leadership
Mike Dixon, President
Ou Jie "OJ" Zhao, Vice President
Ou Jie "OJ" Zhao, Vice President
Mike Dixon is a former singer with the MMC and served as treasurer for several years. He was instrumental in helping bring MMC back after the covid-hiatus. Professionally, Mike is a senior technical engineer in the automotive industry and serves on his company’s LGBT & Allies inclusion organization. He has also completed the Blueprint for Leadership Program with The United Way. He is an avid runner and hiker and loves spending time with his dogs when he’s not doing home renovation. He serves as the President of the MMC Board.
Ou Jie "OJ" Zhao, Vice President
Ou Jie "OJ" Zhao, Vice President
Ou Jie "OJ" Zhao, Vice President
OJ Zhao was born in China, spent many years in Seattle, and moved to Columbia, SC in 1995 where he now considers himself a native. Professionally, he worked as a web designer/developer for many years and is currently pursuing a career in teaching. OJ believes himself a pianist more than a singer, but joining MMC is helping him enhance his vocal skills. An avid foodie, he enjoys fried chicken and ramen the most! He serves as the Vice President of the MMC Board.
Eric Dickerson, Treasurer
Ou Jie "OJ" Zhao, Vice President
Eric Dickerson, Treasurer
Eric Dickerson is MMC’s master of spreadsheets and accounting! He sings with Our Song Atlanta and serves as the Treasurer the MMC Board. Professionally, Eric has worked in the accounting field for 30 years since graduating from college serving clients in the public, private, and non-profit fields.
Walter Wang, secretary
Edward Farmer, Chorus/Board Liaison
Eric Dickerson, Treasurer
Walter Wang is an engineer by trade and musician by heart. He is a former MMC singer and current Board Secretary. He graduated with a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Virginia and worked in the food and pharma industry in mostly the process and project engineering space. Recently, he started working for himself as an engineering consultant. He splits his time between Columbia and Atlanta but hopes to be able to work more in Columbia so can once again sing with the MMC.
Natalie Cobb, Marketing director
Edward Farmer, Chorus/Board Liaison
Edward Farmer, Chorus/Board Liaison
Natalie Cobb studied music and sang classical art songs 100 years ago and can’t let it go. Since she doesn’t meet the requirements for the MMC, she serves as Marketing Director and unofficial stage-mom for the MMC. Professionally, she works in Human Resources with emphasis on employee engagement, training, and development. She also volunteers with the Live Like London Foundation, Free Mom Hugs-SC Chapter, and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation.
Edward Farmer, Chorus/Board Liaison
Edward Farmer, Chorus/Board Liaison
Edward Farmer, Chorus/Board Liaison
Edward Farmer is the immediate past-president and continues his service as the Chorus/Board Liaison for the MMC. He was the driving force behind bringing MMC back from the covid-hiatus. Edward is the “MacGyver” behind MMC’s outstanding Pride floats and organizes our Cabaret Fundraiser.
MUSICAL STAFF
KEVIN CROWE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
KEVIN CROWE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
KEVIN CROWE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Kevin D. Crowe is the Director of Choral Activities at Coker University where he conducts the Coker Singers and teaches courses in aural skills, music technology, choral methods, and conducting. Additionally, he directs the chancel choir at Kathwood Baptist Church and serves as Artistic Director of the Midlands Men’s Chorus.
An experienced music educator, Kevin received the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of music degrees from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where he directed the UT Women’s Chorale. He then moved to Denver, CO, and taught band, choir, and general music in public schools. He also began working with community choirs, serving as the Assistant Artistic Director of the Denver Gay Men’s Chorus and Artistic Director of Sine Nomine, an LGBTQ+ chamber ensemble, Artistic Director of the Northland Chorale, a show choir for adults, and founding Artistic Director of the Sage Singers, a mixed chorus for seniors and elders in the LGBTQ+ community.
Following his time in Denver, Kevin and his husband Eric Reagan moved to Columbia, SC, where he received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting with a minor in music history from the University of South Carolina. While there, Kevin was awarded the LaDare Robinson Graduate Award for Academic Excellence and the School of Music Social Justice Award for his work in the LGBTQ+ community.
Kevin has presented and taught at conferences across the country as well as in Canada and Taiwan. His award-winning research has primarily focused on choral responses to the AIDS epidemic and music in video games. Kevin and Eric currently live in Columbia, SC, with their dachshund, Machete.
RHETT LEVER, ACCOMPANIST
KEVIN CROWE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
KEVIN CROWE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Rhett Lever is a versatile music-instructor, singer, pianist, songwriter and church music-director who lives each day striving to help other people reach their goals and achieve their highest potential. Rhett received their Bachelor’s of Music in vocal performance from Augusta University in May of 2023, with Secondaries in collaborative piano & music composition. During the week, they are a private voice and piano teacher at both Summer’s Melodies and Columbia Arts Academy. They also teach private lessons (when they have time)! Rhett’s overarching goal in their career and life is to make this world a more beautiful place through the sharing of music, kindness, words of encouragement and love.
membership
Chorus Members
Jeremiah Frazier
Eric Reagan
Ou Jie Zhao
Dustin Roberts
Manfred Simpson
John White
Edward Farmer
Kunio Hara
Mike Hughes
Rob Richards
Richard Smith
Frank Dyer
Lawrence Garris
Danny Jenkins
Dylan La Rosa
Ken Robbins
Adan Vergara