2025 PREMIERE|Project Festival Composer Fellows Announced

Choral Arts Initiative announces the dynamic

2025 PREMIERE|Project Festival

Meet the Composers

Irvine, CA - After selecting from a competitive pool of composer applicants, Choral Arts Initiative (CAI) is excited to announce the thirteen Composition Fellows selected to participate in their annual PREMIERE|Project Festival. The festival will feature 13 world premieres by these incredible composers, which will be performed by Choral Arts Initiative. The festival will take place at Concordia University Irvine’s gorgeous Borland-Mankse Center and the Charlie and Ling Zhang Orchestra Hall from June 24-27, 2025, with the concluding performance on June 27 (tickets are available now). The PREMIERE|Project Festival is a unique opportunity for composers to work with the musicians of Choral Arts Initiative, one of Southern California's premier choral ensembles and recipient of the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming. Composers will also receive close mentorship from returning and distinguished composer faculty members Dale Trumbore, Derrick Skye and Matthew Lyon Hazzard.

Artistic and Executive Director Dr. Brandon Elliott conceptualized the PREMIERE|Project Festival as a professional development experience that models the commissioning process, from contact and contract to residency and performance. The festival is designed for recent graduates, those in career change, and early to mid-career composers. This experience provides a platform for composers to complete their compositions in a workshop setting with a professional chorus, receive guidance from world-renowned composition faculty, build their network, and gain exposure to the latest music in the choral field. The foundation of the festival is dedicated to the creation and performance of new choral works and provides emerging composers with the chance to work with professional singers and gain valuable experience in the choral music industry.

Composers selected for the festival can bring a composition in progress or a completed work to be adjusted during their mentoring and workshops throughout the week. The festival concludes with a live and recorded public premiere of each composer’s work. In addition, Fellows will have the option to establish a distribution deal with MusicSpoke, an artist-owned sheet music platform under the Choral Arts Initiative ICON Series.

The 2025 PREMIERE | Project Fellows were chosen through a highly competitive evaluation process. The 13 fellows come to us from 12 cities from across the nation and one international participant , including Naomi LaViolette (Portland, Oregon), Jonathan Thomas Madden (Rochester, New York), Sean MacRae Smith (San Diego, California), David Huang Mailman (Chapel Hill, North Carolina), Sy Anderson (Bloomington, Indiana), Edgard Moya Godoy (Copenhagen, Denmark), Leighanne Saltsman (Rhinebeck, New York), Joshua Carter Maynard (Colorado Springs, Colorado), Jason Rhue (Santa Ana, California), Jake Miles (New York City, New York), Lauren McCall (Atlanta, Georgia), Zachary Eisele (Orange County, California) and Anne Hiatt (Pasadena, California).

Meet the fellows

Naomi LaViolette is a Portland-based composer, performer, singer-songwriter, and versatile pianist. With a master's degree in classical piano performance, Naomi has expanded her musical expertise across jazz, folk, soul, and pop genres. Her choral compositions, praised by Fanfare Magazine for their "mastery of choral writing," have been performed globally in diverse settings - ranging from professional choirs to amateur groups, sacred services, and academic performances. Her music, whether written for choirs, chamber ensembles, soloists, or orchestras, is deeply rooted in themes of nature, spirituality, and human connection.

Jonathan Thomas Madden is a musician from Rochester, NY. He has served as Director of Music at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church (Pittsford) since 2020, and is on the faculty of the Hochstein School as Assistant Director and Composer-in-Residence for the Hochstein Youth Singers. Previously, Jon taught vocal music and choir at McQuaid Jesuit High School and served as Assistant Director for the choirs at Nazareth University. Jon received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Composition from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Currently, he is pursuing graduate studies in Choral Conducting at the Eastman School of Music.

Sean MacRae Smith is a musician based in San Diego, CA. He holds a BA in Music from Pomona College, where he studied composition with Tom Flaherty. His modest compositional oeuvre is rather aesthetically unfocused and alarmingly tonal, but could perhaps also be described as fiendishly quirky and rhythmically playful. First trained in vocal jazz before meandering into the classical realm, Sean’s compositions likewise tend to nestle uncomfortably between styles and conventions, drawing upon French neoclassicism, Afroamerican gospel, video game OSTs, the avant-garde, and more.

