2024 WACDA Pasadena Conference
Performing Choirs
Ad Astra, Chandler Children’s Choir (AZ) – Aimee Stewart
Crystal Children’s Choir (CA) – Karl Chang
Ragazzi Boys Chorus (CA) – Kent Jue
Advanced Choir, Thurman White Academy (NV) – Athena Mertes
Blue Notes, Saugus High School (CA) – Kaitlin Holt
Chamber Singers, Mater Dei High School (CA) – Jodi Reed
Chamber Singers, San Juan HIlls High School (CA) – Michael Ushino
Vocal Ensemble, Tesoro High School (CA) – Keith Hancock
Symphonic Choir, University of Arizona (AZ) – Dr. Elizabeth Schauer
Chamber Singers, Riverside City College (CA) – John Byun
Biola University Chorale, Biola University (CA) – Dr. Shawna Stewart
Cantabile, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (CA) – Dr. Scott Glysson
Jazz & Tonic, Cal State Long Beach (CA) – Jonathan Arenas
University Singers, California State University, Fullerton (CA) – Dr. Robert Istad
Resounding Achord (CA) – Kristina Nakagawa
The Sterling Ensemble Los Angeles (CA) – Michelle Jensen
The Sunday Night Singers (CA) – Michael McCullough
Crystal Children’s Choir (CA) – Karl Chang
Ragazzi Boys Chorus (CA) – Kent Jue
Advanced Choir, Thurman White Academy (NV) – Athena Mertes
Blue Notes, Saugus High School (CA) – Kaitlin Holt
Chamber Singers, Mater Dei High School (CA) – Jodi Reed
Chamber Singers, San Juan HIlls High School (CA) – Michael Ushino
Vocal Ensemble, Tesoro High School (CA) – Keith Hancock
Symphonic Choir, University of Arizona (AZ) – Dr. Elizabeth Schauer
Chamber Singers, Riverside City College (CA) – John Byun
Biola University Chorale, Biola University (CA) – Dr. Shawna Stewart
Cantabile, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (CA) – Dr. Scott Glysson
Jazz & Tonic, Cal State Long Beach (CA) – Jonathan Arenas
University Singers, California State University, Fullerton (CA) – Dr. Robert Istad
Resounding Achord (CA) – Kristina Nakagawa
The Sterling Ensemble Los Angeles (CA) – Michelle Jensen
The Sunday Night Singers (CA) – Michael McCullough
Interest Sessions
- Many Voices, Many Centers: 6 Steps for Multicentric Choral Programming – Dr. Jennifer Hansen Heder (CA)
- (she/her/ella) Unlocking the Music of Latina Choral Composers – Dr. Corie Brown and Juan Manuel Hernández-Morales (CA & Columbia)
- Understanding the Unique Voice of the Gospel Musician: Sound, Harmony, and Culture – Matt Falker and Jamond McCoy (CA)
- Creating an Adaptive Choir Program – Brandi Dignum (AZ)
- Understanding and Engaging with “Toxic” Masculinity and Male-Presenting Expression in the Post COVID-19 Choral Classroom – Corbin Cowan, Dr. Joshua Palkki and Dr. Jace Kaholokula Saplan (AZ)
- Choirs for Change: Programming with Purpose – Dr. Elizabeth Schauer (AZ)
- Mosaics from the Middle East – Dr. Iris Levine and Dr. Cari Earnhart (CA)
- Middle School Choral Students – How Do You Motivate Them? – Lynn Brinckmeyer (TX)
- Unlocking the Power of the Vagus Nerve: The Key to Vocal Freedom – Natasha Valdes (CA)
- Real talk: Getting comfortable with being uncomfortable about race in choral music – Arreon A. Harley-Emerson and Dr. Joshua Palkki (DE & AZ)
- Show Me the Rhythm! – Pamela McDermott (VA)
- Flexible Fach: Gender-Affirming Vocal Pedagogy through Science-Informed Practices – Stevie J. Hirner (CA)
- Practice Your Pitch: Advocacy Is Everybody’s Business – Alex Gartner (FL)
- Building a Repertoire of Gestures: Laban Movement for Choral Conductors – Dr. Jenny Bent (CA)
- Yes, You Can Compose for Your Own Choir: Why & How Every Educator Should Try Writing for Their Own Ensemble – Dale Trumbore and Saunder Choi (CA)
- You Are the Voice Teacher: Teaching Technique and Authenticity of Vocal Production in Choral Singing. – Amy Johnston Blosser and C. Andrew Blosser (OH)
Poster Sessions
- A Conductor’s Analysis of Balintawak: Misang Pilipino by Bonifacio Abdon (1876-1944) – Sinamar Pascua Respicio
- Perceptions of School-University Partnerships in Music Education: A Multiple Case Study – Emily Mercado
- Catalyzing our Choral Communities: Queer Joy as the Liberatory Path Forward – Colin Cossi, Iese Wilson, Tiffany O’Neill
- Using Warm Ups to Teach Repertoire – Meghan Hatfield
- Optimizing the Musical Mind: A Philosophical Exploration of Sports Psychology in Secondary Choral Music Classrooms – Jordan Shomper
- Keeping It Personal: The Power of Personal Contacting in Recruiting, Teaching, and Advertising in Choir – CJ Madsen
- A Look Into The Syncretism Choral Music of Central and South America – Adan Fernandez
- Affirming Trans & Gender Expansive Voices in the Choral Rehearsal – Fabián Rodríguez Castro
- Building Peace Internationally through Song: the Hoʻolōkahi Chamber Choir – Dr. Erica Glenn
- The Art of Gathering (In Our Classrooms) – Allison Zema
- Got Solfège? – Music should belong to everyone – Dr. Niké St. Clair
- Se Enkhbayar: Two Pieces by an Inner Mongolian Composer – Mengda Jiang
- Diversifying Repertoire: Choral Literature from Latin America- Patricia Terceros
- A Taste of Southeast Asian Choral Music – Yu Hang Tan and Emily Sung
- Juntos: Embracing Mariachi for a Choir Collaboration – Aimee Stewart and Issa Johnson
Honor Choir Information Now Available!
Applications open through September 29th
Meet our 2024 Western Region Honor Choir Conductors
Dr. Judy Bowers – Children’s Honor Choir (grades 4-6)
Ms. Emily Ellsworth – Youth SATB Honor Choir (grades 7-9)
Dr. Julie Yu – High School SSAA Honor Choir (grades (9-12)
Dr. Rollo Dilworth – Gospel Honor Choir (High School, College/University, ACDA members)
Announcing the Western ACDA Conducting Master Classes!
Our regional conference in Pasadena includes three master classes:
- Conference Attendee: open to all attendees, including graduate students
- Undergraduate Student: students enrolled in collegiate programs (bachelor’s or associate’s degrees)
- New Teachers & Emerging Conductors: open to conductors with 5 years or less of conducting experience
Master Class Clinicians: Dr. Iris S. Levine, Joseph Huszti, Dr. Marcela Molina
Applications are open now and due October 31.
- Overview: Overview and Guidelines
- Application: WACDA Conducting Master Class Application