GALA Choruses Board of Directors Appoints New Executive Director

headshot of Maria-Elena Grant, smiling black woman with long, dark hair

Maria-Elena Grant
President
GALA Choruses
Board of Directors

Dear GALA Community,

Last year, Robin Godfrey, Executive Director of GALA Choruses, Inc, informed us that she would be retiring from her role at the end of 2024. For the past 20 years Robin has played a pivotal role in all the endeavors of GALA Choruses and has led the organization with superhuman skill, insight, and business acumen. We are forever grateful.

Our search for a new Executive Director formally began in February of this year and produced 55 applicants. The pool of candidates was accomplished and diverse in many ways with, for example, applicants coming from the United States, Europe, and Asia which made for a very competitive process.

Our search committee narrowed the pool to 3 finalists who interviewed with the Board of Directors. After careful deliberation, a successor was chosen to lead GALA Choruses into our next chapter. As President of the Board of Directors, it is my distinct honor and privilege to announce that the GALA Choruses Board of Directors has appointed John D Carrion as our new Executive Director, who will begin his duties on November 1, 2024.

John has extensive experience in nonprofit management and executive leadership and is currently the Executive Director of Big Apple Performing Arts (BAPA), the non-profit organization of the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, the Youth Pride Chorus, and the Tonewall queer a cappella band. John began his tenure with Big Apple Performing Arts (BAPA) and the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus in October 2021. During his time at BAPA, he has focused on revitalizing the organization in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic; worked to recruit over 200 new members; produced concerts that engage with new communities around New York City; and helped to expand the organization by raising $3 million through foundation and government grants, fundraising events, performance and ticket revenue, and individual donations.

Prior to his time at BAPA, John joined the London Gay Men’s Chorus (LGMC) and created the LGMC’s Youth, Education, and Outreach program in 2011. John served as Chairman of the LGMC from 2013-2017.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Metropolitan Studies and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, specializing in nonprofit management, from New York University (NYU). He also earned a Master of Science (MSc) degree in sociology at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) – awarded with distinction. His MSc thesis focused on how music can form social movements as evidenced in LGBTQIA+ choruses. In June 2022, John was named a New York City LGBTQ+ Power Player. In October 2022, John was elected to the GALA Choruses Board of Directors and began his term on January 1, 2023. In February 2023, he presented two workshops at the Out and Loud and Proud Festival in Sydney, Australia, representing both Big Apple Performing Arts and GALA Choruses. In July 2024, John co-presented three workshops at the GALA Choruses Festival in Minneapolis: Peer to Peer Fundraising, Marketing Roundtable, and Supporting Trans and Non-Binary Members.

I am so honored and truly humbled to have been appointed the next Executive Director of GALA Choruses. When I joined the London Gay Men’s Chorus in 2011, I never could have imagined the incredible journey upon which I would embark over the subsequent 13 years. I am excited to begin this new chapter for me and for GALA Choruses; I am very lucky to have the opportunity to work alongside a Board of Directors who is committed to honoring our legacy, continuing our stability, and building our future.

John D. Carrion
Incoming GALA Choruses Executive Director

John Carrion stands on a street corner in NYC smiling. He wears a grey suit and dark rimmed glasses.
Photo credit: Michael Danz

In closing, I must express my gratitude to the 10-person search committee, consisting of board members and members of the choral community, for leading us through this process. Co-chaired by Steve Smith, Executive Director of the Berkshire Choral International and board member Jeff Chapdelaine, the search committee also included Michael Tate of the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus and board members Miriam Davidson, Justin Fyala, Tim Blanchard-Modisette, Michael McDonald, Carol Paskulin, Jeff Smith and myself.

We are excited to welcome John into his new role. Please join me in congratulating him. He can be reached at jcarrion@galachoruses.org.

With respect and excitement for the future!

Maria-Elena Grant
President, GALA Choruses Board of Directors