Leadership

C. Michael Porter, Director of Choral Studies

Dr. C. Michael Porter (cmichaelporter.org) is thrilled to serve as Director of Choral Studies at the College of William & Mary where he is an Assistant Professor of Music and Conductor of the William & Mary Choir. Prior to this, Dr. Porter was Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Boise State University where he conducted the Boise State University Meistersingers and Vox Angelis. Dr. Porter has also guest conducted choirs in Uruguay, South Korea, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and France.

Dr. Porter is also an associate editor for the ACDA Choral Journal, NCCO The Choral Scholar & American Choral Review, and coordinates the NCCO’s Research Memorandum Series. His research has been published in both publications, and he frequently contributes to their recorded sound and score review columns.

Recognized for his passionate conducting and engaging programming, Dr. Porter is also the Artistic Director of Critical Mass Vocal Artists, Idaho’s premiere chamber choir. CMVA performances under Porter’s direction include Bach’s B minor Mass, Bernstein’s Mass, Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil, Fauré’s Requiem, Johnson’s Considering Matthew Shepard, and Handel’s Dixit Dominus. 

Dr. Porter also has extensive experience conducting operatic and musical theater works: including L’Orfeo, Dido and Aeneas, Così fan tutte, L’elisir d’amore, Rigoletto, Gianni Schicchi, Trouble in Tahiti, Brundibár, Into the Woods, and A Little Night Music. Dr. Porter received his doctorate at The University of Iowa (Dr. Timothy Stalter) and his master’s from Truman State University (Dr. R. Paul Crabb). Porter received further conducting training with Helmut Rilling at the Oregon Bach Festival. 

