CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO OF THE SESSIONS

SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2021 - 8:15AM-1:00PM

In this time of virtual choirs, remote and hybrid learning, spend the morning with fellow choral directors as we explore more strategies for inclusive teaching and conducting. This interactive online workshop will be led by experts in the profession and will be sure to keep you motivated through the spring and into summer!
 
May Motivator is open to ACDA and non-ACDA members from all states and countries. Designed for all levels of choral conductors working in all contexts.
 
Zoom links will be sent to registrants a week before the event!

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ACDA Members: FREE
​Non-ACDA Members: $20

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Tentative Schedule: (more details added as they are confirmed)

Time	Session
8:15-8:30am	Welcome and Introductions
8:30-9:20am	Session A: ​Meghan Durham, Respire Vocal Wellness Meeting the Mood: Resources for Vocal and Emotional Wellbeing In the voice studio and performance settings, singers demonstrate a variety of moods. A range of emotions from frenzied to fatigued can impact how our voice feels and functions, often contributing to physical tension and anxiety. In these moments of distress and distrust, do you have access to inner resources—physical and emotional cues that ground you in the present moment? This workshop will provide accessible movement and sound practices for honoring our emotional states and supporting our voice during times of stress.
9:25-10:15am	Session B: ​Arreon Harley-Emerson, Director of Music, The Choir School of Delaware Don't Let Nobody Turn You Around: Inclusion in Practice Representation matters. Over the past year, there has been much-needed attention to programming the works of Black composers. But how do we teach this music? This reading session will introduce participants to choral works by Black composers and discuss ways in which we can use a culturally responsive approach in introducing, contextualizing, teaching, and performing these works.
10:15-10:30am	Break
10:30-11:20am	Session C: Dr. Diana Saez, Towson University, ACDA East Encompassing Genres R&R Chair​ Latin American Choral Music: a stew of rhythms, colors, and flavors We tend to think of Latin American music as one thing when in fact, Latin American music is the music of many people and cultures. In this session we'll go on a journey around Latin America to learn more about its different styles and rhythms.
11:25am-12:15pm	Session D: Dr. Angela Kasper, Western Washington University ​Triple Treat: Music from New Zealand, the Republic of Georgia, and Malaysia Participants will explore three choral pieces (suitable for choirs of all ages and experiential levels) from a cultural and musical perspective. This participatory session will show ways of presenting these pieces in the choral rehearsal and performing them in a manner that educates audiences.
12:20-1:00pm	Session E: ​R&R Roundtables

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Session Presenters:

Diana V. Sáez

Diana V. Sáez is the newly appointed Director of Choral Activities at Towson University in Baltimore where she directs the TU Chorale, Women’s Choir and Choral Society. Before coming to Towson, Sáez was serving as Visiting Choir Director at Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois where she conducted the College Choir and Madrigal Choir. Previously she served as Visiting Choir Conductor at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. She also directed the Catholic University Women’s Choir for six years.

Sáez is frequently invited as guest conductor, adjudicator and lecturer in the United States and abroad. She has presented interest sessions at national and regional ACDA conventions. She has served as guest conductor in Colombia and has directed regional honor choruses in Virginia, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania. Her choral music and arrangements are published by Boosey and Hawkes and by the Roger Dean Publishing Company, a division of The Lorenz Corporation.

​Angela Kasper

Angela Kasper (Broeker) was recently hired at Western Washington University where she conducts four choirs and teaches undergraduate courses in choral methods. Before this appointment, she was Director of Choral Activities at the University of St. Thomas for 20 years during which time her choirs performed at national, regional, and state conventions of the American Choral Director's Association and toured extensively in Asia, Europe and South America.
In addition to her university responsibilities, Dr. Kasper presents for national, regional, and state conventions of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, the Organization of American Kodály Educators, and the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.  She serves as guest conductor for numerous honor choirs including the ACDA National Children’s Honor Choir in 2015, honor choirs at the Eastern, Southern, Southwest, North Central, Northwest and Central Division ACDA regional conferences, National Honor Choirs at numerous OAKE conferences, and all-state choirs in more than 35 states.  International conducting engagements include honor choirs in Beijing, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Qingdao, Nanjing, Guangzhou, Sao Paulo, Curitiba, and Dubai. 

Meghan Durham

Mezzo soprano Megan Durham, M.M., S.V.S., RYT-200, is a voice teacher, performer, and Singing Voice Specialist located in Louisville, Ky. As an SVS, she collaborates with medical professionals as part of a voice care team to habilitate singers diagnosed with vocal injury. Megan is a certified practitioner in YogaVoice®, LifeForce Yoga®, Transcending Sexual Trauma Through Yoga, Movement For Trauma (Jane Clapp), and
incorporates trauma-informed care into voice pedagogy.  Megan is a member of the Voice and Trauma Research and Connection Group, co-founded by Dr. Elisa Monti and Heleen Grooten (voiceandtrauma.com). She is a frequent clinician for choral and vocal groups throughout the country, as well as the National Association of Teachers of Singing, The Voice Foundation, and the American Choral Directors Association.
Megan holds a Master of Music degree in voice pedagogy and performance from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in music from the University of Richmond. She completed her certification in singing voice habilitation with Dr. Karen Wicklund at the Chicago Center for Professional Voice. Megan has served on the voice faculties of DeSales University, Lehigh University, Moravian College, and Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania.
She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the Voice Foundation, VASTA, Yoga Alliance, Performing Arts Medicine Association, and the International Association of Yoga Therapists.

Arreon Harley-Emerson

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Arreon A. Harley-Emerson was appointed Director Music and Operations of the Choir School of Delaware in June, 2013. In this position, he is responsible for the musical components of the renowned Choir School program as well as the day-to-day operations of the organization.


Committed to the principles of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB), Mr. Harley-Emerson has established a thriving consultancy to assist arts and culture nonprofit organizations in remaining relevant in the 21st century. His work includes longitudinal studies, strategic planning, Board Excellence training, resource and asset development, and board diversification. Mr. Harley-Emerson currently serves as the National Chair of the American Choral Directors Association’s Diversity Initiatives Committee. An active member of the Wilmington, Delaware community, Mr. Harley-Emerson is on the Delaware Arts Alliance’s Board of Directors, where he serves as President of the Board and chairs the Advancement Committee which is tasked with fundraising, membership development, and DEIB.