Conducting Masterclasses
Masterclass Clinicians
Dr. Craig Jessop (Conference Attendee Clinician)
Dr. Craig Jessop is Professor of Music and Coordinator of the Master’s in Conducting Program (Choral Emphasis) at Utah State University. From 2010 to 2019, he served as the inaugural Dean of USU’s Caine College of the Arts, following his distinguished tenure as Music Director of the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square and Head of USU’s Department of Music.
Founder and Music Director of the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra, now in its 18th season, Dr. Jessop has served as Music Director of the Carnegie Hall National High School Choral Festival and, for the past 15 years, the National Memorial Day Choral Festival at the Kennedy Center. Under his leadership, the Tabernacle Choir received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Arts, and recorded over 15 CDs on the Telarc and MTC labels, earning a Grammy nomination in 2008.
Dr. Edith Copley (Undergraduate Student Master Class Clinician)
Dr. Edith A. Copley is a Regents’ Professor Emerita at Northern Arizona University. During her 31-year tenure in Flagstaff, she conducted the Shrine of the Ages Choir and taught courses in undergraduate and graduate conducting and graduate choral literature. Prior to her NAU appointment, Copley taught secondary choral music for seven years in Iowa and four years at the American International School in Vienna, Austria. She has contributed articles and chapters for several publications and has conducted all-state choirs in over 30 states and international festivals in Germany, the Netherlands, Japan, Luxembourg, Tasmania, England, Australia, China, Oman, Turkey, Ireland, Austria, and France. Copley has served ACDA in various leadership roles and is currently National President.
Nola Nahulu (New and Emerging Conductors Clinician)
“Ma o na Keiki, e mau ai ka ‘ike ku’una o ka Lahui”
“Through our children, we perpetuate our knowledge and heritage”
As Choral Directors, we share with our singers the history and stories of diverse cultures. It is our kuleana (responsibility) to ensure this knowledge grows by passing it to future generations. Through choral singing, we help students “bring out” their best, gaining lifelong skills and experiences in literature, history, and music. Daughter of Thomas K. Nahulu and Chiyoko Nozaki Nahulu, Ms. Nahulu is a native of Mākaha, O‘ahu, Hawai‘i. She attended Wai‘anae Elementary School, Kamehameha Schools, Whitman College (B.A. Psychology), and the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa (M.A. Music Education, Choral). Ms. Nahulu has been deeply involved in Hawai‘i’s choral community for decades, serving as Artistic Director for HYOC & Kawaiolaonāpūkanileo, Choral Director for Kawaiaha’o Church & Hawai’i Opera Theatre Chorus & Directed of the Hawaiian Chorus at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa.