Repertoire & Resources
Lifelong
SHARON HANSEN
Lifelong Learners Coordinator
Dr. Sharon Hansen is Professor of Conducting and Director of Choral Activities, Emerita, at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She is author of the book Helmuth Rilling: Conductor–Teacher, as well as “Women, Conductors, and the Tenure Process: What’s Up in the Academy?” in Wisdom, Wit, and Will: Women Choral Conductors on their Art, and is a contributing author for other books published by GIA and Hal Leonard/McGraw-Hill. From 1993–2018, Hansen served as a member of the Editorial Board of the American Choral Directors Association’s Choral Journal, where she was Founder and Editor of the article series “On the Voice.” Hansen has been a guest conductor and clinician with All-State, Regional, and other select Honor Choirs in over forty states. In addition to her work with the Western Division, Hansen serves on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Chapter of ACDA and the Musical Theatre Alliance of Arizona.
ALLAN PETKER
Community Choirs
Allan Robert Petker is a composer and arranger with more than 250 published works, including classroom texts on conducting and music literacy. He is the owner of Pavane Publishing, which publishes choral music and college music textbooks. He also serves as the Vice President of Publications for the Fred Bock Music Company which includes such distinguished catalogs as Gentry Publications, National Music, the H.T. FitzSimons Company and Hinshaw Music.
Allan has been the conductor of Consort Chorale, an ensemble of 50 auditioned voices from the San Francisco Bay area, since 1994. In 2004 he became the Conductor and Artistic Director for the Santa Clarita Master Chorale, an ensemble of 80 auditioned voices. In 2015 he added the Los Cancioneros Master Chorale (Torrance, CA) to his conducting portfolio. He has served as conductor at Carnegie Hall more than once. He has led concert tours to Europe, Eastern Europe, the Baltic region and South America. Internationally, he has guest conducted choirs in England, Scotland, Korea, Portugal and France.
Since 1989 Allan has been a coordinator and clinician for two church music conferences at Lake Tahoe, “Summer Sing” and “Tuning @ Tahoe.” He is currently the Community Chorus Representative for the ACDA Western Division. He remains active as an instrumentalist,
primarily on the viola and violin, but also on mandolin and guitar.
Statement:
I am delighted to be on the ACDA Western Board as the Community Choir Representative. I’ve been directing community choirs for more than 30 years, and I believe they hold a special place in the choral world. I am eager to strengthen their position in ACDA. ACDA has wonderful resources to offer community choirs and their directors, and I believe they have much to offer ACDA. Furthermore, the community choir realm is increasing and becoming more and more significant. Community Choirs are frequently the artistic voice of their area. I look forward to being a part of the ACDA Western Board.
BRAD HAYASHI
Music in Worship
Brad Hayashi has taught music for 33 years and conducted church choirs for nearly 50 years. He earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting, with a minor in Orchestral Conducting, from the University of Arizona; a Master of Music in Choral Music from the University of Southern California; and a Bachelor of Music Education in Voice, *summa cum laude*, from the University of Northern Colorado. He has directed church, university, and school choirs from kindergarten through high school and taught voice for more than 30 years. A three-time GRAMMY Award winner is among his students.
AARON HUMBLE
Music in Worship
Described as remarkably virtuosic by the Columbus Republic and transcendent by the Daytona Beach News Journal, Grammy-nominated tenor and conductor Aaron Humble has enjoyed solo appearances with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, San Diego Baroque, The Columbus Philharmonic, and the Boston Pops and chamber music appearances at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, The Library of Congress, Wolf Trap, and The Chautauqua Institute. During his tenure with Cantus, Aaron sang nearly 1000 concerts and recorded 10 albums with one of the nation’s premier vocal ensembles. Aaron continues to sing with Tucson’s Grammy-nominated True Concord, and Bach Collegium San Diego. Aaron serves as an Associate Professor of Music in Vocal and Choral Music CSU San Marcos, conducts the Chancel Choir at Foothills United Methodist Church and leads the Zimriyah Chorale at Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego.
