Kevin Robison - Artistic Director
Kevin Robison joined the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus for its 2007-08 season as its first full-time artistic director. After receiving a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of North Alabama and a Master of Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of Nevada, Kevin moved to Southern California where he served as Resident Director of Music for the Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts and on the faculties of Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal-Poly Pomona, and Cal-State Fullerton. For three years he served as assistant conductor of Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and artistic director of the South Coast Chorale in Long Beach.
Kevin has been actively involved with GALA Choruses (the international association of gay and lesbian choruses) for nearly a decade and has become one of its most sought-after composers and arrangers. Published by Hal Leonard and Oxford University Press, Kevin has received commissions from some of the leading choruses in the nation, including the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, New York City Gay Men’s Chorus, Seattle Men’s Chorus, Turtle Creek Chorale, San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, and the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus. Kevin’s arrangements have been sung on stage by Malcolm Gets, Jenifer Lewis, Lily Tomlin, Joanna Gleason, Susan Egan and many others. He has also collaborated on productions with Del Shores (of Sordid Lives fame), Kate Clinton, and Miss Coco Peru. Much of his music for male voices has been performed and/or recorded by Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, including his tribute to Kander and Ebb, which received an OutMusic Award nomination for best new CD in 2005.
Kevin is an accomplished pianist, published author, composer, arranger and a specialist in singing for actors. With roots in Alabama and Virginia, Kevin is thrilled to be back in the South and committing his full-time energy to the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus. Read Kevin's blog
Keith Fenton - Executive Director
Keith Fenton has seventeen years experience in nonprofit management, development, strategic planning, marketing and public relations. He holds a B.S. degree in Health Promotion and Human Behavior from the University of Georgia, and has held senior development positions with both local and national nonprofit organizations, including the Atlanta Contemporary Art Center, American Diabetes Association, Hands On Atlanta, and Miller Zeichik & Associates. Prior to joining AGMC, he served The ALS Association as its Associate Vice President of Development, spearheading the design, implementation and management of a comprehensive resource development plan. During his 5-year tenure with the Association, Keith guided the Georgia and Florida chapters to unprecedented revenue growth, yielding multiple national awards for fundraising and chapter excellence.
As Founder/President of Afterglow Productions and throughout his career, Keith has played leadership roles in the production of some of the largest and most successful special events in the Southeast, including AIDS Walk Atlanta, CowParade Atlanta, Nexus ArtParty, Hands on Atlanta Day, and Walk to Defeat ALS. His events have raised nearly $37 million for nonprofit organizations addressing the critical needs of the arts, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), AIDS, cancer, diabetes, and homelessness.
Jeff Herndon - Principal Pianist
Jeff Herndon brings to the AGMC unmatched passion and enthusiasm for music, born from his many years as a professional performance artist. Arriving in Atlanta in 1983, Jeff appeared as pianist at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Buckhead before launching an extended Hospitality Management career in Bermuda for nine years. He returned to Atlanta in 2001 and continues to perform in theatrical, classical, sacred, and secular venues across the Southeast while serving as Property Manager for a large Condominium Association in Buckhead. Jeff holds a B.S. degree from Trevecca University in Nashville, with additional studies in Music at Scarritt College and Blair School of Music.
T. N. Retif - Vocal Coach
A native of New Orleans, T.N. Retif was reared in an eclectic musical environment extending from southern gospel hymns and Dixieland Jazz to opera, musical theater, and symphonic literature. He brings over forty years of teaching experience to the position of Vocal Coach for the Atlanta Gay Men’s Chorus. Before embarking on a career in university and college level teaching, he sang professionally for a period of time in the United States, notably an Apprentice Artists with the Santa Fe Opera Company and was the soloist in the Premiere performance of Norman Dello Joio’s Song of Abelard, under the baton of the composer. During and after completing three degrees in vocal performance and post-doctoral studies in musicology, Dr. Retif was a member of the music faculty at several institutions, among them being The University of Texas at Arlington, Hardin-Simmons University, and Brewton-Parker College, and has had the pleasure of working with a number of students who have achieved professional singing careers. He was and continues to be a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Dr. Retif is also a conductor, primarily in the handbell arena. While at BPC, he led the Baron Ringers to an international reputation, appearing across the United States, Europe, and the middle-East, and has served the American Guild of English Handbell Ringers as Master Conductor at the organization’s Directors’ Seminar.
