2026 Conference Schedule

2026 SUMMER CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

Scroll to the bottom for Interest Session descriptions and presenter bios

Sunday, August 2 - Conference

2:00-6:00 Registration Open - Blair Lobby
3:30-4:30 Reading Session 1 - Lutz
Jazz Choirs - Samantha Roberts
Lower Voice Choirs - Robert T. Gibson
Collegiate Choirs - Nate Zullinger
4:45-6:00 Keynote Session 1 - Dr. Derrick Fox, Lutz Hall Stage
Leadership that Lasts: Avoiding Burnout as a Choral Director
6:00-7:30 Dinner in Mund College Center (provided with registration)
7:30-8:30 Concert: Servire, Miller Chapel (open to the public)

Monday, August 3 - Choir for All
Choir For All Honor Choir Schedule - Miller Chapel

8:00-8:30 Registration
8:30-9:30 Combined Rehearsal: Servire
9:30-10:45 Rehearsals by Age Group: TBD (ages 8-10), TBD (ages 11-15) , Servire (ages 16+)
10:45-11:00 Break
11:00-12:00 Service Project- Servire
12:00-1:00 Lunch (boxed lunches served)
1:00-2:15 Combined Rehearsal- Servire
2:15-2:30 Break
2:30-4:00 Combined Rehearsal/Risers/Dress Rehearsal- Servire
4:00-4:30 Snack Break and Line Up
4:30-5:30 Award Ceremony and Choir for All Concert (open to the public)

Monday, August 3 - Conference

8:00am Coffee in Blair Lobby (breakfast on your own)
8:00-10:00 Registration - Blair Lobby
9:00-9:50 Undergraduate Leadership Workshop- Session 1 - Choir Room
Undergraduate students only
9:00-9:50 Interest Session 1
Rethinking Church Music, Post COVI…Everything - John McClain
Inbetweeners: Skill-Building Songs for All Year Long - Destiny Cooper and Kristin Schenk
From Rehearsal to Reel: Using Choral Music and Social Media to Empower Students - Jarrett Rosenborough
Envisioning Communities of Belonging and Growth - Rebekka Rosen
10:00-10:50 Undergraduate Leadership Workshop- Conducting Masterclass 1 - Lutz Hall - All attendees should attend!
11:00-11:50 Interest Session 2
Intentional Programming for Powerful Impact - Joy Hirokawa
See Them Hear Them, Know Them: Educating Middle School Boys - Robert T. Gibson
Exploring the Rhythmic Prism: History, Pedagogy, and Application - Gregory Gentry
Practical Practices: Strategies for the Inclusion of Neurodivergent Learners in the Choral Classroom - Cody Messersmith
12:00-12:50 Round Table Lunches (boxed lunches provided in lobby)
Undergraduate Conductors
High School Conductors
Church Conductors
Middle School Conductors
Youth and Community Conductors
1:00-1:50 Reading Session 2 - Lutz Hall Stage
Middle School Choirs - Stephanie Magaro
Children/Youth Choirs - Carlos Casilla-Nova
Self-Published- Jen Wagner
2:00-2:50 Undergraduate Leadership Workshop- Conducting Masterclass 2 - Lutz Hall - All attendees should attend!
3:00-4:15 Keynote Session 2: Dr. Derrick Fox, Lutz Hall Stage
The Choral Director as the Voice Teacher
4:30-5:30 Choir for All Concert, ACDA-PA Awards presentation - Miller Chapel
5:45-7:00 Composer Fair - Blair Lobby - Mocktails and Desserts served!
7:00-9:00 ACDA-PA After Hours - Rotunda Brewing Co (appetizers provided)

