Dr. Clelyn Chapin has been named Artistic Director of the Denver Women’s Chorus by the Rocky Mountain Arts Association Board of Directors, the non-profit umbrella organization of Denver’s leading LGBTQA+ women’s chorus. Chapin will start her tenure in August as DWC kicks off its 38th season.
“Clelyn will be an incredible addition to the RMAA family, and we are so delighted to welcome her as the new Artistic Director of the Denver Women’s Chorus,” said Heidi Shriver, RMAA Co-Chair who was the organizing chair of the artistic director search committee. “Clelyn stands out among a stellar group of candidates. As a committee, we could see clearly that so much of her experience aligns with the goals of DWC. Her demonstrated commitment to choral community building, her experience with singers of all ages, her specialization in treble ensembles, and her record of meaningful thematic programming are all attributes that will serve DWC well, and we look forward to seeing where she will lead the chorus.”
In May 2020, Chapin received a Doctorate in Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University College of Music, following her Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Northern Colorado College of Music. She has served as a secondary and collegiate educator in Texas, Colorado, and Michigan over the past 12 years and will begin teaching and conducting at Regis University in the fall.
“I have long admired the work of the Rocky Mountain Arts Association and DWC for the musical quality of its choirs but even more so for its commitment to social justice,” Chapin said. “I am thrilled to be a part of this amazing group and community.”
Chapin takes the AD role following the retirement of Mark Zwilling, who led DWC for 19 years. Zwilling is now Director Emeritus, Denver Women’s Chorus. A diverse and representative group of current DWC singers and staff, RMAA board members, as well as an artistic director of a non-competing chorus and the artistic founder and first conductor of DWC served on the search committee.
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