Dr. Ernest Harrison is a poet, musician, and teacher, committed to and specializing in the intersection of music and social justice. He is a proud graduate of Tuskegee University (Bachelor's in English Liberal Arts, 2010), Auburn University (Bachelor's in Vocal Performance, 2014), and University of Missouri (Master's in Choral Conducting, 2016), with voice and choral mentorship from Drs. Rosephanye and William Powell and Dr. R. Paul Crabb. Ernest concluded his Doctoral studies in Choral Music at the University of Southern California in 2023, where he studied under Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe, Dr. Nick Strimple, Dr. Tram Sparks, and Dr. Cristian Grases.
Ernest has been the Music Director and Head of Education and Outreach of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles since 2019. Ernest has also taught as an adjunct professor at Pepperdine College, the University of Southern California, and Columbia University. He has also taught Voice and Music & Social Justice at Loyola Marymount University. Ernest became a member of the international Grammy Award winning choral ensemble, Conspirare, in 2019. He was an associate conductor for the Grammy Award-winning National Children’s Chorus (2017-2022) and conductor of the Pasadena Conservatory of Music’s Cantare Chamber Choir (2019-2022). As professor, conductor, and community leader, Ernest leans on his unique knowledge of Music of the African Diaspora, including spirituals, gospel, R&B, Jazz, blues, rock & roll, andhip hop, to advocate for equity and inclusion in choral classroom, on the concert stage, and in the world. No matter the setting, his capacity to love is guides his leadership and his music making.
Dale Duncan Mescolare Choir
Dale Duncan conducts Honors Chorus/ All State events, teaches teachers at music conventions, and adjudicates choral performance events wherever he is invited. In 2022, he retired from teaching public school after teaching for 30 years in North Carolina, New Jersey, and Georgia. During his career as a public school educator, his students consistently received Superior Ratings at the state Large Group Performance events in both performance and in sight reading, and created and performed "live" song and dance musical revue events each spring in addition to many other choral performances over the years.
Dale is also known by the choral music educator community worldwide as the creator of the S-Cubed Sight Singing Program for Beginners. During his career, Dale was honored as "Life Changer of the Year" by the National Life Group for his work, and was also honored as a "Grammy Music Educator Semi-Finalist." Dale’s work is featured on numerous music-educator focused podcasts, ChorTeach magazine, Choral Director Magazine, and on ACDA’s ChoralNet.
One of Dale’s most important life missions is to help middle school chorus teachers. Known by his peers as “Mr. D”, Dale has his own blog, YouTube Channel, and a large social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram that is aimed at helping middle school chorus teachers to be successful working with this unique age group!
Dale is a also a former US National Aerobic Gymnastics Gold Medalist featured on ESPN many moons ago. (Google it… and don’t spit out your drink!) He loves all animals, taking care of outdoor plants, working out, playing tennis, and competing in and coaching pickleball!
Dr. Beth Robison Triplo Choir
Originally from Ohio, Beth Robison has been an active performer and choral educator for over thirty years. In addition to her duties as the Director of Choral Activities at Adams State University, she works extensively with their ETHOS: Exploring Equity through Music initiative and has conducted numerous honor choirs throughout the region. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance and Master’s Degree in Choral Conducting from Ohio University. She earned her DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Kansas where she conducted the early music ensemble, Collegium Musicum, and the University Singers. Beth has also been the recipient of the Adams State University Presidential Teaching Award.
For sixteen years between her undergraduate and graduate studies, Beth lived in the New York City metropolitan area where she performed a wide variety of ensemble and solo repertoire. She has appeared numerous times at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and other concert venues with various professional ensembles including Musica Sacra, the New York Virtuoso Singers, Voices of Ascension, the Choir of St. Ignatius Loyola, the New York Concert Singers, and the Bard Festival Chorus. Beth worked extensively as a soloist and ensemble member with the Gregg Smith Singers and toured both nationally and internationally premiering works by American composers. Some of Beth’s more diverse experiences in New York included recording with the World Wrestling Federation and appearing as a back-up singer for Andrea Bocelli on the Late Show with David Letterman.