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Change The world

Meet the EVC Team

Nicole Becker

Artistic Director & Executive Director

Nicole Becker is the Artistic & Executive Director of Every Voice Choirs, which she co-founded in 2012. At Columbia University, she directs the Teachers College Community Choir and teaches piano and conducting. She also teaches Choral Methods at Montclair State University. Dr. Becker received an undergraduate degree in Biology from Yale University, a masters in Piano Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and a doctorate in Music Education from Columbia University Teachers College. Dr. Becker’s academic research focuses on student-centered teaching approaches in ensemble settings and developing racial literacy through music education.

Natalie Gray

Director, Vocal Technique Across Genres

Natalie Gray is a passionate music educator, singer/songwriter, pianist, and composer/arranger across varied musical styles. Natalie holds a B.S. in Music Education from Hofstra University, and an M.A. in Music & Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has performed as a soloist on the NY stages of the Hard Rock Cafe, Birdland, The Metropolitan Room, The Bitter End, and Rockwood Music Hall. Currently, Natalie is on Voice Faculty at Molloy University and is a Vocal Technique Coach for Musical Theatre College Auditions (MTCA). Natalie recently released her debut EP of original Singer-Songwriter music titled ‘Wings’ under new artist name, Natalie Gray. www.nataliegraymusic.com

Carmen Keels

Director, Cornerstone Intergenerational Choir

Carmen Keels is on faculty at The Horace Mann School, where she serves as a choir instructor and vocal coach in the middle and upper divisions. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Music and Music Education from Columbia University Teachers College. In addition to being an educator, Carmen is a performer and a member of Actors Equity since 2005. She has appeared on Broadway and has toured internationally and at regional theaters across the country. Carmen lives in Harlem with her husband, two kids, and their dog.

Mavel Morales

Director, EVC VoiceAbility & Assistant Director, Cornerstone Intergenerational Choir

Mavel Morales is a music educator and a passionate advocate for the arts. Mavel graduated from the University of Miami with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education with minors in Education and Philosophy. She recently obtained her Master of Education in Music and Music Education from Columbia University Teachers College. Working extensively with the National Association for Music Education, Mavel has advocated for music at the state and federal level. As a classically trained mezzo-soprano, Mavel loves performing both solo and choral works and always seeks new opportunities to participate in music making with her community.

Brent Morden

Director, HCES Voice Classes

Brent Morden is a New York-based music director, composer, vocalist, and educator. Born and raised in Queens, Brent earned his B.A. in Music from Columbia University in 2019. Brent has filled musical and administrative roles with EVC since 2019. Brent currently directs the Hofstra University Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the Columbia Athletics Pep Band. Brent has had the honor of conducting his own music at Carnegie Hall, music directing theater productions throughout NYC/Long Island, and singing for members of Congress. When not making music, Brent enjoys running in the park.

Sarah Perry

Founder & Consultant, VoiceAbility

Sarah Perry, EdD, MT-BC, is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Westminster Choir College, Rider University. Dr. Perry is a board certified music therapist and music educator, receiving her masters and doctorate degrees in music education from Teachers College, Columbia University and her music therapy degree from Elizabethtown College. Her specializations include music in special education and integrated arts learning, focusing on addressing the needs of special learners in music, visual arts, and dance settings.  Dr. Perry is a frequent clinician leading teacher training workshops for teachers of visual arts, dance/movement and music in both public school settings and various arts outreach programs in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Dr. Perry is the founder and advisor for EVC’s VoiceAbility.

Sayume Romero

Director, EVC VoiceAbility

Sayume Romero was born and raised in New York City. She graduated as a vocal major from LaGuardia High School of Music and Performing Arts, obtained a B.A. in Vocal Performance from Stony Brook University, and earned an M.S. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Columbia University Teachers College. She currently works as a preschool, multilingual (English/Japanese/Spanish) speech and language therapist in Washington Heights. Sayume enjoys practicing karate, studying voice, and singing with the Teacher College Community Choir. The opportunity to work with EVC’s VoiceAbility is a dream come true!

Sydney Macnabb

Assistant Director, Every Voice Concert Choir

A classically trained operatic soprano, Sydney Mcnabb is passionate about teaching voice, specializing in classical vocal technique. Past operatic roles include Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), Despina (Così fan Tutte), and Susanna (Le Nozze di Figaro). Sydney holds a bachelor's degree in Music and Psychology from UNC Chapel Hill and a Masters in Voice from Peabody Conservatory. She is a current second year M.Ed candidate at Teachers College of Columbia University, and is excited to continue to work with EVC.

Joelle Mendoza

Assistant Director, Kids Choir & Youth Choir

Joelle Mendoza is a music educator and vocalist from Santiago, Chile. She is a current second year M.A. candidate in Music Education at Columbia University Teachers College. She also works as an early childhood music teacher at various Music Together centers around the city. Joelle is passionate about the power of music education in the lives of young people, and looks forward to continued work with Every Voice Choirs.

Carrie Chen

Choir Intern, VoiceAbility

Carrie is a songwriter, music arranger, producer, and educator, originally from Nanjing, China. Graduating from Berklee College of Music with a bachelor’s degree in Contemporary Writing and Production, her childhood dream of becoming a music educator led her to further explore Music Education at Teachers College. Believing in music's ability to transcend boundaries and connect people across cultures, Carrie is passionate about guiding students in finding their own musical voices. As an educator, she strives to create a meaningful learning experience, nurturing individual creativity and expression.

Josefina Chicas

Choir Intern, Kids Choir & Youth Choir

Josefina Chicas is a current senior at the John J. Cali School of Music at Montclair State University, majoring in Music Education. Josefina has a strong passion for singing and music, believing it is a powerful tool that allows individuals to become the best versions of themselves. She feels honored to be working with Every Voice Choirs.

Mei Huang

Choir Intern, VoiceAbility

Mei Huang is a graduate of Teachers College with an M.A. in Economics of Education. She currently works in education policy and research. A former paraprofessional, she values opportunities to continue direct service work; she is grateful to do so with the staff and students in EVC.

Fan Jiang

Choir Intern, VoiceAbility

Fan Jiang obtained an M.A. in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University Teachers College. Music has always been a passion for Fan. Outside of school and work, she enjoys singing. She has been a member of the Teachers College Community Choir since 2022. She feels honored to be working with EVC VoiceAbility.

Drew X Coles

Collaborative Musician

Drew X Coles is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator, as well as a lecturer at Teachers College, Columbia University, where he also serves as the director of the Hybrid Masters Degree Program in Music & Music Education. His scholarly interests include; the construct of success as it applies to post-secondary music students, culturally responsive pedagogy in the music classroom, the use of technology in the applied studio, Jazz pedagogy, improvisation pedagogy, comprehensive musicianship coursework and curricula, and quantitative research methods in music education. Drew earned his Doctorate in Music Education at Teachers College, Columbia University after defending his dissertation on the perceptions among musicians on the construct of career success as it applies to them as well as their peers.

Jack Lio

Director, Operations & Administration

Violinist / educator / project manager / solutions engineer Jack Lio holds a B.A. in Music Performance from Central Conservatory of Music, M.Ed. in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University, and is a Project Management Institute-certified Project Management Professional. As a teacher in the NYC DOE, Jack founded and advised a music business / management club and a Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter, both centered around rebuilding the music program and developing student leadership and advocacy. Jack now uses his project management and solutions engineering skills to drive operational excellence, continuous improvement, and making a positive community impact.