Award-winning pianist, innovator, coach, arts administrator, and educator Carla McElhaney has been named Executive Director of Chorus Austin, the non-profit community-based organization dedicated to bringing great choral works to Austin and the Central Texas area. Carla begins her position ahead of the launch of Chorus Austin’s 62nd season on August 1, 2026.
Carla is known throughout Austin as the co-founder and Executive/Artistic Director of the Austin-based collective Revel, where she produced and performed in over a hundred concerts while managing operations and securing funding for twelve concert seasons, six summer festivals, and three recording projects from 2009-2020. At KMFA Classical 89.5, she was the on-air host of Night Music and was appointed Director of Creative Learning and Artistic Director of the Draylen Mason Music Studio, supporting educational initiatives and development efforts as KMFA transitioned from its longtime headquarters in Central Austin to its custom-built forever home at The Hatchery in East Austin.
“I am absolutely thrilled to welcome Carla McElhaney as Chorus Austin's new Executive Director,” Chorus Austin’s Artistic Director and Conductor, Ryan Heller, said. “Carla brings an extraordinary combination of leadership, vision, and passion for the arts, and I know she will play an integral role in shaping the future of our organization and deepening and strengthening our ties to the community. Beyond that, our connection as friends and long-time collaborators only serves to deepen the impact I know Carla is going to have as we vision into the future together to create more meaningful experiences for our community.”
As a pianist, Carla’s playing has been recognized by the Austin Critics’ Table, praised by the Austin American-Statesman as exhibiting “infectious enthusiasm,” commended by the Austin Chronicle as delivering “an exciting mix of focus and passion,” and described in the Chronicle’s 2019 “A Guide to Classical Music” as “absorbing and exhilarating.” She can be heard on several recordings, including Conspirare’s Grammy-nominated albums, The Hope of Loving and House of Belonging.
“I am thrilled to embark on this exciting new chapter with this stellar organization,” Carla said. “As someone who has been steeped in choral music since middle school, focused on community arts development for the better part of my career, and a member of the Chorus Austin family as a guest pianist since Ryan Heller came on board, it feels very much like coming home.’
Chorus Austin also welcomes its former Assistant Student Conductor, Lilly Boessen, to a new role as Assistant Conductor this season. Lilly recently graduated with her Master's in Choral Conducting from Texas State University in San Marcos, TX, and completed a semester teaching at her alma mater of Austin College in Sherman, TX, as a visiting professor.
“I'm equally delighted to welcome Lilly Boessen back to Chorus Austin as our full-time Assistant Director,” Ryan said. “Watching Lilly grow from a student assistant conductor into the exceptional musician and leader she is today has been incredibly rewarding. Her talent, dedication, and understanding of our mission make her the perfect person to help lead the next chapter of Chorus Austin.
“Together, Carla and Lilly represent the exciting future of our organization. I couldn't be more enthusiastic about the team we're building, and I know their leadership, creativity, and commitment will strengthen every aspect of Chorus Austin as we continue to inspire audiences and enrich our community through the sharing of great music.”
Chorus Austin’s 2026-2027 season highlights include performances with Ballet Austin and the Austin Symphony Orchestra, premieres by the winners of the 12th Annual Composer’s Competition, interactive holiday singalongs where the audience is invited to guest conduct, the return of the Women’s Chorus for a special Mother’s Day brunch event, and performances of choral masterpieces at venues around Austin.