Repertoire Specific
TIMOTHY WESTERHAUS
Repertoire Specific Coordinator
Tim Westerhaus, DMA, serves as Director of Choral Studies at Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff) and as Artistic Director of Choral Arts Northwest (Seattle). He previously served as Director of Choirs and Vocal Studies at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. He has served as President of the Northwestern ACDA Region and the National ACDA Standing Committee on Collaboration and Advocacy, and on the Boards of the Washington Music Educators Association and the National Collegiate Choral Organization. He has conducted choirs in Europe, Argentina, Colombia, Japan, South Korea, Zambia, and Zimbabwe and performs professionally as a pianist, continuo keyboardist, and tenor, including at the Oregon Bach Festival. His research focuses on interdisciplinary and musical collaborations, expansion of the choral canon, and performance practice from the Renaissance to the Spiritual. He received his degrees from the University of Saint Thomas and Boston University, studying with Dr. Angela Kasper and Dr. Ann Howard Jones.
JENNIFER TIBBEN
SSAA/Treble Choirs
Jennifer Tibben currently serves as the Choir Director and Department Chair for The Performing and Fine Arts Center at Damonte Ranch High School in Reno, Nevada, where she leads 4 choirs and teaches Dual Credit Music Theory through the University of Nevada, Reno. Additionally, she founded and conducts the Reno Philharmonic Chorus and Bella Voce, a community women’s ensemble. Jennie is a National Board-Certified Teacher in the area of HS Vocal Music. Ms. Tibben is active in the American Choral Directors Association, serving as the Nevada President and has past served as the Western Region R&R Chair for community choirs, the R&R Chair for Women’s Choirs as well as site chair for two previous Western Region conferences held in Reno. She is a recipient of the NMEA Music Educator of the year award in April, 2022. Teachers include Bruce Mayhall-Rastrelli (UNR), and Kathy Romey (U of MN).
JESS EDELBROCK
SSAA/Treble Choirs
Jess Edelbrock is a proud conductor with Tucson Girls Chorus, where she oversees all programming in partnership with Dr. Marcela Molina.
Jess holds a B.M. in Choral Education from Northern Arizona University and an M.M. in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University. With extensive K–12 teaching experience, she believes every student deserves access to the many benefits of singing together. Her teaching emphasizes movement, creative programming, student ideas, and authentic expression.
Jess is passionate about teaching children and young teens and supporting music educators through professional development and advocacy. In 2023 she was appointed Adjunct Professor of Music Education at the University of Arizona School of Music and serves on the board of the Arizona Choral Directors Association. She is a founding member of the advisory board for ArtsEd West, an organization working to secure an artful education for all students.
A frequent conference presenter and guest conductor, Jess has conducted honor choirs across the country. In 2022, the TGC Bumblebees (grades K-1) under Jess’ direction became the youngest choir to perform at an ACDA national conference.
HERBERT WASHINGTON
TTBB Choirs
Herbert Washington began his tenure as the Harvey K. Smith Artistic Director of the Phoenix Boys Choir in 2019. An alumnus of the choir, he leads one of the nation’s distinguished youth ensembles, featured on two Grammy-winning projects. A choral clinician, conductor, lecturer, and adjudicator, he regularly leads festivals and conferences nationwide.
Under his leadership, the Phoenix Boys Choir established the annual New Works Rising choral composition competition, premiering more than 21 new works and collaborating with composers and global panelists. The Herbert Washington Choral Series with Santa Barbara Music Publishing features winning and finalist works from the competition.
Washington is also a passionate advocate for diverse musical styles, having produced, composed, and arranged music for commercial and contemporary projects. A graduate of St. Olaf College and the University of Arizona, he founded the award-winning a cappella ensemble Meow or Never.
In 2026, Washington was honored as a Phoenix Arts Hero by ON Media for his contributions to the arts community. That same year, the Phoenix Boys Choir received Grammy recognition for its featured contribution to the PlayStation 5 video game Sword of the Sea, composed by Grammy-winning composer Austin Wintory. Washington also serves as Tenor Bass Repertoire & Resource Chair on the ACDA Western Division Board.
