People of Arts District Chorale

Michie Akin is the founding Artistic Director and Conductor of the Arts District Chorale.Mr. Akin holds degrees from the School of Music, Baylor University, Waco, Texas; and the School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, awarded with distinction. Further studies in choral conducting have taken him to the Hartt School of Music, and Westminster Choir College. Conductors with whom he has worked include Robert Shaw, Howard Swan, Elaine Brown, Paul Salamunovich, Rosemary Heffley, Kate Tamakin and Constantina Tsolainou.

Originally trained as a pianist, Mr. Akin took a 16-year hiatus from playing the piano to pursue other professional interests. He returned to public performance in 1997, and in succeeding years has performed at the annual Summer Music Festival of Alta Riborgorza, Spain; in Italy at the Amalfi Coast Music Festival; and most recently, at the Seventh Festival Sauvanese in Monte San Savino. In 1999 and again in 2000, Mr. Akin was one of 100 candidates from around the world to participate in the Concours des Grands Amateurs de Piano in Paris, France. In 2004, and again in 2006, he was one of six finalists in the Rocky Mountain International Amateur Piano Competition. In the 2004 competition, he received two special awards from the panel of judges for Best Performance in Romantic and Contemporary repertoire.

Mr. Akin is current Organist/Choirmaster for the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Dallas. He previously served as Director of English Music for Cathedral Guadalupe and Director of Liturgical Music for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas. Mr. Akin is a native of Terrell, Texas.




		The Chorale encompasses a diverse group of amateur and professional musicians from all walks of life — from marketing directors, software designers and CPAs, to attorneys, engineers, artists and writers. Our common bond is a passion for the choral art as an essential ingredient of life, and a willingness to share it with the community at the highest level of performance. To discuss an audition, call (214) 942 5085 or e-mail info@artsdistrictchorale.org.



		Michie Akin is the founding Artistic Director and Conductor of the Arts District Chorale.Mr. Akin holds degrees from the School of Music, Baylor University, Waco, Texas; and the School of Music, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, awarded with distinction. Further studies in choral conducting have taken him to the Hartt School of Music, and Westminster Choir College. Conductors with whom he has worked include Robert Shaw, Howard Swan, Elaine Brown, Paul Salamunovich, Rosemary Heffley, Kate Tamakin and Constantina Tsolainou. Originally trained as a pianist, Mr. Akin took a 16-year hiatus from playing the piano to pursue other professional interests. He returned to public performance in 1997, and in succeeding years has performed at the annual Summer Music Festival of Alta Riborgorza, Spain; in Italy at the Amalfi Coast Music Festival; and most recently, at the Seventh Festival Sauvanese in Monte San Savino. In 1999 and again in 2000, Mr. Akin was one of 100 candidates from around the world to participate in the Concours des Grands Amateurs de Piano in Paris, France. In 2004, and again in 2006, he was one of six finalists in the Rocky Mountain International Amateur Piano Competition. In the 2004 competition, he received two special awards from the panel of judges for Best Performance in Romantic and Contemporary repertoire. Mr. Akin is current Organist/Choirmaster for the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Dallas. He previously served as Director of English Music for Cathedral Guadalupe and Director of Liturgical Music for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas. Mr. Akin is a native of Terrell, Texas.


		The business, performance and artistic affairs of the Arts District Chorale are overseen by an active board of directors. The directors are accomplished musicians, artisans and business professionals from around the Dallas Metroplex.

		Paula B. Harrison TNS Partners, Inc.
		M. Laurette (Laurie) Hesser Methodist Health System
		Carl Huddleston Hunton & Williams, LLP
		John M. Luby MD Training Company
		Gary D. Olsen Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas, retired
		David E. Reinig U.S. Department of the Treasury
		Timothy R. Stephens University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
		Michele Studer Accretive Solutions Michael F. van Breda Southern Methodist University

		The Arts District Chorale is a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 organization. We gratefully acknowledge the support of our many benefactors, including our loyal patrons, generous donors, arts partners, and especially, Trammell S. Crow, The Arts District Foundation, City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, The Texas Commission on the Arts, and WRR-FM Classical 101.1.

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