Chorus Leadership Team
A group of dedicated volunteers who manage operational issues related to the singing membership.
The Chorus Leadership Team consists of committed volunteers who handle operational matters pertaining to membership. This team includes the Chorus President and the Vice Presidents who are appointed. The President has the authority to augment the Leadership Team with any special roles considered necessary for the season.
The Chorus Leadership Team consists of committed volunteers who handle operational matters pertaining to membership. This team includes the Chorus President and the Vice Presidents who are appointed. The President has the authority to augment the Leadership Team with any special roles considered necessary for the season.
Chorus President
Vice Presidents
Other Positions
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Jack Cox
CHORUS HISTORIAN |
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Aaron Howe
QTONES MANAGER |
Dustin Whitener
WEBMASTER |
Eric CraftChorus President, Ex-officio Member
Eric Craft, a member of the chorus since 2025, is a playwright, performer, sometime floral designer, and lifelong singer and musician. A New Jersey native, Eric moved to Albuquerque in August of 2024 to pursue an MFA in Dramatic Writing at the University of New Mexico. He found meaningful community with the NMGMC when he joined in January of 2025 and has been grateful for it every day since.
Eric has been singing in choruses since he was in the third grade, only pausing occasionally to sing in musicals or perform Shakespeare. He holds a BA in theatre from Montclair State University, where he learned about the power of ensemble and community in affecting change through artistic expression. He went on to teach at The Allegra School of Music and Arts in central Jersey, where he served as an acting teacher, directing dozens of showcases and musicals which fostered growth and confidence in performers aged eight to eighteen. He then bounced around several community theatre productions (shout out to Chester Theatre Group), sang bass with community choir Clarum Sonum, and wrote plays including And Every Creeping Thing, which received a residency with The New Jersey PlayLab, and A Sprinkle of Grace, a finalist in the Samuel French Off Off-Broadway Short Play Festival, all while making bouquets to pay the bills. His penchant for doing the most didn’t stop upon moving to New Mexico either; in addition to his workload as a grad student and his involvement with NMGMC, Eric has founded a brand-new theatre company called Cockroach Theatre, which, as the name suggests, focuses on celebrating the grotesque, the marginal, and the queer. As president, Eric is committed to continuing NMGMC’s good works through both charitable and artistic endeavors. He is dedicated to maintaining, if not elevating, the chorus’ goodwill with the greater Albuquerque and Santa Fe communities, as well as all of New Mexico. He is grateful for the honor to represent the chorus to our audiences, and to work alongside chorus leadership and the board to make sure the NMGMC delivers to its fullest potential. He wants to express gratitude to his partner and fellow chorus member Hawkins Gardow, his cat (Lulu!!!!!), his parents for their love and support, and all members of the NMGMC for trusting him with such an incredible responsibility. |
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Em Voss-ClawsonVP of Volunteer Support
Em Voss-Clawson (she/they), Co-Chair, brings over ten years of technical theater experience, with a strong foundation in stage management, deck operations, and prop and set design including work across Albuquerque, NM and LaGrange, GA. Her behind the scenes prowess is matched by a deep commitment for accessible and inclusive performance spaces. Em just completed her sixth production with NMGMC as a front of house volunteer, where she has been actively involved in training and mentoring new volunteers. She has consistently shown great leadership in front of house coordination to help create an welcoming and enjoyable space for patrons and volunteers. Em is extensively trained in all aspects of front of house operations, such as merchandise sales, 50/50 raffle ticket sales, ticket scanning, ushering, program distribution, and assigning volunteer roles, she is a consistent and knowledgeable face at every show Both as a colleague and leader, Em brings collaboration, a deep understanding of what makes a show run smoothly, and a genuine commitment to supporting both performers, production crews, and audiences alike. Em’s background, service, and ongoing dedication to the community make her a strong candidate to carry forward the NMGMC mission to develop inclusive engagement and nurture a strong foundation for the organization's continued growth and impact.