Lydia Zambon (she/her), President
  • Majors: American Studies
  • Class Year: 2027
  • What Lydia’s position does: “I oversee the student organization aspects of Kwah. I serve as a liaison between the director and students, work with the other officers, and assist in planning our annual domestic tour!”
  • What Lydia loves about KWAH: “I love the supportive and enthusiastic community we build and maintain every year. I have made some of my closest friends through Kwah. I love the passion every member brings to the music, and the many opportunities to give back to William & Mary.”
  • Other campus activities: Wham Bam Big Band, Sinfonicron Light Opera Company
Alina Cook (she/her), Vice President
  • Major: English
  • Class Year: 2028
  • What Alina’s position does: “As Vice President this year, some of my responsibilities will include overseeing external-focused aspects of the Choir such as publicity and merch, and supporting the president throughout the year. One particular tradition that I like: every fall, the Vice President and Choir members put their heads together to create a float for the W&M Homecoming parade!”
  • What Alina loves about KWAH: “I love that Kwah is a community of singers. Everyone in the Choir found their way to our group because they like singing. However, they stick around because the community provides such belonging to all of us. We’ve become family both within Kwah and in each other’s greater W&M lives.”
  • Other campus activities: “Cambridge House Fellows, Facilities Assistant, and possible dabbling in frisbee and English country dancing.”
Katie Valentini (she/her), Treasurer
  • Major: Biology
  • Class Year: 2028
  • What Katie’s position does: “I create the choir’s annual budget, collect dues, and work with different officer teams to fund their projects.”
  • What Katie loves about KWAH: “Being a part of such a tight-knit community, joined by our shared love for music.”
  • Other campus activities: Intonations A Cappella, biology research in the Kerscher Lab, and Delta Epsilon Mu Pre-Health Fraternity.
William Burns (he/him), Administrative Secretary
  • Major: Biology & Geology
  • Class Year: 2029
  • What William’s position does: “Take attendance, keep notes during officer meetings, & generally help out other officers!”
  • What William loves about KWAH: “I love the community and the traditions! I think it’s such a fun group of people and I love to make music together!”
  • Other campus activities: “I’m an RA in Maple Hall and I volunteer in the paleontology lab.”
Cecily Boyle (she/her), Student Alumni Correspondent
  • Major: Psychology
  • Class Year: 2029
  • What Cecily’s position does: “I help oversee choir activities and alumni relations, including preparing and distributing the Alumni Newsletter, and assisting with the planning and coordination of alumni receptions during Homecoming Weekend and other special alumni events!”
  • What Cecily loves about KWAH: “I love the community that comes with being in choir. Everyone is involved in so many unique organizations around campus, so it’s really fun getting to know people from different groups and making new friends while sharing our love of singing. I also love all of the special traditions that make our choir feel so close, like making a Homecoming float and singing at school events such as Charter Day and Commencement!”
  • Other campus activities: “Besides choir, I am a member of the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta, as well as InterVarsity and Camp Kesem! I love going on walks around Williamsburg, and you’ll probably find me at one of the coffee shops around CW or hanging out by the lake!”
Devin Petry (he/they), Librarian
  • Major: Psychology
  • Class Year: 2029
  • What Devin’s position does: “I keep track of music, and make sure everyone has all of their music. I also organize the choral music library.”
  • What Devin loves about KWAH: “I love the community, and how friendly and welcoming everyone is. It’s a wonderful group to be a part of, both in and out of rehearsal.”
  • Other campus activities: ASL Club
Henry Wilkins (he/him), Fundraising Co-Chair
  • Major: Economics
  • Class Year: 2027
  • What Henry’s position does: “I plan and coordinate fundraising events for Kwah, keep track of inventory and sales, and work closely with our treasurer regarding incoming cash flows.”
  • What Henry loves about KWAH: “I don’t think it can be overstated how much Kwah helps with student-life balance — it’s a break from rigorous classes to do something you love with friends 3 times a week.”
  • Other campus activities: “I also do Club Track, tutor at the TutorZone, and like biking in my free time.”
Emma Foca (she/her), Fundraising Co-Chair
  • Major: Linguistics/Religion
  • Class Year: 2028
  • What Emma’s position does: “Collaborate with local businesses and support our spring tour!”
  • What Emma loves about KWAH: “Singing together with friends!”
  • Other campus activities: Club Judo, Reformed University Fellowship (RUF), Spotswood Society
Deshea Lettsome (she/her), Social Co-Chair
  • Major: Computer Science with a minor in Hispanic Studies
  • Class Year: 2029
  • What Deshea’s position does: “I work with my Social Co-Chair, Brennan, to plan social events for the William & Mary Choir as well as plan an activity to do during rehearsals. This aids the socialization and community within the choir to make it the safe space that it is!”
  • What Deshea loves about KWAH: “I love the community! Some of my closest friends are in this choir and I’ve only been in it for a year. I also love that I can continue to sing with fellow musicians after high school. Kwah is truly one of the best parts of my day!”
  • Other campus activities: “I’m a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., the Black Student Organization, and the Hispanic House!”
Brennan Strong (he/him), Social Co-Chair
  • Major: Chemistry/Government
  • Class Year: 2028
  • What Brennan’s position does: “Deshea and I work together to put on social events and activities to bring Kwah members and Dr. Porter closer together!”
  • What Brennan loves about KWAH: “I know it’s cliche, BUT I absolutely LOVE the people!!! Everybody is so cool and we have such a diversity in academic interests.”
  • Other campus activities: “I’m in DoubleTake A Capella, Delta Tau Omicron (music frat!), and Phi Sigma Pi! You’ll also see me around with the Swem Corgis AND chilling on Pine 4th (I’M AN RA YIPPEE!!!).”
Jason McCullough (he/him), Co-Historian
  • Major: Human Health & Physiology
  • Class Year: 2028
  • What Jason’s position does: “As one of the two co-historians, I help document the activities of the choir through photos, videos, and more, as well as help manage our social medias!”
  • What Jason loves about KWAH: “Our sense of community! The voice is the most accessible instrument, so Kwah attracts people with so many different backgrounds and experiences. We all enjoy spending time with each other in and out of rehearsal thanks to our shared love of singing!”
  • Other campus activities: “On campus I’m in Delta Tau Omicron, and I help my major advisor with his muscle cell research. Off campus I volunteer in the emergency room at Sentara Williamsburg!”
More information about the Co-Historian, Elijah Clark, coming soon!
McKenna Withers (she/her), Webmaster
  • Major: Business Analytics & Hispanic Studies
  • Class Year: 2028
  • What McKenna’s position does: “I maintain the W&M Choir website, the family tree website, and manage the email list for current members!”
  • What McKenna loves about KWAH: “I love the community that we’ve built in Kwah. On top of making music and having fun together, you build such incredible friendships with the people here.”
  • Other campus activities: “I am a member of the Christopher Wren Singers a capella group, a member of the sorority Phi Mu, and a tutor at the TutorZone!”
Izan Blanco Qureshy (he/they), Belonging Chair
  • Major: Physics & Music
  • Class Year: 2029
  • What Izan’s position does: “I ensure each member feels represented/feels that they have a place in Kwah and are accommodated based on their needs.”
  • What Izan loves about KWAH: “Everything- the music, the community, the traditions, the mandatory break in the day”
  • Other campus activities: “Creative Writing Club, Lambda Club, Knitting Club, Badminton Club, OSTEM… that’s all for now!”