David Huang Mailman is a composer, researcher, and teacher whose works fuse his musicological studies and compositional output into an interdisciplinary practice where research and expression go hand-in-hand. Their music is variously inspired by scenes from the natural world, stories from history, their proud Chinese heritage, and the perseverance of the LGBTQ+ community. David earned his bachelor’s at Vanderbilt University studying with Drs. Stan Link and Michael Slayton, and they are earning their master’s at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts under Dr. Lawrence Dillon.

Sy Anderson is an interdisciplinary composer/producer, arranger, vocalist, conductor, and administrator whose work spans various facets of the music world. A passionate advocate for new concert music and a proponent of elevating entertainment mediums as legitimate art forms, Sy is committed to creating evocative, meticulously crafted art that aligns with his creative vision, prioritizing meaningful connections with performers, directors, and audiences. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Composition and a Minor in Music Scoring for Visual Media at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, studying composition with Don Freund.

Edgard Moya Godoy is a composer whose distinctive voice combines solid compositional technique with a highly developed sonic imagination. He holds degrees in Musical Composition from the National University of Córdoba (Argentina), where he studied under Eleazar Garzón, and the Royal Danish Academy of Music (Denmark), where he studied with Bent Sørensen, Jeppe Just Christensen, Simon Løffler, and Rune Gelrup. His artistic approach centres on a creative exploration of human perception, innovative use of text, and expressive musical gestures. Moya Godoy is praised for crafting sophisticated music that resonates with performers and audiences internationally.

Leighanne Saltsman is a mezzo soprano, composer and producer who specializes in Art Song, choral repertoire and classically-inclined experimental electronica. In addition to her musical expertise, Leighanne holds a B.A. from Oberlin College in Visual Art. She comes from twelve generations of educators, artists, farmers, dreamers, and folks who worked with their hands, and her inherited knowledge informs all her creative pursuits. By keeping her hands in the dirt and her eyes on the stars, she makes music designed to inspire listeners to depart their daily lives and experience their surroundings in new ways.

Joshua Carter Maynard is a composer and conductor from Colorado Springs, CO, who specializes in bringing passion for choral and chamber music to a new generation of musicians. Currently studying a Bachelor of Music Composition at the University of Boulder Colorado with Dr. Carter Pann, Maynard never allows himself to be confined to one artistic box — instead, blending genres and disparate sources of inspiration in all his works. As well as his time as a composer, conductor, and vocalist — having performed on stages from Buell Theater to Carnegie Hall — Maynard has experience as a producer and recording technician, an audio editor and mixing engineer, a private lesson instructor, a musical theater performer, and an ensemble administrator.

Jason Rhue grew up playing music in a small program where he experienced the personal support and freedom to explore the possibilities of performing, and later on, composing. His passion for creating accessible and enjoyable music led him to the decision of pursuing it as a career. Jason currently studies music composition at Biola University, enjoying the opportunity to create engaging music for choir, orchestra, jazz band, film, and more! Apart from music, he likes watching movies, going on day trips, and spending time in fellowship with friends.

Jake Miles (b. 1997) is a composer and saxophonist based in New York City. Originally from

California, he has been a fellow at the Impulse New Music Festival and a composer-in-

residence for the Anaheim United Methodist Church Choir. His works find inspiration

from minimalism, New Simplicity, and 1970s progressive rock. He holds a master’s

degree in music composition from New York University, where he studied with Julia

Wolfe and Michael Gordon of Bang on a Can.

Lauren McCall is a composer and music educator from Atlanta, Georgia. She received her Ph.D. in music technology from the Georgia Institute of Technology and is an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Victoria’s School of Music. Lauren has had compositions performed around North America and Europe. This includes her piece for chamber ensemble and mobile phone orchestra, Contour Unveiled, and her composition Rain Music for baritone and piano. Along with composing, Lauren enjoys playing classical music and jazz on the clarinet and piano, spending time in nature, spending time with family and friends, and traveling.