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Rachel HarrisVP of Member Communications
Rachel Harris joined the chorus in 2024, and has served as a dance captain since 2025. She is also active in the Albuquerque theatre community; she works as an associate photographer and general assistant/support human for Think Harris Photography; she is the mother of a delightful teenage daughter; she is an avid stitchworker (knitting, cross-stitch, and crochet); and she maintains a motley pack of rescue dogs. Additionally, she has a "side gig" as a pulmonary and critical care physician. She lives happily in the North Valley with her husband Chris and her daughter Edie.
She is thrilled to have the opportunity to support the mission and values of the chorus on the leadership team, and immensely grateful for this extraordinary community. |
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Joss Gurske-Carlisle
VP of Social Activities
Joss Gurske-Carlisle (they/them) has been a member of the chorus since 2025. After having lived in Southern Utah all their life, Joss made the move to Albuquerque in 2024 in order to pursue an MFA in Dramatic Writing at the University of New Mexico. As a playwright, Joss has been in residence at the Kayenta Center for the Arts and they've been a semi-finalist for the National Playwight's Conference. Growing up near Zion National Park, they have developed a deep love of the natural landscapes of the American Southwest and relish a chance to take in the wonders of New Mexico's natural ladscapes any chance they get. They're very grateful for the community they've created with NMGMC and feel honored to be able to give something back to the community they love by being apart of chorus leadership.
Dustin Whitener
VP of Member Data and Choir Genius
Dustin Whitener has been a member of the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus since 2008, making him one of the organization’s longest-serving members. He has also previously served on NMGMC’s Board of Directors and currently serves as VP of Member Data and Choir Genius Administrator, as well as website administrator and developer for NMGMC.org.
With more than 20 years of experience as a software engineer, team lead, and product manager, Dustin combines technical expertise with a longstanding commitment to the chorus and its community. In his current role, he manages the member management software system, Choir Genius, which supports NMGMC’s membership operations. His work includes maintaining member records, managing the chorus calendar, coordinating dues plans, and creating surveys and forms that help the organization collect and organize essential information. He also explores new ways to use digital tools to improve coordination, streamline administrative processes, and keep members connected.
Outside of NMGMC, Dustin enjoys spending time with his husband, William. They have been together since 2006 and were married in 2011, and share their home with two affectionate Staffordshire terrier and pit bull mixes, Luna and Ezri.
With more than 20 years of experience as a software engineer, team lead, and product manager, Dustin combines technical expertise with a longstanding commitment to the chorus and its community. In his current role, he manages the member management software system, Choir Genius, which supports NMGMC’s membership operations. His work includes maintaining member records, managing the chorus calendar, coordinating dues plans, and creating surveys and forms that help the organization collect and organize essential information. He also explores new ways to use digital tools to improve coordination, streamline administrative processes, and keep members connected.
Outside of NMGMC, Dustin enjoys spending time with his husband, William. They have been together since 2006 and were married in 2011, and share their home with two affectionate Staffordshire terrier and pit bull mixes, Luna and Ezri.
Scott FarrisVP of Membership
Scott moved to Albuquerque from Florida in March 2023, eager and hopeful for clearer sinuses and with a plan to join the New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus. His early education at a university affiliated school sparked a lifelong love of music—chorus, band, and musical theatre alike. Since relocating, he’s been thrilled to reignite that passion and explore the many artistic opportunities the area offers.
With more than 25 years in technology and Benefits Administration as a Systems Engineer, Programmer, and Analyst, Scott is excited to support NMGMC’s Leadership Team and help manage the many facets of chorus membership as we continue on the mission to “Change the World Through Music” and community outreach. Scott and his husband, Zac, married in 2014, enjoy live music, theatre, travel, nature walks, and time with family and friends. He’s proud to be husband to Zac, uncle to many, co‑godfather to one, and “Papi” to two beloved dogs—Luca, a rescued mutt with a musical streak, and Bailey, a re‑homed thinks she is human Australian Shepherd. |
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