Queer Voices

di GALA Choruses

Stagione 2

Interview on the Pauli Murray Commission with Kim Hines and Elena Cressy

Listen to a fascinating conversation about GALA Choruses' latest commission, "Sincerely Yours: Pauli Murray," centered on a noteworthy yet little known lawyer, activist, scholar and priest. GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion interviewed the librettist of the work, Kim Hines, and Elena Cressy, the Artistic Director of The Quire of Eastern Iowa which performed this cantata in May, 2026. Throughout the course of the episode, the group takes the audience behind the scenes, where they share personal journeys bringing this work into being, and discuss the life of Pauli Murray, the relevance of her story, and more.

S2 · E17

9 set 2026

57:28

Interview with Diana Clegg and Midge Stocker of Artemis Singers & the Sister Singers Network

Listen to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and long-time members of Artemis Singers and co-directors of the 2026 Sister Singers Festival, Diana Clegg and Midge Stocker. Throughout the course of the episode, the group discusses the history and unique structure of Artemis Singers, Chicago's Lesbian Feminist Chorus; the mission and growth of the Sister Singers Network, a cooperative web of feminist choruses; past and future collaborations between SSN and GALA Choruses; and more.

S2 · E16

26 ago 2026

51:56

Interview with Dr. Thea Kano and Dr. Chipper Dean on the 2026 Gay Games Choral Festival

Join Queer Voices host and GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion for a conversation with two of the figures behind the 2026 Gay Games Choral Festival. Co-Artistic Director Dr. Thea Kano—also Artistic Director of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC—and Production Manager Dr. Chipper Dean, also the Executive Director of the Heartland Men's Chorus, discuss the history of the Gay Games, how the choral program came together, the most impactful moments of the festival, and more.

S2 · E15

12 ago 2026

44:03

Interview with Robyn Hilger, Executive Director of ACDA, and Dr. Chris Eanes, President & CEO of Chorus America

Queer Voices host and GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion gathered the leaders of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and of Chorus America. The group discusses the roles of each organization and how all three work together for the choral community.

S2 · E14

29 lug 2026

41:49

Interview with the GALA Festival 2028 Host Choruses of Minneapolis

Queer Voices host and GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion gathered the leaders of each of the 2028 GALA Festival hosting choruses: Calliope Women's Chorus President Maddy Hull, One Voice Mixed Chorus Artistic Director Kimberly Waigwa, and Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus Artistic Director Dr. Gerald Gurss. Throughout the course of the episode, the group reflects on Festival 2024, discusses Minneapolis as a cultural hub and resilient community, and looks ahead to July 2028 for the next GALA Festival.

S2 · E13

15 lug 2026

55:28

Interview with Aria Huizenga and Tristan Miedema, founders of the TRANScendent ensemble

Join Queer Voices host and GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion for a conversation with the founders of Iowa's only trans and nonbinary singing ensemble, TRANScendent. Aria Huizenga (she/her), a drag entertainer and trans activist also known as Tessa Tura, and Tristan Miedema (he/they), TRANScendent Director and Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus (DMGMC) General Manager, met through the DMGMC where they were inspired to form one of just twelve known trans and nonbinary vocal groups in the US. Throughout the course of the episode, the group discusses the backstory of TRANScendent's beginnings, the Midwest trans and nonbinary experience, Aria and Tristan's recently-launched podcast Trans Tea, and more.

S2 · E12

24 giu 2026

1:07:42

Interview on the Pauli Murray Commission with Steve Milloy and Lori Tennenhouse

Listen to a fascinating conversation about GALA Choruses' latest commission, "Sincerely Yours: Pauli Murray," centered on a noteworthy yet little known lawyer, activist, scholar and priest. GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion interviewed the composer of the work, Steve Milloy—also Artistic Director of the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus—and Lori Tennenhouse, the Artistic Director of the Grand Rapids Women's Chorus which recently performed the piece in their concert "Legacy of Activism." Throughout the course of the episode, the group discusses the life and impact of Pauli Murray, how the commission connected the Grand Rapids Women's Chorus with many community and educational groups, and more.

S2 · E11

10 giu 2026

53:57

Interview with Calliope Women's Chorus, the 2nd Oldest Feminist Chorus in the U.S.

Listen to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and members of Calliope Women's Chorus: Artistic Director Klo Garoute, President Maddy Hull, and Secretary Laurel Rand-Lewis. Throughout the course of the interview, the group discusses Calliope's 50th anniversary, including the history of the chorus, how they see their identity as a feminist chorus, what "too political" means in terms of the music they perform, and more.

S2 · E10

20 mag 2026

1:10:51

Interview with Matthew Gillespie and Liz Graves of Unison Choruses Canada

Listen to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and Unison Choruses Canada's President Matthew Gillespie and Administrator Liz Graves. Throughout the course of the interview, Matthew and Liz share the history of the Unison Festival, Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQIA+ choral festival; the work involved in putting on the 2026 festival in Vancouver; the cultural differences between their Canadian event and GALA Choruses' Festival; and more.

S2 · E9

6 mag 2026

58:12

Interview with Rashad V. Chambers and Jordan Barbakoff of the New York City Gay Men's Chorus

Listen in to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and the New York City's Gay Men's Chorus's Executive Director Rashad V. Chambers and founding member Jordan Barbakoff. Throughout the course of the interview, Rashad and Jordan talk about the history of this legacy chorus, how they recently rewrote history at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Eastern regional conference, and all of the various efforts the chorus does, from their numerous concerts to their work with the Youth Pride Chorus.

S2 · E8

22 apr 2026

1:08:36

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