Meet Our Staff

Erik Jacobson

Artistic Director

Erik is a dynamic music educator, clinician, arranger, conductor, performer, and administrator committed to engaging singers, musicians, and audiences through inclusive, joyful musical experiences. His musical journey spans a variety of genres, including classical voice, musical theater, choral music, solo and group jazz, studio recording, and popular music.

He currently serves as the Executive Director of The VOCES8 Foundation USA and the Creative Director of Lyyra, the Foundation’s professional women’s ensemble. In this role, Erik collaborates closely with Paul Smith, VOCES8, APOLLO5, and a talented team to lead robust educational initiatives across the country, including the VOCES8 US Scholars program. Each season, he helps develop innovative educational offerings, from workshops and classroom resources to teacher training programs.

Previously, Erik spent six years as Executive Director of the Michigan School Vocal Music Association and is currently the Artistic Director of the Kalamazoo Male Chorus. He has also taught as the adjunct jazz voice professor at Kalamazoo College and directed choirs at Kalamazoo Christian Schools. After transitioning from full-time classroom instruction, Erik moved to Milwaukee to become Director of In-School Education for the Milwaukee Children’s Choir and served as its Interim Executive Artistic Director.

As a performer, Erik has appeared with the Miami-based ensemble Seraphic Fire on their nationally featured Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 tour throughout Florida and Mexico. His performance highlights include concerts at the ACDA convention in Cincinnati, Jazz at Lincoln Center (2011 and 2012), the 2012 World Choir Games, the Star Wars in Concert national tour, and a guest appearance as a background singer on The Oprah Winfrey Show. He regularly performs as a guest vocalist with the Brass Band of Battle Creek.

Over the years, Erik has collaborated with a range of acclaimed artists, including Wycliffe Gordon, Janis Siegel, Mark Murphy, Kurt Elling, Bob Mintzer, Charise, Roger Treece, Bobby McFerrin, Peter Eldridge, Matt Giraud, and The Velvelettes.

Erik holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Western Michigan University and a Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University.

Tina Gorter

Collaborative Pianist

Dr. Tina Gorter is a versatile musician whose dedication has led to performing opportunities with the Grammy-nominated Voces8, world-renowned and award-winning conductors, arrangers, and various performing artists across the U.S. She recently made her Carnegie Hall debut in spring 2025, performing with the Octavo Series through Manhattan Concert Productions.

As the Director of Outreach for Fontana Chamber Arts, she leads a thriving collaborative piano program that creates chamber music opportunities for young musicians within their schools and in the community. She also directs the Kalamazoo Chamber Music Workshop and BRAVO! Competition, in addition to maintaining a private piano studio in Kalamazoo.

Dr. Gorter serves as the Collaborative Pianist for the choral department at The Irving S. Gilmore School of Music at Western Michigan University and was recently named the Assistant Director of the Kalamazoo Male Choir. She regularly organizes and presents collaborative performance workshops and serves as a clinician and adjudicator for festivals and competitions throughout Michigan. Her extensive experience includes serving as a vocal coach and music director for the Opera Scenes program at Interlochen Center for the Arts Camp.
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Dr. Gorter holds a DMA in Collaborative Piano from Michigan State University, an MM in Piano Performance from Western Michigan University, and a BM from the University of Montana.

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