Tuesday, August 4

8:00 am Coffee in Blair Lobby (breakfast on your own)
8:00-9:00 Interest Session: Kinesthetic Music Theory - Michael Sakell
8:00-9:00 Conference Registration open
9:00-10:15 Keynote Session 3 - Servire, Lutz Hall Stage
The Sing & Serve Mission: From Performance to Purpose
10:30-11:20 Interest Session 3
Teaching Technique with a Popular Twist - Saleel Menon
A Conversation with Linda Tedford: Programming, Expression, and Enriching Lives Through Song
Linda Tedford, Conner Newkam-Ulrich, and Nathan Zullinger
More Than Note vs. Rote: Teaching With a Performance Through Sound Analysis and Notation (PTSAN) Model
Laura Petravage
11:30-12:45 Keynote Session 4: Dr. Derrick Fox, Lutz Hall Stage
Leadership in Action: Building Confidence, Communication and Classroom Culture
12:45-1:45 Lunch Break (lunch on your own)
2:00-3:15 Reading Session 3- Lutz Hall Stage
Upper Voice Choirs - Lorraine Milovac
High School- Matt Klenk
Worship- Kerri Williams
Community Choirs - Ryan Keeling
3:30-4:20 Interest Session 4
Using Technology Assisted Accompaniment and Practice Tracks in the Choral Classroom - Michael Sakell
Good Old-Fashioned Social Media: A Tool for the Unsavvy Choral Director - Patrick Tatman
What Choir Taught Me About Democracy - Joe Elefante
4:30-6:00 ACDA-PA Board Meeting

Interest Session Descriptions and Presenter Bios

Rethinking Church Music, Post COVI…Everything
John McClain

This session explores how church music leadership is evolving in a rapidly changing worship landscape. Declining membership, volunteer capacity, shifting expectations, and post-pandemic realities have challenged traditional models of church music.

John M. McClain is Director of Worship and Music at First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, Ohio. After several years teaching high school choir, he followed a call into full-time church music and ministry. John approaches worship planning much like concert programming, thoughtfully shaping music, text, and reflection into a cohesive and collaborative narrative. His work focuses on strengthening congregational singing, building collaborative ensembles, and creating community-centered musical events. Ensembles under his direction have premiered works by composers including Marianne Forman and Craig Courtney. He regularly guest conducts the Westerville Symphony Orchestra’s Messiah Community Sing-Along and performs professionally with choral ensembles across the country. John serves on the Ohio Choral Directors Association board as Lifelong Singing Repertoire and Resources Chair and holds a Master of Music in Sacred Music from Westminster Choir College.

Inbetweeners: Skill-Building Songs for All Year Long
Destiny Cooper and KristIn Schenk

You already have songs in your mind as you plan your repertoire next year, but what about those in between times? This session is for those small but heavily felt times of year: The beginning of the school year, between concerts and maybe the end of year assessments. These are rounds, pocket songs, short tunes that you can teach during those times of year and STILL build musicianship skills that transfer to your repertoire and strengthen your choir.

Kristin Schenk is a choral director and music educator who works with children's choirs throughout NJ and PA. She is currently the Vocal Music Teacher at the Cranbury School where she teaches general music and directs three middle school choral ensembles. Additionally, Ms. Schenk serves as director of the Concert Choir (grades 9-12) and Chorale (auditioned high school ensemble) at the Trenton Children’s Chorus. She also directs musical theatre productions through the Cranbury School, Cornerstone Community Arts Project, and other local non-profit organizations. She has worked with organizations such as the American Boychoir School, the Conducting Institute at Oxford, the Jamaica Field Service Project, and the Cranbury Arts Council. Ms. Schenk also performs regularly with local professional groups such as the Glassbrook Vocal Ensemble. Ms. Schenk obtained a Bachelors and Masters degree from Westminster Choir College.

Destiny Cooper an is active performer, conductor and educator whose goal is to find ways to build community through music, education and performance. Graduating from Westminster Choir College, Destiny has been a Middle School Choral Director and Conductor for Boston Childrens Chorus since 2018. As a music educator and conductor, Destiny is passionate about getting students thinking creatively in their music-making; through improvisation, Circlesinging and songwriting; previously presenting her work with students all over New England. She an active judge and choral clinician and been invited to work with Junior Ensembles in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont.