KIMBERLY BARCLAY-RITZER
Contemporary Acappella
Kimberly Barclay Ritzer is in her 35th year directing the Green Valley High School Choirs in Henderson, Nevada—having opened the school in 1991—and her 36th year teaching in the Clark County School District.
She holds a B.M. in Music Education from UNLV and a Master’s in Educational Administration from the University of Phoenix. Ritzer serves as the GVHS Performing Arts Department Chair, CCSD High School Choir Task Force Chair, and teaches Secondary Choral Methods at UNLV. She is a Past-President of the ACDA Western Division and three-time NV ACDA and NMEA President.
Under her direction, GVHS ensembles have earned consistent superior ratings and performed at six ACDA regional and national conventions through 2026. Her major honors include 2002 Nevada Music Educator of the Year, 2022 Heart of Education Winner, 2025 GVHS Teacher of the Year, two-time Grammy Music Educator Award semi-finalist (2021, 2026), and CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence (2026).
JANET TYLER
Vocal Jazz
A veteran of 32 years in secondary vocal music education, Janet Tyler has directed successful choirs in the Clark County School District in Nevada and served as director of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Jazz Choir. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Music Education from The University of Kansas, Lawrence. From 1996 to 2009, she served as Department Chair of the Eldorado High School Fine Arts Department before joining Las Vegas High School. Throughout her CCSD career, Ms. Tyler chaired the Honor Jazz Choir and High School Choir Festival, presented vocal jazz in-service clinics, and led ensembles to superior ratings at local and national festivals. She currently serves as the CCSD Middle School Honor Choir Accompanist, a NVACDA choir director mentor, and an adjudicator and clinicia
DAVID GARCÍA SALDAÑA
World Musics & Culture
A Los Angeles Mexican-American Chicano composer whose choral work draws on folk music and traditions. His compositions have been performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, SACRA/PROFANA, and The Sunday Night Singers, and he has received commissions from the Los Angeles Unified School District and Cortines High School for the Arts. He approaches Latinidad as a dynamic identity, expanding Latin American music narratives to include the U.S. Latino voice. He has taught from middle school through college and currently teaches Music Theory and Composition at Pasadena City College. He serves as Western ACDA Composer Initiatives Co-Chair.
YU HANG TAN
World Musics & Culture
From Malaysia, Yu Hang Tan holds a DMA in Choral Music from the University of Southern California. An advocate for Southeast Asian choral music, he is the Artistic Director and Co-Founder of the Los Angeles-based Suara Southeast Asian Choir, and has taught and presented his research worldwide, including the 2022 World Choral Expo, 2026 Malaysian Choral Eisteddfodd, and the 2023 and 2026 World Choral Symposiums.
A three-time alumnus of the World Youth Choir and the European Youth Choir, and former lead conductor of the USC Thornton Oriana Choir, Yu Hang has earned international acclaim, including an Outstanding Teacher Award at the 2022 World Choir Festival in Hong Kong.
Yu Hang currently directs the USC-SingWell Choir and North Hollywood FUMC Choir, and the 111-year-old Ebell Chorale, one of the oldest treble choirs in the country.
College & University
STEPHANIE COUNCIL
College & University Co-Coordinator
Conductor, educator, and singer Dr. Stephanie Council is Associate Director of Choral Studies and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she conducts the University Chorale, Chamber Choir, and Argenta (the treble voice ensemble). She maintains a private conducting studio of graduates and undergraduates, and teaches Advanced Choral Conducting, Choral Literature, and Choral Methods.
An experienced educator at the middle school through adult community levels, Dr. Council is passionate about choral pedagogy related to the development of individual music literacy, collective sound building, and the cultivation of inclusive and affirming learning environments.
Dr. Council previously led the choral programs at Simpson College and Mount Holyoke College. She is the recipient of multiple awards for her teaching including the Best New Faculty award given by the Mount Holyoke Student Government Association and the Helen DeVitt Jones Excellence in Graduate Teaching award for courses she taught at Texas Tech University.
