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Queer Voices

GALA Choruses

Hear from important voices in the LGBTQ+ choral movement in this podcast hosted by GALA Choruses, a non-profit member association of approximately 200 choruses across North and South America & host of the quadrennial Festival, the largest LGBTQ choral event in the world.

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  • 20 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 53 min
  • English

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Episodes 20

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  • S2 · E16
    Wednesday · 51 min

    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.

    • Transcript
  • S2 · E15
    August 12 · 44 min

    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.

    • Transcript
  • S2 · E13
    July 15 · 55 min

    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.

    • Transcript
  • S2 · E12
    June 24 · 1 hr 7 min

    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.

    • Transcript
  • S2 · E11
    June 10 · 53 min

    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.

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  • S2 · E10
    May 20 · 1 hr 10 min

    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.

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  • S2 · E9
    May 6 · 58 min

    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.

    • Transcript
  • S2 · E8
    April 22 · 1 hr 8 min

    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.

    • Transcript
  • S2 · E7
    April 8 · 1 hr 6 min

    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.

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  • S2 · E6
    March 25 · 51 min

    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.

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  • S2 · E5
    March 11 · 48 min

    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.

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  • S2 · E4
    February 25 · 41 min

    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.

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  • S2 · E3
    February 11 · 52 min

    Interview with Dr. Hsien Chew, Network Lead of Proud Voices LGBT Choir Networks

    Listen in to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and Dr. Hsien Chew, the Network Lead of the Proud Voices LGBT Choir Networks. Throughout the course of the interview, Hsien talks about his start with the Pink Singers in London, how the Proud Voices network began in the UK & Ireland and spread to Asia, and the journey of Asia's Hand in Hand Festival, first hosted in 2015 in Taipei and most recently in Singapore in 2025.

    • Transcript
  • S2 · E2
    January 28 · 45 min

    Interview with Eve Campbell, 411 Advisor of GALA Choruses

    Listen in to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and Eve Campbell, the 411 Advisor on board development and former board member for GALA Choruses. Throughout the course of the interview, Eve talks about why she loved being on the board, particularly being part of the first all-female executive committee for GALA Choruses; how she helps member choruses as a 411 Advisor; and the Shark Tank grant and other highlights of GALA's Leadership Symposium, among many more things.

    • Transcript
  • S2 · E1
    January 14 · 43 min

    Interview with Justin Fyala, the New President of GALA Choruses

    Listen in to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and Justin Fyala, the newly-appointed President of GALA Choruses and Executive Director of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC. Throughout the course of the interview, Justin shares his vision and goals for GALA Choruses, how anyone can get involved in shaping our organization, and more, as well as an uplifting message to remind us why the music we make matters. For concerns or suggestions about GALA Choruses, you are welcome to reach out to Justin at president@galachoruses.org.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E6
    Dec 17, 2025 · 48 min

    Interview with Vikerlased, Estonia's First and Only LGBT+ Choir

    Listen in to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and members of Vikerlased: Conductor Ode Pürg and singers Marina Kushnirenko and Grete Maria Neppo. Throughout the course of the interview, the group discusses the history and significance of their chorus; their experiences singing twice for Laulupidu, Estonia's choral festival known to be one of the largest choral events in the world, and at GALA's Festival in 2024; and more.

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  • S1 · E5
    Dec 3, 2025 · 51 min

    Interview with Maria-Elena Grant, President of GALA Choruses & Chair of Lavender Light

    Listen in to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and Maria-Elena Grant, the President of GALA Choruses (2023-2025) and Chairperson of Lavender Light: The Black and People of All Colors Lesbian and Gay Gospel Choir. Throughout the course of the interview, John and Maria-Elena discuss her decades-long experience with GALA Choruses and two stints on the board of directors; what it's meant to serve as the organization's first female Black president; and more.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E4
    Nov 12, 2025 · 48 min

    Interview with Thea Kano and Justin Fyala of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC

    Listen in to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses' Executive Director John D. Carrion and the leaders of the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC: Artistic Director Thea Kano and Executive Director Justin Fyala. Throughout the course of the interview, the group discusses the unique opportunities they have in the nation's capital, including the 2025 World Pride Festival; the importance of providing visibility for the community through outreach events; and more.

    • Transcript
  • S1 · E3
    Oct 29, 2025 · 56 min

    Interview with the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus and Nickel City Treble Makers

    Listen in to a fascinating conversation between GALA Choruses Executive Director John D. Carrion and three members of the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus and Nickel City Treble Makers: Dr. Robert Strauss (Artistic Director), Timothy Mahiques (President), and Amanda Pollard (Board Member). Throughout the course of the interview, the group discusses the founding of both choruses, how they nurture their community, and more.

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