The Outstanding Young Conductor Award

ACDA-PA annually recognizes the efforts of a new or aspiring young conductor at its summer conference. Read below to learn more of the specific criteria for nominees.

Past Recipients
2003 - Joseph Farrell
2004 - Sharon Rotuna
2005 - Mark Dolan and Jill Tocket
2006 - Shaun Cloonan
2007 - Andres Cladera and Charles Masters
2008 - Brian Winnie
2009 - Jason Bishop
2010 - Christie McKinney
2011 - Elizabeth Colpo
2012 - Ben Murray
2013 - Kristin Paschen
2014 - Emily Fredericks
2016 - Andrew Borghesani
2017 - Matt Carlson
​2019 - Kelsey Hendler
2020 - Jordan Shomper
​2021 - Mark Helms
​2022 - Carlos Casilla
2024 - Conner Newkam-Ulrich
2025 - Gabrielle Quandel Umholtz

Criteria
Candidates must meet the following criteria:

• full or part-time continuous employment as a choral conductor in Pennsylvania for 3 - 5 years
• outstanding leadership and musicianship in any choral field - education, sacred music, or other professional choral music making
• impact on the size or quality of their program including significant contributions to the program and/or musical life of others as measured by the number of participants, improved quality, and/or community impact
• special consideration may be given to active members of ACDA.