Erik Gullickson, Artistic Director

Serving as the Artistic Director of Bridging Voices Queer-Straight Alliance Youth Chorus is the most glorious, life’s-journey affirming, challenging, and rewarding EXPERIENCE that I never imagined I could have. I lean on ALL the experiences of my super-eclectic life path. As a part of this fantastic team of volunteers, I have learned to embrace the metaphorical trust-fall, raise my game, accept both success and #tryagainlater, deep praise and deep criticism, steal (from the best) and leave it all on the stage. 

The chorus has grown exponentially since 2015. We’ve produced four full mainstage concerts and performed around the region in fifteen outreach performances. A high point, for sure, was in 2016 taking 26 singers and six chaperones to the GALA Festival of Choruses in Denver, where they sang on five separate Blockbuster concerts, including the opening ceremonies – on stage with Grammy Winning Artist and Teacher Matt Alber – and the closing ceremonies as part of an estimated 180 voice mass youth chorus with one of our own right up front as soloist in a packed hall of 5,000. 

As amazing as all of that was, it was just the opening act. We’ve gone on to build bridges through outreach and service to local helping organizations such as The Dougy Center and Ronald McDonald House, outreach to local schools reaching more than 1200 youth, established our independence as a 501(c)3 charitable organization (your tax deductible donation is always welcome at http://bridgingvoices.org/donate/), developed an incredibly dynamic board with many of Portland’s most exciting young professionals, continued our collaborative relationship with Matt and his producing partner Jon Garcia on the incredible new documentary series Room To Grow – www.moreroomtogrow.org, lived and loved and labored and learned. Highs, lows, hilarious rehearsal moments and shared truths that would not be possible with any other gathering of humans. With some of these youth, I may have met my match on the optimism scale, and that’s awesome!

The future is bright my friends, and I’m incredibly lucky to have a ringside seat! You’ve seen it, the tall creaky one in front of the music stand? It’s the best seat in town. Won’t you join me? Come see our next show! http://bridgingvoices.org/tickets