Robert René Galván

Conductor

René was born in San Antonio, Texas of Indigenous/Mexican heritage and is the Conductor of the Bronx Concert Singers, Peace of Heart Choir, and Manhattan Sinfonia in New York City. He was also Music Director of Highbridge Voices Youth Chorus, and Professor of Conducting and Choral Studies at the Brooklyn-Queens Conservatory of Music where he trained young conductors and directed the conservatory chorale. He was guest conductor of Florilegium Chamber Choir in Manhattan and Cappella Festiva in upstate New York. For four seasons, he was conductor of the Springfield Symphony Chorus in Massachusetts. In Texas, Galván held positions as conductor of the Austin Philharmonic, Associate Conductor of the Austin Choral Union/Austin Choral Artists, and as director of both the University Chorus and the Longhorn Singers at the University of Texas where he was awarded the Texas Excellence in Teaching Award. In addition to conducting, René is a multi-instrumentalist and published poet. He is married to the playwright Holly Hepp-Galván and has a daughter, Gina.

Featured
GARY BAKER Steering Committee Chair Gary is a featured soloist with The Peace of Heart Choir who joined in 2007. He’s a 30-year PR veteran, a former journalist, a father of three, a Queens native, and an avid music and art lover. “Singing, and

GARY BAKER

Steering Committee Chair

Gary is a featured soloist with The Peace of Heart Choir who joined in 2007. He’s a 30-year PR veteran, a former journalist, a father of three, a Queens native, and an avid music and art lover. “Singing, and encouraging others to sing, brings me great joy. It’s as important to my health and well-being as exercise, meditation, and spending time with friends and family. I’m very fortunate to be able to play a role in the beautiful community that is Peace of Heart.”

SHIFEE LOSACCO Soprano Section Leader Shifee has sung with many choirs and she has been a featured soloist in the tri-state area since 2003.  When she moved from Connecticut to Jersey City in 2018, Shifee was inspired to join the Peace of

SHIFEE LOSACCO

Soprano Section Leader

Shifee has sung with many choirs and she has been a featured soloist in the tri-state area since 2003.  When she moved from Connecticut to Jersey City in 2018, Shifee was inspired to join the Peace of Heart Choir to share her joy of singing with those in need.  Shifee is happy to share her passion both as a singer and as a leader with the Peace of Heart Choir.

GAIL MARINO Alto Section Leader Inspired by its mission, Gail joined Peace of Heart Choir in 2013. She balances her singing and grant writing for the Choir with a career in fundraising, a spouse, a son, and the occasional ultramarathon. Gail r

GAIL MARINO

Alto Section Leader

Inspired by its mission, Gail joined Peace of Heart Choir in 2013. She balances her singing and grant writing for the Choir with a career in fundraising, a spouse, a son, and the occasional ultramarathon. Gail relishes the challenge of harmonizing as an Alto 2, and especially enjoys performing for the wide variety of audiences that POHC encounters through its outreach concerts.

BARRY WEISS Tenor/Baritone/Bass Section Leader Barry has been with the Peace of Heart Choir since 1951, while Truman was in office. He is still waiting for the Choir to perform his favorite Music “3 B’s”: J.S. Bach, P.D.Q. Bach and Jerry Bock.

BARRY WEISS

Tenor/Baritone/Bass Section Leader

Barry has been with the Peace of Heart Choir since 1951, while Truman was in office. He is still waiting for the Choir to perform his favorite Music “3 B’s”: J.S. Bach, P.D.Q. Bach and Jerry Bock.

CARRIE WESOLOWSKI Communications Director A lifelong New Yorker, Carrie treasures the opportunity to sing with the Peace of Heart Choir, especially at outreaches—the perfect marriage of her desire to make a difference and her experience as an

CARRIE WESOLOWSKI

Communications Director

A lifelong New Yorker, Carrie treasures the opportunity to sing with the Peace of Heart Choir, especially at outreaches—the perfect marriage of her desire to make a difference and her experience as an actor/performer/singer. She enjoys hosting our Cabaret Nights and maintaining and managing the POHC website and social media platforms. A fashion aficionada and ardent art/music lover, Carrie joined the choir in 2013.

ROBERT HORNSBY Chief Fundraising Officer Robert serves as the leader of Fundraising for both the choir’s Steering Committee and the Board of Directors. He manages the benefit concerts twice each year and he supervised the crowdfunding programs

ROBERT HORNSBY

Chief Fundraising Officer

Robert serves as the leader of Fundraising for both the choir’s Steering Committee and the Board of Directors. He manages the benefit concerts twice each year and he supervised the crowdfunding programs behind the choir’s three recorded albums. In addition, he conceived and produced “New York Sings Along,” a weekly public program in the Spring of 2020 to honor frontline workers at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Robert has been a member of the baritone section since Spring 2010.