Executive Board

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.

Dr. Merrin Guice Gill is the Director of Choral Activities at Bethel University. Her choirs have received international awards including first and second prizes in the Riva Del Garda International Choral Competition, Silver Medal at the World Choir Games, and as finalists in the American Prize for Choral Performance. She is an accomplished soprano in opera and new music, frequent guest clinician, and scholar whose research has been presented widely. With NCCO, she has served on the National Board, published in The Choral Scholar, and presented “Feldenkrais Method and Mental Health in the Choral Room” at the 2023 National Conference.

Coreen Duffy is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Montana School of Music, where she conducts Chamber Chorale and University Choir, teaches conducting and choral methods, and supervises student teachers. She also directs the UM-Missoula Community Chorus. Under her direction, UM Chamber Chorale has performed at the Marktoberdorf Competition, in Saarbrücken and London, and at NWACDA. She is an active clinician and frequently published. A specialist in Jewish music, Duffy has presented at ACDA, NCCO, NAfME, and internationally. With NCCO, she was an editorial board member of The Choral Scholar and served on the Task Force on Expanding Choral Pedagogy. Duffy is President-Elect of NWACDA.

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. 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.

Dr. Cordara Harper is a native of Cove City, North Carolina, the Director of Choral Activities, Voice Area Coordinator, and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Grambling State University. Harper is an international presenter and acclaimed versatile musician active as a music educator, choral conductor, instructional leader, and vocal musician. Dr. Harper completed a Ph.D. in Music Education with a cognate in Choral Conducting at the University of Memphis.

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.