OZARK FESTIVAL SINGERS
THE STORY OF OZARK FESTIVAL SINGERS
Ozark Festival Singers is a community of singers that comes together to rehearse master works and choral repertoire in preparation for festival performances in the U.S. and abroad. The group is based in the Ozark region and surrounding areas, with home bases in Little Rock, AR and Kansas City, MO. Each choir member who lends their voice to the mix is committed to creating a unique and memorable musical experience. The ensemble can be described as a revolving ensemble, with participation determined by yearly travel interests and availability. Email us to find out more.
LORISSA MASON
Conductor, Co-Artistic Director
Dr. Lorissa Mason is the Director of Choral Activities and Voice Area Chair at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where she directs the Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Women’s Choir and teaches undergraduate conducting, advanced conducting, and music education courses. Prior to her appointment at UALR, Dr. Mason directed the undergraduate chamber choir and the University Singers and taught undergraduate conducting and music education courses at the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory as a graduate teaching assistant. Dr. Mason’s research covers a variety of topics, with a focus on the pedagogy of conducting.
GABE LEWIS-O'CONNOR
Conductor, Co-Artistic Director
Dr. Gabe Lewis-O'Connor balances a busy schedule as professional soloist and choral performer, daily meditator, conductor, avid amateur woodworker, father, and husband. Striving to bring humor, authenticity, and emotion to all these passions is a lifelong pursuit. Prior to his masters and doctoral studies in conducting at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Gabe sang for four years with the professional vocal ensemble Chanticleer, which crystalized his belief that relationships are the core of powerful music making. During his time with Chanticleer, Gabe sang almost 500 concerts, was lucky to work with young singers all over the world, and once got stuck in an elevator in Poland because his luggage weighed too much.
Gabe has been fortunate to also sing with choral groups around the nation (the Kansas City Chorale, Choral Arts Northwest, Te Deum, Spire Chamber Ensemble, the Byrd Ensemble, and others) and with amazing artists and collaborators (Bobby McFerrin, Kurt Elling, the Shanghai Quartet, Prairie Home Companion, Frederica von Stade, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and others), but cherishes most the personal connections that have grown from these incredible opportunities.
