Queer Voices

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 [email protected].

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.

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.

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.

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.

Listen in to a fascinating conversation between current GALA Choruses Executive Director John D. Carrion and Jane Ramseyer Miller, GALA Choruses' Artistic Director from 2010 to 2024 and Artistic Director of One Voice Mixed Chorus from 1995 to 2023. Taking a look at several of her career accomplishments in the queer choral movement, they discuss how Festival became what it is today, the works she commissioned by queer and BIPOC composers, fostering community, belonging and access, and more.

Listen in to a fascinating conversation between current GALA Choruses Executive Director John D. Carrion and Robin Godfrey, GALA Choruses' Executive Director from 2007 to 2024, that covers how Robin started at GALA Choruses and the legacy she hopes to leave behind.