From Rehearsal to Reel: Using Choral Music and Social Media to Empower Students
Jarrett Rosenborough

In today’s digital world, students are seeking meaningful ways to express themselves, connect with others, and share their experiences beyond the classroom. This session explores how choral music and social media can work together to amplify student voice, build community, and strengthen advocacy for music education. Participants will discover practical strategies for using digital platforms to showcase student creativity, celebrate authentic musical experiences, and foster student ownership within the choral program. Through real-world examples and accessible tools, attendees will learn how social media can extend the impact of the choir room, create deeper engagement with families and communities, and empower students to use their voices both on and off the stage. This session is designed for music educators seeking innovative ways to connect artistry, student leadership, and community engagement in the modern choral classroom.

Jarrett Roseborough, an Atlanta native, is the Fine Arts Department Chair and Director of Choral Activities at Pine Forge Academy. He earned a B.S. in Music Education from Oakwood University and a Master’s in Choral Conducting from Georgia State University. With more than 15 years of experience teaching K–12 and collegiate music, he has served in numerous leadership roles in schools, churches, and universities throughout Georgia and Alabama.

Roseborough’s accomplishments include producing award-winning choir albums, directing major music conferences, leading championship choirs, and creating the acclaimed movie musical This Is My Black, which earned 22 film festival selections, 11 awards, and an NAACP Image Award nomination. Passionate about arts education, he is dedicated to helping students grow creatively, pursue excellence, and reach their fullest potential.

Envisioning Communities of Belonging and Growth
Rebekka Rosen

Join us in envisioning a choir where every student thrives as both an individual and collaborative musician. This session invites participants to imagine inclusive, sustainable choral programs that foster growth, celebrate community, and encourage lifelong singing. Presenters will explore collaboration across grade levels and with community partners to create musical pathways that support students over time. Topics include individualized goals, student-centered repertoire, engaging activities, leadership roles, recruitment and retention, and tiered objectives. Interactive discussions will foster idea exchange, and participants will leave with a Google Drive of ready-to-use resources.

Rebekka Rosen is a vocalist, vocal coach, choral educator, and scholar with a passion for using music as a vehicle for creating a more connected world. Devoted to the transformative power of music, Rosen teaches general music and directs the choirs at Eastern Middle School in Greenwich, Connecticut. At Eastern, Rosen strives to cultivate a program culture that fosters respect, sets high expectations for growth, nurtures a love for the art form, and empowers student voice. In addition to her work in public education, Rebekka maintains an active vocal studio for singers of all ages and frequently serves as a music director for school and community theatre programs. Rebekka earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Susquehanna University and a Master of Arts in Music and Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Committed to creating meaningful musical experiences for all, Rebekka has previously served as the chair for multiple CMEA high school and middle school honors festivals and this year will become the CMEA Western Region Director. Rebekka shares her experience, pedagogical insights, and resources through published scholarship, presentations at state and regional conferences, and on Instagram, @TheChorusCorner.

Intentional Programming for Powerful Impact
Joy Hirokawa

While a concert with representative works can provide varied educational experiences for your singers, intentionally programming to tell a connected story or to make a point will give singers and audiences a significantly more impactful and meaningful experience. This session will demonstrate an approach to programming that is not only inclusive of a wide variety of music but also takes the audience on a journey, leading to a clear statement of the purpose of the program. Thoughtful programming in this approach takes thematic programming to a new level. Singers experience the music more deeply and the audience responds to a more meaningful performance. Practical considerations for programming in this manner will be discussed, both to ensure educational and administrative requirements are being met, as well as maintaining the artistic expression of the program.

