Queer Voices

by GALA Choruses

Season 2

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

Jul 15, 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

Jun 24, 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

Jun 10, 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

May 20, 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

May 6, 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

Apr 22, 2026

1:08:36

Interview with Dr. Tim Seelig and Michael McDonald of the Portland Sage Singers

Listen in to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and two longstanding GALA Choruses members now working with the Portland Sage Singers: Dr. Tim Seelig, Artistic Director, and Michael McDonald, Board Chair. Throughout the course of the interview, Tim and Michael talk about the idea behind the Sage Singers movement; how to provide a welcoming community for the Q+ elders and allies in our choruses; balancing music and mission; and more.

S2 · E7

Apr 8, 2026

1:06:09

Interview with Dr. Jessica L. Gallagher-Steuver, Artistic Director of Windsong, Cleveland's Feminist Chorus

Listen in to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and Dr. Jessica L. Gallagher-Steuver. She is the artistic director of Windsong, Cleveland's Feminist Chorus, a board member for GALA Choruses, and the founding editor-in-chief of the Journal of Queer Choral Studies, GALA Choruses' official academic journal. Throughout the course of the interview, Jess talks about her academic research about the importance of queer choirs for older adults, her work within her feminist chorus, starting a new academic journal, and more.

S2 · E6

Mar 25, 2026

51:52

Interview with Dr. Catherine Roma, Activist and Founder of ANNA Crusis Feminist Choir and MUSE Cincinnati's Women's Choir

Listen in to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and Dr. Catherine Roma, one of the founders of the LGBTQIA+ choral movement and the founder of the (then-named) ANNA Crusis Women's Choir in 1975 and the MUSE Cincinnati's Women's Choir in 1983. Throughout the course of the interview, Cathy talks about the history of feminist choral movement in the United States, the role women have played and the challenges they've faced in the LGBTQIA+ and GALA Choruses community, and the work she's undertaken throughout the years to elevate women's voices.

S2 · E5

Mar 11, 2026

48:06

Interview with Abdullah "Abby" Rahsheen Hall, Artistic Director of the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles

Listen in to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and Abdullah "Abby" Rahsheen Hall, the Artistic Director of Trans Chorus of Los Angeles and the Vice President of GALA Choruses. Throughout the course of the interview, Abby talks about the history of the Trans Chorus of Los Angeles and how it has survived and thrived since its founding; how they got involved in both the chorus and the GALA board; the important work being done in the trans community and LGBTQ choral movement; and more.

S2 · E4

Feb 25, 2026

41:38

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