Leadership

Mark Helms, Interim Director of Choirs

Mark Helms is the newly-appointed Director of Choirs at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA, where he conducts the William & Mary Choir and teaches academic courses in music. Dr. Helms is a recent graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, where he received his Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting. At Maryland, he served as primary conductor of the University Chorale, assistant conductor of the UMD Chamber Singers, chorus master for the Maryland Opera Studio, instructor of undergraduate conducting courses, and assisted in the preparation of choruses for the Baltimore and National Symphony Orchestras. His dissertation research at Maryland focused on shifting choral repertoire programming trends following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Helms previously conducted church, community, and collegiate ensembles in Pennsylvania for six years, where he served as director of choral activities and liturgical music at DeSales University and as director of music and the arts at Doylestown Presbyterian Church. In 2021, he received the Outstanding Young Conductor Award from the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Choral Directors Association in recognition of his work in the state. Dr. Helms is also a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, where he earned a Master of Music degree in choral conducting, and of Furman University, where he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in church music. He has studied conducting with Jason Max Ferdinand, Edward Maclary, David Neely, William Weinert, Brad Lubman, and Hugh Ferguson Floyd.

Kyle Sharma (he/him), Vice President

• Majors: English & Linguistics
• Class Year: 2026
• What Kyle’s position does: “As the Vice President of Kwah, I’m in charge of both publicity and merch, and I also assist our wonderful President with whatever she needs. I also plan and manage Kwah’s famous Homecoming Float!”
• What Kyle loves about KWAH: “My favorite thing about Kwah is the community! As much as I love to sing, W&M is full of amazing places to sing. But, I’ve never found a community quite as welcoming and positive as Kwah! Plus, getting to go to all the events (including free tickets to graduation!) is a very nice bonus.”
• Other campus activities: “I sing acapella with the Stairwells, I play trombone with the Pep Band and with Wham Bam Big Band, I work as a Resident Assistant and am a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary, I am a part of the Films Committee of AMP, and over Winter Break I am a part of the Sinfonicron Light Opera Company! In my free time I enjoy reading, playing Tetris, and listening to Call Me Maybe on repeat.”

Grace Harvey (she/her), Administrative Secretary

• Major: Psychology
• Class Year: 2027
• What Grace’s position does: “I keep track of the attendance and also take minutes for all of the officer meetings!”
• What Grace loves about KWAH: “I love getting to make music with such an amazing and supportive group of people.”
• Other campus activities: Mint Theatre, Crim Dell Criers, Student Unions and Engagement, Shakespeare in the Dark Sinfonicron

Nicholas Doan (he/him), Fundraising Co-Chair

• Majors: Philosophy & International Relations
• Class Year: 2028
• What Nicholas’ position does: “The Co-fundraising Chairs are required to collect the funds needed for all the events, tours, and merchandise through cavassing the community that we sing for. We collect donations at every concert, but we also plan fundraising events like restaurant nights. All the things we help pay for make Kwah feel like a much more special experience for members. We are not just a class, but a true community.”
• What Nicholas loves about KWAH: “So far, what I have loved about Kwah is the energy and passion the whole group has, and the great sense of community found amongst its members. The group has energy and momentum, and most of all there is great dedication towards our choral performance and making excellent music.”
• Other campus activities: Christopher Wrens Singers, John Quincy Adams Society, Alexander Hamilton Society, Philosophy Club, Young Democrats, Tea Club, TTRPG Club

Lydia Zambon (she/her), Social Co-Chair

• Major: American Studies
• Class Year: 2027
• What Lydia’s position does: “Social chairs work to build up the community within the choir through fun activities both inside and outside of class time.”
• What Lydia loves about KWAH: “I love the close community! And of course the wonderful music we make together!”
• Other campus activities: Pep Band, Wham Bam Big Band

Olivia Azzouz (she/her), Co-Historian

• Major: English
• Class Year: 2026
• What Olivia’s position does: “The historians are the digital ( & sometimes physical in terms of scrapbooking ) storytellers for Kwah! We preserve all the lovely memories we make throughout our time here. Not only is it for us to look back on, but years & years of future Kwah members. This is just one of the ways we keep Kwah a community of connection and long-standing tradition.”
• What Olivia loves about KWAH: “Nothing brings people together like singing! Choir kids are something special and foster a community beyond just singing with each other. Kwah makes you feel like you are exactly where you are supposed to be.”
• Other campus activities: “Outside of kwah, I love antiquing, collecting various things, reading, writing letters, & watching movies!”

Bryson Hetzel (he/him), Robe and Recording Royalty

• Major: Government or Music Education
• Class Year: 2028
• What Bryson’s position does: “I act as the liaison between new members of kwah and the returners, specifically officers. I am also in charge of keeping track of clothing and recording of performances.”
• What Bryson loves about KWAH: “Despite its large size, kwah is still very tight-knit, dilligent, and, above all, fun! Through social events and Dr. Helms’s engaging direction, kwah has become one of the things I look most forward to each week.”
• Other campus activities: “I’m also in the Stairwells A Capella group, Club Wesley, and I’m looking to get involved in radio. I also like playing the piano and making my own music. Also, I’m learning how to play the banjo.”