David continues to expand the broader context for works performed by NYCHORAL and to bring New York lesser known choral works and the East Coast and World Premieres of works by composers including Jennifer Higdon and Frank Ticheli.

David served on the conducting staff of The Philadelphia Orchestra from 2001-2011. In May 2015, he completed twenty-three years as Music Director of the critically acclaimed professional vocal ensemble The Philadelphia Singers, which was the resident chorus of The Philadelphia Orchestra from 2000-2011. He served as Interim Director of Orchestras for Temple University during the 2014-15 season. David has also served as a cover conductor for the New York Philharmonic as well as for Sir Andre Previn on the Curtis Symphony Orchestra’s 1999 European Tour with Anne-Sophie Mutter.

Equally at home both orchestrally and vocally, David is in demand as guest conductor with orchestras and opera companies across North America. Recent guest conducting engagements have included a production of Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore for Opera Memphis, Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, and the East Coast premiere performances of Tan Dun’s Tea: A Mirror of Soul for the Opera Company of Philadelphia as well as a new production of Massenet’s Manon for the Curtis Opera Theatre. In addition, David also conducted the 90th Anniversary Gala performances of the Martha Graham Dance Company at New York City Center in April 2016. In the summer of 2016, he guest conducted at Berkshire Choral International in Newport RI. He also began regular guest conducting engagements with Umbrian Serenades in Spoleto, Italy, continued in subsequent summers in Soria, Spain and Noto, Sicily.

Past seasons have included concerts with such significant ensembles as The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Orchestre Symphonique de Trois-Rivières (Canada), Indiana University Philharmonic Orchestra, Temple University Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra 2001, Curtis Opera Theatre, European Center for Opera and Vocal Art, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, The Washington Chorus, Louisiana Philharmonic, Berkshire Choral International and the Verbier Festival.

Trained as a violinist and violist, David received his Bachelor of Music in musicology from the University of Hartford and a diploma in Orchestral Conducting from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Otto-Werner Mueller. He also studied with Charles Bruck at the Pierre Monteux School. David served on the Board of Directors of Chorus America from 2000-2009 and re-joined the Chorus America Board of Directors in June 2016.

Learn more about David Hayes, including current projects and upcoming engagements at davidhayesconductor.com

Heralded a “bold, emergent, personality” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Harrison Hollingsworth is also widely regarded as one of the premier wind players of his generation. He is Principal Bassoon of the New York City Ballet Orchestra at Lincoln Center, and is much in demand as a principal bassoonist, chamber musician, soloist, and pedagogue. Harrison has performed concertos with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Symphony in C, and others, and plays recitals everywhere from the Kennedy Center to La Mortella in Ischia, Italy. He has also played with the Metropolitan Opera, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestras of St. Luke’s, Mostly Mozart, and the Chautauqua Symphony.

An enthusiastic chamber musician, Harrison is a founding member of the musically eclectic Sixth Floor Trio, which tours across the country and has soloed with the Orchestras of Detroit and Louisville. He has also performed with Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, and the Kingston, Olympic, Bay Chamber, Chesapeake, and Twickenham Music Festivals, among many others. As a pedagogue, Harrison has taught classes at the Manhattan School for Music, Mannes College, and the Chautauqua Music Festival, and he has adjudicated competitions and auditions at the Juilliard School.
Harrison also plays fiddle and writes original music with his Downtown Folk Band. Harrison received his Bachelor of Music from The Curtis Institute of Music with a concentration in Bassoon Performance and a Master’s of Music from the Mannes School of music with a concentration in Orchestral Conducting.

Since graduating with distinction from the Royal College of Music London in 2009 with Andrew Ball, he has performed as a solo recitalist and collaborative artist in concert halls and festivals internationally, including Carnegie Hall New York, St. Martin in the Fields London, Mostly Mozart festival at Lincoln Center New York, Al-Hashemi-II Kuwait, MONA FOMA Festival Hobart, Coriole Festival SA, Huntington Festival NSW, as well as other venues in USA, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand and China. ​Recital collaborations include tenor Ian Bostridge, saxophonist Claude Delangle, violinists Arabella Steinbacher and Nikki Chooi, violist Lise Berthaud, cellists Mats Lidström, Alexander Baillie and Martin Loveday, sopranos Greta Bradman and Siobhan Stagg, baritone Wolfgang Holzmair, flautist Michel Bellavance and clarinetist Philippe Cuper. As a chamber musician, Amir is pianist of the Benaud Trio (www.benaudtrio.com), winning the Piano Trio prize at the 2005 Australian Chamber Music Competition.  He is also pianist with the Exponential Ensemble in NYC.

