Music Directors

Dr. Ian Loeppky, Artistic Director

Dr. Ian Loeppky joined the HCC artistic staff as Associate Artistic Director in July 2017, and assumes the role of Artistic Director this season. Dr. Loeppky is Director of Choral Activities at the University of North Alabama. He directs the two elite choral ensembles at UNA and teaches undergraduate and graduate choral conducting, choral techniques, world music, and graduate choral literature. Founder of the Florence Camerata, he has worked as a singer, scholar, conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and arranger in Canada, the United States, and Portugal.

Eric Wilson, Principal Accompanist / Interim Chamber Chorale Director

Dr. Eric Wilson is accompanist for TheChorus and the Chamber Chorale. He has been recognized throughout Alabama as a pianist and accompanist par excellence. He is known in the HCCA for his musical sensitivity, his clear tenor voice, and for filling in the solo lines until the soloists show up! Eric is director of music ministry at Epworth United Methodist Church.

Matthew Gardner, Youth Chorale Director

Matthew is the choral director at Austin High School in Decatur, AL, where he teaches AP Music Theory and conducts the Chamber Choir, Treble Choir, Tenor-Bass Choir, and Vocal Methods. Originally from Huntsville, AL, Matthew has spent much of his life leading and performing music in the area. He is co-founder of the Huntsville Summer Music program, which provides music education students practical teaching and conducting experience before they begin their careers. Matthew served as coordinator and conductor of the program’s chorus and wind band. Ensembles under Matthew’s direction have consistently received “Superior” ratings at state music performance assessments. Matthew is an active performer in professional choral ensembles such as Coro Vocati in Atlanta, GA and the Cahaba Chamber Chorale in Birmingham.

Stacy Daniels, Treble Chorale Director

Stacy Daniels is the director of the Huntsville Community Chorus Treble Chorale. A graduate of the University of Montevallo, Mr. Daniels received the Bachelor of Music degree in Choral Music Education and the Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance. Daniels also received the Master of Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from The Florida State University and has received Kodaly training from the University of Montevallo Kodaly Institute. Mr. Daniels is an active member of the Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Vocal Association, National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, and the Organization of American Kodaly Educators. Currently, he serves as President - Elect of the Alabama Choral Directors Association and is a past president of Madison County Choral Directors Association.

Lea Hoppe, Children's Chorale Director

Lea Hoppe is director of the Huntsville Community Chorus Children’s Chorale. She is elementary music specialist at Randolph School. Lea has more than 25 years’ experience working with children’s choirs and was the 2015 recipient of the Harold J. Wilson Music Educator of the Year award given by the Huntsville Youth Orchestra.

Billy Orton, Emeritus Artistic Director

Billy Orton served as Artistic Director from 2002 to 2019, bringing great energy and creativity to HCCA. We are honored to have him continue his association with TheChorus as Emeritus Artistic Director. Billy is minister of music and worship at Huntsville’s First Baptist Church, and makes music—either as conductor, chorus master, singer, or trombonist—with a number of area groups.