Yavapai College Performing Arts begins the next phase of its highly regarded Choral Music program by handing the baton to an accomplished Ohio conductor and teacher with a track record of choral excellence. YC has named Chad Pittman its new Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music at Yavapai College.

Mr. Pittman first learned about Yavapai College through a mentor, who guest-conducted here. “The opportunity to engage with [this] community after hearing so much about it is a full-circle moment!” He said. “YC’s vocal and choral offerings are diverse and comprehensive. I am ecstatic that it involves degree-seeking young musicians and community members of all ages. It is an exciting time to be part of Yavapai College. I can't wait!”

Raised in northeast Ohio, Mr. Pittman is currently finishing his doctorate at Kent State University. He holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Cleveland State University and a Bachelor of Music Education and Organ from the Baldwin Wallace University Conservatory of Music. He is passionate about fostering community, communication, and personal growth in the choral classroom.

“I believe there is no medium in music more authentic, vulnerable and organic as singing with others.” He said. “I believe that every rehearsal and performance should have life-changing moments of beauty and connection. All singers deserve to be appreciated, respected and uplifted for exactly who they are—I want them to feel this during every moment of music-making.”

In only a decade of teaching, Mr. Pittman has built a reputation for creating choral ensembles that distinguish themselves at competitions and festivals. In Ohio, he twice set a state record for the number of musical ensembles selected to perform at events in a single year. Seven of his ensembles were selected to perform at Ohio’s state music convention between 2019 and 2021. His groups were also invited to perform for the Ohio Music Education Association in 2017, 2019, and 2021 as well as the Ohio Choral Director’s Association in 2015. His ensembles have also sung with a host of nationally renowned groups, including Roomful of Teeth, University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club, Ohio State University Men’s and Women’s Glee Clubs, Capital University Chapel Choir, and a 2020 appearance at Carnegie Hall.

Mr. Pittman’s career is deeply rooted in both church music and instrumental performance. As co-founder of the organ duo Two Men and a Bench, he and partner Mark Thewes have performed in churches across the country. He is also one-half of The Paderewski Duo, a collaboration shared with violinist Wanda Sobieska. Appointed to his first church position at age eleven, Mr. Pittman was named Director of Music and Organist for St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Massillon, OH, where he led choral ensembles, facilitated a weekly guest artist program, and founded and coordinated Cathedral Concerts in the Evening, the church's professional concert series.

Mr. Pittman replaces Dr. Joshua Harper, who has accepted a position at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania.