Meet PGMC’s Artistic Director & Conductor
After a competitive nationwide search, Portland Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC) Executive Director Richard Jung and Board of Directors Chair Phylis Myles today announced the appointment of Dr. Braeden Ayres as the new Artistic Director and Conductor of PGMC, one of Portland’s premier choral organizations. Braeden Ayres joins Portland Gay Men’s Chorus from Black Hawk College in Moline, IL, where he served as a part of its vocal faculty. Dr. Ayres holds degrees from Florida State University (Ph.D., Choral Music Education), the University of Northern Colorado (M.M., Choral Conducting), and Baylor University (B.M.E., Choral Music Education). Previously, Ayres served as the Assistant Artistic Director of Out Loud: The Colorado Springs Men’s Chorus and led a successful career in secondary music education. In addition to his work as a conductor, Ayres is also an active, award-winning composer, with works published through major houses such as Hal Leonard, Carl Fischer, Augsburg Fortress, Mark Foster, and MusicSpoke. Dr. Ayres is in demand as a commissioned composer, choral clinician, and guest presenter across the United States.
“PGMC is an iconic chorus with a storied history here in the Portland area,” said Jung. “We are extremely fortunate to have attracted someone with Braeden’s knowledge of choral arts and musical theatre, and with a proven commitment to his community. His energy and enthusiasm is infectious. I definitely look forward to welcoming him and his husband to the community here in Portland.”
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am pleased to welcome Dr. Braeden Ayres as PGMC’s next Artistic Director and Conductor,” said Myles. “His commitment to social justice, advocacy, the highlighting of marginalized voices, and his unique artistic vision makes him the ideal candidate to lead PGMC into an exciting future.”
Commenting on his new role as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus, Ayres said “PGMC is an institution with a rich and important history of music-making and social activism. As a conductor and educator, I believe in empowering all people to find and use their voices, and I am honored by the opportunity to lead this fine ensemble to even greater heights. As the new ADC, I am excited to work with our singers and creative teams to create innovative, genre-bending choral performances that will uplift and inspire our audiences in Portland and across the world.”
The Artistic Director Search Committee was designed to represent the diversity of PGMC’s membership, Board of Directors, and community. Led by co-chairs Allen Tomlinson (Board Member) and Richard Jung (Executive Director), the committee included Mary McCarty (Interim Artistic Director), Michael Hammerstrom (Singing Member), Dana Busch (Singing Member), Joel Bradshaw (DEI Committee and Singing Member), Jessica Osborne, (Board Member), Zachary Vermillion (Singing Member), Vikram Srinivasan (Singing Member) and Wayne Gregory (PGMC Chorus President).