She is a sought-after lecturer in choral music education and conductor of collegiate, high school, and youth honor choirs around the United States, and she was a graduate finalist in the American Choral Directors Association National Conducting Competition. Her most recent engagements include conducting the 2024 Washoe County Honor Choir, 2023 Nevada Music Educators Association All-State SSA Choir, 2021 Pride of Iowa Honor Choir, 2019 Vermont Northwest District Honor Choir, 2018 New Hampshire All-State Treble Chamber Choir. She previously served on the faculty as a conducting fellow at the Summer Choral Festival at Westminster Choir College. She has conducted clinics and honor choirs in Oklahoma, Texas, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Iowa, Nevada, Michigan, and in various European locations.
A strong proponent of new music, Dr. Council is an active commissioner and performer of new choral works, and she has also had the privilege of working on a number of new operas, serving as the chorus master for Jonathan Dove’s The Enchanted Pig at Simpson College in 2021 and world premiere performances of Letters to Lily by Emily Clements in 2023 and Paul Fowler’s Behold the Man in 2023 for Opera Las Vegas. Council is the founder and artistic director of Desert Singers Las Vegas, a professional-caliber choral ensemble with the heart and dedication of an amateur chorus. The singers are professional performers and music educators based in and around Las Vegas who apply their musicianship and diverse experiences to each project.
Dr. Council sings professionally with mirabai, a professional women’s ensemble conducted by Dr. Sandra Snow, and the San Antonio Chamber Choir, a professional chamber choir conducted by Richard Bjella. In the past, she has been engaged to sing with the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir and at the Spoleto Festival USA. Dr. Council serves as the College and University Coordinator for Western ACDA, and she is on the board of the Nevada chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the National Board of the National Collegiate Choral Organization (NCCO). She has served on the board of the Massachusetts chapter of ACDA in the past.
Council earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting and a graduate certificate in early music performance practice from Texas Tech University. She holds a Master of Music with distinction in choral conducting from Westminster Choir College and Bachelor of Music degrees in music education and vocal music performance from Oklahoma State University.
JEFFREY BENSON
College & University Co-Coordinator
Jeffrey Benson is currently Director of the School of Music at San José State University in San José, California, where he serves as the Charlene Archibeque Endowed Professor of Choral Music. The Washington Post hails his choirs for singing “with an exquisite blend, subtlety of phrasing, confident musicianship and fully supported tone.”
Dr. Benson made his international conducting debut with the Irish Chamber Orchestra and the SJSU Choraliers in Limerick, Ireland, and made his Carnegie Hall conducting debut in 2015. Choirs under his direction have performed with the Rolling Stones, Josh Groban, Andrea Bocelli, and Sarah Brightman. He is a published composer and arranger with Colla Voce and Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and is editor of the Jeffrey Benson Choral Series with both Santa Barbara Music Publishers and Gentry Publications.
Benson received his MM and PhD from The Florida State University and his Bachelor’s degree from NYU.
DALAN GUTHRIE
4 Year College & University
Dr. Dalan Guthrie is the director of choral activities at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah. Guthrie earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Brigham Young University and a doctorate from Michigan State University. Prior to teaching at Weber State, Guthrie directed the choirs and taught graduate conducting at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
Guthrie previously taught at Salem Junior High School, where his choirs were selected for performances at the Utah Music Educator Association (2016, 2018), Utah-ACDA (2017, 2018), and Western Division ACDA conferences (2019). He works with middle school, high school, collegiate and professional choirs, and is frequently sought out as a clinician, adjudicator and guest conductor. Guthrie is a professional tenor and often collaborates as a guest soloist and is an active member of professional choral ensembles across the United States
MICHAEL HUFF
2 Year College
Dr. Michael Huff is Director of Choral Studies in the Horne School of Music at Snow College, where he conducts the Cadence Chamber Choir, Women’s Chorale, A Cappella Choir, and the Central Utah Master Chorale. He recently concluded his service as Dean of Fine Arts.
