LEADERSHIP
Paul Caldwell, Artistic Director
Paul Caldwell has been Artistic Director of the Youth Choral Theater since 2001. Under his leadership, the organization has achieved a new level of recognition and more than doubled in size and scope. His focus on contemporary repertoire, multi-media and interdisciplinary performance projects, and music from diverse world cultures garnered national recognition when he was awarded the Chorus America/ASCAP prize for Adventurous Programming in 2006.
Paul composes and arranges music collaboratively with Sean Ivory. Their work is a staple in the repertoire of ensembles worldwide and has been performed at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, the Chicago Symphony Center, the Sydney Opera House, and throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa. In the past three years, the National Endowment for the Arts has funded three different commissioning projects which enabled them to create new works for American choruses.
Justin Fyala, General Manager
Justin Fyala joined the Youth Choral Theater's staff in 2011. He holds a Masters in Arts Management from Carnegie Mellon University and studied Voice at the University of North Texas where he was a Priddy Fellow in Arts Leadership. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Pennsylvania State University where he was a Willa C. Taylor Scholar. He is the current Vice President of Business Management for the Essence of Joy Alumni Singers and has previously worked for the artistic and operations departments of the Pittsburgh Opera, Aspen Music Festival, Dallas Opera, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, American Institute of Musical Study, and the State College Centre for the Performing Arts as well as the vocal division of IMG Artists. He has worked as a professional stage manager, vocal coach, and caption engineer, has taught collegiate voice and choir and high school music and drama, and has served as an adjudicator for several international music competitions.
Gregory Shifrin, Accompanist
Gregory Shifrin serves as the principal pianist for Youth Choral Theater rehearsals and performances. Gregory grew up in Moscow, studying at the college of the Moscow Conservatory. He immigrated to Israel to study at the Jerusalem Academy of Music. As a member of the Kotlyar-Shifrin Piano Duo, he has won international competitions in Poland and the USA. He has been featured in performances with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, The New World Symphony Orchestra, the Bialystok Philharmonic, the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and the Israeli Chamber Orchestra. Gregory lives in Vernon Hills with his wife, Kira, and their sons, Itamar and Ariel.
Sean Ivory, Affiliate Artist
Sean Ivory is the Music Director of the Grand Rapids Symphony Youth Chorus. From 2001 until 2007, he was Principal Conductor of the North American Choral Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He also is the vocal music instructor at Forest Hills Central High School and has served as the conductor of the Campus Choir at Calvin College. Sean began co-arranging music with Paul Caldwell in the early 90’s. Since that time, they have had new work commissioned by the nation’s leading conductors. Their music has become standard repertoire for choirs worldwide. Sean collaborates with the Youth Choral Theater as a composer, pianist, guest conductor, and artistic advisor. He lives in Grand Rapids with his wife, Leah, and their children, Emma, Samuel, and Meredith.
Board of Directors
Mary Alice Miller, President
Tom Beck, Amy Boyle, Paul Caldwell, Jennifer Coyne, Mary Ann Finlay, Scott Johnson, Tobi Heekin, Martha Kinzel, Linda Kiracibasi, Barry Levenstam, Kathy Morrissey, Aki Nakagawa, Ruth Whitney.
