Founded in 2021 by Joel LaMar Cruz, the Chorus of the Rio Grande Valley is a dynamic volunteer ensemble based in South Texas, dedicated to musical excellence, collaboration, and community engagement. Drawing members from nearly 200 communities, the Chorus reflects the Valley’s rich cultural diversity. Each season, it presents four signature concerts—Spotlight On, Comfort & Joy, Masterworks, and Celebrate!—showcasing a wide range of repertoire. Performing in landmark venues and collaborating with regional artists, the Chorus promotes unity, inspiration, and joy through music, fulfilling its mission to nurture local talent and enrich the cultural life of the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.

Joel LaMar Cruz is a South Texas-based conductor, educator, and performing artist with nearly 30 years of experience in theater and choral music. His award-winning ensembles have earned top honors at the State and National levels. A published advocate for contemporary choral repertoire, he has performed with acclaimed ensembles and founded both the Chorus of the Rio Grande Valley and the Children's Chorus of the Rio Grande Valley. Cruz holds degrees from UT–Pan American and Winthrop University and is an active member of TTAO, TMAA, TMEA, TCDA, and ACDA. His honors include the Bell Award, Apple Award, and Texas Master Teacher designation.

The Northwest Women's Chorale has been singing harmony into the hearts and lives of others since its founding in 2006. Our ensemble’s strength is our blending, but our unison is incredibly strong, exacting and powerful. The choral repertoire varies widely across sacred and secular works, both a cappella and with piano accompaniment.

Joy A. Lingerfelt is the founding director of NorthWest Women’s Chorale, starting the group in 2006. With advanced Music degrees from Southern Illinois University and Pacific Lutheran University, she is also a Deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. While living in Tennessee, she directed the Bartlett Community Chorus and Cumberland Presbyterian Choral Society, and toured with the Rhodes Mastersingers in Memphis. Ms. Lingerfelt served as chorus master in establishing the Port Angeles Symphony Chorus. A member of the American Choral Director’s Association, Ms. Lingerfelt is always on the lookout for innovative, well-crafted music that resonates both with the soul and the intellect. That, along with a distinct passion for exploring distant lands.

Center for Creative Arts Women's Ensemble is an auditioned goup of talented treble voices. This group participates regularly in local and state festivals where they consistently score superior ratings. The students in this emsemble are also participants in regional and state honor choirs.

Neshawn Calloway is in her 25th year as Vocal Music Director at Center for Creative Arts (CCA) where she conducts six vocal ensembles. Her vocal ensembles consistently score superior ratings at regional, state and national festivals and her students consistently place in regional and state honor choirs. In 2020 and 2025 Neshawn was recognized by the CMA (Country Music Association) Foundation as a music teacher of excellence. As a performer she sings with a neo-soul band as well performing in various venues and churches throughout the Chattanooga area. Neshawn and her students have travelled and performed for audiences in Germany as well as various festivals in the US.

The Auburn University Women’s Chorus is conducted by Dr. Rosephanye Powell who also serves as Coordinator of Voice Studies. They sing a wide range of standard literature for women’s voices, embracing both classical and contemporary works. Rehearsing three days per week, the ensemble cultivates musical excellence and camaraderie among its members. Each Friday, the Women’s Chorus joins with the Men’s Chorus to form the Auburn University Concert Choir, offering students a broader choral experience through mixed-voice repertoire. Open to students from all academic backgrounds, the Women’s Chorus provides a thriving environment for vocal development, artistic expression, and community engagement.

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Founded in 2011, the Greenville Gay Men’s Chorus is a 35-member auditioned TTBB ensemble that celebrates music’s power to unite and uplift. Based in Greenville, SC, and led by Artistic Director Jared Fricks with accompanist Ted Munn, GGMC presents two mainstage concerts each year along with special projects such as Sing For The Cure. Recent highlights include sharing the stage with the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and a powerful production of When We No Longer Touch. With every performance, GGMC strives to build community, foster compassion, and inspire activism through song. Learn more at greenvillegaymenschorus.com.

Jared Fricks has been teaching choir for twelve years and is currently the choral director at Palmetto High School in Williamston, SC. He graduated summa cum laude from Southern Wesleyan University in 2013 with a B.A. in Music Education. In addition to teaching, Jared is the pianist and music director at Faith Presbyterian Church in Williamston, SC. He also provides musical direction for theatre productions across Upstate SC. In 2025, Jared was named Artistic Director of the Greenville Gay Men's Chorus in Greenville, SC collaborating with Ted Munn as Assistant Artistic Director and accompanist.