Lindsay Reilly

President

Lindsay Reilly is originally from the great state of Montana, but found her way to Houston in 2012 after 9 years in the New Orleans area. A lifelong performer, joining a choir was a priority when she relocated to Houston. In fact, joining IVH (UNAIC at the time) was one of the first things she did in Houston, even before she and her husband had found a house! Lindsay has been a part of the choir’s leadership team since her early days in the choir. She has served as Soprano section leader, Auditions Coordinator, Membership Director, and currently serves as President.

As President, Lindsay is able to give back to this incredible organization that has brought so much joy to her life. “It is awe-inspiring to sit in the same room with over 100 people from all different backgrounds, united for a single purpose. Music is what brings us together, but we are constantly learning from one another, sharing our languages, cultures and traditions, embracing our diversity. We truly embody our mission of creating global harmony by celebrating and giving voice to human difference. And that’s a beautiful thing.”

Tony Adam

Vice President

Tony is originally from the Chicagoland area and has lived in Houston since late 1983, with a two-year hiatus in Wisconsin from 1987-89. He holds an MA in English from the University of Southern Mississippi and an MLS from Louisiana State University. Currently an educational software trainer for a Florida-based company, Tony has also served as a university librarian, director of institutional effectiveness & planning, and director of institutional assessment at three US colleges.

He has been with IVH since at least 2006, starting when the choir was affiliated with UNA-Houston as UNAIC. Tony serves as vice-president on the Board of Directors and has also served as section head for the basses. He initially was attracted to the choir because of the variety and quality of international music performed, and it is the family feeling of the group that keeps him active.

Doreen Lee

Secretary

Doreen Lee was born in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and has lived in Sugar Land, Texas since 1998. 

Doreen is a proud alumna of the University of Houston, where she studied Spanish, Italian, and earned her Master’s in Spanish Literature and Linguistics. In 2006, she received a scholarship to study at the Università di Siena in Italy. This experience played an instrumental role in developing her appreciation for the rich culture and history that different parts of the world has to offer. 

This love of world cultures inspired Doreen to pursue a career in education. Since 2009, she has taught Spanish at the Gifted and Talented Academy in Fort Bend ISD. As she often shares her passion for music with her students, it was in fact a student who made the connection between music and world cultures, and mentioned the United Nations Association International Choir — soon to become International Voices Houston — on a fateful day in 2014. 

In January 2015, Doreen began singing with International Voices Houston. What drew her here was the possibility of exploring global music, to sing in different languages and learn about the cultures that the music came from. Through the years, what was once a hobby quickly grew into a passion. There is something so sublimely powerful in being able to use music to celebrate human diversity. This drove Doreen to join the Board of Directors in June 2016, where she continues to help IVH spread its mission today. 

Andrew McDiarmid

Treasurer

Andrew McDiarmid is originally from Oak Harbor Washington in the Northwest. He has called Houston home for 18 years. He has Bachelors Degree in Business Management and professionally is an accountant in oil and gas royalties. Andrew has been a member of International Voices Houston for a year and a half, after spending 25 years in GALA Choruses in Los Angeles, Denver and Houston.

International Voices Houston allows our singers to explore the passion and resilience of the world. Realizing that the power of music in many languages changes people’s lives and opens up their horizons to lives and livelihood outside Texas. It is a unique and joyous place to perform and participate. Andrew is honored to be asked to be part of the board as the Treasurer. Keeping our financial picture focused and updated is a great aspect of his work with International Voices Houston.

Jeff Basen-Engquist

Director

Jeff Basen-Engquist has been a Houstonian since 1950, aside from a journey to New Orleans for undergraduate and grad school at Tulane University. He received his MA from U. of Houston in 1982. Jeff volunteered and worked in the Battered Women’s Movement for over ten years, receiving Houston Area Women’s Center 1985 Community Service Award, Texas Council on Family Violence 1988 Statewide Leadership Award, & Texas Women’s Political Caucus 1993 Good Guy Award.

Jeff later worked as a Program or Executive Director in mental health, child abuse and family service nonprofit organizations while also providing numerous invited addresses, trainings, and consultations for a variety of meetings and organizations. Jeff retired to do his best work as stay-at-home Dad in 2002. He has been singing with the choir since 2013 and serves as Development Chair. A veteran of the shower, he joined IVH at a friend’s urging, not having sung publicly since his high school choir and octet. The joy of singing with a welcoming, diverse, and creative assemblage motivates him to stay.

Mariah Almack

Director

Mariah Almack is a native Houstonian whose love of world cultures was fostered by her hometown. She is a proud alumna of the University of Houston, earning both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English literature.

Mariah developed her love of choral music through membership of her high school and college choirs. After returning to Houston from working in Qingdao, China, she found that she missed singing and joined International Voices Houston in the spring of 2017. Mariah describes IVH as the “perfect” choir for her, marrying her love for choral music, world culture, and the diversity of Houston. She has served as Soprano section representative since 2019 and is thrilled to serve as a director to further contribute to the choir she loves so much.

Christina Boroughs

Director

Christina Boroughs was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and moved to Houston in 2016. That same year, she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy, and minor in Psychology. Christina is a life-long performer, becoming members of several church and local choirs throughout her lifetime. In 2011, her choir was asked to perform at Carnegie Hall alongside other youth choirs as part of their Spring Series. In 2014, she traveled with the Concert Singers on a tour around Barcelona and the surrounding cities. Christina works as an Elementary Music Teacher in the Katy area, and is passionate about educating her students in music, and mentoring them throughout their young age.

Christina joined the International Voices of Houston in January of 2023. She has a passion for singing and wants to encourage others to use their God-given talents to bless the communities they are in. She also believes global music brings everyone together and creates a space to learn about others backgrounds and cultures. Christina is excited to continue her journey with IVH, serving on the Board of Directors.

Ashabari Sprenger

Director

Ashabari is originally from Kolkata, India, but moved to Illinois at the age of 4. Growing up, she enjoyed singing in children’s choirs and playing the saxophone and piano throughout high school. She continued her music education in college, minoring in Vocal Performance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Molecular and Cellular Biology in 2016, she found herself in Houston pursuing a Ph.D in Biochemistry at MD Anderson UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. She currently works in clinical trial management at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Ashabari has always been committed to showcasing the value of diversity within both her scientific and local community. She served as secretary to the Association of Minority Biomedical Researchers during her time graduate school and has previously served as the Assistant Membership Director for IVH. Beyond her logistical involvement, she holds IVH very close to her heart as one of the greatest joys in her beloved Houston community. Not only has it been a weekly source of much needed singing practice and stress relief, it has also been a place in which she has made life-long friends. IVH is one of the biggest delights in her life and she is grateful to be able to serve.

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