Dr. Joy Hirokawa is the Artistic/Executive Director of the Mosaic Youth Chorus (MYC), established in 2023 to provide an opportunity for diverse youth to create community, build empathy, and affect positive social change through artistic and expressive choral singing. She is a passionate advocate for giving youth voice through the choral medium and is nationally recognized as a leader in youth choral music. She earned a D.M.A. Music Ed from Boston University, and both a M.M in Choral Conducting and a B.M.Ed. from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Hirokawa has taught at all levels from K – Post Grad and frequently appears as a clinician and guest conductor. She is a published author and arranger of choral music. She was the ACDA National Repertoire and Resources Chair for Children & Community Youth Choirs from 2019 – 2025. MYC was awarded the Chorus America 2025 Education and Community Engagement Award. http://mosaicyouthchorus.org

See Them Hear Them, Know Them: Educating Middle School Boys
Robert T. Gibson

In this session, Gibson explores strategies that can increase engagement for middle school boys in choral settings. While teaching middle school boys can be a tricky task, educators are encouraged to place the needs of their boys ahead of their musical learning goals. As teachers gain knowledge and new ideas for their students, it is the intent that these strategies will lead to more cooperation, focus, and the will to produce great music in choir.

Houston native Robert T. Gibson is a conductor, composer, and clinician who desires to develop future music educators for the next generation of music education. Gibson is director of choral studies at Lancaster Bible College where his responsibilities include conducting all choral ensembles as well as instructing undergraduate courses in choral conducting, aural skills, and choral methods. He has held secondary and collegiate positions in Texas and Missouri and has served as guest clinician and adjudicator in Nebraska, Tennessee, Kansas, Mississippi, and New York. Gibson holds degrees from Missouri State University (MM) and the University of North Texas (BM). Robert’s choral arrangements can be found through Walton Music, Alfred Publications, Oxford Press, BriLee Music, Carl Fischer, and Hal Leonard.

Exploring the Rhythmic Prism: History, Pedagogy, and Application
Gregory Gentry

In setting out to investigate the role rhythm plays in choral music and the primary ways in which choral conductors instruct rhythm in preparation for The Architecture of a Career (GIA 2024), I found that there are very few sources that agree an approach to the acquisition of rhythm literacy. Over the centuries, rhythmic notation has evolved but our understanding sometimes neglects the roots and fundamentals of rhythm’s vital place within the structure of Western music. As both a conductor and percussionist, I am presenting here an approach to the historical so that conductors have tools to better execute rhythmic applications in present-day performance preparation, for all periods of choral music. Music occurs in a self-contained theoretical time-based concept. Rhythm—simply put—provides the structure for understanding the drama, texted or un-texted. In this session the audience will be exposed to an all-important 1) overview of the notation of western based rhythm; 2) exposé of the importance of rhythmic skills through implementation of a rhythmic solfeggio system; and 3) focus on the Takadimi system, the most effective system for rhythm, teaching, and choral artistry.

Dr. Gentry has prepared more than 30 world and regional premiere works—including Enemy Slayer: A Navajo Oratorio (with an English/Navajo libretto, the only indigenous master work of this kind)—many performed in his capacity as Chorus Master with the Phoenix Symphony, Colorado Music Festival, Boulder Philharmonic, and the Tuscaloosa Symphony. His university choirs have sung on conventions for NCCO, ACDA, NAfME, Colorado MEA, SAM, and CMS. Dr. Gentry has been the director of choirs at the University of Alabama, Arizona State University and recently retired as Director of Choral Studies and the Lynn Whitten Choral Faculty Fellow from the University of Colorado. In addition, his choirs have performed and he has presented at National and Regional choral conventions. Currently, Gentry He is a Capstone Advisor and professor for the graduate program at the University of Mary in Bismarck and was a visiting Professor of Choral Music at the University of Miami. Dr. Gentry is author of In Search of Inspiration and chapter author of “Rhythm in Choral Music” in The Architecture of a Career (both GIA Publications).

