CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
current as of 7/28/2025
SCROLL DOWN FOR INTEREST SESSION DETAILS

Sunday, August 3 - Conference
2:00-6:00    Registration Open - Adler Lobby
3:00-4:30    Conducting Masterclasses with “Conference Attendee Choir”
4:45-6:00    Keynote Session 1 - Dr. Anton Armstrong  "Body, Mind, Spirit, Voice:  Our Calling as Vocal Music Educators"
6:00-7:30    Break for Dinner
7:30-9:30    Concert: Bach Choir of Bethlehem and ACDA-PA Conference Sing, Dr. Christopher Jackson, conductor

Monday, August 4 - Choir for All
Choir For All Honor Choir Schedule - Asplundh Hall 
8:00-8:30         Registration
8:30-9:30         Combined Rehearsal
9:30-10:30       Rehearsals by Age Group
10:30-10:45    Break
10:45-12:00    Rehearsal by Age Group
12:00-1:00       Lunch
1:00-1:45         Combined Rehearsal
1:45-1:55         Break - choir stays on stage
2:00-3:00         Conducting Masterclass 
3:00-4:00         Dress Rehearsal with instrumentalists
4:00-4:30         Snack Break and Line Up
4:30-5:30         Choir for All Concert

Monday, August 4 - Conference 
​8:00-10:00      Registration - Adler Lobby
9:00-9:50         Interest Session 1
10:00-10:50    Reading Session 1 - Community, Childrens, Collegiate
11:00-11:50    Interest Session 2
12:00-1:00       Round Table Lunches (boxed lunches provided)
                               Technology, Changing Voices, Composers, Current College Students,
                               Building Small Programs in Rural Areas, Teaching Collegiate Conducting
1:00-1:50         Reading Session 2 - Middle School, Upper Voice, Lower Voice, Jazz
2:00-3:00         Conducting Masterclass with Choir for All Honor Choir - Asplundh Hall
3:10-4:00         Interest Session 3
4:30-5:45         Choir for All Concert, ACDA-PA Awards presentation - Asplundh Hall
5:45-6:45         Composer Fair, Motets and Mocktails, DiLasso Film Screening
7:00 - ?             ACDA-PA After Hours at Barnaby's

Tuesday, August 5
8:00-9:00         Movement for Conductors
8:00-9:00         Conference Registration open
9:00-10:15      Keynote Session 2 - Dr. Pearl Shangkuan - "Leading with Mind, Body, Voice Spirit: the Preparation of a Choral Conductor"
10:30-11:20    Reading Session 3 - Church, High School, Self-Published Composers                           
11:30-12:45    Keynote Session 3 - Dr. Anton Armstrong - (topic: Rehearsal Framework)
12:45-1:45       Lunch Break
2:00-3:15         Keynote Session 4 - Dr. Pearl Shangkuan -
                                  "Effective, Efficient, Enjoyable Rehearsals for Quick Comprehension and Maximum Retention"
3:30-4:20         Interest Session 4
4:30-6:00        ACDA-PA Board Meeting

Interest Session 1

Recruiting, Engaging, and Retaining Tenors and Basses
​CHRISTINE BASS
​Solutions solving one of the most common problems in today's choirs, the need for more tenors and basses. Christine Bass grew the tenor and bass membership in her high school program from 11 to over 110, and her program from 60 to 325 members. Creating a school wide positive image for choir membership is crucial. 'Why should I join choir?' What makes it absolutely irresistible? 'Choir is where it's at, where my friends are, where we have amazing experiences everyday sharing our music.' Jocks, theater, honor roll and special needs kids, they all have something special to contribute by being in choir. ‘Tool kit’ ideas on what makes it 'fun' to sing will be shared. How can you engage them, train them and get them hooked so they become future ambassadors for choir? Session participants will be the ‘demo’ choir for this session. Repertoire ideas from Hal Leonard Corporation shared.

