ADC Welcomes Pam Meffley to Board of Directors

Dallas, TX – March 16, 2024 – The Arts District Chorale (ADC) announces the appointment of Pam Meffley to its Board of Directors. A seasoned professional in the nonprofit arena, Pam brings a wealth of experience and expertise to further enhance ADC’s mission of promoting the arts within our community.

With a distinguished background in nonprofit leadership and community service, Meffley’s credentials exemplify her dedication to enriching the cultural landscape of Dallas. Her distinguished career includes service as Executive Director for the Dallas Coalition of the Arts and as Grants Manager for the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

Meffley’s commitment to community development extends beyond her professional endeavors. As Mayor of Double Oak, TX, she earned overwhelming support. She also initiated impactful programs such as the Police Athletic League for children in East and South Dallas. Her involvement with various organizations, including the Theodore and Beulah Beasley Foundation, Friends of Fair Park, and For the Love of the Lake, underscores her passion for community service and advocacy.

“I am honored to join ADC’s Board of Directors,” says Meffley. “I am fascinated by how the voices in the Chorale are woven together so beautifully. I would like to introduce more people to ADC’s work and welcome more ticket-holders. I’d also like to find where skills can be amplified.”

Meffley’s service officially begins on March 16, 2024. She will serve on the Development Committee, leveraging her expertise in fundraising, marketing, and community networking to advance ADC’s objectives. 

“We welcome Pam to our board. Her proficiency in organizational management will be a boon to our operations,” says ADC Board President Anne Thomas. “Her extensive experience, coupled with her passion for the arts and community engagement, make her an invaluable addition to our team. Her warmth and leadership will further elevate ADC’s initiatives and strengthen our community connections.”

 

Scott Jordan Awarded Hilltop Volunteer of the Year

Dallas, TX – March 12, 2024 – The Arts District Chorale (ADC) congratulates Scott Jordan, a Senior Marketing Specialist at Hilltop Holdings, for his exceptional commitment to volunteerism and for making a significant impact in his community. On February 28, 2024, Scott received the Volunteer of the Year award, an esteemed recognition within Hilltop, that honors and celebrates employees who go above and beyond in their communities and is presented to an employee who has displayed outstanding volunteer service. Scott’s volunteer efforts over the past year have earned him this esteemed accolade.

Jordan’s involvement extends beyond his professional responsibilities at Hilltop. Scott, who began singing baritone with the chorale in 2009, generously contributes his time to the Arts District Chorale by serving on both the Marketing and Membership Committees. His commitment to the arts is evident through his volunteer work with numerous venues such as the Dallas Opera, Broadway Dallas, and the Dallas Theater Center.

Furthermore, Scott actively supports community initiatives within his neighborhood, volunteering with the Greenland Hills Neighborhood Association to organize events like the Halloween parade and Easter egg hunt. His dedication to personal development is exemplified by his involvement with Toastmasters International, where he continually hones his communication and leadership skills.

Within Hilltop Holdings, Scott has played an integral role in various volunteer initiatives, including the Hilltop Entrepreneurship Competition with Dallas ISD and events supporting organizations such as the North Texas Food Bank and the American Cancer Society.

As part of the Volunteer of the Year program, Hilltop Holdings has donated $5,000 to the Arts District Chorale, Scott’s choice of a nonprofit organization. Scott’s election is a testament to his passion for the arts and commitment to fostering cultural enrichment within his community.

“We are proud to recognize Scott’s many contributions to the Dallas community and are extremely grateful that he would share his employer’s award with ADC,” says ADC Board President Anne Thomas. “His generosity is no surprise to us. It will enable ADC to continue its mission of promoting choral excellence, as well as help us expand our education and outreach efforts with our community partners.” 

Scott Jordan’s commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others truly reflects the spirit of volunteerism. His passion, generosity, and dedication serve as an inspiration to his colleagues and community members alike.

For media inquiries or further information, please contact Becky Barnes, Marketing Chair, at marketing@artsdistrictchorale.org.

ADC Performs at ArtVision’s When We Speak!

Dallas, TX – February 1, 2024 – Arts District Chorale (ADC) took center stage at the When We Speak! event hosted on January 27, 2024, by ArtsVision Performing Visual Arts at Dallas’ Latino Cultural Center. This remarkable occasion, sponsored by the City of Dallas Office of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts, aimed to create a platform where diverse artists could unite to express themselves through various art forms, including dance, music, song, and spoken word.