Practical Practices: Strategies for the Inclusion of Neurodivergent Learners in the Choral Classroom
Cody Messersmith

This session is intended to provide strategies which promote the equity and inclusion of neurodivergent learners within the context of the choral music classroom. Attendees will discuss best practices in music education for students with exceptionalities. This session will provide ideas for high tech, low tech, and no tech adaptations.

Cody Messersmith is a dynamic music educator, performer, conductor, and inclusivity advocate from the state of Pennsylvania. Messersmith currently serves as Director of Secondary Choirs for the Spring Grove Area School District in York, Pennsylvania. Outside of public-school teaching, Messersmith frequently serves as a guest clinician, vocal coach, and educational consultant for music and musical theatre arts programs. In addition to teaching music, Cody enjoys a prosperous freelance career as a first-call low brass musician and vocalist throughout the Northeastern United States. Cody’s primary areas of research interest include identity development, special education, and music’s impact on communicative disorders. Messersmith is currently pursuing a PhD in Music Education at Temple University. Messersmith earned a Master of Education degree from Penn State University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Marywood University (Scranton, PA). Cody resides in York, Pennsylvania with his partner, Carly, and three furbabies, Benji, Bernard, and Rue.

Kinesthetic Music Theory
Michael Sakell

This interactive and movement-based session explores kinesthetic approaches to teaching music theory concepts within the choral classroom through the lens of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Attendees will actively participate in movement-based instruction that reinforces music literacy while experiencing how kinesthetic approaches to music theory can create low-pressure, high-engagement learning environments that reduce student anxiety and foster meaningful teacher-to-student and student-to-student interactions. The session will also explore how multimodal and embodied learning strategies can support diverse learners, including multilingual/English learner (ML/EL) students and students with disabilities, increase participation, and provide teachers with immediate feedback on student understanding without disrupting rehearsal flow. Participants will leave with adaptable, rehearsal-friendly activities appropriate for elementary, middle, and high school choral ensembles.

Mike Sakell is a choral conductor, music educator, and PhD fellow in Music Education at Temple University. His research focuses on the effective use of technology in music education, particularly how digital tools can enhance teaching, learning, and student engagement in choral and classroom settings. He previously served as Director of Vocal Music at Chula Vista High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, located on the border of San Diego and Tijuana, where he led a comprehensive choral program of over 200 students for nine years. Prior to this, he was Choral Director at Dixon-Smith Middle School in Stafford, Virginia for four years. In addition to his teaching, Sakell has served as Vice President of the California Music Educators Association’s Southern Border Section. He holds a Master of Music Education from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Music from James Madison University.

Teaching Technique with a Popular Twist
Saleel Menon

This interactive session explores how popular music pedagogies can support healthy singing, expand music literacy, and foster student creativity in middle and high school choir classrooms. Drawing on strategies from the presenter’s article “Popular Music in Choir: Helping Students Find Their Voices,” participants will experience focused listening activities, collaborative cover songs, and mash-up arrangements that mirror the creative processes used by contemporary musicians. Attendees will collectively construct a vocal cover arrangement and explore strategies for facilitating similar projects with their students. The session provides practical tools for scaffolding student-led projects, teaching harmonic awareness, and integrating popular music into ensemble instruction while strengthening musicianship and engagement.

Dr. Saleel Menon is an Assistant Professor of Music at Rutgers University. Prior to Rutgers, he received his Ph.D. in Music Education at Michigan State University, where he also received his Masters in Choral Conducting. Before moving to Michigan, Saleel directed choirs at Ridge Point High School in Houston, Texas. His choirs performed both state and nationwide and opened for the Grammy-winning Pentatonix! Saleel co-authored an article published in 2019 in the Music Educator Journal on popular music which is one of the journal’s “most read” articles. In 2020 he received the Texas Choral Directors Association “Young Director of Distinction” Award. As a classical performer, he has sung nationally and internationally in Poland, Germany, England, France, and Austria. Commercially, he has sung for Star Wars on Tour, Zelda on Tour, and back up for Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli.

