Join us in December as Marie Bucoy-Calavan discusses embracing your passions to influence change. Bucoy-Calavan, Director of Choral Studies at the University of Akron pursued a career in chorale studies after being repeatedly told a career in music was not an accepted way to make a living. She learned to embrace her passions and learned to be herself rather than how others expected her to be to create change and challenge accepted norms in the music field. She’ll discuss how following your passions helps one become more affective in their career and personal life versus following a path not meant for one’s self.

Learn more about our December speaker, Marie Bucoy-Calvan,

Marie Bucoy-Calavan has conducted a diverse range of ensembles, from primary and secondary level choirs, to community, collegiate, and professional choruses and opera productions. Bucoy-Calavan finished her Bachelor of Arts in Music and Master of Music in Choral Conducting at California State University, Fullerton, serving as the Graduate Assistant Conductor of both the University Singers and Chamber Choir, under the direction and mentorship of Dr. Robert Istad. She has prepared and performed with symphonic choruses under the batons of Carl St.Clair, Bramwell Tovey, John Williams, Eric Whitacre, Keith Lockhart, John Mauceri, Steven Mercurio, Louis Langrée, John Nelson, Franz Welser-Möst, James Conlon, and John Alexander in distinguished venues, including Walt Disney Concert Hall, Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, and the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary. Bucoy-Calavan has continued her conducting training with Robert Porco, Mark Gibson, Craig Hella-Johnson, Patrick Dupré Quigley, Ragnar Bohlin, Jerry Blackstone, Paul Rardin, Jacques Lacombe, David Hayes, Arthur Fagan, William Dehning, and Elmer Thomas. Bucoy-Calavan has conducted various opera performances, including California State University, Fullerton’s full production of Gaetano Donizetti’s Elixir of Love and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory’s Undergraduate Opera production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro. In addition, Bucoy-Calavan placed second in the 2013 American Choral Directors Association National Choral Conducting Competition, held in Dallas, Texas. Bucoy-Calavan also has appeared as a guest clinician and conductor for honor choirs in the Southern California and Northeast Ohio regions. She completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she directed the University of Cincinnati Men’s Chorus and taught introductory courses and private lessons in conducting for undergraduate students. Most recently, she served as the Assistant Conductor of the May Festival Chorus, the symphonic chorus for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Currently, Bucoy-Calavan is the Director of Choral Studies at the University of Akron, where she directs the Concert Choir, Women’s Chamber Choir, and Men’s Chorus while teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in conducting. Her research interests lies in conducting pedagogy and its unification amongst choral, orchestral, and wind ensembles. Marie currently serves a member of the national board of Chorus America.