ADC’s participation in this event marked a significant milestone in its ongoing collaboration with ArtsVision Performing Visual Arts, underscoring its commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement. Reflecting on the evening, ADC expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to such a meaningful event. For those who missed the chance to witness the performance live, detailed information is available in the post-show program below, including links to explore the diverse talents showcased at When We Speak!

“We are honored to have been part of When We Speak! and to have shared our voices alongside incredibly talented artists,” remarked Becky Barnes, Marketing Chair for Arts District Chorale. “This event exemplifies the power of art to transcend boundaries and inspire meaningful dialogue. We invite everyone to engage with the rich tapestry of performances showcased in the post-show program.”

As ADC continues to inspire audiences with its dynamic repertoire and unwavering commitment to artistic expression, its participation in events like When We Speak! serves as a testament to its enduring legacy in the cultural landscape of Dallas and beyond.

Patsy Brooks Recognized for Service

Arts District Chorale alumna Patsy Brooks was recognized by ArtsVision on July 22, 2023, for ten years of outstanding service through ADC’s Apprentice Program. Begun in 2014, the Apprentice Program provides a range of vocal experiences to students selected from non-profit ArtsVision’s summer program. ArtsVision is jointly sponsored by St. Paul United Methodist Church and the Booker T. Washington School for the Performing and Visual Arts. Their annual two-week summer camp program culminates with a musical theater production. This year, the production was The Wiz (Jr.), an adaptation of the classic Wizard of Oz. Forty children and youth in grades three through eight comprised cast and crew who handled every aspect of the show. The sold-out production took place in the rotunda theater at First United Methodist Church of Dallas.

Patsy, a gifted singer, has for ten years coached the students with their vocal parts and techniques, prepping them for the summer musical and a musical life that extends far beyond its curtain call. Each student receives one-on-one instruction, which includes an emphasis on vocal range, quality and overall vocal health. The experience also offers a mock audition process, which helps many students who go on to audition in the real world at Booker T. Washington or other schools.

The Apprentice Program also annually awards one student with a year of private voice lessons donated by Patsy. Eighth-grader Christina Pauolina is the recipient of the 2023-2024 Apprentice Award, and she is excited to hone her vocal skills with Patsy throughout the coming school year. “I look forward to helping Christina develop technique with her lovely natural voice,” says Patsy. “We’ll be using age-appropriate art songs, along with some fun Broadway music. Who knows – she may be an ADC singer one of these days!”

Other ADC singers have participated with ArtsVision throughout the years, with Patsy in the leadership role. ADC looks forward to expanding its relationship with ArtsVision and to its continuation with the Apprentice Program.

Blair King Appointed Artistic Director

June 8, 2022

Effective June 1, 2022, Daniel Blair King has been appointed Artistic Director / Principal Conductor of the Arts District Chorale (ADC), following a five-month stint as Interim Artistic Director. ADC Board President Jole Luehrs announced the appointment to Chorale singers June 2 at their dress rehearsal for Let the River Run, a concert held June 3 at Northaven United Methodist Church in Dallas. The announcement was repeated to concert attendees on June 3. Their affirmation and applause added to a spirit of celebration as the Chorale completed its second concert after a two-year Covid-related hiatus.

The ADC Board of Directors and ad hoc search committee are excited with the continuum this affords the Chorale. Says Luehrs, “We feel this is the ultimate win-win situation for all. Since his joining ADC as a singer in 2015, Blair has demonstrated a contagious enthusiasm for the organization and his fellow singers. He is one of us, and his talent and leadership have made it possible for us to re-ignite and move forward despite the recent challenges experienced by so many arts organizations.”

Says King, “The past six months, as I’ve served as Interim AD, it’s been so rewarding to see of the excitement of the singers, to witness the hard work and care they put into the music, and to have the overwhelming positive response from our audiences who turned out in great numbers to witness the return of ADC. 

As we all look forward to the 2022-2023 season, the first full season since May 2019, I see a great future for ADC. We have a core group of dedicated and talented singers, a board committed to the long term functional and fiscal health of the organization, and an audience that is hungry for what we do. 

The planning process for the next season is well under way, and I can definitely say that it’s going to be an exciting season full of variety that you won’t want to miss! Full details will be shared soon, so watch for emails and social media posts.”

King is a 1996 graduate of the Texas Tech University School of Music and will continue to serve as choir director/vocal music instructor at the Shelton School in Dallas. He becomes ADC’s fourth director in three decades.

Founded in 1989 in the Arts District of Dallas, ADC is an ensemble of gifted choral artists, recognized for innovative programming and performances throughout North Texas.