Every Voice Tells a Story
Joshua Oppenheim, SWACDA President HelloSWACDAFriends!
Beforeanythingelse:thankyou,Jonathan Owen.
Jonathan'stwoyearsatthehelmaskedalot ofhim,andhedelivered.Withcharacteristic passion,persistence,andarefusaltoletany detailslip,hesteeredthisregionthrougha demandingstretchandcappeditoffwithour 2026conferenceinAlbuquerque,acity SWACDAhadnevergatheredinbefore.By everyaccountI'veheard,itwasa tremendoussuccess.BeforeIstarttalking aboutwhat'snext,Iwanttopauseandsayit plainly:thankyou,Jonathan.Wearebetter offbecauseofyou.
Ialsowanttothanktheextendedleadership teamwhohelpedmakeAlbuquerque happen MargieCampcontinuesonas ConferenceChair,andhonestly,I'mnotsure whatwe'ddowithouther.Shebringsa depthofexperience,institutionalknowledge, andsteadygracethatsimplycannotbe replicated.AheartfeltthankyoutoJeffWall, ouroutgoingTreasurer,forkeepingthe bookshonestandthetrainsrunningontime. AndtoEricCooley,whostepsdownas HonorChoirCoordinatoraftercarryingwhat is,noexaggeration,aHerculeanjob.Eric,the scaleofthatroleishardtooverstate,and youdiditbeautifully. Thankyou.
AquickwordabouthowIendeduphere.In thesummerof2023,PastPresidentRyan SullivancalledtotellmethePastPresidents' Councilwantedtonominatemetorun.Iwas genuinelyhonored.ThesearecolleaguesI admiredeeply,andIaskedfortimetothinkit over.Oneofmyfavoritethingstotellmyself is"you'renotthatimportant."It'sazen-like truthIholdonto,sowhenRyancalled,the easythingwouldhavebeentosayyessimply becauseI'dbeenasked.Butbeingaskedis notareasontolead.SoIsatwithaharder question:didIactuallyhavesomethingto offerthisorganization?Whatsettleditwas service.Thirtyyearsinthisprofessionhave givenmemorethanIcouldeverrepay,soI thoughtabouthowImightgiveback.OnceI letmyselfthinkthatway,theareasIcare mostaboutcameintofocus,andthey becamethecoreofmyplatform:
1.Engagementbeyondtheconference. Abiennialconferenceisabig,beautiful event,butalso,bydefinition,everyother year.That'salotofsilenceinbetween,and I'mhopingwecanfillsomeofthatspace. Overthenexttwoyears,you'llcontinueto seeSWACDAshowupinyourinboxwith ournewsletter,SouthwesternConnection, butalsoinyourfeedsandyourearbudsmore often
ShortvideosandsocialpostsfromourR&R chairs.Longer-formcontentfeaturinginterviews withleadership,guestconductors,andworldrenownedcomposers.Virtualreadingsessions andwebinars.Morewaystostayconnected betweenconferences,andmorewaystoget somethingusefuloutofyourmembershipinthe monthswhennothingisonthecalendar.
2.Asustainedgrowthcycle.Studentsareoneof ourrealstrengths.Theopportunityinfrontofus isstayingwiththemthroughthatfirststretchof professionallife,whenkeepingthatconnection isn'talwaystheeasiestthingTheearlyyearsout ofschoolarewhenbudgetsaretight,schedules areunforgiving,andaconferenceregistrationcan feellikealuxuryratherthanalifeline.Sooverthe nexttwoyears,we'regoingtolookhardathow wecanlowerthebarriers,creatementorship pathwaysthatpairearly-careerdirectorswith veteranswho'vebeenthroughit,andbuild intentionaltouchpointsaimedatournewest professionals.We'realsoworkingtoconnectour collegememberswitheachotheracross institutions,becausethepeopleyoumeetin thoseyearsoftenbecomethecolleaguesand collaboratorsofalifetime.Andatthe2028 conferenceitself,expecttoseesomenewthings designedspecificallytodrawstudentsinandgive themareasontostay.Wedon'twanttojustsign studentsupWewanttowalkwiththemintothe profession
3.Leadershipbeyondformalstructures.Someof thebestthinkinginSWACDAcomesfrompeople who'veneversatonacommitteeThisyear,we
