Our Story
Coro Vocati is a group of professional singers based in Atlanta, called to create music at the highest level of choral artistry. The choir has established itself as one of the premier professional choral ensembles of the southeast, featuring some of the region’s most talented vocalists with polished performances celebrating unique and intriguing programming.
Coro Vocati was the first professional choir in Georgia to perform the critically acclaimed work “Considering Matthew Shepard” to a sold-out audience in June 2019. In 2018, Coro was a featured performer at the Southern Division American Choral Directors Association Conference in Louisville, Kentucky.
John H. Dickson – Artistic Director
John H. Dickson is the Edward G. and Catherine M. Galante Chair for Choral Music Education at Louisiana State University’s School of Music. As Director of Choral Studies he conducts the A Cappella Choir and supervises the masters and doctoral programs in choral conducting. Outside of academia, he is the founding artistic director and conductor of Coro Vocati, one of Atlanta’s most accomplished professional chamber choirs.
This year marks Dr. Dickson’s fortieth year as a collegiate choral conductor. As a conducting pedagogue, he has presented master-classes before the Association of British Choral Directors, the American Choral Directors Association and the Russian State Music Conservatories of St. Petersburg and Moscow. He has conducted festivals and workshops in England, Wales, Scotland, Finland, France, Italy, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, Mexico, Canada, and throughout the U. S. For three decades his choirs have been featured at conventions of the ACDA, ABCD, Texas Music Educators Association, and the National Collegiate Choral Organization.
Appointed as a Visiting Fellow of Wolfson College, Cambridge University in 1992, Dr. Dickson sang with Sir David Willcocks and The Bach Choir; a second post-doctoral fellowship in 1998 allowed him to serve as principal rehearsal conductor under musical director David Hill. For his summer conducting institutes Dr. Dickson has co-directed with British friends and colleagues Stephen Cleobury, David Hill and Bob Chilcott. He is the Founding Director of the C. S. Lewis Choral Institute, featuring a professional chorus for its triennial symposium in Oxford and Cambridge. He holds the D.M.A. degree in choral conducting from The University of Texas, at Austin, the M.M. degree in musicology from Baylor University, and has done post-doctoral study at Cambridge University, Cambridge.
Jonathan Crutchfield – Collaborative Pianist
Jonathan Crutchfield is pleased to join Coro Vocati as their collaborative pianist. He received degrees from Southern Wesleyan University (BA – piano performance); Florida State University (MM – choral conducting); and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (DMA – choral conducting). Dr. Crutchfield has served four University music faculties: Southern Wesleyan University, Central (SC); University of Alabama at Huntsville; Indiana University, Southeast, New Albany; and Queens University, Charlotte (NC). He co-founded and directed the School of Fine Arts in Chattanooga (TN) from 1996-2002. Since 2013, Jonathan has taught music in South Africa under the auspices of the International Partnership for Choral Music Education (IPCME).