Christine Bass
With 50 years of teaching experience, Christine is a former director of Temple University Men’s and Women’s Choruses and Assistant Professor of Music Education, previously DCA at Cherry Hill West high school where her program grew from 60 to over 320 students in seven choirs. Her ensembles have performed at multiple ACDA National Conventions, MENC and ACDA All Eastern Conventions. Her men’s a cappella group, Men of Note, won three consecutive National Championships for Best of High School A Cappella.
Christine received the Westminster Choir College Alumni Merit Award and Alumni Ambassador Award, was a New Jersey MENC Master Music Teacher and received the Governor's Award in Arts Education.  Her educational products are published by Hal Leonard; 'Vocal Transformation', and 'Where The Boys Are: Recruiting, Engaging and Maintaining Tenors and Basses' and her book 'Front-Loading Your Choral Rehearsal: Constructing for Success'. For more info please visit: christinebass.com.
Optimizing the Treble Voice: Tools for Vibrance and Efficiency
​SARAH FROOK GALLO
Treble voices of all ages face specific challenges, and conductors, as vocal practitioners, have a responsibility to understand the roots of those challenges and reinforce healthy singing habits. In this session, Dr. Sarah Frook Gallo will discuss the unique acoustical properties of the treble voice and research-based tools to empower choral conductors to help singers navigate their own vocal journey. Attendees will explore tools that can increase vocal efficiency and delve into the science behind the most common issues facing treble voices.

Sarah Frook Gallo
Dr. Sarah Frook Gallo is the Director of Choral Activities at Lehigh University, where she leads Lehigh Choral Arts, conducts three curricular choirs, and teaches courses in the music department. A vibrant and versatile conductor, teacher, and singer, she is a frequent guest clinician and enjoys working with singers of all ages.

Prior to her appointment at Lehigh, she served as the Associate Director of Choral Activities at the University of Georgia, where she conducted four curricular ensembles and taught courses in conducting and music education. She has also taught at William & Mary, Christopher Newport University, and the University of Richmond.

Dr. Frook Gallo is passionate about working with the next generation of teachers, conductors, and singers, and gives interest sessions in conducting, vocal pedagogy, and Dalcroze eurhythmics across the US. She holds degrees from the University of Georgia, the Eastman School of Music, and William & Mary
Sing with Purpose: A 4-Week Journey with Your Choir
​MINA CHOI
This session introduces a 4-week curriculum designed for music ministry, focusing on integrating musical leadership with spiritual formation to enhance congregational worship. The goal is to deepen the choir members' understanding of worship, encouraging them to view their singing as ministry rather than performance, and to explore worshiping “in Spirit and in Truth” (John 4:23–24). The curriculum includes guided discussions around key questions like “Why do we worship corporately?” and “What does it mean to worship God in Spirit and in Truth?” It aims to foster a shared vision within the choir, with choral conductors facilitating these faith formation discussions

Mina Choi
Mina Choi is an award-winning musician and an ordained minister (PCUSA) who has shared her talent and passion with communities worldwide. Raised in Dallas, she has earned degrees and various research opportunities from prestigious institutions worldwide: Royal College of Music in London (BMus), Yale University (MM), Conservatorium van Amsterdam in the Netherlands (MA), Staatliche Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Stuttgart in Germany, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (DMA). She has received numerous awards and scholarships during her studies.

Mina has been organist at the Doylestown Presbyterian Church (PA) since 2014, and she also works at Princeton Theological Seminary (Princeton, New Jersey) as the Coordinator of Worship and Music for the Seminary’s daily chapel services, as well as providing pastoral care to seminarians. (www.choimina.com)
DEVELOPING A CHORAL COLOR PALETTE
PEGGY DETTWILER
​With the influx of choral music from around the world, choral directors have the opportunity, and the challenge, of incorporating a vast array of choral colors in their musical performances.  Choral directors with a basic knowledge of vocal pedagogy can work very effectively within the rehearsal to develop the vocal ability of all singers.  Vocal techniques can improve the tone quality and intonation of the entire ensemble and address the stylistic interpretation of choral repertoire from the Renaissance to the Contemporary as well as capture the sounds of other cultures.  The voice is capable of changing tone color, singing with healthy technique in both the modal and head voice register, executing contrasting dynamics, performing melismatic passages with great agility, achieving precise intonation and blend, and producing non-traditional vocal sounds.  This presentation will demonstrate techniques of posture and breathing, head- and chest-voice resonance, flexibility, range and dynamics, bright and dark vocal colors, and will apply these techniques to specific choral works. By incorporating the choral tone and dialect of diverse communities, we honor them.

