Davy Chinn Jr.

Biography

Master Davy Chinn serves as an Assistant Professor of music, directing the IWU Chorale and teaching conducting courses, computer applications, and aural skills.

After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Composition and Theory from Indiana Wesleyan University, he spent a year studying choral music and conducting at the University of Colorado Boulder. He went on to pursue his Master of Music degree in Choral Music at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. In his first year of study at USC, Chinn was accepted into the USC Thornton School of Music’s Board of Counselor’s Mentorship Program, through which he was awarded mentorship with Grant Gershon, artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and resident conductor and chorus director of the L.A. Opera. As a champion of new music, Chinn has prepared choruses for and conducted eight world premieres, and hopes to continue doing so throughout his career. Master Chinn’s greatest area of interest in the choral field is supporting young composers, especially students, and helping them find their unique voice in the deep sea of new music.

As a choral performer, Chinn has sung with such artists as Point of Grace, Fernando Ortega, Barry Manilow, the Gaither Vocal Band, the Rolling Stones, and Elton John. He has performed on such programs as the Crystal Cathedral’s The Hour of Power, The Thrilling Adventure Hour, L.A. Live's Christmas tree lighting, and the Primetime Emmy Awards.

In addition to his role as Instructor of Music, he currently serves as the Community Arts Coordinator for the School of Arts and Humanities (SAH) at IWU, leading outreach projects, coordinating the Music Academy, working with the SAH summer camps, and filling other needs that arise. Master Chinn is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association and the National Association for Music Educators.

Pieces/Musical Facts 

Conducted premiers: 

• “Run, Child, Run”  Dr. Todd Syswerda 
• “Moonlight” Kathryn Mueller 
• “Disorder” Raechel Sherwood 
• “Burn Behind us” Raechel Sherwood 
• “Ah, Sunflower”  Saad Haddad 
• “The Little Boy” Saad Haddad 
• “Il y a la pluie” Cara Fesjian 
• “Tomber avec le ciel” Cara Fesjian 

Achievements 

• Performed with Point of Grace, Fernando Ortega, Gaither Vocal Band, Barry Manilow, The Rolling Stones, and Sir Elton John 
• Awarded mentorship with Maestro Grant Gershon, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Resident Conductor of the LA Opera 
• Performed on the Crystal Cathedral’s “Hour of Power,” The Thrilling Adventure Hour podcast, and the Primetime Emmy Awards

Degrees

• MM - Choral Music
  2014, University of Southern California
• BA - Music Composition and Theory
  2011, Indiana Wesleyan University