DR. JAMES HIGGS, Artistic Director
James Higgs, D.M.A (he/him/his) is the Artistic Director of Desert Voices, Director of the Faculty and Staff Choir at the University of Arizona, Director of Music at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, and Associate Faculty at Cochise College where he directs the Cochise College Choirs and teaches piano and voice. In addition to his work as a conductor, pianist, and educator, he is a board member of the Arizona Choral Arts Association and member of the American Choral Directors Association and Music Teachers National Association. Recent accomplishments include conducting in a masterclass with Talis Scholars conductor Peter Phillips, poster presentations on his research at the Western (2022) and National (2023) ACDA Conferences, guest lectures in choral literature courses at the UA and Louisiana State University, co-directing the inaugural DEI Choral Literature Intensive at the UA. Originally from the Bay Area, James lived in Los Angeles and Orange County for ten years. He attended Chapman University’s Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music where he received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and then a Master of Music in Keyboard Collaborative Arts from University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. James has called Tucson his home since 2019, and recently completed his D.M.A in choral conducting from the University of Arizona School of Music.

Deepest gratitude to Rick Small and The Stonewall Foundation for their generous and continuing support!

Begun in 1978, The Stonewall Foundation had been quietly supporting nonprofits in the Tucson and southern Arizona area for over 45 years. As a community support organization, the Stonewall Foundation had given nearly $50 million of support for up to 30 arts, health and education nonprofits in Tucson.
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Recently, it was decided that the foundation would be better served to operate as a donor advised fund under the auspices of the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona. For the past two years, the donor advised fund has not only supported the organizations Stonewall supported previously but has been able to add to the list of annual funding recipients and many other organizations, including Desert Voices.

Although the name, Stonewall, may suggest that the original foundation was an LGBT support foundation, it was not until its president, Rick Small, came out that Stonewall did too and began to provide needed funding to many of the organizations which enrich and support our community.
 
The Stonewall Foundation Donor Advised Fund is proud to provide annual funding to Desert Voices as they Foster Community Through Song.

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Thank you to the Desert Voices Community of Singers, Members, Donors & Leadership who kept the Chorus alive through the Pandemic. 
You are Amazing!

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OUR MISSION

"Fostering Community Through Song"

​Desert Voices is Tucson's premier gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and ally chorus. We are a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing Arizona beautiful music and to forging a positive and resolute LGBTQA presence in the community. Our unique chorus welcomes all voices to attend our rehearsals and come to our performances, regardless of age, gender, race, creed, or sexuality. Our members are diverse in voice and in background, of gay and straight singers, of all ages and identities. We strive to bring quality, unique music performances and the harmony of community to Tucson. Our purpose is to give a voice to those whose songs go unheard. 

OUR VISION

Desert Voices is an inclusive chorus organized to provide the opportunity for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and supportive others to sing together in order to:
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• Build community within and outside the Chorus through our love of music.
• Produce shows that are entertaining and musically excellent.
• Perform music that reflects the lives of the LGBTQA community.
• Promote an ongoing, positive LGBTQA presence in our community.
• Advance positive social change in the larger society.

A Proud Sponsor of Desert Voices

​Desert Voices has been awarded a Community Investment Grant this year by the Arizona Commission on the Arts! We're proud to be a part of the Arizona arts community, and will keep fostering that community through song!