startedchangingthat.Weputoutanopencall andaskedyoutotelluswhereyouwantedto serve.Theresponsehasbeengenuinely encouraging,andthenamesyou'llseeontheR&R rosterbelowarepartofwhatcameoutofit.But thisisn'tjustaboutformalpositions.Ifyou'vegot asessionidea,somethingthatwouldbegoodfor thenewsletter,repertoireworthsharing,a teachingconcept,arehearsaltechnique,oreven aquestionworthaskingoutloud,reachout. Nothingistoosmall.Nothingistoounfinished. Weallhavesomethinguniquetooffer,anda storytotell
4.Maximizingourreach.Irememberwalkingtoa conferencesessioninDallasbackin2012.I struckupaconversationalongthewaywith someoneIdidn'tknow,andwhenIaskedwhere theytaught,theysaid,"Oh,I'mnotaconductor. I'madentistfromCalifornia.ButIstilllovechoral music,andwhereelsecanyouhearthismany greatchoirsandsitinonthismanygreat sessions?"Thatstuckwithme Ithinkweneedto startseeingourselvesnotonlyaspractitioners growinginourcraft,butasambassadorsforit, activelycultivatingthepatronsandlistenerswho keepthisartformalive Thinkaboutallthe peopleyousangwithinhighschoolandcollege Theyloveditjustasmuchasyoudid.Theyjust madeittheirvacationinsteadoftheirvocation. Therearesomanyoutthere.Let'sinvitethemin. It'smyhopethatyou'llseethesefourideasshow upinrealwaysoverthenexttwoyears,building towardwhatIthinkisgoingtobeaveryexciting 2028conference
M E E T Y O U R 2 0 2 6 – 2 8
R & R C H A I R S
None of this works without the people who’ve stepped up to lead it. I am thrilled to introduce the chairs who will be guiding our Repertoire & Resource areas this term the folks you’ll be hearing from in articles, repertoire lists, social posts, virtual sessions, and just about everywhere else we show up over the next two years. Please welcome:
Children&CommunityYouthChoirs Emily Cothern
MiddleSchool/JuniorHighChoirs Nyadia Thorpe
Tenor/BassChoirs AlexanderCarr
TrebleChoirs KristinaMacMullen
HighSchoolChoirs ChristyShinn
2-YearCollegeChoirs EddieVandewalker
4-YearUniversityChoirs KarenKenastonFrench
CommunityChoirs NathanWubbena
MusicinWorship AndyWaggoner
WorldMusicandCultures Yoo-JinMuhn
EarlyMusic MichaelMurphy
JazzChoirs KarlNelson
ContemporaryACappella MindyBettridge
ShowChoirs MichaelShimp
Youth&StudentActivities JabarieGlass
And of course a hat tip to Brandon Baker, who’s taking the reins as Honor Choir Coordinator. The size and scope of the honor choirs at a conference takes a great deal of foresight, patience, and steady leadership, and Brandon brings all three I also want to acknowledge the continued service of our long-time Membership Chair, Kathleen Bhat, who has been the steady hand behind our membership operation for years now.We’regratefulshe’sstayingon.
And the last (re)introduction for this first go: Erin Plisco, our President-Elect. Many of you have already had the chance to see her work, and you know what I mean when I say she’s the rare combination of brilliant and genuinely kind. I’m lucky to have her alongside me for the next two years, and more so that she’ll be the one steering thisregionafterthat.
Here’s to the next two years. I’m glad to be in it withyou.
Best
Joshua Oppenheim President, SWACDA
Joshua Oppenheim, SWACDA President (2026–28)
“I Think I Can”
Eddie Vandewalker, Two-Year Colleges R&R Chair · eddiesings@yahoo com
HelloSWACDA,Ihopethissummerhasallowed youtimetorest,rejuvenate,andhavesomefun
InthisarticleIhopetosharesomeofthethings thathelpmaketwo-yearcollegesaviableand valuablepartofmanysuccessfulmusicians’ highereducationjourney.
Muchlikethebelovedchildren’sbook TheLittle EngineThatCould,two-yearcollegemusic programsteachandgiveopportunitiesto experience,grow,andstrengthenselfconfidence,determination,perseverance, optimism,andhardwork Now,ouruniversity musicprogramsdoallthisalso,butthetwo-year collegeprogramsofferthemmostoftentomany studentswhodidn’tthinktheycould.
