Diane Retallack, Artistic and Executive Director
Celebrated for her passionate leadership, rich imagination and expressive performance, Dr. Diane Retallack has served as Artistic Director for Eugene Concert Choir since 1985, the Eugene Vocal Arts since she founded the chamber ensemble in 1986, and the Eugene Concert Orchestra since 2015.
Read Diane’s full bio here.
Troy DeShazer, Director of Operations
As Office Administrator for the Eugene Concert Choir, Troy DeShazer is responsible for most of the day-to-day runnings. He brings to the job an extensive background in music education, conducting, and chamber music performance.
He holds a B.A. in Music Instruction from Southern Oregon University as well as an M.A. in Tuba Performance from the University of Redlands, Southern California, where he was fortunate to study with Scott Sutherland—former tubist with the internationally renown brass quintet Presidio Brass. Troy is an active member of the International Tuba Euphonium Association (ITEA) and the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME) Oregon Chapter.
Prior to undertaking the responsibilities as Office Administrator, Troy was a Substitute Band Director for the Douglas County Winston & Roseburg School Districts. He has taught privately since 2011. He is the co-founder of a chamber brass ensemble in Roseburg, OR, The Burg Brass Quintet.
Office Email:
Alyssa Morar, Marketing & Public Relations Director
Alyssa Morar is the Marketing & Public Relations Director for the Eugene Concert Choir. She has come to Oregon from Las Vegas Nevada and is thrilled to be a part of the thriving Eugene performing arts community. Alyssa brings years of experience in marketing for performing arts to the ECC team having run her own business as a freelance circus performer for the past 12 years.
As a circus artist, Alyssa specializes in Aerial Silks, Trapeze, and Spinning Cube. She has performed throughout the USA and internationally with credits including: A Circus Symphony (Switzerland), Celebrity Cruises (At Sea), Venardos Circus (USA), and prestigious festivals including the Golden Karl International Circus Festival (Latvia) and Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival (USA). In her free time, Alyssa can often be found on the local hiking trails, at dance class, doing pull-ups, or at home cooking something delicious.
Jill Switzer, ECCO Music Education Director
Jill Switzer received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Indiana. While currently maintaining her own private voice studio, she is also a proud member of the Eugene Concert Choir and the Eugene Opera Chorus. Jill has worked extensively with children, youth and adult choirs, most notably as Music Director at the Indiana University Newman Center for eight years. While she is classically trained, her performance background also includes musical theater and Latin American folk music. Her teaching credentials encompass vocal technique and music theory workshops in both English and Spanish. Jill has had the pleasure of being the Vocal Director for many of Upstart Crow Children’s Theater productions, including Jungle Book, The Little Mermaid, High School Musical and Aladdin. When not leading others in song, she enjoys gardening, hiking with her family and dancing salsa with her husband!
Kami Hendrix, Assistant Music Education Director
Kami is a California transplant to Oregon. She holds two music education degrees; a Bachelors from University of the Pacific and a Masters from the University of Oregon. She currently teaches choir at a middle school in Eugene as well as private piano and voice lessons in the area. In her free time, she also volunteers as the Board Secretary and Diversity and Inclusion Committee Chair for Adventure! Children's Museum. Kami lives in Eugene with her husband and two awesome sons. She is an active volunteer with local organizations and her sons' school and has served on several boards including Eugene's Parent-Child Preschool and Asian Celebration.
Michelle Ferguson, Payroll Specialist
Michelle Ferguson is the Payroll Specialist for the Eugene Concert Choir. She has studied business and accounting at Lane Community College and the University of Oregon, as well as Innovation and Leadership at Southern Oregon University. Michelle has had a diverse career, including Marketing Director for a non-profit in California, CPA Assistant in Eugene, and seven years at the 4J School District. She is the founder of a small business and creator of a lifelong learning program in Lane County that provides workshops and seminars for assisted living residents. Her career has been dedicated to community wellness and involvement focusing on educational outreach to people of all ages. Michelle and her two children play the piano and are avid enthusiasts of Oregon's outdoor activities. She has enjoyed living in Oregon since 2005.
Brad Schultz, Accompanist, Eugene Concert Choir
Brad Schultz is the rehearsal accompanist for the Eugene Concert Choir. He is also a Ph.D. student in Musicology at the University of Oregon, Sub-Dean of the Eugene Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and serves on the music staff at First United Methodist Church as organist/pianist, choir director, and Artistic Director for the Concerts at First music series. Prior to arriving in Eugene, Brad served on the music faculty at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, teaching music history, church music, keyboard, and aural skills, and applied organ lessons. He was also organist to the Student Congregation and served as a collaborative keyboardist. While in Decorah, Brad also served as artistic director of the Madison (Wisconsin) Area Concert Handbells, on the music staff at First Lutheran Church in Decorah, and as organist/pianist for the Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir, an auditioned choir of 45 high school students. Brad holds the Master of Sacred Music degree from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, and a Bachelor’s degree from Luther College encompassing organ and tuba performance, and vocal and instrumental music education.
Nathalie Fortin, Accompanist, Eugene Vocal Arts
Nathalie Fortin was born in Montreal, Canada. She holds degrees from the Conservatoire de Musique de Montréal, Eastman School of Music, and the University of Southern California. Locally, she has performed with the Oregon Bach Festival, Eugene Opera, Eugene Symphony, Chamber Music Amici, Ballet Fantastique, the Oregon Mozart Players, and for a number of productions at the Shedd Institute for the Arts. She currently does collaborative work with Cascadia Chamber Opera, the Eugene Gleemen, Thurston High School, University of Oregon’s School of Music and Dance, and Eugene Vocal Arts.