorale. Mr. Norris also serves as the districts ‘music team leader’ for music grades 6-12. During Mr. Norris’ tenure at Glen Cove High School, the Mixed Chorus and Select Chorale have only received Gold Medals and Gold Medals with Distinction at the NYSSMA Major Ensemble festivals. In 2013, the Select Chorale was invited to perform at the White House for the President and First Lady, as well as other invited guests. In January of 2016, Mr. Norris and the Select Chorale performed in a concert tour of Italy which included performances at St. Peters Basillica, the Church of San Lorenzo, and the Basillica of St. Francis. While on tour, the Chorale had the distinct honor to perform for His Holiness; Pope Francis at the Feast of the Epiphany at St. Peters.

The Glen Cove High School Select Chorale, under the direction of Edward P. Norris III is made up of forty three of Glen Cove High School’s finest musicians. During Mr. Norris’ tenure at Glen Cove High School, his choirs have achieved some of the highest scores at the NYSSMA Major Ensemble festival. The groups have only scored Gold and Gold with Distinction ratings on level six adjudications. The Select Chorale has also performed in some of New York’s most prestigious concert halls; Carnegie Hall with Mid-America Productions and Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and Avery Fisher under his direction. In addition to these fantastic concert halls, the Chorale has also performed in many other locations in the NYC area which have included the United Nations Building, Shea Stadium, Citi Field, Nassau Coliseum, Westminster Choir College and Queens College (LeFrak Concert Hall). In the past few years, Glen Cove HS Select Chorale has joined forces with the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (MYO) at Avery Fisher Hall performing Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Carmina Burana,“Everything Indicates” by Dr. Gerald Custer (world premiere), and “To The East And To The West” by Ola Gjeilo (world premiere). In recent years, the Chorale has performed at Music Festivals in Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Virginia and Orlando Florida, receiving top honors at all of the competitions. The Select Chorale has had the privilege of working with many local conductors in various choral exchanges and choral clinics. The group has also had the privilege of performing at the White House for President and Mrs. Obama as well as on a Concert Tour of Italy which included a performance in St. Peters Basilica for Pope Francis.

Rainbow Chorus Waterloo Wellington formed by four friends in November 1994, and had their performance debut at the Spring 1995 AIDS Walk. In the more than 20 years since forming, the chorus has put on concert productions, participated in community events and national and international festivals. The Rainbow Chorus also performs in 5, self-produced concerts each season in Guelph and Waterloo-Wellington Region. Accomplishments include: charitable status in 2000 and incorporation in 2005;Canadian GALA debut, Toronto, June 2002; International GALA debut in Montreal July 2004; Carnegie Hall, New York. February 19, 2006; Canadian Unison, Winnipeg 2010, Ottawa 2014

Sisters Carol Della Barca & Linda Gilchrist have spent their lives immersed in music; from their earliest roots in the theatre following their Father’s Opera career and Company, to their individual paths as performers, teachers and mentors across the communities they have lived and worked in. Together they have collaborated on Musicals, Opera’s, Workshops, Choirs and Youth Theatre and have mentored and encouraged dozens of talented young performers to pursue careers within the Performing Arts.

Established in 2010 and from a small town in New Zealand, Four’s Company are an energetic, fun group of amateur theatrical artists who share the joy of performing, singing and acting together. Ranging in age from 13 – 60+ years the group consists of every-day people with regular lives, who represent a large cross-section of the community. As a choir, their performance style is dramatic, light-hearted and embraces many genres of music including Pop, Gospel, Musical Theatre and Classical.

Edward P. Norris III is the director of Choral Music at Glen Cove High School. He conducts the seventy five voice Mixed Chorus and the forty three voice Select Chorale. Mr. Norris is a graduate of the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College, where he received both his Bachelor of Arts Degree, and his Masters Degree in Music Education. Mr. Norris has furthered his choral studies singing under the batons of Anton Armstrong, Lawrence Eisman, Weston Noble, Tim Peter, and John Rutter. He has also sung professionally with the Canticum Novum Singers under the direction of Harold Rosenbaum. Mr. Norris is also extremely proud to be the director of the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra (MYO) Chamber Chorale. Although this is his 10th year in MYO (he previously directed the Youth Chorale of Nassau County), this is only his third year directing the newly formed Chamber Chorale. Under his direction, the MYO Choirs have performed works such as Mozart’s Requiem, Rutter’s Requiem, Poulenc’s Gloria, Handel’s Messiah, and Gjeilo’s To The East And To The West (world premiere 2014) to name a few.

