Shawn Cullen is a conductor, educator, and creative producer whose work lives at the intersection of musical excellence and mission-driven performance. Known for his innovative programming and collaborative leadership, Cullen has shaped more than 50 concert and theatrical productions that blend artistry with advocacy—cementing his role as a dynamic force in the evolving performing arts landscape. Cullen’s previous artistic leadership includes eight years with Reveille Men’s Chorus and Desert Voices Mixed Chorus in Tucson, AZ. Across each of these ensembles, his legacy has been clear: to create brave, joyful, and powerful musical spaces where marginalized voices are amplified and artistry serves a higher purpose.
He currently serves as the Artistic Director and Conductor of Heartland Men’s Chorus Kansas City, one of the nation’s leading LGBTQ+ performing arts organizations. Appointed following a national search in 2020, Cullen helped guide the chorus through the COVID-19 pandemic and into a period of renewed growth, community impact, and artistic vibrancy. His creative vision has redefined mainstage performances and expanded the ensemble’s regional reach through touring, outreach, and strategic collaborations. His leadership has also been featured on four GALA Choruses Festival stages, including two blockbuster productions—one of which featured the largest LGBTQ+ singing flashmob in GALA history, with over 1,000 singers.
As a passionate award-winning arts educator, Cullen has held roles in instrumental and vocal music, theatre, and arts administration within K–12 education (Tucson Unified School District), and has served as an adjunct instructor at both the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory and the University of Arizona’s Fred Fox School of Music. Ensembles under Cullen’s baton have achieved the highest ratings at contests and festivals throughout the United States. As a clinician, Cullen enjoys working with learners of all ages and adjudicating instrumental and choral state festivals in Arizona, Missouri and Kansas.
Cullen’s dynamic skill set has led to a multifaceted career in choral music, instrumental music, and regional musical theater serving as principal conductor for the Arizona Repertory Theater from 2011-2017. Favorite credits include “Into the Woods”, “The Secret Garden”, “Oklahoma!“, “EVITA”, “Avenue Q”, and “The Full Monty”. Mr. Cullen has worked in collaboration with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra as vocal director for “Broadway Rocks” & “Broadway Rocks II”, and most recently “Broadway’s Leading Men” with the Kansas City Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Cullen has begun a collaborative producing partnership with David Maddux, Grammy-nominated composer/arranger/orchestrator to create fresh, new exciting pop-choral works for “choral theater” around the globe. As a collaborative creative producer Mr. Cullen has recently served as both music director and staging director for the world premiere of “My Shadow is Pink”, a children’s book musical adaptation in collaboration with The Folly Theater Children’s Series. Most recently his video design work was featured in two blockbuster concerts at GALA Choruses Festival 2024 featuring LGBTQ choruses from Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America, and Asia.
Shawn holds a Bachelors of Music Education and Masters of Music in Conducting from the University of Arizona and a Ph.D (ABD) in Music Education from The University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory. Cullen’s research in music education, undergraduate academic achievement, and conducting pedagogy has been presented at regional, national, and international conferences and symposiums. Cullen continues to stay committed to facilitating spaces for others to self express authentically, to perform music that speaks to narratives not always heard, and to build productions to celebrate diversity while shaping hearts and minds. He completed six years of service as a proud member of the national board of directors for GALA Choruses (2017- 2023) and is a national community advocate for suicide awareness (Survivors of Suicide).
As a producer of new and exciting choral and theatrical work, Shawn is excited to continue working in collaboration with David Maddux, Grammy Nominated composer, arranger and orchestrator to help bring new works to the stage! Recent collaborative projects include the world premiere of WHITNEY, the first staged choral review celebrating the music of Whitney Houston and a holiday take on Bonnie Tyler’s 80’s anthem, Holding Out for A Hero! Check out this first-of-it’s kind Christmas hit, A Holly Poly Christmas celebrating all types of relationships during the holidays!
Adaptation and Additional Lyrics by Shawn Cullen
Suggested by the irrepressible Shawn Cullen, this mashup of traditional holiday elements and the hyper-energizing Brand New Day from the Broadway musical “The Wiz” is bound to set off rockets for your audience and your choristers. Functioning as an opening number, a second-act fanfare, a closer, or an encore, this is a piece you’ll want to keep at the forefront of your holiday programming.
The beloved old Burl Ives tune from the 1964 stop-animation Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer gains more than a fresh coat of paint this very contemporary update: it becomes a primer on modern relationships — specifically polyamory! Loaded with production possibilities, this fun adaptation by Shawn Cullen will set your audience on their ear!
David Maddux, Arranger/Orchestrator
Shawn Cullen, Executive Producer, Staging, Projection Design
Music Video Production
2024-2025 PROJECTS
Guest Conductor celebrating 30 years of Reveille Men’s Chorus!
2023-2024 PROJECTS
In collaboration with The Folly Theater, The Heartland Men’s Chorus brings Scott Stuart’s heartwarming children’s book to life with a musical adaptation for the stage premiering May 2024! Original music and lyrics by David Maddux and musical and stage direction by Shawn Cullen
2022-2023 PROJECTS
2021-2022 PROJECTS
2020-2021 PROJECTS
2019-2020 PROJECTS
Shawn Cullen 