LONG BEACH, CA August 13, 2024 — The South Coast Chorale (SCC) is pleased to welcome Dr. Lynn Atkins as its newest Artistic Director. Atkins, who brings 20 years of experience as an educator, conductor and professional vocalist, is already busy planning the Chorale’s 35th anniversary season. New Chorale members interested in performing with the group are encouraged to reserve a time slot for the next audition event on Monday, August 19 from 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach at 241 Cedar Avenue.
“We will have a focus on where we have come from, where we are at now and where we are going, not just for the Chorale but also for gay rights and moving into an era with an uncertain future with the politics today,” said Lynn. “We want to remind the LGBTQ community that we’re here and vital and want you to be with us as a singer, volunteer or audience member so that your rights are validated and made strong.”
Besides his new role with the Chorale, Lynn will continue serving as Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at California State University, Dominguez Hills, in Carson, CA as well as the Artistic Director of the L.A. Bronze Handbell Ensemble in Los Angeles.
With the somewhat unique mix of voices making up the Chorale contrasted with many other LGBTQ choruses across the country, Lynn is looking forward to the challenges ahead. “I will be looking to do some commissions while we revisit some other pieces that are tried and true and about being good neighbors and taking care of each other,” he said. “It’s about performing that speaks to the music while also having a great time, and could include cabarets and diving into jazz and musical theater and pop.”
Dr. Atkins is replacing outgoing Artistic Director Chris Smith, who led the Chorale for the previous 12 years and gradually built the group from fewer than 20 to over 50 singers. Following his final June performance leading the Chorale in “Disney PRIDE in Concert,” Chris is stepping down as he and his husband, Chorale Board Member Robert Casas Smith, who is currently taking a hiatus, have recently adopted a baby girl.
“As the Chorale enters its 35th season, we are excited to begin our creative partnership with Dr. Atkins,” said Tony Almero-Stokes, SCC’s board president. “His depth of experience with choral education and community choirs are a tremendous benefit that will help the Chorale continue in our mission to entertain, educate, connect with and inspire our community.”
About Artistic Director Dr. Lynn Atkins
A proud son of the Jersey Shore, Lynn G. Atkins, Jr. was appointed to be Artistic Director of the South Coast Chorale in June 2024. Atkins has spent the last 20 years exploring music as an educator, a conductor, as well as a professional vocalist. He has had the opportunity to sing in choirs with the New Jersey Symphony, the New York Philharmonic, as well as the Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. He has appeared in choirs to accompany such stars as Sarah Brightman, Julie Andrews, Charlotte Church, Denyce Graves, Patti LaBelle, and Linda Eder. As a featured soloist, he has sung with Princeton Pro Musica (NJ), Litha Symphony Orchestra (NY), The Petersburg Symphony (VA), and the Richmond Philharmonic Orchestra (VA), among others.
Lynn’s commitment to the teacher/artist model of musicianship is clear in his work as a music educator. An 18-year veteran of teaching K-12 students, he has consistently built choirs which have won awards and shown mastery of the choral art. His commitment to ensuring marginalized communities are represented in choral music is cemented in his work in creating the framework for LGBTQ Inclusive Curriculum in a joint taskforce between the New Jersey Department of Education and Garden State Equality in 2020. Lynn’s recent scholarship on DEI Strategies for the Choral Music Classroom was presented at the Summer Conference of the California Choral Directors Association.
Dr. Atkins is no stranger to community choral programs. He was appointed Artistic Director of One Voice Chorus Richmond from 2013-2019 and Interim Director of the Richmond Women’s Chorus during the 2014-2015 season. In both positions, Lynn infused the work of community building with a varied repertoire of choral music that ensured inclusion for all.
Lynn received his bachelor’s degree in music education from Westminster Choir College of Rider University in 2004. He was hooded as a member of the first cohort of Doctor of Musical Arts candidates from James Madison University in 2012. With these degrees, he is honored to be a member of Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Music Honor Society as well as Mu Phi Epsilon, the National Music Fraternity.
In addition to his duties with South Coast Chorale, Lynn is Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at California State University, Dominguez Hills, in Carson, CA. He also serves as Artistic Director of L. A. Bronze Handbell Ensemble in Los Angeles.