Herbert Washington

Herbert Washington is the Harvey K. Smith Artistic Director of the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Boys Choir. A proud alumnus of the Phoenix Boys Choir, Mr. Washington’s deep connection to Arizona’s choral pedagogy shapes both his approach to music education and his leadership within the choir. He is widely recognized for his dynamic teaching style and his ability to foster a profound appreciation for the choral arts. As a respected choral clinician, conductor, lecturer, writer, and adjudicator, he regularly leads regional and state festivals, workshops, and conferences across the country.

With a commitment to continuous growth and the advancement of his craft, Mr. Washington co-founded The Choral Window, an international online resource that engages and educates choral directors by fostering connections and sharing innovative techniques that enhance music literacy and energize the rehearsal process.

Beyond his work in choral education, Mr. Washington is a passionate advocate for diverse musical styles. He is actively involved in producing, composing, and arranging commercial and radio music, and has collaborated with notable artists, including Grammy Award-winning Tori Kelly, Jordin Sparks, Bret Michaels, and Jason Derulo. A graduate of St. Olaf College in Minnesota, Mr. Washington earned a dual B.A. in Music and Fine Arts and performed as a tenor, counter-tenor, and soloist in the renowned St. Olaf Choir, under the direction of Dr. Anton Armstrong. He also directed the St. Olaf Gospel Choir, Voices of Praise. Following his undergraduate studies, Mr. Washington earned an M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona, where he studied under Dr. Elizabeth Schauer and Dr. Bruce Chamberlain. While at UArizona, he founded the award-winning all-male a cappella ensemble Meow-or-Never (formerly CatCall), which continues to be celebrated for its innovative performances. A dedicated member of the Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA), Mr. Washington has also served as a former board member for ACDA, WCACDA, and the Phoenix Chorale Taskforce, focusing on social and racial equity within choral ensembles and the nonprofit sector. Mr. Washington resides in Chandler with his wife, Yadira, and their sons, Elian and Yadian.

Phoenix Boys Choir

Since 1947, the Grammy-award winning Phoenix Boys Choir has provided choral music training, education, performance opportunities and learning experiences that instill excellent musicianship and critical values in young people. Our program develops responsible, caring, creative young people who will be our future leaders and citizens endowed with a passion for the performing arts and community.

During our 78-year history, over 5,000 boys and young men have sung with the Phoenix Boys Choir, enriching their lives and establishing life-long friendships. Countless performances in every kind of venue imaginable - concert hall, nursing home, church, stadium, amphitheater, area, ballroom, gymnasium, private home, golf course - and on radio, television and recordings, have touched untold millions world-wide.

Each year, the Phoenix Boys Choir offers a full season of concert performances offering a wide repertoire from classical to popular selections. We tour domestically and internationally, to over 25 countries in the last 20 years alone, participate in music festivals, and sing with other professional groups. Members of the Phoenix Boys Choir have performed for four United States Presidents and with name entertainers such as Doc Severinsen, Stevie Wonder, John Paul White, Simply Three, and Keith Lockhart conducting the Boston Pops Orchestra.

We have been a source of community pride for our region for the past seven decades, performing with the Phoenix Symphony, Arizona Opera, Phoenix Chorale, and Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix. We have been honored to participate in many iconic local and national events including Alice Cooper's Christmas Pudding and Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Our recording of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" was featured in the trailer for the 75th Anniversary re-release of "The Wizard of Oz."

The Phoenix Boys Choir welcomes boys and young men of all races, religions, ethnicity, national origin, physical abilities and sexual orientation. We are a federally recognized 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.

Learn more about the Phoenix Boys Choir