Peggy Dettwiler
Since 1990, Peggy Dettwiler has been the Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Mansfield University in Mansfield, Pennsylvania, where she has conducted the Concert Choir, Festival Chorus, and Chamber Singers, and taught choral conducting and methods.  She retired from this position on June 30, 2025, after 35 years.

Before coming to Mansfield, she was a graduate assistant conductor to Donald Neuen at the Eastman School of Music, where she received a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting.  She also has a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Texas at San Antonio and a Master of Music Degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In addition, she has studied orchestral conducting and appeared in concert in the Czech Republic and at the Oregon Bach Festival.  Dr. Dettwiler has chosen to seek degrees in these areas of music because she believes that the choral conductor must be an educator as well as a performer and must have a thorough knowledge of vocal pedagogy.

Interest Session 2

Three Voices, One Journey: Navigating Impostor Phenomenon Across the Conductor’s Career
HILARY APFELSTADT, MARCI MAJOR, Amanda Erno
Impostor Phenomenon remains a pervasive and often debilitating issue—especially in music and choral conducting. This session explores its generational impact, highlighting how self-doubt manifests at different career stages and shapes leadership development and professional identity. Through lived experience and current research, we’ll reflect on the internal and external forces—such as perfectionism, societal expectations, and systemic bias—that reinforce feelings of inadequacy. Participants will explore strategies for confronting impostor phenomenon, from self-reflection and mentorship to fostering environments where it’s safe to say, “I don’t know.” We’ll also examine ways to dismantle perfectionist ideals and promote authentic, confident leadership at every stage of a conductor’s journey. Whether you’ve experienced impostor phenomenon yourself or are guiding others through it, this session offers practical tools to transform self-doubt into growth. Attendees will leave empowered to strengthen their professional identity and build supportive spaces for themselves and the next generation of conductors

Hilary Apfelstadt

Marci Major

Amanda Erno
Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt is Professor Emerita of Choral Studies at the University of Toronto, where she held the Elmer Iseler Chair in Conducting and received the inaugural Teaching Excellence Award in 2013. A past president of the American Choral Directors Association, she has conducted internationally and published extensively on choral pedagogy and Canadian repertoire

Dr. Marci Major is Professor and Chair of Music Education and Music Therapy and Acting Associate Dean of the Graduate School at West Chester University. As an active choral conductor and researcher, Marci co-authored Choral Connections and was named one of WCU’s “Most Influential 150 Women.”

​Amanda Erno is a senior at West Chester University and serves as the Children’s Choir Director at First Presbyterian Church of West Chester, leading young singers in worship and seasonal performances.
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A Survey of Collegiate Voice Students with Asthma and Allergies and Their Perceived Impact on Singer Health and Performance Experiences – A Pilot Study
​NICOLE JENKINS
This study aimed to identify and analyze the health impediments caused by asthma and/or allergies for developing singers during their collegiate vocal studies and to ameliorate their negative impact on vocal performance success. A review of literature on asthma and allergies related to college students’ voices and quality of life led to the following overarching research questions: two on the impact of asthma and allergies on singing and two on the impact of COVID-19 on existing asthma and/or allergy conditions. This mixed methods study discovered the following information: collegiate voice students’ symptoms either remained the same or increased after they started their program, and the reason(s) behind the increase were their living environment and/or school location. Collegiate voice students also expressed how they would like their teachers and college administrators to help them succeed in their degree. Therefore, the recommendations developed in this study aim to address these student needs.

