Administrative
Mark McCrary (he/him/his)
Executive Director
executivedirector@pdxgmc.org
Mark comes to Portland Gay Men’s Chorus with several years’ experience leading arts and nonprofit organizations, from arts councils and performing arts venues to nonprofit management service organizations. His journey from growing up in Oregon has taken him to California, back to Oregon, Mississippi and finally, to Portland via Klamath Falls, OR.
He is nationally recognized with a certificate in association management from the American Society of Association Executives and has served on local, state, and national boards including chambers of commerce, tourism bureaus, and several arts and nonprofit organizations.
He calls University of Oregon his alma mater where he majored in business administration and dance (for a while) and received his MBA from Belhaven University. He has performed in folk dance groups, ballet, musical theater, opera and has directed local musicals in another town, far, far, away.
He lives in Milwaukie with his partner, Ford, and the beautifully and brilliant, Josie… a blonde terrier with eyes that can look offended should you refuse to provide a treat or adoring when she finally gets the treat. Mark has two grown children, Meghan and Kyle, and a grandson who still lives in Mississippi (although we are indoctrinating him into the Oregon vibe).
Artistic
Braeden Ayres, Ph. D. (he/they)
Artistic Director & Conductor
artisticdirector@pdxgmc.org
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.
Garrett Bond (he/him)
Associate Artistic Director
Conductor of Cascade
garrett@pdxgmc.org
An award winning Vocalist, Pianist, Conductor and Composer, Garrett Bond holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theory & Composition from St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, a Master’s of Music degree in Choral Conducting, and recently achieved a second Master degree in Collaborative Piano both from Portland State University. Currently, Garrett stays active within Portland as a freelance musician singing with Cappella Romana, Portland State University, the Oregon Symphony, and Pink Martini along with others. He serves as President of the Board of Directors for the Bells of the Cascades, he is a founding member of Chanticleer’s newly formed Vocal Consort, and is an active educator and clinician within Portland Public Schools and surrounding districts.
David Saffert
Principal Accompanist
David Saffert has played piano locally for the Oregon Symphony, Portland Opera, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Resonance Ensemble, Anonymous Theatre, and has been featured on All Classical Portland radio’s “Thursdays at Three.”
David is a Liberace tribute artist who performs with Jillian Snow Harris (as Liza Minnelli), and Bo Ayars (Liberace’s actual Music Director from 1973-1985). Together they have performed at Feinsteins, Broadway Rose Theatre, CoHo Theatre, and Tony Starlight’s Showroom in Portland, and special television appearances in Liberace’s own Las Vegas mansion. Find out more at www.liberaceandliza.com.
Administration
Terrill Grubbs
Administrative Coordinator
terrill@pdxgmc.org
Terrill Grubbs
System Administrator
sysadmin@pdxgmc.org
Alec Lugo
Marketing & Events Coordinator
events@pdxgmc.org