He has accompanied choirs and individuals as a collaborative pianist/organist in 7 countries, including the United States. He has served churches as a full- or part-time musician for 39 years and is a published composer of organ, brass, and choral music. Jonathan currently serves as Organist/Choirmaster at Morningside Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Ensemble
Sopranos
Name: Alexis Lundy
Joined Coro Vocati: 2010
Role/Job Title: Choral Director
Company/School: Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School
Undergraduate Degree: BM Music Education and Voice Performance
Undergraduate University: Shorter College
Graduate Degree: MM Voice Performance
Graduate University: Indiana University
Music Career Highlight: Making music and incredible memories with the C.S. Lewis Institute Choir in Oxford and Cambridge
Name: Alison Mann
Joined Coro Vocati: 2009
Role/Job Title: Associate Professor of Choral Music Education and Program Coordinator of Music Education
Company/School: Kennesaw State University
Undergraduate Degree: BM and MM Choral Music Education
Undergraduate University: Florida State University
Graduate Degree: PhD Music Education and Choral Conducting
Graduate University: University of Oregon
Music Career Highlight: Performance opportunities with past students and mentors, particularly “Considering Matthew Shepard”
Name: Shannan O’Dowd
Joined Coro Vocati: 2014
Role/Job Title: Graduate Student
Company/School: Louisiana State University
Undergraduate Degree: BM Music Education
Undergraduate University: Kennesaw State University
Music Career Highlight: Winning a Shuler Award for Music Direction
Name: Claire Pappas
Joined Coro Vocati: 2019
Role/Job Title: Choral Director
Company/School: Liberty Middle School
Undergraduate Degree: BM Music Education
Undergraduate University: Kennesaw State University
Music Career Highlight: Winning 5 consecutive GA NATS overall champion titles
Name: Megan Rikard
Joined Coro Vocati: 2014
Role/Job Title: Choral Director
Company/School: Pine Mountain Middle School
Undergraduate Degree: BM Music Education
Undergraduate University: Kennesaw State University
Graduate Degree: MM Music Education
Graduate University: Florida State University
Music Career Highlight: Many performance and solo opportunities throughout the world
Altos
Name: Macy Swanson
Joined Coro Vocati: 2019
Role/Job Title: Choral Director
Company/School: Mossy Creek Middle School
Undergraduate Degree: BM Music Education
Undergraduate University: Kennesaw State University
Music Career Highlight: Performing at Carnegie Hall under the direction of John Rutter
Name: Mary Beth Kosowski
Joined Coro Vocati: 2009
Role/Job Title: Director of Marketing
Company/School: Mercer University Press
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelors in Business Administration
Undergraduate University: Truman State University
Music Career Highlight: Singing in Carnegie Hall Avery Fisher Hall/Lincoln Center
Name: Michelle Levesque
Joined Coro Vocati: 2012
Role/Job Title: Choral Director
Company/School: Alpharetta High School
Undergraduate Degree: BM Music Education (Choral and General Music)
Undergraduate University: Shorter College
Graduate Degree: MM Choral Conducting
Graduate University: The University of Alabama
Music Career Highlight: Multiple Carnegie Hall performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus
Name: Holly McCarren
Joined Coro Vocati: 2011
Role/Job Title: Freelance singer
Undergraduate Degree: BM Voice Performance
Undergraduate University: Clayton State University
Graduate Degree: MM Vocal Performance
Graduate University: University of Oregon
Music Career Highlight: Solos and touring Italy with CCO
Name: Anne Schantz
Joined Coro Vocati: 2017
Role/Job Title: Assistant Professor of Voice
Company/School: Reinhardt University
Undergraduate Degree: BM Piano/Voice Performance
Undergraduate University: Southern Nazarene University
Graduate Degree: MM and DMA Voice Performance
Graduate University: MM University of Oklahoma, DMA University of North Texas
Music Career Highlight: Singing with Santa Fe Desert Chorale
Name: Anne-Marie Spalinger
Joined Coro Vocati: 2009
Role/Job Title: Sr. Systems Analyst, Team Lead
Company/School: Gwinnett Medical Center
Undergraduate Degree: BM
Undergraduate University: Mercer University
Graduate Degree: MCM Concentration in Voice
Graduate University: The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Music Career Highlight: Soloist on Carnegie Hall stage with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Chorus, followed by solos with the ASO/ASO Chorus
Name: Elise Eskew Sparks
Joined Coro Vocati: 2014
Role/Job Title: Director of Choral Activities, Choral Director
Company/School: Agnes Scott College, Decatur High School
Undergraduate Degree: BM Music Education (Voice)
Undergraduate University: University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Graduate Degree: MSM Choral Conducting, PhD Music Education
Graduate University: Emory University, Georgia State University
Music Career Highlight: Singing 9 seasons at the Oregon Bach Festival under the direction of Helmuth Rilling
Name: Erika Tazawa
Joined Coro Vocati: 2019
Role/Job Title: Collaborative Piano Faculty, Vocal Coach
Company/School: Emory University, Kennesaw State University
Undergraduate Degree: BM Piano Performance
Undergraduate University: State University of New York- Potsdam
Graduate Degree: MM Piano Performance
Graduate University: State University of New York- Potsdam
Music Career Highlight: Release of solo album, Rhythm of Silence, and being active in the contemporary music community as pianist of “Bent Frequency”.
