Get to know members of the MasterVoices chorus
Spanning from enthusiastic high school students to seasoned singers with over 30 years of participation, our chorus is a testament to a collective dedication to the sheer joy of musical expression. As part of our commitment to sharing the stories behind the voices, we have undertaken an ongoing project to present spotlight interviews with our talented members. Every quarter, we take pride in featuring four spotlight interviews, offering an intimate glimpse into the lives and passions of these remarkable chorus members.
DAVID CHAN
Member since 2022
BARITONE
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Notwithstanding a busy career, David felt the need for another outlet for his energy and artistic interests. In 2022 he joined the Board of Directors of MasterVoices and very quickly realized that he also wanted to sing in the chorus. ”I didn’t care for Gilbert and Sullivan in my youth, but singing Iolanthe changed my point of view,” says David.
David was raised in the UK and after graduating from Oxford earned his PhD in physics at MIT. But a career in science, industry or academia did not appeal to him. He now works for a hedge fund, “training computers to analyze market trends for investment management. The quantitative skills and problem-solving approach that is the heart of my scientific training is actually what is needed to predict market trends,“ notes David.
David enjoys MasterVoices’ eclectic repertoire which allows him to indulge his passion for classical music and also explore both opera and theater. “Having to make Monday night rehearsals is a guilty escape for a few hours” from his busy family life with his wife and four children.
David feels that he and the other singer-members of the Board of Directors play an important role in integrating the many aspects of the MasterVoices community.
JUSTIN GALLAGHER
Member since 2023
TENOR
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A native of Clarksville, Georgia, Justin moved to New York City in 2011 to attend AMDA College and Conservatory of Performing Arts and eventually realized that he wanted to be here full time. He found MasterVoices through a friend and it seemed to fit seamlessly with his performing aspirations.
Justin’s first season with MasterVoices was in 2023, and he says, “What a way to make your tenor choral debut in New York City with three back-to-back sold-out shows of The Frogs at Lincoln Center!”
In 2023, Justin graduated summa cum laude from Lehman College with a BFA in Multimedia Performing Arts. He loved the adult program with “courses you can actually use”. He started working front-of-the-house at The Cher Show then moved to Wicked before landing full-time at The Lion King. He has also worked backstage as a sub-child guardian for the Young Simba and Nala Cubs. Justin is currently writing his own show, based on choral music with a historical theme.
“MasterVoices is such a diverse group – I love it. Everyone has done so much and there is so much to learn about each and every person. And working with Ted Sperling – he’s incredible.“ Justin is also a very happy dog-dad to his beautiful long-haired English cream dachshund, Willow.
NED FITCH
Member Since 1990
bass
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“Energetic” and “enthusiastic” best describe Ned Fitch. Whether he’s training for any of the 14 marathons where he’s competed (9 NYC and 5 of the Abbott World Majors), or whether he and husband Ahmet are playing with their golden doodle, Ned is on a high.
That same energy serves him well at Burlington stores where he is a human resource professional, focused on merchandising.
“Most of all, I love to sing,” says Ned – in the choir of Church of the Ascension on Fifth Ave and with The Collegiate Chorale/MV since 1990, minus ten years when he moved away.
Ned also enjoyed mentoring a Side-By-Side student, finding it rewarding to help a high schooler handle the challenges of singing with a 130-voice chorus.
Ned’s most memorable experience with MasterVoices is singing Paul McCartney’s Liverpool Oratorio in Carnegie Hall. He can still recall the wild appreciation of the audience as McCartney took his bow from a box seat amidst thunderous applause.
Interested in joining the chorus?