SANTA FE DESERT CHORALE ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF JANICE L. MAYER AS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Santa Fe, New Mexico, May 12, 2015: The Santa Fe Desert Chorale’s Board of Directors today announced the appointment of Janice L. Mayer as Executive Director following an extensive national search. Ms. Mayer’s leadership of the nonprofit, professional choral organization will be effective in early June, 2015. She succeeds Jerome (Jerry) B. Nelson who has served as the Chorale’s Interim Executive Director since October, 2014.

Speaking on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Chorale, President David Bueschel said, “We are impressed with the breadth and depth of Ms. Mayer’s relevant professional experience and her leadership style. Her background and contacts across the professional performing arts world and around the United States provide avenues for our continued growth and further movement onto the national stage. At the same time, we are grateful for the wisdom and major leadership contributions of Jerry Nelson, who has agreed to continue to work with all of us for a transition period after Ms. Mayer arrives. In addition to his love for the Chorale, he brought us uniquely valuable experience that he gained over many years as an executive with the Santa Fe Opera and before that, back to its founding, with the Chorale itself.”

In accepting the appointment, Ms. Mayer said, “I have dedicated the majority of my professional life to advancing the vocal arts, both as an arts administrator and as a manager of classical vocalists. I look forward to working with the Board of Directors to further the mission of the organization, and to collaborating with Music Director Joshua Habermann to realize his artistic vision for this superb choral ensemble. That the ensemble is resident in Santa Fe, a community that I have visited regularly over the past thirty years, adds pure joy to the appointment.” In welcoming her, Music Director Joshua Habermann said, “I could not be happier to welcome Janice Mayer to the Desert Chorale. She brings vision, experience and passion to our organization, and I look forward to our collaboration.”

Janice L. Mayer has previously served as Executive Director Musica Sacra, a professional chorus in New York City, as well as Executive Director of Caminos del Inka, Inc. an organization founded by conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya to discover, preserve, expand and disseminate the rich musical legacy of the Americas. During her distinguished career, Ms. Mayer has held positions of responsibility with the New York City Opera, The Shubert Organization, The Metropolitan Opera, the Van Cliburn Foundation, and Classical Action: Performing Arts Against AIDS. She was a Vice President at Columbia Artists Management, Inc., and founded and directed Janice Mayer & Associates LLC, an international artist management firm based in New York. Janice L. Mayer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies and History from Connecticut College and a Master of Public Administration from New York University.

Now in its 33rd year, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale seeks to promote the appreciation of choral music. It is committed to enriching the lives of New Mexico residents and visitors through summer and winter season concerts with a wide range of classic choral works performed by the area’s only resident ensemble of professional singers who are auditioned and selected from across the United States. As part of its mission, the Chorale collaborates with other area performing arts organizations, conducts community outreach activities and educational programs. The Santa Fe Desert Chorale’s 2015 Summer Season opens on July 9 at the Cathedral Basilica, Santa Fe. Led by Joshua Habermann, the season program consists of four thematic programs: “Transcendence, “Serenade to Music,” “Venetian Splendor,” and “Hidden Treasures of Byzantium.” The 16-performance season, which includes performances in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque, concludes on August 9, 2015. For more information, please visit www.desertchorale.org.

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