Executive Board

Kellori Dower is the Dean of Fine Arts at Cypress College in Cypress, California. She was the director of two award-winning high school choral music programs prior to serving as Director of Choral Activities at the collegiate level. Past appointments have also included High School administrator and District Arts Administrator positions. She was the 2016 recipient of the Outstanding Music Educator Award for the California Music Educators Association. She is an active choral composer, adjudicator and clinician. Dr. Dower’s work and research regarding culture and music lead to the creation of collegiate courses in Rap and Hip Hop, Gospel Music and African American folk compositions. Before her current elected term as President, Dr. Dower has previously served on NCCO's National Board, as an inaugural member of the Mission and Vision in Governance Committee, as acting secretary, and as interim president-elect.

Katherine FitzGibbon is Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Lewis & Clark College, where she conducts two of the three choirs, teaches courses in conducting and music history, and oversees the voice and choral areas. Dr. FitzGibbon founded Resonance Ensemble in 2009, a professional choral ensemble presenting powerful programs that promote meaningful social change. Dr. FitzGibbon has also served on the faculty of the summertime Berkshire Choral International festival and conducted choirs at Harvard, Boston, Cornell, and Clark Universities, and at the University of Michigan. She was a previous member of NCCO's National Board and Mission and Vision in Governance Committee.

Elizabeth Swanson is associate director of choral studies at the University of Colorado Boulder where she conducts the University Choir and teaches conducting. She maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and professional choral singer. Swanson’s held positions at Nyack College (NYC), The University of Chicago, North Park University, and Ithaca College. Now serving her second elected term as Vice President, Swanson served as NCCO’s secretary, as acting chief editor of publications, and as the inaugural chair of the Mission and Vision in Governance Committee. Swanso She’s earned degrees from St. Olaf College (BME), Ithaca College (MM), and Northwestern University (DM).

Michael McGaghie serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Macalester College, where he conducts the college's two choirs and teaches courses in conducting, musicianship, and Passion settings from Bach to the present. He also directs the Isthmus Vocal Ensemble and the Harvard Glee Club Young Alumni Chorus. His recognitions from ACDA include an invitation to conduct the Macalester Concert Choir at the 2016 North Central division conference, an ICEP fellowship to China, and the Julius Herford Prize. Prior to his elected term as Treasurer, Dr. McGaghie served on NCCO's National Board and as an inaugural member of the Mission and Vision in Governance Committee.

Marie Bucoy-Calavan has been Director of Choral Studies at The University of Akron since 2014, where she conducts Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and teaches undergraduate– and graduate-level conducting and choral literature. She serves as secretary on Chorus America’s Board of Directors and as coordinator and chair for University Repertoire and Resources, Ohio Choral Directors Association. Bucoy-Calavan finished her BA and MM at California State University, Fullerton, and completed her DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.

Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan (they/them) serves as Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music Learning & Teaching and Choral Conducting at Arizona State University where they oversee the graduate program in choral conducting, conduct the ASU Concert Choir, and teach courses in choral literature and pedagogy that weave decolonial and critical theories with communal vocal practice. Recently, Dr. Saplan was named as the third Artistic Director of the Choral Arts Society of Washington (Choral Arts DC).

Dr. Angelica Dunsavage (she/they) serves as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choirs at Tennessee State University, where she conducts the TSU University Choir and the Meistersingers and teaches courses in conducting and music education. Prior to her appointment at TSU, Angelica taught music education and choral/vocal classes at Washington State University. She received her DMA in Choral Conducting and Music Education from University of Arizona, her MM in Choral Conducting from Bowling Green State University, and her BS in Music Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.