Tenors
Name: Joshua Cheney
Joined Coro Vocati: 2018
Role/Job Title: Assistant Professor of Choral Music
Company/School: Lee University
Undergraduate Degree: BM Music Education
Undergraduate University: Campbell University
Graduate Degree: MM Choral Conducting and Church Music, DMA Choral Conducting
Graduate University: Mercer University, Louisiana State University
Music Career Highlight: Performing the Beethoven Missa Solemnis
Name: Justin Cornelius
Joined Coro Vocati: 2012
Role/Job Title: Enrollment Services Assistant
Company/School: Georgia State University
Undergraduate Degree: BA Music
Undergraduate University: Valdosta State University
Music Career Highlight: Performing at Carnegie Hall with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Name: Kirby Eicholtz
Joined Coro Vocati: 2018
Role/Job Title: Student
Company/School: Georgia State University
Undergraduate Degree: BM Voice Performance
Undergraduate University: Georgia State University
Music Career Highlight: Opera and choral performances
Name: Alex Masten
Joined Coro Vocati: 2015
Role/Job Title: Director, Training and Solutions Architecture
Company/School: Clearwater Compliance
Undergraduate Degree: Bachelors in Accountancy, Minor in Music (Vocal Performance)
Undergraduate University: Ole Miss
Graduate Degree: Masters in Accountancy
Graduate University: University of Mississippi
Music Career Highlight: Performed a concert workshop and as a soloist under the direction of Eric Whitacre
Name: Wes Stoner
Joined Coro Vocati: 2009
Role/Job Title: Doctoral Student/Teaching Assistant
Company/School: Frost School of Music at the University of Miami
Undergraduate Degree: BM Music Education
Undergraduate University: University of Georgia
Graduate Degree: MM Choral Conducting, DMA Choral Conducting
Graduate University: Michigan State University, University of Miami
Music Career Highlight: Singing in some of the world’s most revered halls with ensembles that mean so very much to me
Name: Brian Strickland
Joined Coro Vocati: 2018
Role/Job Title: Supervisor
Company/School: Takeda Pharmaceuticals
Undergraduate Degree: BM Vocal Performance
Undergraduate University: Georgia Southern University
Music Career Highlight: Singing in the chorus of Atlanta Opera’s 2017 production of Turandot
Basses
Name: Jay Champion
Joined Coro Vocati: 2011
Role/Job Title: Choral Director and Music Technology Teacher
Company/School: Lost Mountain Middle School
Undergraduate Degree: BM Music Education and Composition
Undergraduate University: Louisiana State University
Graduate Degree: MM Music Education, Education Specialist Degree
Graduate University: University of Georgia
Music Career Highlight: Conducting my choirs at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference, singing around the world with ASOC
Name: Matthew Gardner
Joined Coro Vocati: 2019
Role/Job Title: Choral Director
Company/School: Austin High School (Decatur, AL)
Undergraduate Degree: BA Music, Voice
Undergraduate University: University of Alabama, Huntsville
Graduate Degree: MM, Choral Conducting
Graduate University: Louisiana State University
Music Career Highlight: Performing in Notre Dame Cathedral
Name: Justin Han
Joined Coro Vocati: 2019
Role/Job Title: Director of Music Ministries
Company/School: John’s Creek Presbyterian Church
Undergraduate Degree: BM Music Education, BS Biology
Undergraduate University: University of Georgia
Graduate Degree: MM Choral Conducting and Piano Performance
Graduate University: Georgia State University
Music Career Highlight: Working with Joseph Flummerfelt at the Illinois conducting symposium
Name: Brandon Odom
Joined Coro Vocati: 2015
Role/Job Title: Medical Office Manager
Company/School: Olansky Dermatology
Undergraduate Degree: BM Vocal Performance
Undergraduate University: Clayton State University
Graduate Degree: MM Vocal Performance
Graduate University: Southern Illinois University
Music Career Highlight: Too many to name, but most recently performing at the Southeastern Division of ACDA with Coro Vocati and National ACDA with Atlanta Master Chorale in 2017
Name: Steve Ozcomert
Joined Coro Vocati: 2009
Role/Job Title: Trial Lawyer
Company/School: Stephen M. Ozcomert, P.C.