The Nassau Chamber Chorale, led by Edward P. Norris III, is an ensemble comprising of Nassau County’s finest high school vocal musicians. Members of the Chorale have also performed with the All County Choirs, All State Choirs, All Eastern Choir and the ACDA National Choir. This is a select group of approximately 40 singers that perform some of the world’s finest choral literature; from the classics to contemporary (NYSSMA level 6 and beyond). The musicians in this group are advanced performers and have mastered the vocal skills necessary to be outstanding choral singers. Many of our members go on to study music in college.

Tim Seelig is conductor, singer, teacher and motivational speaker. In addition to Artistic Director of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, he continues a busy guest-conducting schedule. He is Conductor Emeritus of the Turtle Creek Chorale, which he conducted for 20 years. Dr. Seelig holds four degrees, including the Doctor of Musical Arts and the Diploma from the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. He has authored seven books and DVDs on choral technique. His recordings have been on Billboard Top Ten and iTunes Top Ten classical charts. The PBS documentary about the TCC received the national Emmy award for best documentary.  Dr. Seelig’s first career was as a singer: European operatic debut at the Staatsoper in St. Gallen, Switzerland; solo recital debut at Carnegie Hall; and world premieres of composers including John Corigliano, Conrad Susa and Peter Schickele (P.D.Q. Bach).   Grammy Magazine says, “Dr. Seelig takes eclecticism to new heights.” Fanfare Magazine says he raises singers from “the ranks of amateur choir to one receiving wide recognition for excellent performances.” The New York Times calls Seelig an “expressive performer,” and the Fort Worth Star Telegram quips, “Seelig slices a thick cut of ham.” He is married to Dan England and is the proud grandfather of the amazing Clara Skye and Eden Mae. 

Bill Loper has served as Artistic Director for 14 years. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, he has taught public school music in Colorado for nearly 40 years, most of which was spent at Evergreen High School, where a performing arts scholarship exists in his honor. He directs local community theatre and has performed onstage as Sancho in Man of La Mancha and Man in Chair in the Drowsy Chaperone. He is proud to be participating with Harmony and the other choruses in Tyler's Suite.

Harmony: a Colorado chorale is celebrating twenty five years in existence. An LGBTQSA chorus, Harmony seeks to "embrace and inspire an inclusive community through song." Harmony presents two major concerts each year and has collaborated with Denver area organizations such as the Rocky Mountain Ringers, The Rocky Mountain Ukelele Orchestra, The Mile High Freedom Band, and local singer Hazel Miller. Singers range in age from early twenties to mid-eighties, and the chorale is comfortable performing anything from classical to show tunes. Programs include outreach to area schools, and the chorale is planning a tour to rural Colorado for Fall, 2017.

RC Haus is widely recognized as one of the nation's most innovative and charismatic artistic directors working today in the choral community. In addition to directing the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus, he is the founder of the group's Chamber Chorale which has emerged as one of the most acclaimed and among the largest all-male masterworks ensembles. When he is not directing, he serves as the Rancho Santa Fe School District's Music Director. In the past, he has served as the assistant artistic director for the chorus, choir teacher at the School of Creative and Performing Arts, director of the East Bay Mass Choir in Northern California, produced a weekly musical television program and has worked with numerous churches as a choral director.

Since then, the Chorale has presented two sold-out concerts and made multiple appearances on the Balboa Theatre stage. Last spring, the chorale appeared in Berlioz’s Requiem with the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus hailed by The San Diego Union-Tribune as “a masterstroke” and “a triumph” adding that “every chorus in town dreams of having a tenor and bass section that sounds like this.”
The Chorale performs next at the Balboa Theatre for SDGMC’s December holiday show Jingle presented by the San Diego Padres. It then returns to perform Verdi’s Requiem in March 2017 with the LJS&C and the San Diego Master Chorale. In June 2017, the Chorale travels to New York City for a special Lincoln Center performance of Tyler’s Suite, a co-commissioned piece under the direction of Wicked’s Stephen Schwartz.

Dr. Wendy K. Moy is the Co-Artistic Director of Chorosynthesis Singers and the Director of Choral Activities and Music Education at Connecticut College. Recent honors include being selected as a finalist in the conducting division (professional choruses) of The American Prize and as a conducting fellow in the ACDA International Conductors Exchange Program. Her research focuses on the culture of singing communities and the factors that contribute to successful choral organizations. Wendy holds a BA from Seattle Pacific University, a MME from Westminster Choir College, and a DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington.