Nicole Jenkins
Dr. Nicole Jenkins is the Assistant Professor of Voice at Duquesne University where she teaches Applied Voice, Italian and English Diction, German and French Diction, and Opera Workshop. A native of New York, recent roles Dr. Jenkins has performed include Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Sister Rose in Heggie’s Dead Man Walking, and Sharon Graham in McNally’s Master Class. As a solo artist, Dr. Jenkins has appeared with the Albemarle Symphony Orchestra in Charlottesville, Virginia, and with the Huntington Choral Society in New York as the guest soloist in Orff’s Carmina Burana. Dr. Jenkins received the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) 2022 Mid-Atlantic Region Emerging Leader Award and participated in the 2023 JMU SOM 22nd Annual Choral Fest! as a masterclass instructor for Virginia high school soprano and alto singers, and as an adjudicator for the 2020 Virginia NATS First Round High School and College Divisions Competition.
A White House Cantata: Leonard Bernstein's Comment of American Democracy
​JASON STRUNK
Richard Nixon’s overwhelming 1972 re-election is the impetus for Alan Jay Lerner and Leonard Bernstein’s 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: A Musical Play About the Problems of Housekeeping. Flopping on Broadway, their work to lay dormant for decade until seven years after Bernstein’s death (1990). Charlie Harmon, Bernstein’s former estate music editor, and original show orchestrator Sid Ramin stripped away Lerner’s libretto, retained ninety minutes of Bernstein’s music, and reimagined the musical as A White House Cantata: Scenes from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
Considered some of Bernstein’s greatest compositional output, the cantata lives in relative obscurity. Constructed as an upstairs/downstairs story, the cantata set us the American presidency’s first 100 years as its backdrop. Through this structure, Bernstein overtly addresses threats to the American democracy while covertly addressing America’s original sin of white supremacy. It remains a timely work despite being composed nearly fifty years ago.

Jason Strunk
Jason Strunk is an assistant professor at Shepherd University where he serves as Director of Choral and Vocal Activities. He conducts Chamber Singers, Camerata, Aries, and the Masterworks Chorale. He teaches courses in conducting, pedagogy, and musicology in the School of Music.
Dr. Strunk is an active clinician, guest conductor and performer. He has been on the podium throughout Europe and the United States in notable venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Washington National Cathedral, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In addition to conference presentations, Dr. Strunk recently appeared as guest lecturer in Freiburg, Germany speaking on the topic of Music, Power, and American Politics. His recent solo engagements include Messiah (Miami Civic Chorale) and Faure’s Requiem (Covenant Choral Society) and has appeared in concert and stage works with Andrea Bocelli, Brad Oscar, Walter Charles, Linda Eder, and Liz Callaway.
Dr. Strunk holds degrees from the University of Miami, Towson University, and Mansfield University.

Interest Session 3

Care, Health, and Wellness in the Choral Setting: Risk Factors and Rehearsal Strategies
​caron daley
This interactive session will explore key applications of performing arts medicine to the choral setting. The four areas of musician health and wellness—vocal, hearing, musculoskeletal, and psychological health—will provide a framework for the discussion. Participants will review the unique risk factors associated with choral singing and investigate pertinent resources and research. Attendees will have an opportunity to reflect on their current pedagogical practices and to develop health and wellness strategies for their unique choral settings.

Caron Daley
Caron Daley is Director of Choral Activities, Associate Professor of Music, and Chair of Performance at the Mary Pappert School of Music at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Choirs under her direction have performed at NAfME, NCCO, ACDA, and CMS conferences. A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Caron has held past conducting appointments with the National Youth Choir of Canada, Toronto Mendelssohn Choir, University of Toronto, St. Michael’s Choir School, and Salem Academy and College. Her ongoing research in Dalcroze Eurhythmics and musician health and wellness has resulted in national and international conference presentations and publications in Canadian Music Educator, Choral Journal, Journal of Singing, The Choral Scholar, College Music Symposium, International Journal of Research in Choral Singing, and the forthcoming Oxford Handbook of Music Health Advocacy.
Perspectives on Teaching High School Music
ERICH LASCEK
This session will explore the NON-MUSIC aspects of building a successful and fulfilling high school music teacher career. Topics will include student motivation, philosophy of education, common early teaching pitfalls, musical fulfillment as a music teacher, career fulfillment as a music teacher, and podium leadership styles. Interactive discussions will take place in small groups as well as the entire group on these topics.