Undergraduate Degree: BA English and History
Undergraduate University: Kenyon College
Graduate Degree: Doctor of Law
Graduate University: Emory University School of Law
Music Career Highlight: Performing as a soloist for Robert Spano, Robert Shaw, and Donald Runnicles with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Name: Erik Potteiger
Joined Coro Vocati: 2016
Role/Job Title: Freelance Musician and Composer
Company/School: 2018-2019 Voces8 US Scholars, The Red Shift, The Cecilia Ensemble, Choral Arts Philadelphia, The Cathedral Singers etc.
Undergraduate Degree: BM Music Education (Voice, Percussion) and Voice Performance
Undergraduate University: University of South Carolina
Music Career Highlight: Singing with Voces8 on their 2019 US tour
Name: Landon Scriber
Joined Coro Vocati: 2015
Role/Job Title: Choral Director
Company/School: LSU & Alexandria Senior High School
Undergraduate Degree: BM Voice Performance
Undergraduate University: Mississippi College
Graduate Degree: MM Choral Conducting
Graduate University: Louisiana State University
Music Career Highlight: Two tours of South Africa with colleagues and mentors.
Name: Joel Terning
Joined Coro Vocati: 2019
Role/Job Title: Freelance Musician
Company/School: The Cathedral of St. Philips, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and Johns Creek Chorale.
Undergraduate Degree: BM Voice Performance
Undergraduate University: Mercer University
Music Career Highlight: Performing Rutters Requiem at Carnegie Hall.
Name: Andre Trahan Joined Coro Vocati: 2018
Role/Job Title: Assistant Director of Choirs; Organist
Company/School: Montgomery (TX) High School; St. Anthony of Padua
Undergraduate Degree: BA Choral Music and Sacred Music
Undergraduate University: Centenary College of Louisiana
Graduate Degree: MM Choral Conducting
Graduate University: Louisiana State University
Music Career Highlight: Performed in St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City; St. Paul’s Cathedral, London; Melk Abbey, Austria
Former and/or Substitute Personnel
Matthew Neylon, Amy Chastain, Kati Stewart, Katie Woolf, Anna Ulrich, Jason Maynard, Chris Walters, Cain-Oscar Bergeron, John Newsome, Taylor Greer, Taylor Conley, Alan Roberts, Jonathan Pilkington, Christina Casey, Erin McCollum, Adam Kissel, Alicia Walker, Amy Foster, Blaire Lynch, Carol Goff, Celia Jacobs Shore, Christopher Patton, Chris Rosborough, Christa Joy Chase, Colin Porter, Heather Witt, Karen Lupton, Kristen Reisig, Kyle Wheatley, Lauren Larson Larkin, Melanie Cross Buckner, Michael Arens, Nancy Mize Johnston, Owen Mathews, Phillip Shoultz, Reggie Garrett, Renee Wilson-Wicker, Robert Bolyard, Sarah Ward, Scott Martin, Shawn Keswani, Steve Rotz, Taylor Johnson, Tim Gunter, Virginia Boaz, Ana Baida, Charlie Boone, Rich Kosowski.
Administrative Staff
David Daly, Managing Director
Alison Mann, Chorus Manager
Board of Directors
Steve Ozcomert, chair
Edward Ball
Rebekah Cheney
Mike Henry
Alex Masten
David McAlister
Jacques Mebius
Bill Pilon
Fred Schwartz
CORO VOCATI 