Cleveland Pops’ Chorus Master William G. Zurkey is the originator and director of the Cleveland Pops Orchestra Chorus, which debuted at Severance Hall on November 2, 2012. In addition to his work with the Pops Chorus, he is an Adjunct Professor at Cleveland State University in the Music Education Department where he teaches Musicianship courses, Choral Methods, Choral Conducting, and supervises student teachers. Mr. Zurkey retired from public school teaching after a very successful career. Under his direction, The Avon Lake High School Chorale was chosen to perform at nine state conventions of the Ohio Music Educators Association (OMEA) and also district and regional conventions of Midwest Kodály Music Educators of America (MKMEA) and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). Mr. Zurkey has also been the Director of Senior Honors Chorale on the Baldwin-Wallace College Conservatory of Music Outreach Program, and as an adjunct Faculty Music Education at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music where he directed the Women’s Chorale. He has also been involved in church music and currently directs the BPC Church Choir at Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village, Ohio. Mr. Zurkey is a past president of the Ohio Choral Directors Association and is active in the Past Presidents’ Council. He has been honored in the 113th United States Congressional Record, House of Representatives, Vol. 159, No. 85 in a speech by Ohio Representative Marcy Kaptur. He also served on the music curriculum writing team at the Ohio Department of Education. Mr. Zurkey was also named Bowling Green State University 2013 College of Musical Arts Accomplished Graduate, and the 2013 regional Mr. Holland’s Opus Award. Mr. Zurkey has also coached football for thirty years, and continues to serve as a choral director and festival guest conductor. Mr. Zurkey holds a bachelor of music education degree from Bowling Green State University, a master of music education degree from Cleveland State University, and has done doctoral studies at Kent State University. 8