An active clinician and guest conductor, Dr. Huff has conducted All-State Choirs in Idaho and Vermont and has served since 1993 as Artistic Director of the Festival of Gold Series for WorldStrides, working with thousands of student musicians and school music programs throughout North America.
Dr. Huff is the founding conductor emeritus of UTAH VOICES, with whom he made his Carnegie Hall debut, and formerly served as Associate Conductor and Principal Accompanist of the Utah Symphony Chorus. ACDA service has included State President (Utah), National Conference Program Chair (2015), and numerous supporting conference roles.
RAMON CARDENAS
Student Activities
Dr. Ramon Cardenas is a conductor-educator, pianist and baritone serving as the Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at San Diego State University where he teaches music education courses, conducting courses, and conducts the 60-voice University Choir. Dr. Cardenas holds a PhD in Music Education from Florida State University and is a passionate conductor-educator and researcher. He has also held the position of Assistant Conductor of the San Diego Master Chorale since 2026.
Ramon’s research interests relate to DEI initiatives, preservice teacher preparation, blending music with fitness, and identity formation in music contexts. He has presented his research regionally, nationally, and internationally at music education professional conferences and has been published in Florida Music Educator, Visions of Research in Music Education, and Update: Applications of Research in Music Education. Ramon is an active conductor, clinician, pianist, and singer-songwriter.
Youth & Student
CHERYL ANDERSON
Youth & Student Coordinator
Cheryl Anderson, Professor Emerita: Cabrillo College, Aptos, CA, is currently Music Director at Peace United Church, Santa Cruz. She has served on WACDA Board in many capacities including W President, serves on the Executive Board of NCCO, and is a member of NATS. During her career she has presented and conducted numerous times at ACDA Conferences, toured with her choirs throughout Europe, did three concerts in Carnegie Hall and the Vatican, and conducted numerous Honor Choirs across the US. She has premiered and commissioned over 30 choral masterworks/operas. She’s received Teacher of the Year, Meritorious Service, and Wall of Honor Awards and many of her former students now sing at Metropolitan Opera and other opera companies, teach at Universities, and run award-winning choral/teaching programs. She is honored to work with WACDA, an organization that helped formulate and inspire her career.
ANNA VOLODARSKAYA
Elementary Chair
Anna Volodarskaya has been teaching music to all age groups, from babies to adult learners, for over a decade. Her training in the Kodály approach and background in second-language acquisition influence her teaching. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in World Language Education, a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting, and is certified Levels I-III in Orff and Kodály methodologies.
Anna has taught music to all ages, covering a wide range of subjects including general music, piano, chorus, and recorder ensemble. She has served on the Arizona Kodály Association and Arizona ACDA boards, mentored music educators, and consulted on music education programs. She has presented at California, Arizona, and Western Division ACDA conferences, and is a published contributor to choral journals. She is also the author of the book “Songsational – A Playful Path to Music Literacy.” Most notably, she is a mama to a music-loving preschooler!
HEATHER CHRISTIANSEN
Junior High Co-Chair
Heather Christiansen is a doctoral candidate in Music Education at the University of Utah. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from Brigham Young University. Heather also teaches choir at Valley View Middle School and conducts Da Pacem, an elite adult community choir. Her research focuses on choral curriculum development and Kodály-inspired instruction in secondary settings. A practitioner at heart, she works to equip choral educators with usable tools to foster joyful, lifelong musicians.
HEATHER BARCLAY-DRUSEDUM
Junior High Co-Chair
Heather Barclay Drusedum is a passionate music educator and choral director in her third year of teaching, serving as the Director of Choirs at Tarkanian Middle School in Las Vegas, Nevada. She holds a degree in Secondary Music Education with a choral emphasis from Northern Arizona University.
Under Heather’s leadership, the Tarkanian choir program has been featured in performance with the Southern Nevada Musical Arts Society and at the 2025 Nevada ACDA Mini-Conference. The TMS Chamber Choir will also perform at the 2026 Arizona ACDA Student Symposium this fall. Heather serves as the NV ACDA Middle School All-State Choir Chair, WACDA R&R Junior High/Middle School Choirs Co-Chair, and a Video Coordinator on the WACDA Communications Team.