His numerous highly acclaimed recordings (primarily with Move Records) are heard frequently on radio stations throughout Australia and internationally, including a solo CD of works by Persian composer Javad Maroufi, multiple albums with cellist Zoe Knighton and soprano Siobhan Stagg, and numerous releases on ABC Classics and Melba Recordings with the Benaud Trio. Several of his albums have been nominated for an Australian Independent Music Award. Amir is also a recorded artist on the Steinway & Sons Spirio catalogue, as part of the piano manufacturer’s revolutionary player-piano system.

As well as his concert career, Amir has worked as a collaborative pianist at MCM, ANAM, the Australian Children’s Choir, and the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust. He was the Melba Trust’s inaugural répétiteur scholar in 2013, working under the guidance of Sharolyn Kimmorley. ​Between 2017-2020, Amir was a staff pianist at the Vocal Arts department of the Juilliard School, New York City, and worked as a rehearsal pianist with the New York Philharmonic.   More information about Amir can be found at amirfarid.com

David continues to expand the broader context for works performed by NYCHORAL and to bring New York lesser known choral works and the East Coast and World Premieres of works by composers including Jennifer Higdon and Frank Ticheli.

David served on the conducting staff of The Philadelphia Orchestra from 2001-2011. In May 2015, he completed twenty-three years as Music Director of the critically acclaimed professional vocal ensemble The Philadelphia Singers, which was the resident chorus of The Philadelphia Orchestra from 2000-2011. He served as Interim Director of Orchestras for Temple University during the 2014-15 season. David has also served as a cover conductor for the New York Philharmonic as well as for Sir Andre Previn on the Curtis Symphony Orchestra’s 1999 European Tour with Anne-Sophie Mutter.

Equally at home both orchestrally and vocally, David is in demand as guest conductor with orchestras and opera companies across North America. Recent guest conducting engagements have included a production of Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’Amore for Opera Memphis, Britten’s The Rape of Lucretia, and the East Coast premiere performances of Tan Dun’s Tea: A Mirror of Soul for the Opera Company of Philadelphia as well as a new production of Massenet’s Manon for the Curtis Opera Theatre. In addition, David also conducted the 90th Anniversary Gala performances of the Martha Graham Dance Company at New York City Center in April 2016. In the summer of 2016, he guest conducted at Berkshire Choral International in Newport RI. He also began regular guest conducting engagements with Umbrian Serenades in Spoleto, Italy, continued in subsequent summers in Soria, Spain and Noto, Sicily.

Past seasons have included concerts with such significant ensembles as The Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Orchestre Symphonique de Trois-Rivières (Canada), Indiana University Philharmonic Orchestra, Temple University Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Orchestra, Orchestra 2001, Curtis Opera Theatre, European Center for Opera and Vocal Art, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, The Washington Chorus, Louisiana Philharmonic, Berkshire Choral International and the Verbier Festival.

Trained as a violinist and violist, David received his Bachelor of Music in musicology from the University of Hartford and a diploma in Orchestral Conducting from the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studied with Otto-Werner Mueller. He also studied with Charles Bruck at the Pierre Monteux School. David served on the Board of Directors of Chorus America from 2000-2009 and re-joined the Chorus America Board of Directors in June 2016.

Learn more about David Hayes, including current projects and upcoming engagements at davidhayesconductor.com

Ellen’s professional journey is marked by significant achievements, including her role as Senior Marketing Director at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, where she led successful marketing campaigns that significantly enhanced community engagement and program visibility. Her tenure at the Michigan Theatre Foundation showcased her expertise in digital marketing strategy in the performing arts space, resulting in substantial growth in audience reach and engagement.

Furthermore, Ellen’s experience at the American Kennel Club Museum of the Dog underscored her exceptional fundraising acumen, where she exceeded fundraising goals and implemented innovative membership engagement strategies, even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ellen’s deep connection to the performing arts, particularly within vocal performance, imbues her with a profound understanding of the artistic and operational intricacies crucial to our organization. Her international performances and robust artistic career underscore her commitment to excellence, innovation, and inclusivity in the arts—a commitment that aligns seamlessly with the NYCHORAL values.

Heralded a “bold, emergent, personality” by the Philadelphia Inquirer, Harrison Hollingsworth is also widely regarded as one of the premier wind players of his generation. He is Principal Bassoon of the New York City Ballet Orchestra at Lincoln Center, and is much in demand as a principal bassoonist, chamber musician, soloist, and pedagogue. Harrison has performed concertos with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Symphony in C, and others, and plays recitals everywhere from the Kennedy Center to La Mortella in Ischia, Italy. He has also played with the Metropolitan Opera, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, the Orchestras of St. Luke’s, Mostly Mozart, and the Chautauqua Symphony.

