Queer Voices

Listen to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and Anjali Murthy, a singer at the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC and alum of GenOUT Youth Chorus, and Matthew Pyles, Associate Artistic Director of Nashville in Harmony and Conductor of Major Minors LGBTQ Youth Chorus. Throughout the course of the episode, the group discusses the LGBTQIA+ Youth Choral Movement, the Youth Chorus Jamboree that took place in Asheville in July this year, GALA’s new strategic plan, and more.

Join Queer Voices host and GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion for a conversation with the leaders of the Coro Gay Ciudad de México LGBTIQPA+, Executive Director Oscar Urtusástegui and Artistic Director Enrique Dunn. Throughout the course of the interview, Oscar and Enrique share their insights about the queer community in Mexico City and Mexico broadly speaking; how they've collaborated with and supported various groups at home and abroad; what they are looking forward to beyond the chorus's 15th anniversary; and more.

Entrevista con Oscar Urtusástegui y Enrique Dunn del Coro Gay Ciudad de México LGBTIQPA+

Únase al presentador de Queer Voices y director ejecutivo de GALA Choruses Johnn D. Carrion para una conversación con los líderes del Coro Gay Ciudad de México LGBTIQPA+, el director ejecutivo Oscar Urtusástegui y el director artístico Enrique Dunn. Durante el transcurso de la entrevista, Oscar y Enrique comparten sus ideas sobre la comunidad queer en la Ciudad de México y México en general; cómo han colaborado y apoyado a varios grupos en el país y en el extranjero; qué esperan más allá del 15 aniversario del coro; y más.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.