MUSE: CINCINNATI’S WOMEN’S CHOIR ANNOUNCES NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
MUSE: Cincinnati's Women's Choir's Board of Directors is honored to introduce Dr. Reina Dickey as the new Artistic Director. Dr. Dickey will serve as MUSE's 4th-ever Artistic Director in its 40-year history after leading the choir in the last season as Interim Director. This period included MUSE's 41st season emBODY diversity concert performed with the U.C. Women's Center, numerous community performances, and the upcoming national choral festival, GALA Festival, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Dr. Dickey with MUSE at the January 2024 emBODY diversity concert.
"For the past season, Dr. Dickey has served as MUSE's Interim Director with such passion, professionalism, and expertise. After thoughtful consideration, Reina was unanimously approved by the Board and offered a 3-year contract," said Amy Arnold, President of the MUSE Board of Directors and Soprano II in the choir.
Dr. Dickey, who earned her DMA in December, has a deep personal connection to MUSE and its mission. Her desire to continue with MUSE after her time as interim director is a testament to her commitment. "The facets of MUSE's mission with musical excellence and social justice at the organization's core are held exceptionally high and align with my own goals for my creative work," says Dr. Dickey.
Dr. Dickey working with a singer during a sectional rehearsal.
Dr. Dickey follows in the footsteps of Founding Director Dr. Cathy Roma (serving 1984-2012), Rhonda Juliano (serving 2012-2015), and Dr. Jillian Harrison-Jones (serving 2017-2023). She is an Assistant Professor of Music at Miami University, where she directs the mixed-voiced ensemble Chamber Singers and instructs choral music education courses. Dr. Dickey holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (DMA), Temple University (MM), and Miami University (B.M.).
Dr. Dickey meets MUSE founding director, Dr. Roma.
"I want to continue learning MUSE's culture through learning the songs that have been passed down through aural tradition, working with our devoted leadership, providing space for the voices sharing perspectives within and outside the ensemble to be heard, being a part of the bridge, which connects MUSE's history and legacy the founding mothers established to our present, and feeding the fire with which MUSE approaches their work," said Dr. Dickey.
Dr. Dickey conducts MUSE at a runout community performance.
Since its inception in 1984, MUSE has been more than just a choir. It has been a community of voices, united in the pursuit of peace, equality, and justice. MUSE has performed in colleges, schools, churches, prisons, temples, hospices, street events, conferences, and workshops, always seeking opportunities to sing for our wonderfully diverse local community. MUSE chooses repertoire that reflects the lives of women, commissions choral works by women composers, and crafts choral arrangements from contemporary women's movement singer-songwriters, consciously including the voices of marginalized communities. None of this is possible without the support and enthusiasm of our audience and supporters. Support MUSE and learn more at musechoir.org.
