Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota


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Artistic Director - Derek Weston Derek Edward Weston is one of the leading young conductors in Florida and is recognized as a leader in the artistic community of Tampa Bay. Skilled leading both orchestras and choirs, Derek is sought to lead performances of many of the finest choral masterworks in the repertoire. In addition to his work with Diversity, he also serves as the Director of Choral Studies at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts, Conductor of the Richey Community Orchestra, and Music Director of Traditional Worship at First United Methodist Church of St. Petersburg. At the Pinellas County Center for the Arts, Derek teaches courses in choral and instrumental conducting, vocal performance, and conducts four choruses. The Symphonic Chorus frequently performs masterworks with the PCCA Orchestra under his baton. The PCCA Choral Arts Ensemble performed with Kenny Rogers in 2009 and Derek had the honor of conducting the performance. His musical success in Tampa Bay earned Derek the honor of serving as the Visiting Director of Choral Activities for Eckerd College during the spring of 2006. Derek served four seasons as Artistic Director and Conductor of Una Voce: The Florida Men’s Chorale and led several combined performances in conjunction with PCCA to raise funds for the Susan G. Komen Foundation as well as The Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. These performances earned national attention and resulted in an invitation to join with other national and international choirs for a performance in Carnegie Hall under the direction of Dr. Timothy Seelig. Derek was appointed Assistant Conductor for this performance and led the 300-voice festival chorus in rehearsal. Under his leadership, Una Voce performed throughout the state of Florida, including Knight Concert Hall in Miami for GALA Festival 2008. A native of Illinois, Derek earned his Master’s Degree in Orchestral and Choral Conducting and his Bachelor of Music Education degrees from Eastern Illinois University. During his graduate study, he was appointed conductor of the Women’s Chorus and served as assistant conductor of the Eastern Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, University Mixed Chorus, Concert Choir, and Oratorio society, all of which he conducted in performance. Derek made his international conducting debut in 2003 with the Rosario Symphony Orchestra in Rosario, Argentina, one of South America’s premier professional orchestras. He has been active as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for festivals, summer music camps, and community ensembles, both choral and instrumental. Derek, his wife Gwenn, son Gregory, and daughter Grace live in St. Petersburg, FL.
Ensemble Director - Joffrey Suprina Joffrey was born in Winter Haven, FL and jokes about being a worldly guy because he grew up by Disney World, Circus World and Sea World. He began his musical career at the age of 6 as Porky the Pig in a backyard play. Since those humble beginnings he has tried to refine his “ham” act by performing in a variety of settings from professional theatre to concert halls to clubs and senior facilities on both sides of the pond. Joffrey directs both the Choir and the Praise Team for Church of the Trinity MCC in Sarasota. He has also served as a musical director, arranger and choreographer for choral groups and theatrical productions. Joffrey is currently a professor at Argosy University and a healer of body, mind and spirit. He is pleased to find a musical family in the Diversity chorus and Diverse Experience.
Principle Accompanist - Logan Brown Logan attended Baylor University where he double-majored in Piano and Vocal Performance. He has since been in demand as a Music Director for theatre in many areas of the country. He is an accomplished accompanist/vocal coach in the classical music field, working with the Metropolitan Opera auditions, as well as for private lessons, master classes and recitals. He has been in demand as a pianist for cabaret shows and has accompanied such singers as Mickey Rooney, Ann Morrison and Sarasota favorite, Sharon Scott. As a composer, he has written original music for many productions. Since moving back to our area in 2003, he helped to create Women of Color with Ann Morrison and Sharon Scott, served as Music Director at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center’s Jaeb Theatre, and is currently on staff at the Pinellas County Center for the Arts and Saint Petersburg College as Staff Accompanist. Logan is legally married to his wonderful longtime partner, Michael Puckett.
American Sign Language Interpreter - Janine McCarthy Janine is an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter who first came into contact with deaf persons at the age of nine and has continued to increase her knowledge of ASL and deaf culture ever since. She has interpreted for the deaf/hearing impaired at weddings, church services, business seminars, musical performances by Diversity: The Voices of Sarasota and recently signed the Mayor’s Proclamation at Sarasota Pride Fest. Janine can be found every Sunday interpreting the worship services at the SunCoast Cathedral Metropolitan Community Church in Venice. Her love of music has blended with her passion for ASL as she conveys both words and music by signs and movement. Janine firmly believes that she can only interpret as well as what she hears. Thus, interpreting Diversity’s musical presentations over the past two years has been both a privilege and pleasure for her. She looks forward to seeing more deaf/hearing impaired persons attending and enjoying these performances.

	DIVERSITY: The Voices of Sarasota P.O. Box 2453 Sarasota, FL 34230 (888) 550-6279 contact@DiversitySarasota.org