Meet Mitra Khazai | Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix, Executive Director

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mitra Khazai and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mitra, what do you attribute your success to?
The most important factor behind the success of the Orpheus Male Chorus of Phoenix is that we have stayed true to who we are since our very first performance on KTAR radio on Christmas Day, 1929. At a time when our community was reeling from the Depression, Orpheus lifted spirits through music—and that commitment to using song as a source of comfort, connection, and joy has never wavered.

Embedded in our DNA is the belief that music must serve the community. We provide free performances for marginalized and underserved audiences—including those living with dementia, people experiencing homelessness, seniors in care facilities, and veterans at the Arizona State Veterans Home. We bring music into schools, offer scholarships to K–12 and college students, and host an annual festival where middle and high school singers work with professional clinicians and experience the power of a massed male chorus.

Equally important, Orpheus reflects the diversity of the community we serve. Our singers range in age from 21 to 83 and come from every background, race, creed, and culture—truly “one voice, many backgrounds.” That diversity is both our strength and our story.

Nearly 100 years later, Orpheus continues to blend tradition, camaraderie, and powerful harmony to bring heartfelt music to our community. Our brand is rooted in legacy but energized by the future—and that balance has been the key to our longevity and success.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My career in the choral arts has been shaped by both immense joy and unexpected challenges, and what sets me apart is my ability to lead with both creativity and steadiness in uncertain times. One of the greatest tests came during the pandemic, when choral singing went from being a source of community and inspiration to being considered unsafe.

At the Phoenix Boys Choir, where I was Executive Director at the time, we pivoted immediately to a digital platform—never missing a single rehearsal and presenting a full season of virtual concerts. We also pioneered a “car choir” rehearsal and concert model, where singers rehearsed and even recorded from their cars. This kept music alive, gave the boys consistency during a time of disruption, and demonstrated the resilience and innovation of the arts.

During that same time, Orpheus held rehearsals in the Biltmore Fashion Park parking structure, which not only had surprisingly good acoustics but also gave our singers a safe way to stay connected through song.

The pandemic underscored an enduring truth for me: music is essential. It inspires resilience, creates community, and makes space for vulnerability and connection. The lesson I carry forward is that even in the most difficult circumstances, the arts will find a way—and I am proud to have been part of leading that innovation.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If my best friend came to visit, I’d want to give them a real taste of Arizona’s beauty, history, and food scene—so we’d head south for an unforgettable week. We’d start in Cochise County exploring the Chiricahuas, both the National Monument and the National Forest near Portal, NM, where the Southwest Research Station offers lodging, delicious meals, and some of the best birdwatching in the country. On the way, we’d stop in Benson to tour Kartchner Caverns, one of the most stunning cave systems in the Southwest. From there, a stop in Bisbee is a must—especially for dinner at Café Roka.

Next, we’d make our way to Sierra Vista to hike Ramsey Canyon, watch hummingbirds, and enjoy hearty German food. Patagonia would be our base for mountain biking on the Arizona Trail and visiting the vineyards in Elgin and Sonoita. From there, we’d head to Nogales for a cross-border meal at La Roka, a restaurant carved into an actual cave, before stopping in Tubac to explore the historic presidio, art galleries, and stay at one of the beautiful resorts.

Of course, no trip would be complete without a hike in Madera Canyon, with its incredible birding and a night at Kent Springs Cabin in the Coronado National Forest—where Theodore Roosevelt himself supposedly once stayed. Finally, we’d wrap up the trip in Tucson, exploring the Sonoran Desert Museum, enjoying the city’s incredible food scene, staying at Lodge on the Desert, and best of all, visiting my son Dylan.

It would be a week filled with nature, history, art, and food—everything I love about Arizona.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to my son, Dylan, whose involvement in the choral arts—through the Arizona School for the Arts, the Phoenix Boys Choir, and the Phoenix Children’s Chorus—opened my eyes to the transformative power of music. Through him, I witnessed how the arts build confidence and competence in young people, while also providing a healthier way to navigate the challenges of adolescence. Especially for young men, who are often told by our culture to be stoic or emotionless, choral singing offers a safe place to be vulnerable. You cannot sing in an ensemble without opening yourself up—both to the music and to others. That vulnerability, in turn, creates joy, mastery, and a desire for excellence. Dylan’s journey has been a living reminder of why this work matters so deeply.

Website: https://orpheus.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/orpheusmalechorus/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orpheus-male-chorus-of-phoenix

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/orpheusmalechorusphoenix/

Youtube: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orpheus-male-chorus-of-phoenix

Image Credits
All image credits belong to me, Mitra Khazai