LEADERSHIP
Lifting Voices, Uplifting Lives
David Morales (he/him), Artistic Director and Founder
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David Morales is the Founder and Artistic Director of Cantare, where he conducts the 100-voice Cantare Chorale.
With 54 years of professional conducting experience, David has conducted over 200 separate concerts encapsulating over 1,800 compositions, featuring large choirs with full orchestra and smaller ensembles of selected voices, performing music in traditional, contemporary and numerous ethnic styles. His choirs have been featured at both national and regional American Choral Directors Association conventions and on national television.
David earned his Master’s Degree in Choral Music at the University of Southern California (1973), studying with acclaimed conductor Dr. Charles Hirt. Other choral mentors include Albert McNeil, Don Fontana, Jane Hardester and Robert Shaw. He earned a Doctorate of Ministry in Spirituality from the University of Creation Spirituality in 2003.
David continues to delight audiences with performances of uncompromising quality and beauty. He knows how to coax the best from emerging and experienced singers, preparing vocalists to sing challenging works at proficient levels of excellence. He inspires singers to impart their utmost to the music, displaying technical acumen and personal vulnerability. David’s vision, experience, expertise, musical talent, and conducting aplomb have served as a steady, guiding force for Cantare’s success.
In May 2022, David was the recipient of the Jefferson Service Award, recognition in the S.F. Bay Area for building communities with inspiration and innovation in contributing to a better future for those around them.
“Music conveys a message that goes well beyond spoken words, one which quickly puts us deeply in touch with what we believe, what we feel and who we are. We can’t be quite as eloquent without it.”
Julie Haydon (she/her), Director of Children’s and Youth Choirs
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Julie Haydon began her service with Cantare in 2003, developing Cantare’s after-school choirs and classroom music education programs. Under Julie’s leadership, Cantare received the Chorus America Education and Community Engagement Award in 2005 and 2014. In 2008, she founded Nova, Cantare’s auditioned choir for 6-12 graders. Julie served as Director of Music Ministry at Trinity Lutheran Church in Alameda for nine years, directing choral music from diverse traditions. During her tenure, she directed adult singers, the handbell choir and founded a community children’s choir.
Raised in Lafayette, California, Julie benefitted from outstanding music education opportunities available at her public schools. She earned a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance at Northwestern University and her Master’s degree in Music Education at Holy Names University in Oakland, specializing in Kodály music education, which favors a child-centric approach to teaching. She previously served as president of the board for the Northern California Association of Kodály Educators and has been a Mentoring Conductor for Distinguished Concerts International in New York’s conducting masterclass series. Julie loves bringing together people from a variety of backgrounds through the beauty of choral music.
Conway Tan-Gregory (he/him),
Director of Music Education
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Conway Tan-Gregory started with Cantare in 2014, teaching classroom music and directing after-school choirs. He now oversees the organization’s Classroom Music Education Program.
Conway earned a Master’s in Music Education with an emphasis on Kodály methodology from Holy Names University in Oakland. He has training in Orff-Schulwerk and curriculum that emphasizes the use of Modern Band styles, including rock, pop, reggae, hip-hop, rhythm & blues, and electronic dance music. Since 2007, Conway has been a professional keyboardist and music director in churches. He also teaches at Diablo Valley College as music director for the musical theatre program. Conway is active in San Francisco Bay Area musical theater as a music director and keyboardist; his past credits include The Addams Family, Footloose, Head Over Heels, and Seussical. He has presented lectures at regional and national music seminars on social-emotional learning through music education.
Conway, who was born in Malaysia and is trilingual, believes that music provides us with a language to speak from the heart and has the ability to bring people closer to one another.