A Conversation with Linda Tedford: Programming, Expression, and Enriching Lives Through Song
Linda Tedford, Conner Newkam-Ulrich, and Nathan Zullinger

Linda Tedford is the Artistic Director, Conductor and Founder of the Susquehanna Chorale and is Professor Emeritus, Director of Choral Activities, at Messiah University. Throughout her illustrious career, she has received recognition including the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from Chorus America, and the Elaine Brown Award for Choral Excellence from ACDA-PA.

Her choirs have performed at state and regional ACDA conferences and throughout Europe and have been praised for their emotionally filled and expressive performances, paired with superb programming.

In this interview, we will explore Linda’s perspectives on being a conductor and teacher, the process of founding and sustaining a choral organization, and discuss the mentors who helped shaped her career. In addition, we will discuss her approach to programming concerts, how to garner emotional and expressive performances, and her rehearsal practices that cultivate both choral excellence and human connection. Linda will also share insights on sustaining artistic vision and advice for the next generation of conductors.

Linda L. Tedford is the Artistic Director, Founder, and Conductor of the Susquehanna Chorale, established in 1981. She is also responsible for the Chorale's Educational Outreach program, reaching hundreds of student singers annually. Ms. Tedford is Professor Emeritus, Director of Choral Activities, at Messiah University in Grantham, PA. Her choirs have performed at conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association and in European venues. Featured on over 16 professionally produced CDs, her choirs appear regularly with the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra.

Ms. Tedford and the Susquehanna Chorale received Chorus America’s Margaret Hillis Achievement Award for Choral Excellence. She received ACDA-PA's Elaine Brown Award for Choral Excellence, Theatre Harrisburg's Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts, and Central Penn Business Journal’s Circle of Excellence Award.

Ms. Tedford holds a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Temple University, where she studied with renowned conductor Robert Page.

Conner Newkam-Ulrich is a conductor, vocalist, and collaborator based out of Harrisburg, PA. Conner is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Lancaster Chamber Singers. An advocate for new music, Conner aspires to champion new, diverse, and emerging voices in his programming. He’s committed to curating concert experiences that tell the stories of the world we live in. Recently, he was awarded the 2024 Outstanding Young Conductor Award by ACDA-PA, and the Harrisburg Young Professionals 20 in their 20’s Award, with special designation of “Arts Advocate”. Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Messiah University, studying with Dr. Rachel Cornacchio and Dr. Joy Meade. Conner has presented sessions and workshops the American Choral Directors Association, the Pennsylvania Governor’s Office of Administration, House of Representatives, and Treasury Department. His choirs have been invited to sing at Carnegie Hall.

Dr. Nathan Zullinger, conductor, is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Choral and Vocal Studies at Haverford College. He also serves as Chair of the Department of Music. Dr. Zullinger has previously taught at the Summit (NJ) Public Schools, the University of Rhode Island, and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. In 2021, he was recognized with the Innovation in Teaching award from Haverford College; in the same year, his professional choral ensemble Viva Voce received the Ernst Bacon Award for the performance of contemporary music. Viva Voce will release a new album in 2026, featuring works by Haverford composers Ingrid Arauco, Steven Gerber, and Thomas Lloyd. Dr. Zullinger is currently president-elect of ACDA-PA. His choral works are published by Morningstar, Galaxy, Augsburg Fortress, and Colla Voce.

More Than Note vs. Rote: Teaching With a Performance Through Sound Analysis and Notation (PTSAN) Model
Laura Petravage

This session will explore ways to teach choral literature using sound-based music theory skills, rooted in a PTSAN Model. It will investigate ways to connect student learning of concert repertoire through both known songs and folks songs, and determine plans to guide students through preparation and presentation activities. Strategies will be provided for conductors to prepare and analyze repertoire with the goal of developing music theory learning through performance in their choral ensemble.