Zachary Eisele is a 17 year old musician, composer, and teacher born and raised in Orange County, California. Homeschooled from the age of 6 onwards, Zachary devoted many hours to learning many instruments alongside doing his schoolwork. He is trained in piano, guitar, violin, trombone, cello, viola, bass, and voice. His works have been performed by Brightwork newmusic, as well as many high school and collegiate ensembles. He himself performs regularly as both an instrumentalist and vocalist, and looks forward to a future of teaching music to the next generation.

Anne Hiatt graduated as valedictorian from Alhambra High School. She then attended Cal State Los Angeles where she played flute, and majored in Speech Pathology. Anne played classical flute for many years later, in a local orchestra and was a member of a flute and string quartet in northern California. After long a pause from music to work and raise her family, she and her husband, Spence, retired and relocated to Pasadena in 2020. With the pandemic looming and time on her hands, she was finally able to return to her passion of music. Anne began studying music composition at this time with composer, Emily Cooley. Since then, Anne has transitioned to studying music composition privately with Jordan Nelson from the Colburn School.

About Choral Arts Initiative

We believe that we have the opportunity to be a living metaphor that celebrates unity. We believe that fostering and embracing the music of emerging composers is critical to our art form. We believe that our community deserves to hear the greatest performances of new choral music. We believe that passion and sincerity should be at the forefront of all musical endeavors. We are Choral Arts Initiative.

Choral Arts Initiative is a non-profit 501(c)(3) choral organization comprised of some of the most talented and passionate musicians in the Southern California region. Widely recognized as a champion of new music, Choral Arts Initiative has been praised as “gracefully lyrical” (Voice of OC), hailed as one of Orange County’s “Best Choirs” (CBS News, Los Angeles), and noted for its “sublime” and “triumphant” performances (Textura). Winner of the American Prize in Choral Performance, recipient of the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming, and Winner of the San Francisco Classical Voice Audience Choice Awards for Best New Music Performance, Choral Arts Initiative continues its commitment to musical innovation and excellence. Their inaugural album, How to Go On: The Choral Works of Dale Trumbore, ranked #6 on the Billboard Charts (Traditional Classical Albums), and #4 on the iTunes Best Seller Classical Charts. Their passion for new music has led to the commission of nineteen compositions and the premiere of over seventy works. Navona Records released their second album in April of 2022. From Wilderness: A Meditation on the Pacific Crest Trail, by composer Jeffrey Derus, is a concert-length work and meditation on the transformative experience of traveling the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650 mile scenic coastal hiking pathway that stretches the length of the pacific coastline of the United States and traverses the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges. Their most recent album, Tapestry of Becoming, released in March 2024, and quickly soared to #1 on the Billboard Charts (Traditional Classical Albums).

About Brandon Elliott, Artistic Director

Dr. Brandon Elliott is an influential conductor, educator, and consultant dedicated to empowering artists to thrive at the intersection of music, business, and creative growth. As Founder and Artistic Director of Choral Arts Initiative, Brandon has shaped an award-winning new music ensemble that champions contemporary choral works, commissioning over 25 works, premiering more than 150 works, and producing three Billboard-charting albums. His leadership has positioned Choral Arts Initiative as a leading voice in innovative choral performance and artistic development, garnering accolades such as the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming and the Louis Botto Award for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

In academia, Brandon serves as Professor of Music and Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Saddleback College and as Lecturer in Music Education at California State University, Fullerton, where he guides emerging musicians with a focus on resilience, artistry, and entrepreneurship. His dedication to lifelong learning and comprehensive music education has been recognized by the Recording Academy, where he was honored as a GRAMMY Music Educator Award semifinalist.

Brandon’s consultancy extends into the broader entertainment industry, advising on music rights, artist management, and strategic growth for creatives and organizations. His expertise in contract negotiation, leadership development, and inclusion initiatives has made him a sought-after consultant and industry commentator, featured in U.S. News & World Report, Lifewire, and other major outlets. A trusted mentor and visionary in the arts, Brandon is committed to fostering sustainable artistic careers and shares insights through industry publications, podcasts, speaking engagements, and conferences. Learn more at brandon-elliott.com.

For more information, please contact: Adena Bentley Operations Director a.bentley@choralartsinitiative.org