SANTA FE DESERT CHORALE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR STEPS DOWN

After five years of leadership, Janice L. Mayer leaves her position as executive director of Santa Fe Desert Chorale on Jan. 15. “I have dedicated the majority of my professional life to advancing the vocal arts, both as an arts administrator and as a manager of classical vocalists,” Mayer says in a news release. “It has been an honor to lead the Santa Fe Desert Chorale — a treasure in the chorale world — through this period of national expansion and increased depth of programming here in New Mexico.”

Mayer began her career as a National Opera Institute Fellow at the New York City Opera under general director Beverly Sills, who became her mentor. Mayer went on to work in leadership positions at The Shubert Organization and the Metropolitan Opera, among other organizations. She was vice president at Columbia Artists Management Inc. and founder and director of her own New York-based artist management firm. During her tenure with Santa Fe Desert Chorale, mainstage revenue increased by 8 percent, foundation and government grant income increased by 470 percent, and individual donations more than doubled. Among her initiatives were Santa Fe Sings! an annual workshop for avocational singers, and Hearts in Harmony, a weekly choral sing at Santa

Fe’s Interfaith Shelter. Santa Fe Desert Chorale was founded in 1982 and is one of the longest continually performing professional organizations in New Mexico. According to a statement, the organization’s board of directors will soon launch a search for Mayer’s successor. 505-988-2282, desertchorale.org.