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The Pittsburgh Girls Choir announces the appointment of new Artistic Director
The Pittsburgh Girls Choir is pleased to announce Dr. Ryan Keeling as its new Artistic Director; the second in its19-year history.
Established in 2005 by Kathryn Barnard as the Oakland Girls Choir, the organization was incorporated as the Pittsburgh School for the Choral Arts (PSCA) in 2011 and changed its trade name to Pittsburgh Girls Choir (PGC) in 2017. Since its inception as PSCA, the organization has developed a comprehensive, 3-tiered, Kodaly-based training choir program, (Melodia, Harmonia and Via), in preparation for Concentio Choir and its highly selective Chamber Choir. In addition, the PGC provides a volunteer women’s choir opportunity, Women of Song. The Pittsburgh Girls Choir is committed to artistic excellence and performance through an exemplary music education program, and welcomes girls of all races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds into our supportive community.
Dr. Ryan Keeling is active as a teacher, conductor, and professional singer in the Pittsburgh area. In addition to his position as Artistic Director of Pittsburgh Girls Choir, where he conducts Concentio and Chamber Choir, Ryan also serves as Director of Choral Activities at Westminster College where he conducts three choirs and teaches courses in conducting, diction, and choral methods and oversees student teachers. In addition, he is Artistic Director of Voces Solis, a premier chamber choir and Chancel Choir Director at Christ United Methodist Church in Bethel Park. As chorus master Ryan has prepared choirs for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Andrea Bocelli, Mandy Gonzalez, and The Chieftains. As a professional singer, Ryan has performed as soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Concert Chorale, and at the National Pastoral Musicians national conference and a chorister with Archipelago Vocal Ensemble and the Professional Core of the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. Ryan holds the DMA degree in conducting, the MM degree in choral conducting, and the BA degree in music education.
PGC Board President, Mariana Whitmer, is delighted with this new appointment. “Ryan brings a vast array of experience, knowledge, and passion for choral singing to the Pittsburgh Girls Choir. We look forward to many more exciting seasons!”
“I am thrilled for the opportunity to join the incredible staff, board, and singers of the Pittsburgh Girls Choir as the new artistic director,” adds Ryan. “The PGC is truly a one-of-a-kind choral training program and I look forward to continuing the tradition of outstanding choral singing and education started by Founder Kathryn Barnard.”
Kathryn Barnard, who will be staying with the Pittsburgh Girls Choir to conduct Via, the middle school training choir, remarked “I am delighted to pass on the artistic director reins to Dr. Keeling. He is the perfect person to lead PGC into the future. Ryan’s artistry, pedagogy and caring personality will launch PGC to new levels of excellence!”
– PREVIOUS NEWS –
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN! – Pittsburgh Girls Choir’s Artistic Director, Kathryn Barnard, sits down at WQED to talk about PGC’s new administrative affiliation with Pittsburgh Camerata. She is joined by Pittsburgh Camerata’s Artistic Director, Mark Anderson, and Managing Director, Gail Luley.
CLICK HERE TO READ! – This Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s article discusses Pittsburgh Girls Choir’s new administrative affiliation with Pittsburgh Camerata.
PITTSBURGH GIRLS CHOIR AND THE PITTSBURGH CAMERATA TO SHARE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
August 4, 2021 — Pittsburgh Girls Choir and The Pittsburgh Camerata are embarking on a unique administrative affiliation to provide strategic innovation, creative growth and ongoing strength for each organization – and an energized choral arts presence for our community. The affiliation involves a shared full-time executive director and other shared administrative services while maintaining each organization’s distinct identity, mission and nonprofit status.
Both Pittsburgh Girls Choir and The Pittsburgh Camerata are steeped in the richness and depth of choral tradition. This affiliation positions us to deepen our artistic quality through concert programming, commissioning of new music, education, and the artistic expansion of our singers and musicians. The affiliation will benefit the overall arts community as much as the individual organizations.
“I am excited because this affiliation will provide greater educational and artistic opportunities for PGC,” says Kathryn Barnard. “Camerata singers are the perfect role models, mentors and vocal coaches for our girls. In turn, this relationship offers Camerata singers the opportunity to pass on the choral art to the next generation. A shared full time executive director will accelerate our outreach to the broader community, fulfilling our commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion.”
Read the Press Release and FAQs for more details.