Founding Director
​Matt Deller

Meet Our Founding Director, Matt Deller: I am the Founding Director of the Sounds of the Southwest Singers community choir (SSWS), established in 2010, and the Sounds of the Southwest Chorale (SSWC), established in 2015. The Singers perform various musical styles year-round. The Chorale performs annually  September through May, singing a more traditional musical genre. The Sounds of the Southwest Singers, Inc. is a non-profit organization.
     I graduated in music performance from Central Washington University and believe it is my purpose to pursue a musical path in leading both of these choirs. I recognize there are many talented people who need avenues to musically express themselves.
     I have worked with many universally known musicians and conductors, and have conducted both choral and orchestral groups while mentoring others along the way.  I made my  international conducting debut by conducting in the American Cathedral in Berlin, Germany, in 2010. I had the privilege of conducting the Arizona Musicfest orchestra in 2012, and in 2013, I had the honor of conducting on board the USS Missouri, at Pearl Harbor, HI. During our 2014 Rome Concert tour I was humbled to conduct the Continuo Arts Festival Chorus during High Mass at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. I also directed the SSWS in a solo performance at the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Assisi, Italy.         
     While touring England and France during the summer of 2016 it was my pleasure to conduct both the SSWS and SSWC in combination with other choirs.  I conducted during both performances in England. One of my most emotionally moving conducting moments so far has been conducting the Battle Hymn of the Republic on July 4th at the American Cemetery in Normandy, France.
     The SSWS have travelled and performed in Germany and Austria, Disneyland/California Adventures, Lincoln Center, Hawaii, Chula Vista, CA, Rome, Italy, and Carnegie Hall. In 2015 my choir performed with Barry Manilow in his One Last Time Tour. Both choirs have toured together in England, France, Washington D.C., Alaska, and Seattle. Twice the group recorded professional recordings in Nashville working with my friend and mentor, composer/director Joseph Martin, at the famous RCA Studios. We toured Italy in the fall of 2024, and are headed to Washington, D.C. in 2026 to celebrate the nation's 250th birthday.
​     I have conducted these groups multiple times at professional sports arenas and other larger venues within Arizona.
     In my spare time, I participate in mentoring conducting workshop programs from around the country. I also play piano and have played percussion, primarily timpani with various orchestras. I also currently direct a local church choir.  

To reach Maestro Deller by email: [email protected]

The Chorale

The Sounds of the Southwest Chorale (SSWC) is an all-volunteer choir under the umbrella of the Sounds of the Southwest Singers Inc., and was established in 2015.  The Chorale is smaller by design than the original Sounds of the Southwest Singers (SSWS), and our positions are filled through a vocal assessment process. The SSWC performs traditional and contemporary music. The Chorale season is September through May, performing two concert series, in late fall and mid-spring.
     The Chorale also offers opportunities to perform locally, nationally, and internationally. We have performed in California, Carnegie Hall, Washington D.C., and Alaska, via Seattle. We recorded with the Singers two professional recordings in Nashville, under the direction of composer/conductor Joseph Martin at the famous RCA Studios. We have toured Ireland, England, France, and Italy with the SSWS. 
     We are directed by the Sounds of the Southwest Singers founding director Matt Deller and accompanied by Hyunmi Lee.
     It is very exciting to offer another performance option to our local  communities. The Chorale has the same passion for music that was established with the SSWS. We are always striving for excellence. We celebrated our 10th anniversary in 2025.
     Whether you are part of the Singers or the Chorale, or both, there is something for everyone, no matter your level of musicianship.  

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Sounds of the Southwest Singers