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Kimberly WaigwaInterim Artistic DirectorKimberly Waigwa, conductor and music educator, has gained a reputation both in Tucson and Phoenix as a high caliber, high energy, and multifaceted educator, conductor, and community builder. They are a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Fred Fox School of Music, holding a Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing.
Kimberly began their GALA Choruses journey when they first joined Desert Voices in 2010. Since then, Kimberly has made their conducting debut at the 2016 GALA Choruses Festival and worked as assistant and small ensemble director with Desert Voices, began as Artistic Director of the Phoenix Women’s Chorus, and is now stepping into the role of Interim Artistic Director with Desert Voices. Kimberly has previously worked in a multitude of different positions such as Interim Director of the St. Nicholas and After School Music Program Choirs, guest conductor in the Helios Ensemble, music director of Mountain Vista Unitarian Universalist Congregation, and private vocal instructor. Additionally, in 2017 Kimberly was selected as 1 of 8 in the nation to participate in the Inaugural Undergraduate Masterclass at the American Choral Directors Association’s National Conference, worked with Dr. Ann Howard Jones and the Luther College Collegiate Chorale, and has taken private lessons and participated in masterclasses with preeminent conductors such as Dr. James Jordan, Dr. Jerry Blackstone, Dr. Arian Khaefi, Dr. Jaclyn Johnson, and Dr. Jason Harris. As a proud member of the LGBTQIA community and advocate for social justice, Kimberly is looking forward to embarking on this new chapter of growth with Desert Voices, continuing to build and collaborate with sibling choruses throughout the state, and continuing to strengthen the numbers and visibility of all Arizona’s GALA Choruses. |
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Dr. Kyungsun ChoiAccompanistPianist Kyungsun Choi has been enjoying a varied career as a soloist, chamber musician, accompanist and teacher. He has given numerous solo recitals and chamber recitals both in South Korea and USA. In addition, he has worked as a choir pianist and an opera pianist/coach. The opera productions that he has participated in were varied including Mozart, Puccini, Verdi, Bizet, Mascagni, Sondheim, Mechem, Menotti, and Bernstein.
A native of Seoul, South Korea, Pianist Kyungsun Choi graduated from Yonsei University in Seoul, where he earned Bachelors degrees in Piano Performance. He went on to University of Northern Iowa on a full tuition scholarship where he received a Masters of Music under Prof. Sean Botkin and served as a graduate teaching assistant. Most recently Dr. Choi completed his DMA in Piano Performance at the University of Arizona under Dr. Paula Fan while serving as a graduate teaching assistant. Dr. Choi has served as a GALA Choruses accompanist with Reveille Men's Chorus since 2007. |