Meet the Leadership

  • A smiling young man with short brown hair, wearing earrings, standing outdoors in front of a tree with green leaves.

    John David Whitener

    ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

    John David is a dynamic conductor, music educator, and vocalist. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He honed his craft as a member of the Manhattan School of Music’s Opera Studio. With experience in musical theatre and opera, he has both performed in and directed numerous productions. He has collaboated with various performing arts organizations, including his role as ED of the Newton-Conover Auditorium, where he focused on cultural and arts education and outreach. He currently serves as the Director of Music at Union Congregational Church in Montclair.

  • A man with glasses and a floral shirt smiling in front of a lit-up theater. The background shows a crowd of people and a illuminated theatre marquee.

    Jeremy Carlisle

    EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Jeremy is a composer and pianist whose work is shaped by a lifelong engagement with music, performance, and community. A teenage obsession with musical theatre gave way to a French exchange program, a literature degree, and eventually a decade-long career owning a French restaurant in Pittsburgh. He later returned to composition and studied in Juilliard's Extension Division, where he developed a creative practice rooted in collaboration and expressive storytelling across both instrumental and vocal music. An original member of Pride Choir, his ongoing work as a collaborative pianist and organist at Union Congregational Church in Montclair, NJ, alongside his role as Executive Director and accompanist, reflects his commitment to music as a tool for connection, inclusion, and shared experience.

    Contact: jcarlisle@pridechoir.com

  • A woman with short dark hair smiling outdoors in front of trees, wearing a gray jacket and a blue shirt.

    Kim Crabtree

    PRODUCING DIRECTOR & CO-FOUNDER

    Kim began her career in LA as a professional Equity stage manager, specializing in new works, at the Mark Taper Forum, Geffen Playhouse, and Deaf West Theatre. She transitioned to large-scale event production and non-profit fundraising. She also spent several years in Los Angeles as a production manager and associate producer, transferring original Broadway productions to Los Angeles and San Francisco. Memorable shows include Liza With A “Z”, with the Emmys and Showtime, Salome with Al Pacino, and Blue Man Group- Chicago. Kim has worked as an AD for PBS, produced livestreams, web content, and app content.

  • A young man with light skin, short brown hair, a mustache, and a nose ring smiling outdoors in front of green leafy foliage.

    Jeremy Whitener

    MUSIC DIRECTOR

    Jeremy received his Bachelors of Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he focused on choral singing and conducting. Jeremy has conducted church choirs, youth choirs, and handbell ensembles across North Carolina. Jeremy has been performing for over 25 years and teaching music, performing arts, private voice, and piano for 10 years. His love of music and theatre has led him to direct and music direct shows for his community’s youngest performers including The Lion King Jr, Frozen Jr, Peter Pan Jr, and The Wizard of Oz. Jeremy has performed around the world with choirs, vocal ensembles, acting troupes, and musical theatre tours. He is currently the Performing Arts Teacher at Liberty Elementary School and Co-Music Director at Union Congregational Church in Montclair.

  • Kaeden Oh

    ACCOMPANIST & ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR

Volunteers from within the choir, our rehearsal space sponsors, and the broader community have been both instrumental and essential to the success of Pride Choir. From concert planning and production to outreach and hospitality, the generosity and creativity of our volunteers ensure that each performance is not only successful, but welcoming, meaningful, and rooted in community care. Their commitment allows our singers to focus on what they do best: making music together.