Conversations with Carolyn Eynon

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carolyn Eynon

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My conducting journey began unexpectedly during my freshman year at the University of Michigan, where I discovered my passion through choral music education. This passion flourished over my undergraduate years as I led several choirs, ultimately earning an education scholarship from the University for graduate studies.

My professional career launched in 1970 in St. Louis, Missouri, where I had the extraordinary privilege of building a choral music program from the ground up. Under my direction, the program achieved excellence, winning the Missouri Educational choral competition.

Two years later, life brought me full circle as I returned to my alma mater in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. There, I spent eight enriching years teaching before expanding my reach to direct symphonies and choirs across Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, and Southfield. During this period, I pursued doctoral studies in conducting at the University of Michigan while raising my three daughters. Michigan remained our home until 1996.

The Southwest beckoned, and Phoenix became our new home. I directed the Scottsdale Symphony’s choir briefly before founding the Arizona Arts Chorale. My commitment to the arts deepened as I served three years as president of the Phoenix Symphony Women’s Guild, where I focused on expanding membership and strengthening donor relationships. A career highlight was conducting the Orchestra in concert under Michael Christie’s leadership.

My involvement in the arts community expanded through organizations including NSAL, ACDA, and Chorus America, and I was honored to receive the SRP Arts Hero Award and Phoenix Business Journal Executive recognition.

Today, I continue to direct the Carolyn Eynon Singers of Scottsdale, a select 24-voice adult choir I founded 18 years ago. This non-profit ensemble represents my ongoing dedication to advancing choral excellence in our community and sharing the healing power of singing.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The path of a female conductor in the 1970s was anything but smooth. We faced significant barriers in a male-dominated field, but today, I’m proud to see how far we’ve come. Women are now taking their rightful places on podiums across professional orchestras, opera companies, ballet companies, and choral communities worldwide. Similarly, women composers are finally receiving the recognition and performance opportunities they deserve.

Here in Arizona, I’ve dedicated myself to a specific mission: presenting choral and orchestral concerts that showcase North American composers, maintaining the highest artistic standards while ensuring accessibility through affordable pricing. From September to May, we perform throughout the state, reaching audiences of up to 1,000 people. We’re particularly proud to offer free admission to veterans, honoring their service through music as we perform for audiences on every Veterans Day annually.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work continues to challenge traditional boundaries through the universal language of song, embodying my core belief that “Singing Together Connects People.” This motto has guided my artistic journey and continues to inspire our community engagement today.

Leading a volunteer non-profit musical organization demands full-time dedication, working closely with our seven-member Board of Directors to create meaningful artistic experiences. Through their unwavering support, we’ve developed innovative programming that includes collaborations with Steinway artist from St. Louis, partnerships with both children’s and adult community choirs, and the integration of orchestral performances in our concerts. One of our proudest initiatives is our scholarship program, supporting talented high school seniors through donor support to CES.

Our ensemble’s reach extends from prestigious national venues to meaningful community spaces. We’ve had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall, the 9/11 Museum, and Benjamin Franklin’s historic Liberty Square and church. Closer to home, we’ve shared our music at sporting events, business gatherings, and various community venues including Rotary events, Steinway showcases, and Ukrainian fundraising concerts in Phoenix, in addition to our 4 annual season concerts.

Our commitment to community service is reflected in our performances at hospices, Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, and hospitals, bringing the healing power of music to diverse audiences.

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
The Carolyn Eynon Singers have graced some of the nation’s most prestigious venues, from the iconic Carnegie Hall in New York to the solemnity of the 9/11 Museum and the historic Benjamin Franklin’s Liberty Square and church in Philadelphia. Here in Arizona, our community presence spans a diverse range of venues and causes. We’ve performed at major sporting events, business gatherings, and supported numerous community initiatives through our music.

Our ensemble has proudly contributed to Ukrainian fundraising concerts in Phoenix, partnered with Rotary events and Steinway showcases, and brought comfort through performances at hospices and hospitals. One of our most unique performance spaces has been Frank Lloyd Wright’s Taliesin, where architecture and music created an unforgettable harmony.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cesingers.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cesingers
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cesingers