Connecticut College is a private liberal arts college located in New London, Connecticut. The choral program features two mixed ensembles, Camel Heard and Chorale. The Camel Heard, participating in tonight’s concert, is an auditioned vocal chamber ensemble that performs a diverse repertoire from the Medieval period to the 21st Century. It performs two concerts a term, participates in community events, and engages in outreach performances. Recent projects include collaborating with the Slavic Department to present a Russian Arts Festival, participating in a residency with the Quince Contemporary Ensemble, and commissioning/performing the Connecticut premiere of Timothy C. Takach’s “The Longest Nights.”

Kathryn Mahan applies her conducting talents to projects with social impact. She’s passionate about choral music’s unique ability to build community, heal hearts and strengthen spirits. She and her producing partner, Ann Hooper, have raised more than 0,000 through community choral concerts. From 1994 to 2001, she served as co-artistic director of One Voice, Charlotte’s Gay, Lesbian and Gay Affirmative Chorus, and credits much of her training to the GALA directors she worked with during those years. Kathryn graduated from Queens University, where she studied with the late Dr. Mary Nell Saunders. A communications professional by trade, she works for Ingersoll Rand.

Sound About is an all-volunteer SATB chorus in Charlotte, NC, that comes together to build community while raising funds and awareness for social justice issues. In 2015, Sound About was the first chorus in the country to perform the SATB version of Tyler's Suite. One hundred singers joined the amazing Ann Hampton Callaway to bring a powerful bullying prevention program to an audience of more than 600 patrons. Through the artistic direction of Kathryn Mahan and the fundraising prowess of producer Ann Hooper, the program raised ,000 for the Tyler Clementi Foundation and Time Out Youth.

Director of Choral Activities, Wausau Conservatory of Music, Director of Choirs, DC Everest Middle School, Director of Choirs, Organist, St. John's Episcopal Church, Wausau, Vocal Director, Penguin Project of Central Wisconsin, a musical theatre program for Special Needs Artists and Mentors, Founder with Lily Burgess of ~VOICES~, a choir for Special Needs Artists and Mentors BA Piano/Choral Education, Carroll University.

Choralation was founded at Wausau Conservatory of Music in 2003 by Mrs. Burgess. They have been fortunate enough to be a part of four amazing concerts in NYC at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. They have performed under the direction of John Rutter, Stephen Alltop, Eric Whitacre and Rene Clausen. Regionally they have performed at the Grand Theatre in Wausau, Wisconsin, have performed at WCM's Una Notte Bella and have concert seasons with Choraliers, the Treble Choir from WCM each year since their formation. EVERY member is a gifted, beautiful soul with passion for music.

Cantarìa is a voluntary, not-for-profit community chorus, organized to provide the opportunity for gay and gay-supportive men to sing together. Our primary goals are to achieve excellence in musical performance, to enrich the lives of participants through social and fellowship experiences, to foster Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender community spirit and to present a positive gay image to the Western North Carolina community at large. Cantarìa has two primary concerts a year in the spring and winter. We also perform at a variety of events throughout the year including Blue Ridge Pride, the Queer Studies Conference at UNCA, the Piccolo Spoleto in Charleston South Carolina, and others that may come up. The month of February brings us Valentine's Day and that brings us to our annual Valentine's Day Pasta Dinner, Cabaret, and Silent Auction fundraiser - always a big hit! In addition, Cantaria regularly performs at the International GALA Choruses Festival held every four years.

Kurt Ala-Kantti, Artistic Director for Tone Cluster-quite a queer choir, is also Artistic Director and founder of Harmonia Choir of Ottawa, Director of Music for St. Thomas the Apostle Anglican Church, Artistic Director of Cross Town Youth Chorus, Music Director for the Cumberland Community Singers, and served as Artistic Director for the national choral festival Unison Festival Unisson, which took place in Ottawa in May 2014. With a keen interest in choral performance and excellence, he has been a member of several local choirs, including a founding member of the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, singing professionally with the critically acclaimed Ottawa Bach Choir, and currently performing with the 12 voice renaissance ensemble Coro Capriccio.

In 1994 a few friends who loved to sing clustered to sing madrigals. After a while, they posted a small ad in GO Ottawa, added more members, and became a gay chamber choir. Tone Cluster has always been a great supporter of LGBTQ causes, and a safe space for many who could not be out in their lives, careers or families. Times have changed, and (fortunately) many barriers have dropped in those 20 years. Tone Cluster has also changed with the times, but is still a close community and a choir. While Tone Cluster started with madrigals, the choir’s repertoire has broadened to include almost every kind of choral music. Tone Cluster has drawn praise and attention from some of Canada’s foremost choral composers, and the choir has commissioned several new works. Tone Cluster's fun and innovative Show Tune Showdown (STS) is now one of Ottawa’s favourite entertainment events.