Leadership
Leadership Academy participants are guided through the program's coursework by two expert faculty members. In addition, each participant will work with an individual mentor throughout the program, who will help their participant with additional support and connections in the field.

Arreon Harley-Emerson
Co-Creator, Lead Faculty
A conductor, composer, nonprofit strategist, and equity coach, Arreon A.Harley-Emerson is the president and CEO of Equity Sings. Committed to the principles of equity and justice, Equity Sings assists organizations in remaining relevant in the...

Antonio Cuyler
Faculty
Dr. Antonio C. Cuyler’s (Kyler) (He) journey into access, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI) began at Stambaugh Middle School when a teacher invited him to join a program called, Cultural Cousins. The program tasked students with bridging cultural...

Anton Armstrong
Mentor
Anton Armstrong served on Chorus America’s board from 2008–2017, and rejoined in 2021. He is now Chorus America's board chair. Armstrong is the Tosdal Professor of Music at St. Olaf College, and became the fourth conductor of the St. Olaf Choir in 1990 after ten...

Leela Breithaupt
Mentor
Leela Breithaupt is the executive director of The Bach Choir of Bethlehem. A dynamic nonprofit arts administrator,...

Penelope Cruz
Mentor
Penelope Cruz has taught vocal and general music at all grade levels, conducted community children’s and honor choirs,...

André de Quadros
Mentor
André de Quadros, conductor, ethnomusicologist, human rights activist, and music educator, has conducted and undertaken research in over forty countries and is a professor of music at Boston University, where he also holds affiliated faculty appointments in the...

Rollo Dilworth
Mentor
Rollo Dilworth is vice dean and professor of choral music education in the Department of Music Education and Therapy at Temple University’s Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts in Philadelphia, PA. He has served on the faculty since 2009. In addition to...

J. Donald Dumpson
Mentor
J. Donald Dumpson, Ph.D., President/CEO of Diverse Arts Solutions and Minister of Arts at Arch Street Presbyterian Church, is the founding conductor of the Westminster Choir College Jubilee Singers, the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Community Chorus and presently...

Derrick Fox
Mentor
Derrick Fox is the Director of Choral Activities and Distinguished Associate Professor of Music at the University of...

Andrés Holder
Mentor
Andrés Holder (he/him/his), has over ten years of experience in performing arts management through his work with Gala Hispanic Theatre, Arena Stage, and The Washington Ballet. He has led a portfolio of projects at the intersection of arts and business, focusing on...

Alysia Lee
Mentor
Alysia is the inaugural president of the Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, the bold hyperlocal grantmaker stewarding public funds to support the success of Baltimore’s young people. Lee is a Kennedy Center Citizen Artist and the founding artistic director of...

Everett McCorvey
Mentor
Everett McCorvey is a native of Montgomery, Alabama and a graduate of the University of Alabama, where he received his degrees, including a doctorate in musical arts. He has given performances at the Metropolitan Opera, Kennedy...

Marcela Molina
Mentor
Molina has been affiliated with the Tucson Girls Chorus since 2006, first serving as artistic director and taking the helm as executive director in 2011. Under Molina’s guidance, the Tucson Girls Chorus has grown significantly in both...

David Morrow
Mentor
David Morrow is a native of Rochester, New York. He earned the Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College in 1980. While at Morehouse, he became a member of Phi Beta Kappa, was awarded the Kemper Harreld Award for Excellence in Music, received departmental...

Zanaida Stewart Robles
Mentor
Zanaida Stewart Robles is an award-winning Black American female composer, conductor, vocalist, and clinician. She is a fierce advocate for diversity and inclusion in music education and performance. Authentic interpersonal connection and relationship-building are...

Eugene Rogers
Mentor
A two-time Michigan Emmy Award winner, a 2017 Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient, and a 2015 Grammy Award nominee, Eugene Rogers is recognized as a leading conductor and pedagogue throughout the United States and abroad. In addition to being the...

Diana V. Sáez
Mentor
Dr. Diana V. Sáez is the Director of Choral Activities at Towson University in Baltimore, Maryland, directing the...

Pearl Shangkuan
Mentor
Pearl Shangkuan is a highly sought-after conductor, lecturer and clinician who has led performances and workshops across six continents. Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she is...

Christopher Verdugo
Mentor
Chris Verdugo (CEO San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus) - Chris Verdugo’s first introduction to the gay choral movement was at the early age of 18 when he joined the Gay Men’s Chorus of South Florida. Three years later, he became Artistic Director of Paragon Productions...
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