Erich Lascek
Having taught in the public schools of Pennsylvania for 32 years, Erich Lascek is the choir director at Gateway High School and the K-12 music department chair for the Gateway School District in Monroeville. He has also taught in the Palmyra, Hermitage, and Highlands School Districts. At Gateway, he conducts three curricular choirs, musical theater performance I and II, and AP music theory. He is the artistic director and conductor of the Masterworks Concert Chorale, an adult community choir based in the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Adjunct faculty positions include choral conductor for the Carnegie Mellon University pre-college program, as well as a music theory tutor for the Messiah University graduate music program. Erich has served as a guest conductor for high school and junior high school choral festivals in PA, NY, and OH.
Choir as a Community of Storytellers: Staging and Physical Engagement
PATRICK CHIU
In every culture, stories shape our understanding of identity. Whether through fairy tales, history, or current events, storytelling connects us. In choral music, singers become storytellers, using words and music to bring narratives to life. Staging choral performances, which blend auditory and visual elements, creates powerful opportunities for both performers and audiences to engage with a shared experience. This interactive workshop invites participants to explore how theatrical techniques can enhance choral storytelling. Drawing from the “viewpoints” approach used in drama and dance, we’ll focus on three key elements—space, pace, and attitude—to deepen the impact of choral performance. Through a combination of video demonstrations and physical exercises, participants will learn how to integrate these concepts into their choir rehearsals, fostering greater unity and connection. The session aims to transform the approach to choral performance, building stronger, more cohesive ensembles.

Patrick Chiu
Choral artist Patrick Chiu gracefully navigates the multifaceted realms of conducting, education, stage direction, and composition. Influenced by his diverse global experiences, Patrick deeply values the power of artistic collaboration across cultures, believing it fosters a more harmonious world.

Patrick’s artistic journey began with advanced studies under esteemed professors of the Vienna Konservatorium. He furthered his expertise with a Master’s in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, and continued his academic pursuit with a Master’s in Opera Stage Directing and a PhD in Music Education from Florida State University. In 2012, Patrick was awarded a conducting fellowship by the Oregon Bach Festival, supported by the Herbert von Karajan Musikpreis of the Festspielhauses Baden-Baden.

Currently, he serves as the Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Lycoming College, where he was awarded the prestigious Makisu Award in 2024 for his outstanding service to the College community.

Interest Session 4

Make Serious Music Unseriously: Cultivating Intuitive Singers
Morgan Luttig
Transfer choral ownership to your singers by harnessing their play personalities! This interactive session explores how to match essential choral pedagogy elements—from breath energy to phrasing—with activities for all play personalities, including kinesthetes, explorers, competitors, creators, and storytellers. Discover seemingly "unserious" rehearsal strategies that build vocal intuition and flexibility across your entire ensemble.

You'll leave equipped with ready-to-use activities and the framework to create your own engaging experiences that work for your singers. Empower your singers with essential musical skills in a rehearsal space that encourages exploration and active participation. Learn how purposeful play empowers students to trust their musical instincts, connect deeply with repertoire, and develop critical listening skills in a positive, growth-minded environment. Join us to transform your rehearsals into spaces where singers take ownership of their choral sound.

Morgan Luttig
Morgan Luttig, Ph.D. is a dynamic conductor-educator who serves as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Alabama. Under her leadership, UA’s University Singers performed for the 2025 Alabama Music Educators Association Conference.

Prior to her current role, Luttig served as Visiting Choral Director at Washington and Lee University and previously taught K-12 choral music in Georgia and New Jersey. Luttig has led honor choirs around the country, and inspired by her work with varying ages she has engaged in research on conducting pedagogy, inclusive programming, and student engagement. She also serves in leadership roles for both ACDA and NCCO.

