Davy Chinn, MM

Master Davy Chinn serves as an Assistant Professor of music, Director of Choral Activities, and Chair of the Division of Music and Theatre.

After earning his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Composition and Theory from Indiana Wesleyan University, he spent a year studying choral music and conducting at the University of Colorado Boulder. He went on to pursue his Master of Music degree in Choral Music at the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. In his first year of study at USC, Chinn was accepted into the USC Thornton School of Music’s Board of Counselor’s Mentorship Program, through which he was awarded mentorship with Grant Gershon, artistic director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and resident conductor and chorus director of the L.A. Opera. As a champion of new music, Chinn has prepared choruses for and conducted eight world premieres, and hopes to continue doing so throughout his career. Master Chinn’s greatest area of interest in the choral field is supporting young composers, especially students, and helping them find their unique voice in the deep sea of new music.

As a choral performer, Chinn has sung with such artists as Point of Grace, Fernando Ortega, Barry Manilow, the Gaither Vocal Band, the Rolling Stones, and Elton John. He has performed on such programs as the Crystal Cathedral’s The Hour of Power, The Thrilling Adventure Hour, L.A. Live's Christmas tree lighting, and the Primetime Emmy Awards.

Master Chinn is a member of the American Choral Director’s Association, National Collegiate Choral Organization, and the National Association for Music Educators.

Conducted premiers: 

• “My Little Ship” Dale Trumbore, commissioned for the IWU Chorale 2026/2027
• “Rahab’s Cry” Emery Rewa (IWU composition major, ’28)
• “The Way of Peace” David von Kampen, commissioned for the IWU Chorale 2023/2024
• “How Long” Anthony Servo
• “Jesus Loves Me” arranged by Anthony Servo
• “Innkeeper” Stacey V. Gibbs and Robert Townsend
• “Run, Child, Run”  Dr. Todd Syswerda 
• “Moonlight” Kathryn Mueller 
• “Disorder” Raechel Sherwood 
• “Burn Behind us” Raechel Sherwood 
• “Ah, Sunflower”  Saad Haddad 
• “The Little Boy” Saad Haddad 
• “Il y a la pluie” Cara Fesjian 
• “Tomber avec le ciel” Cara Fesjian 

Achievements

• Performed with Point of Grace, Fernando Ortega, Gaither Vocal Band, Barry Manilow, The Rolling Stones, and Sir Elton John 
• Awarded mentorship with Maestro Grant Gershon, Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and Resident Conductor of the LA Opera 
• Performed on the Crystal Cathedral’s “Hour of Power,” The Thrilling Adventure Hour podcast, and the Primetime Emmy Awards