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Dr. Joshua HabermannArtistic DirectorJOSHUA HABERMANN is in his fifth season as Artistic Director of the O'ahu Choral Society, Under his leadership, the OCS Symphonic Chorus has grown to include over 80 members and the OCS Chamber Choir has relaunched with programs ranging from renaissance to contemporary works. Habermann is also in his sixteenth season as Artistic Director of the Sante Fe Desert Chorale, one of the nation's premier professional chamber choirs.
Since joining the ensemble, Joshua has broadened its repertoire to include not only a cappella literature, but also choral-orchestral masterworks, and unique concert experiences that combine music, poetry and the spoken word. In 2015 the Desert Chorale was a featured performer at the national convention of the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA) in Dancing the Mystery, a program featuring the poetry of Sufi masters Rumi and Hafiz. Habermann has led honor choirs and choral festivals in North and Latin America, Europe and Asia. As a singer (tenor) he has performed with the Oregon Bach Festival Chorus (Eugene, Oregon), and Conspirare (Austin, Texas). Recording credits include three projects with Conspirare: Through the Green Fuse, Requiem, a Grammy nominee for best choral recording in 2006, and Threshold of Night, a Grammy nominee for best choral recording and best classical album in 2009. From 2011 to 2022, Dr. Habermann was director of the Dallas Symphony Chorus, the official vocal ensemble of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, where he prepared the 200-voice chorus for classical series concerts. Highlights with the DSO include performances of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, Verdi’s Requiem, Berlioz’ Te Deum, and Britten’s War Requiem, which was performed for the ACDA national convention in 2013. Recent international collaborations include performances of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and Duruflé’s Requiem with the Swedish Radio Orchestra, and tour performances in Spain, France, Sweden, Estonia and Finland. From 1996-2008, Dr. Habermann was assistant conductor of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, and professor of music at San Francisco State University, where under his direction the SFSU Chamber Singers received international engagements in Havana, Cuba, and undertook concert tours in Germany, the Czech Republic, and China. National invitations include the Waging Peace Festival in Eugene, Oregon, multiple appearances at the California Music Educators Convention, and an appearance at the American Choral Directors’ Association regional convention in 2008. From 2008-2011, Dr. Habermann was Director of Choral Studies at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, where he led the graduate program in conducting and directed the Frost Chorale. Notable projects included an appearance at the Florida ACDA convention, and collaborations with the New World Symphony and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas in music of Ives, Schubert and Beethoven. During this same period Habermann led the Masterchorale of South Florida in performances of masterworks such as Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Haydn’s Creation, and Mozart’s Requiem. Joshua is a frequent guest with symphonic and professional choirs, and in 2023 prepared the San Francisco Symphony Chorus for performances of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem, and Ravel's Daphnis and Chloe. In 2024, he was a guest of the Houston Symphony, preparing the chorus in Chech Rhapsody of Bohuslav Martinů, and John Adams' nativity oratorio El Niño. A native of California, Joshua is a graduate of Georgetown University and the University of Texas at Austin, where he completed doctoral studies in conducting with Craig Hella Johnson. He now lives in Honolulu with his wife Joanna, and children, Kira and Kai. |
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Alec SchumackerAssociate DirectorAlec Schumacker is the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa where he conducts the Chamber Singers and Concert Choir. He presently serves as the Associate Conductor of the O‘ahu Choral Society and as the Vice President of the Hawai‘i Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. He completed his DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Miami, where he studied with Joshua Habermann and Karen Kennedy. His master’s degree in Choral Conducting is also from the University of Miami. He graduated cum laude with honors in music from Williams College.