Luttig holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from Florida State University, a Master of Music Education (Choral) degree from Westminster Choir College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from Washington and Lee University.
FOCUS GROUP: Investigating Vocal Pedagogy Perceptions Among Pennsylvania Music Education Students and Teachers
Timothy Little Trân and Marci Major
This focus group will gather insights from music educators and students on their perceptions of vocal pedagogy in choral settings. Discussion topics will include the extent to which choral directors see themselves as voice teachers, barriers to integrating vocal technique into rehearsals, and the role of undergraduate training in shaping these perceptions. This session is part of an ongoing research study investigating how Pennsylvania choir directors and music education students understand and apply vocal pedagogy. Participants will contribute valuable perspectives that will help inform teacher training programs and professional development initiatives. Join us to share your experiences and help shape the future of vocal pedagogy in choral music education.

Timothy Little Trân
Dr. Timothy Little Trân is a faculty member in Music Education at Slippery Rock University, specializing in choral methods, musicianship skills, and culturally responsive teaching. He has chaired institutional and state-level committees on faculty accommodations and inclusivity, advocating for equitable policies across Pennsylvania’s state universities. His research explores choral pedagogy, vocal performance, and diversity in music education, with ongoing projects on vocal pedagogy in Pennsylvania schools.

Timothy has presented at state and regional ACDA conferences and guest lectured on Advanced Choral Techniques. He designs innovative assignments that help music education students assess vocal faults and apply pedagogical feedback. Passionate about outreach, he founded ChoralFest, fostering young vocalists through adjudication and social engagement. A strong advocate for BIPOC representation in the arts, he actively organizes events promoting diversity. His leadership continues to shape the future of vocal pedagogy and music education.
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Collaborating with Composers: Enhancing the Rehearsal Process through Effective Workshopping
Conner Newkam-Ulrich
We will explore the art of workshopping a new choral composition, focusing on building strong, creative partnerships with composers. Attendees will learn practical strategies for balancing artistic vision with logistical considerations, providing constructive feedback, and navigating revisions. The session will emphasize creating a collaborative environment where both the composer’s intentions and the choir’s performance can thrive. Participants will discover how to engage singers, empowering them to deliver expressive, confident performances while staying true to the composer’s vision. Attendees will leave with tools to foster open communication, enhance the music’s impact, and ensure successful, collaborative performances. We will demonstrate how to deepen relationships with composers and elevate the choir’s interpretation of new works.

Conner Newkam-Ulrich

Lyndon Gehman
Conner Newkam-Ulrich is a conductor, vocalist, and collaborator based in Harrisburg, PA. He serves as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Lancaster Chamber Singers and Director of Music at Christ Church UCC in Elizabethtown. Recently, he received the 2024 Outstanding Young Conductor Award from ACDA-PA and the Harrisburg Young Professionals 20 in their 20’s Award, with special designation of “Arts Advocate”. He is also a board member of the Susquehanna Chorale, ACDA-PA, and Mansfield Concert Choir Alumni Group.

Conner has presented workshops for organizations including ACDA-PA, PA System of Higher Education, and the PA Governor’s Office. He holds a Bachelor of Music from Mansfield University, where he studied with Dr. Peggy Dettwiler. He also worked as a production assistant for The Crossing on four recordings, three of which received Grammy nominations.


​Lyndon Gehman is a tenor and choral composer based in Lebanon, Pennsylvania, specializing in music for church and concert choirs. He performs with the Lancaster Chamber Singers and Vox Philia Chamber Choir, and serves on the board of the Lancaster Chamber Singers, helping with administration and marketing.

His love for choral music began with singing hymns in church and deepened through his experiences in choirs. He is grateful to mentors like Dr. Wendell Glick and the late Alice Parker, with whom he studied.

His compositions, known for their lyrical writing and sensitivity to text, have been performed across the U.S. and internationally. Outside of music, he works as a brand designer, enjoys good food with his wife, spending time with their two children, and cycling.
ACDA-PA: The American Choral Directors Association of Pennsylvania
Independent voices joining to form a common theme.