Dr. Laura M. Petravage is an Assistant Professor of Music Education for the Tell School of Music at Millersville University and the Coordinator for their Music Education Program. She was previously the Music Program Supervisor for the Carlisle Area School District, where she taught secondary general music and choir. Dr. Petravage previously taught for the Central Dauphin (PA) and Derry Township (PA) School Districts, and she has served as adjunct faculty for Messiah University (PA), George Mason University (VA), and American University (DC).

Dr. Petravage completed her doctorate in choral conducting at George Mason University, and has degrees from the Eastman School of Music (MM Choral Conducting), American University (BA Music and French), and Millersville University (BSE Music Education). She is a Kodály certified instructor through Texas State University and she has a Supervisory Certificate for PK-12 Music through Eastern University.

Using Technology Assisted Accompaniment and Practice Tracks in the Choral Classroom
Michael Sakell

This hands-on session explores innovative approaches to technology-assisted accompaniment and practice tracks in the choral classroom. It will include guided demonstrations of using accompaniment and practice track generating software, including MuseScore Studio, PlayScore 2, and Audacity, while also providing additional digital resources for both directors and students. Participants will experience how conductors can rehearse effectively while stepping away from the piano, using technology to prioritize conducting, listening, facilitation, and musical leadership within the ensemble. We will also discuss practical applications for increasing student independence, supporting aural/oral learners, expanding equity and accessibility, and creating more flexible, student-led rehearsal environments. The session is intended for any practicing choir directors, preservice music educators, directors with limited piano proficiency, and directors working without a full-time accompanist. Participants may actively engage in demonstrations alongside the presenter or observe implementation strategies in real time.

Good Old-Fashioned Social Media: A Tool for the Unsavvy Choral Director
Patrick Tatman

This session explores practical strategies for marketing a choral program through social media from the perspective of an educator who is not naturally “social media savvy.” Rather than focusing on trends or high-level production, the session emphasizes building an authentic, sustainable online presence that reflects the culture and values of a choral program. Participants will learn how to create a recognizable social media brand that is manageable, low-stress, and not overly time consuming while still effectively engaging students, parents, administrators, alumni, and prospective singers. Designed for directors of all experience levels, the session will include realistic content ideas, simple workflow strategies, and approachable techniques that can be implemented immediately.

Patrick Tatman is a distinguished conductor and music educator known for his dynamic leadership and passionate advocacy for the arts. A native of western Pennsylvania, Dr. Tatman has served as a sought-after clinician both nationally and internationally, bringing his expertise and enthusiasm to choirs and educators around the world. He currently serves as Director of Choral Activities at the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania – Mansfield.

His teaching experience spans public schools in Utah, Colorado, and Pennsylvania, reflecting a deep commitment to music education at all levels. Dr. Tatman holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Penn State University, a Master of Music degree from Brigham Young University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Utah. In addition, he is a certified vocologist through the National Center for Voice and Speech.

An active researcher, Dr. Tatman has specialized in studying the acoustical influences of vocal technique in choral tone production. He believes strongly in the power of choral music to inspire, and through his work, he strives to elevate the importance of music and the arts in society.

What Choir Taught Me About Democracy
Joe Elefante

In this personal and thought-provoking session, choral educator Joe Elefante explores how ensemble singing—listening, adjusting, balancing, and contributing—offers a powerful model for democratic life. Drawing on his experience and the loss of his wife, a fellow choir teacher, he reflects on forming not just musicians, but people capable of living and working together. This session invites educators to see the choir room as a space where essential human skills are practiced.

Joe Elefante is a composer, conductor, educator, and researcher whose work explores the intersection of music, formation, and meaning. His compositions have received international recognition, and his teaching and speaking focus on how artistic practice shapes the way individuals listen, relate, and live together.

He currently teaches at an independent school in New Jersey, where he directs choral ensembles and develops courses in music literacy, listening, and creative practice.