Here is Jonathan's personal statement...
I live in Kyle, Texas with my husband, Danton Bankay and our eight year old dog, Kolby. Prior to moving to Texas in 2008 we lived in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Danton and I met while I was conductor of a gay men's choir in Manhattan (The Empire City Men's Chorus) and he was a chorister in 2000. We had a commitment ceremony in July of 2001. Both the meteorological and political climates are quite different in Texas than they are in New York, but we really enjoy the change. With me working at a University, Danton and I feel very strongly that part of our calling here is to prove to young people that gay people are no different than others. We love our lives together and wouldn't change a thing.
...and here is his bio from the Texas State University site.
Dr. Jonathan Babcock is a respected choral musician, educator and clinician throughout the United States. He has been privileged to work with such artists as Stephanie Blythe, Carol Meyer, Matthew Garrett, Anton Belov and recent Tony Award winner Victoria Clark, in such esteemed venues as The Tilles Center, Symphony Space, Town Hall and Carnegie Hall. Working as an advocate for contemporary choral music, he has overseen the commissioning of new works by composers such as Paul Moravec, David Del Tredici, Mark Miller and Stephen Paulus.
Dr. Babcock is an assistant professor at Texas State University where he conducts the University Singers and Men’s Choir. In addition he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in choral conducting, literature and pedagogy. Prior to coming to Texas State, Dr. Babcock served on the faculty of the Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College of the City University of New York. Under his direction the Conservatory Chamber Choir performed at the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Winter Conference in 2005 and performed a concert tour of China as part of the opening celebration of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Dr. Babcock received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music degrees from The Crane School of Music, State University of New York at Potsdam where he studied conducting with Brock MacElheran and voice with Patricia Misslin; and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from The Hartt School, University of Hartford where he studied conducting with Paul Oakley and Edward Bolkovac.
I met Jonathan through a mutual friend who sent him a link to this blog. He e-mailed me, and came through on my plea for a picture and bio in a flash. Thank you Jonathan!
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