Ireri E. Chávez-Bárcenas is a musicologist from Mexico, and Assistant Professor of Music at Bowdoin College. Her research is at the intersections of indigenous culture and missionary Christianity, exploring social uses of music both as evangelism and resistance, especially in the work of Guatemalan composer Gaspar Fernandez – a contemporary of William Byrd’s.

Antonio Arraiza-Rivera is a passionate early music enthusiast and Assistant Professor of Spanish at Wellesley College. His writing focuses on 16th-17th century Iberian culture, in particular the historical context of poetry in the times of Spain’s persecution of its Jewish and Muslim populations, and England’s persecution of Catholics. 

Donnell Patterson is an inspirational musician, educator, and choral conductor, currently Director of Music at Belmont Hill School, and Director of both the chorus Sharing a New Song, and the gospel choir Joyful Voices of Inspiration. For over 20 years, he has been Minister of Music at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cambridge.