An enthusiastic chamber musician, Harrison is a founding member of the musically eclectic Sixth Floor Trio, which tours across the country and has soloed with the Orchestras of Detroit and Louisville. He has also performed with Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, and the Kingston, Olympic, Bay Chamber, Chesapeake, and Twickenham Music Festivals, among many others. As a pedagogue, Harrison has taught classes at the Manhattan School for Music, Mannes College, and the Chautauqua Music Festival, and he has adjudicated competitions and auditions at the Juilliard School.
Harrison also plays fiddle and writes original music with his Downtown Folk Band. Harrison received his Bachelor of Music from The Curtis Institute of Music with a concentration in Bassoon Performance and a Master’s of Music from the Mannes School of music with a concentration in Orchestral Conducting.

Rachel joins us with experience as an artist manager, ensemble manager, musicologist, and singer. Prior to joining NYCHORAL, Rachel worked as an artist manager at Park Avenue Artists, where she planned and produced events and performances for Joshua Bell, Larisa Martínez, and Time for Three. While there, she also served as Project Coordinator for Time for Three’s GRAMMY Award-album, Letters for the Future.

Before her time at Park Avenue Artists, Rachel worked for the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, where she was responsible for general research and collections management and reorganization, including the Marilyn Horne Collection of Scores. She also conceptualized, created, and hosted a successful virtual book discussion and author talkback on The Magic of Beverly Sills by Nancy Guy.

Rachel is a graduate of Mannes School of Music with a Master of Music in Voice and Opera and completed her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with a minor in Music History at Oberlin Conservatory of Music. She began her musical training on the piano at age 6.  A native New Yorker, she performed with the Brooklyn Youth Chorus and attended both LaGuardia High School for the Arts and Manhattan School of Music’s PreCollege program. While at LaGuardia High School, she made her operatic debut in the title role of Hélène in Jacques Offenbach’s La Belle Hélène and sung as the soprano soloist in Francis Poulenc’s Stabat Mater. She also performed with Mannes Opera, reprising a role she had earlier performed with the Oberlin Opera Theatre — that of The Governess in Benjamin Britten’s The Turn of the Screw. Her most recent operatic role was with Chautauqua Institution, where she was seen as the Sandmann in Humperdinck’s Hansel und Gretel.  While at Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Rachel served as personnel manager of both the Oberlin College Choir, and the Oberlin Musical Union.  As manager, Rachel was responsible for all logistics related to technical and dress rehearsals and ran all performances. She also served as one of Oberlin Conservatory’s Ensemble Librarians.

Since graduating with distinction from the Royal College of Music London in 2009 with Andrew Ball, he has performed as a solo recitalist and collaborative artist in concert halls and festivals internationally, including Carnegie Hall New York, St. Martin in the Fields London, Mostly Mozart festival at Lincoln Center New York, Al-Hashemi-II Kuwait, MONA FOMA Festival Hobart, Coriole Festival SA, Huntington Festival NSW, as well as other venues in USA, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, New Zealand and China. ​Recital collaborations include tenor Ian Bostridge, saxophonist Claude Delangle, violinists Arabella Steinbacher and Nikki Chooi, violist Lise Berthaud, cellists Mats Lidström, Alexander Baillie and Martin Loveday, sopranos Greta Bradman and Siobhan Stagg, baritone Wolfgang Holzmair, flautist Michel Bellavance and clarinetist Philippe Cuper. As a chamber musician, Amir is pianist of the Benaud Trio (www.benaudtrio.com), winning the Piano Trio prize at the 2005 Australian Chamber Music Competition.  He is also pianist with the Exponential Ensemble in NYC.

His numerous highly acclaimed recordings (primarily with Move Records) are heard frequently on radio stations throughout Australia and internationally, including a solo CD of works by Persian composer Javad Maroufi, multiple albums with cellist Zoe Knighton and soprano Siobhan Stagg, and numerous releases on ABC Classics and Melba Recordings with the Benaud Trio. Several of his albums have been nominated for an Australian Independent Music Award. Amir is also a recorded artist on the Steinway & Sons Spirio catalogue, as part of the piano manufacturer’s revolutionary player-piano system.

As well as his concert career, Amir has worked as a collaborative pianist at MCM, ANAM, the Australian Children’s Choir, and the Dame Nellie Melba Opera Trust. He was the Melba Trust’s inaugural répétiteur scholar in 2013, working under the guidance of Sharolyn Kimmorley. ​Between 2017-2020, Amir was a staff pianist at the Vocal Arts department of the Juilliard School, New York City, and worked as a rehearsal pianist with the New York Philharmonic.   More information about Amir can be found at amirfarid.com