Dr. Joseph Nadeau Named New Artistic Director of Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles

Following an extensive nationwide search, the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA) has announced that Dr. Joseph P. Nadeau has been selected as the new Artistic Director and Conductor.

Hailing from Kansas City, where Dr. Nadeau was the Artistic Director of the Heartland Men's Chorus since 1998, he officially begins working with GMCLA on August 1, 2013. He will additionally continue his role as an active member of GALA Choruses Inc., an international association of more than 190 gay and lesbian choral groups, of which GMCLA has also been an integral part.

"I'm thrilled and honored to join the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles as their new Artistic Director," beamed Dr. Joseph Nadeau. "I look forward to working with the talented 200-member Chorus, and in carrying on GMCLA's mission to be a voice of change within the LA community and across the nation. For more than 35 years, GMCLA has been an integral part of the musical fabric of LA, and I am delighted to carry on tradition, and to also be a part of the Chorus's evolution that will move them into the future."

Joe Nadeau grew up in Bangor, Maine, and in 1993 was graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education. That same year, he began teaching music in Denver, CO and also joined the Denver Gay Men's Chorus (DGMC) where he served as interim artistic director for DGMC until he was hired by Heartland Men's Chorus (HMC) in Kansas City in 1998.

During his 15 years as Artistic Director and Conductor of HMC, Joe led the chorus in four international GALA festivals, performances (by invitation) at national Chorus America and American Choral Director's (ACDA) conferences, a European Tour, and multiple collaborative performances with other GALA Choruses. Joe has commissioned over 100 new works and arrangements, produced eight commercial CDs and two DVDs, and has performed with HMC for over 5,000 elementary, middle and high school students in special outreach concerts. He holds Master's and Doctoral degrees in Choral Conducting, and regularly serves as guest speaker, presenter, clinician and conductor for regional, state and national conferences and music festivals. He has even taught at every educational level.

"We are elated to welcome Joe Nadeau into the GMCLA family," said Chris Verdugo, Executive Director of GMCLA. "Joe has proven himself to be both risk-taking and visionary in his artistic programming, a respected educator and a world-class conductor. To say we feel fortunate to have him is an understatement."

As an active member of GALA Choruses for more than 20 years, Joe believes in the power of the LGBT choral movement to make this world a better place for everyone. His motto has been that of the words of former New York City Gay Men's Chorus Director Gary Miller, "If you want to sing, join a chorus. If you want to change the world, join a gay chorus."

Dr. Joseph Nadeau will premiere with GMCLA at the first concert of its 35th Season, "Holiday Spectacular: Festival of Carols," which will open in December.

For more information about the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles (GMCLA), or to become a subscriber for the upcoming 35th Season, please visit www.gmcla.org.