In addition to teaching, Heather performs with Desert Singers and the Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers. She believes that when students feel supported, challenged, and valued, they are capable of extraordinary growth.
CAMI CLAUSEN
High School Co-Chair
Camilyn (Cami) Clausen has been the director of choirs at Casteel High School since its opening in July of 2015. Her choirs have consistently received Superior with Distinction at state and national festivals in New York City, Anaheim, Nashville, Hollywood, New Orleans, and around Arizona. Many of her students make the All-Region and All-State choirs and other honor choirs throughout the state and country. She is honored to have mentored several student teachers and interns as they prepare to become a music educator. Her philosophy is that choir is a safe place where students of different backgrounds can come together to create beautiful music together. Choir is a place where students learn that, just like in life, leaning on each other’s strengths and valuing differences makes us stronger. Mrs Clausen currently serves as the membership chair for AzACDA and as the ACE VP over jazz and show activities.
JASON NEUMANN
High School Co-Chair
Now in his nineteenth year of music education, Mr. Neumann serves in his twelfth year within the Toro Performing Arts Department at Mountain View High School. He directs treble and mixed choral ensembles and leads the dual-enrollment piano program within the school’s music conservatory.
He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Central Michigan University, where he accompanied major ensembles and performed at Carnegie Hall, and a Master of Music Education, *magna cum laude*, from Arizona State University.
A dedicated leader in state organizations, Mr. Neumann maintains active affiliations with the Arizona Music Educators Association and the Arizona American Choral Directors Association. His leadership roles include serving as AzMEA Vice President of All-State Jazz and Show Activities, sight-reading adjudicator, and AzACDA Cantaremos Honors Choir Chair. Beyond the classroom, he brings extensive experience as a church organist, accompanist, handbell director, and private instructor.
Composer Initiatives
KIRA ZEEMAN RUGEN
Composer Initiatives Co-Chair
Dr. Kira Zeeman Rugen (composer, singer, conductor) is the Artistic Director of Solis – Choir of the Sun and is the Director of Choral/Vocal Studies at Scottsdale Community College. She was the Western Division ACDA Commissioned Composer (2026, San Jose Conference), with other notable premieres by Vancouver Youth Choir, Phoenix Children’s Chorus, Chandler Children’s Chorus, Northwestern Oklahoma State University Singers, UC Boulder Symphonic Chorale, and Phoenix Chorale. Her film scores have won 50+ festival awards, and she has prepared choirs for Eagles, The Chieftains, Andrea Bocelli, Final Fantasy, Zelda, and Game of Thrones. She has sung professionally at the Edinburgh Music Festival, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Durham Norvis Early Music, Incheon City Festival, with Anúna (Ireland, Japan, China), and has won two Grammys with Phoenix Chorale. Kira holds a BA in Music (Vocal Performance/Choral Conducting) from Weber State University, an MM in Choral Education, and a Doctorate in Choral Conducting from Arizona State University.
KATHERINE SAXON
Composer Initiatives Co-Chair
Dr. Katherine Saxon is an American composer and champion of new music whose work explores the relationships between humanity, the natural world, and the imagination. Her music is noted for its sophistication and melodic grace, especially in vocal music. Saxon has founded and directed composer-led choral initiatives including Sospiro at the University of Oregon and New Century Voices at UC Santa Barbara, creating opportunities for young composers and singers to develop and perform new choral music. Her compositions have been performed throughout the United States and internationally. In 2025, she won The American Prize in Composition for Shorter Choral Works for Tsuki ga dete / the moon rises. Her Music Like Water, with poetry by Jane Hirshfield’s for double chorus, was released by Navona Records in 2026. Other recent works include Nunatak, for orchestra, 452 Jamestown Place, a mini opera, and Ronda del Fuego, for treble chorus. Saxon holds a Ph.D. from UC Santa Barbara, an M.M. from the University of Oregon, and a B.A. from Williams College. She is the current artistic director of the Santa Barbara Early Music Ensemble.