About Us
Our Beginnings
On January 15, 1994, a group of diverse community members were brought together by Jeff Harris with the hope of realizing his dream of forming a premier community choir in the Phoenix-Metropolitan area.
The energy and excitement of this group led to the founding of the Sonoran Desert Chorale, with its inaugural concert on October 29, 1994. This now highly regarded and artistically sophisticated choral organization performs music spanning time from the ancient folk music of Mongolia to the premier of modern compositions such as Prelude to Glory by Russell Wilson.
The Chorale performs a repertoire meant to demonstrate that music is a language that transcends our differences and accentuates our commonality. After a celebratory 25th Season in 2018-2019 and the retirement of Founding Director Jeff Harris, the Chorale looks forward to the future. With a solid foundation of devoted singers and audience, the Chorale will continue to offer excellence in choral music!
Artistic Director
Frank A. Watkins is an Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Arizona State University. A native of Omaha Nebraska, Watkins taught secondary choral music in Texas for six years. He holds degrees in piano performance from Jackson State University (BM), the University of Arkansas (MM), and choral conducting from Northwestern University (MM) and Michigan State University (DMA).
Watkins is in demand as guest conductor and clinician. In 2016, he was appointed Conductor and Music Director of the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra. Recent engagements include the Big Nine Festival Honor Choir, the Great Northern Conference All- Conference Choir, Cloverbelt All-Conference Honor Choir, the 2018 Men’s Choir Festival, Big 8 Choral Festival, Northwest Suburban Conference Choir, the 2021 WSMA State Honors Mixed Choir, and the 2022 WCDA State Treble Choir. He has presented workshops on choral methods for the International Music and Christian Arts Conference, Michigan State University, and the Ohio State University. He has presented workshops at both the Wisconsin Music Educators State Convention and the National Collegiate Choral Organization National Conference. Additionally, he has taught internationally with Village Harmony. Choirs under his direction have performed at the Wisconsin Music Educators State Conference (2018; 2023), Wisconsin Choral Directors Association State Conference (2023), and the North Central Divisional Conference of the American Choral Directors Association (2020; 2024).
In 2017-18, Watkins led an International Fellows Trip to Dakar, Senegal to study the use of hip-hop and rap as a form of non-violent political protest. In 2023, Watkins was a guest lecturer in Cape Town, South Africa. Watkins’ research interests include the intersectionality of race, class, and gender in the music of African-American Women in the 21st century.
Watkins joined the faculty at Arizona State University in 2025. A dynamic young conductor, Watkins’ love and passion are teaching. He believes that in order to educate, you must first inspire! It is his goal to make an impact…not just an impression on the lives of those that follow his baton.
Board of Directors
Overseeing the administrative side of the Sonoran Desert Chorale is our Board of Directors – comprised of individuals with skills in finance, marketing, development, and strategic planning. The board members are committed to working in partnership with all other facets of the organization to ensure the SDC’s continued success as one of Arizona’s premier vocal ensembles.
Kevin Gardner, Treasurer
Kevin has been singing baritone with the Sonoran Desert Chorale since 1996 and joined the board after sending both of his sons off to college. Kevin has served a number of various volunteer roles for the Chorale, including arranging the KBAQ/KJZZ advertising, and producing the “City Called Heaven” CD. For his day job, Kevin is a Chief Engineer for Honeywell Aerospace, where he has been challenged and learning since 1983. Hobbies include snow skiing and hiking the many beautiful areas of Arizona.
Jon Sywassink, Secretary
Jon joined the Chorale the year of the Italy choir tour in 2007. He serves as the bass section leader and has music degrees from the U of A and ASU. He retired as an elementary music teacher after teaching for 32 years in Arizona and was also a church music director for many years. Currently Jon is a church organist in Tempe. Square dancing, yoga, and travelling are his go to pastimes.
Bill Goodenberger
Bill has been singing with the Chorale since 2000. He sings baritone now after having spent 13 years in the Tenor section. Bill studied Choral Education and has directed church choirs for 30 years. He is into volunteerism and has filled several roles for the Chorale. He recently retired from the Arizona Department of Economic Security and is looking forward to spending more time at many hobbies including woodworking, camping and reading.
Megan Loney
Megan grew up with the Chorale as a regular part of life, as both of her parents have been involved as a singer and organist for over 20 years. As a child, she could often be found at concerts helping the stage manager and, as soon as she was tall enough to reach the music rack and able to follow the music, she assisted her mom, Dr. Bonnie Loney, at the organ as the registrant. Megan is an oncology nurse and Bone Marrow Transplant Coordinator who knits in her spare time…and still assists her mom at the organ.
Tommy Miller
Tommy is a music and outdoor enthusiast who first joined the Sonoran Desert Chorale in 1999. During that time, he has volunteered in a variety of roles and is excited to begin serving the chorale as a member on the board. As an Executive Director with Health Services Advisory Group, Inc., Tommy works with state Medicaid agencies to monitor and ensure the quality of care for the country’s most vulnerable populations. When he is not singing, he and his wife can be seen kayaking the Salt River, hiking in Superstition Mountains, or camping in Arizona’s beautiful backcountry.
Director Emeritus - Jeff Harris
A note from the Founding Director…
In 1994, a group of eight community-minded singers gathered in my living room in Mesa to create what would become the Sonoran Desert Chorale. Our excitement was tempered by the uncertainty of not knowing who would come to sing. Was there a niche for an auditioned adult chorus in the Valley? In the pre-Internet and presocial media days, we had to rely upon newspaper and radio ads as well as word of mouth to advertise auditions. So, with a nod to Field of Dreams, I can say that “we built it, and they did come.“ From that first auditioned choir of forty eight singers, the Sonoran Desert Chorale has gone on to be a musical family for hundreds of singers and has enriched thousands of listeners over the past twenty-five years
Looking back on the experience, there hasn’t been one night of rehearsal that did not lift my spirits and give back to me every bit of energy that I may have invested into the Chorale. It has been an honor to be associated with the many fine singers and community people who have nurtured and supported the Chorale in our efforts. Together, we have created wonderful musical memories.
I need to take a moment to extend my thanks to the mentors who made a difference in my career choice. I was fortunate to grow up in a small Iowa city where the arts were an integral part of the school system and the community. My high school choral director, Larry Mitchell, set the standard for achieving excellence when the Fort Dodge A Cappella Choir gave a life-changing performance at McAlester College at the invitation of Dale Warland. J. Eugene McKinley continued the development of my love for the choral art at Iowa Central Community College where I was introduced to the music of the Renaissance. Gene McKinley literally changed the course of my life when he connected me with Dr. Douglas R. McEwen, the Director of Choral Activities at Arizona State. Dr. McEwen taught me the art of conducting and how the conductor connects the music to the singer and the audience. During my course of study at ASU, I was fortunate to student-teach with a master teacher, Warren Dennis of McClintock High School, who went on to become a charter member of the Chorale and a life-long friend. And, the entire Chorale owes a debt of gratitude to Dr. David Bauer of the University of Nebraska Kearney who has been a source of creative and exciting repertoire over the years.
We are all the sum of our experiences and relationships. And so, from those rich foundations, I am proud to say that the Sonoran Desert Chorale has become one of the premiere choral ensembles in the state. It has been an amazing “ride.” I cannot express enough thanks to all of those who have given their time and talents in our musical efforts. Whether we were singing the complex polyphony of Renaissance master Gabrieli or the simple beauty of an American folk song, we have always striven for excellence. And, we have done so with joy. As I literally “pass the baton” to my successors, I do so with the confidence that the Sonoran Desert Chorale’s song will indeed go on. It has truly been a joyful journey.
God bless you all!
Jeff Harris