An award-winning composer and arranger, Alec’s choral music is published by Alliance Music Publications, earthsongs, Hinshaw Music, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and World Projects. His works have been performed around the country by all-state choruses and prestigious ensembles such as the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the New World Symphony, the University of Delaware Chorale, the Frost Chorale, the Voices of Aloha, and even at the NFL’s Pro Bowl in 2016. An active educator and sought-after presenter, Alec delivered lectures at the 2025 Malaysia Choral Eisteddfod, the 2023 and 2019 International Kodály Symposia in Los Angeles and Malaysia, the 2020 Western Division ACDA conference in Salt Lake City, the 2018 and 2016 Asia Kodály Symposia in Taiwan, the 2017 National ACDA conference in Minneapolis, and various others. His written work on incorporating popular music in the choral curriculum was recently published by GIA in the textbook Becoming Musical. |
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Dr. Thomas YeeCollaborative PianistTommy Yee, from Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, has won First Prizes in over 20 national and international competitions. Dr. Yee earned an unprecedented distinction from his alma mater, Memorial University of Newfoundland: he was presented with the Horizon Award for Lifetime Achievement under the age of 35 for extraordinary professional, volunteer, and academic achievement. Highlights of his career include winning top prizes at the Josef Hofmann International Piano Competition where he was also awarded a special prize for the best performance of the imposed piece, Ludmilla Kneskova International Piano Competition where he also won a special prize for best etude, Le Tremplin International (International Stepping Stone) where he also won a special prize for best contemporary work, Canadian Federation of Music Teachers Association Schubert Recital Competition, Concours de Musique du Canada, Young Artists Concert Tour Series Competition, and the Eastman-Hamamatsu Piano Competition among others.
Dr. Yee earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Memorial University of Newfoundland where he studied with Maureen Volk and received the University Medal for Academic Excellence. He received his Master of Music degree from the University of Colorado at Boulder where he studied with Angela Cheng and Alvin Chow. He earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music where he studied with and was teaching assistant of Nelita True. He has also studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London and Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. Dr. Yee is Professor of Music (piano) and has also served on the faculty at the State University of New York at Buffalo. As a respected teacher, his students have won top prizes in state and regional competitions, including five winners of the Honolulu Symphony Concerto Competition and two winners of From The Top’s Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Young Artist Award. Dr. Yee has performed as guest soloist with orchestras throughout Canada and the United States and has performed extensively as soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative artist in China, Taiwan and Japan. He was Guest Artist and Juror at the Besparmak International Piano Competition and Festival in Cyprus. Notable past engagements included a performance of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Honolulu Symphony and the Tchaikovsky Concerto No. 1 with the UH Symphony Orchestra, Liszt’s Totentanz with the UH Band, Grieg Concerto with the Hawai’i Youth Symphony, and Tchaikovsky Concerto with the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. Most recent engagements include performing Beethoven’s Triple Concerto with the NSO and the Tchaikovsky Concerto with the Kamuela Philharmonic Orchestra. Dr. Yee has received generous financial assistance from the Liberace Foundation, Canada Council, Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Council, University of Hawai’i Research Council, and the College of Arts, Languages, and Letters. |
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Jason BarcliftManaging DirectorAfter joining the Oʻahu Choral Society as a tenor in August 2023, Jason Barclift is taking on the role as the organization's Managing Director while continuing his career as a music educator and band director at Punahou School. With more than 25 years of experience in music education, arts leadership, and organizational management, he has dedicated his career to creating meaningful musical experiences for performers and audiences alike. Prior to relocating to Hawaiʻi in 2023, Jason directed award-winning band programs throughout North Carolina, where his ensembles consistently earned superior ratings and his students were regularly selected for regional and state honor ensembles. His leadership in the profession culminated in serving as President of the North Carolina Bandmasters Association and receiving the organization's Award of Excellence in 2014.
Jason earned both his Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Master of Music in Music Education from East Carolina University. Throughout his career, he has combined artistic excellence with a talent for organization, collaboration, and service. Whether coordinating performances, managing large-scale events, or working alongside volunteers and community partners, he enjoys bringing people together in support of outstanding musical experiences. As Managing Director of the Oʻahu Choral Society, he is honored to help advance the organization's mission of enriching Hawaiʻi through exceptional choral music. Jason and his wife, Dr. Kim Barclift, an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, are proud parents of their son, Elijah, a horn performance major at the New England Conservatory in Boston. Together, they are grateful to call Hawaiʻi home and are excited to continue contributing to its vibrant musical and cultural community. |