Somanyofthestudentswhoattendtwo-year collegemusicprogramsdon’tbelievetheycango tocollege,muchlesspursuetheirdreamsin
music Sometimestheconcernsarefinancialor academic,butevenmoreoftenitisthestudents’ lackofbeliefinthemselves.Thislackofbelief keepsthemfromevenauditioningforuniversity musicprogramsandoftenhasthemshowingup atthetwo-yearcollegemusicprogramonthe firstdayofclassesorduringthefirstweekof classes
Thesestudents,whichtwo-yearcollegemusic programsbestserve,oftenbecomegreatjunior andseniormusicmajorsatuniversitymusic programs,duetotheopportunitiestheyhadto becomefullyreadyforthoseuniversityprograms duringtheirtimeintwo-yearcollegemusic programs
Herearetestimoniesfromsometwo-year collegemusicstudents:
“Receiving a [two-year college] choir scholarship in high school completely guided the trajectory of my life I had no idea what I wanted to major in, but I knew this was an open door to guide me where I was destined to go. Although I never majored in music I took as many choir and private music lessons as I could… because I loved music so much. It made the scary transition of leaving high school and going into the real world of college much less scary because there was such a warm and welcoming community in the arts building. I loved choir and it changed my life for the better… It even inspired how I practice medicine now, through incorporating music therapy techniques with different ages and ailments. I have now been practicing physical therapy for 10 years and have used music for treating infants and senior citizens, and every age in between.”
Katie Perez, BS, PTA, NASM CES
Oneofthegreatestgiftsthecollegemusicprogramgavemewasconfidence Duringthattime,Isteppedout ofmyshellinwaysIneverthoughtpossible Itcreatedanenvironmentwherestudentsfeltsafeenoughto takerisks,makemistakes,andcontinuegrowing Becauseofthat,Idevelopednotonlyasasinger,butasa person
Itcreatedaspacewherefriendshipsflourished,collaborationwasencouraged,andeveryonewasinvestedin eachother’ssuccess TherelationshipsIbuiltduringthattimeremainsomeofthemostmeaningful connectionsofmycollegeyears
Myyearsinthemusicprogramstillstaywithme.Theinfluenceextendedfarbeyondmusictheory,vocal technique,orperformance.Iwastaughtconfidence,authenticity,discipline,andthevalueofencouraging otherstobecomethebestversionsofthemselves.Forme,thosetwoyearswereahighlightofmycollege experience”
BiancaMcDaniel
“Mytwo-yearcollegeexperiencewasmyopportunitytoactuallydosomethingwithmylife WhenIwasin highschool,Ihadteacherscallmealoser AllIhadwasmusic MyGPAwasnothigh,butmychoir achievementsmademefeellikeIwasgoodatsomething
WhenIattended[two-yearcollege]…ithelpedmeunderstandthatIhadtalent,Ihaddrive,andIhadachance. Thatsamekidwhodidn’tthinkcollegewasapossibilitynowhastwomusicdegreesfromaprivateuniversity… allbecauseoftheopportunityhereceivedfromatwo-yearcollege”
BenitoTorresJr,HeadDirectorofChoirs&DepartmentHeadofPerformingArts,EisenhowerHighSchool “Mytwoyearsasamusicstudent weresomeofthemostformativeandmemorableyearsofmycollege experience Lookingback,Icanconfidentlysaythatitplayedasignificantroleinshapingnotonlythe musicianIbecame,butalsotheconfidenceIcarriedwithmelongaftergraduation.
So,highschooldirectors,pleasesendyourgreatstudents,whomaynotyetbelievetheyaregreat,toa two-yearcollegemusicprogramwheretheycanfinishdiscoveringalltheyareandmostlikelyfinda waytotheirdreams
SWACDA,haveagreatrestofthesummer,andpleaseremembertodosomethingfun.
Send your great students, who may not yet believe they are great, to a place where they can finish discovering all they are.
PRESIDENT JoshuaOppenheim
Dr JoshuaOppenheimservesasSWACDA President(2026–28) HehasservedasProfessor ofMusicandDirectorofChoralStudiesat KansasStateUniversitysince2008,followinga distinguishedtenureattheCraneSchoolof MusicinNewYork.In2025,hefounded Re:SoundEnsembles,anationalchoralnonprofit knownforimmersive,multisensoryconcert experiencesthatblendtheatricalnarrativewith choralartistry.
Asought-afterguestconductorandclinician,Dr. Oppenheimhasledchoirsandworkshopsacross 29statesandin13countries,includingAustria, Estonia,Finland,Ireland,Singapore,andSouth Korea HehasconductedtheSouthwestern ACDARegionCollegiateHonorChoirand theSouthernRegionACDAHighSchoolHonor Choir,withguestengagementsatCarnegieHall, WashingtonNationalCathedral,andOrchestra HallinChicago.
Hischoirshaveperformedatconferencesfor NYSSMA,KMEA,ACDA,andNCCO.Dr. OppenheimholdsdegreesfromtheUniversityof NorthTexas,UniversityofMississippi,and WesternMichiganUniversity
CONFERENCE CHAIR MargieCamp
MargieCamphasarichbackgroundinmusic education.Sherecentlyretiredfromherroleas administrativedirectorandtrainingchoirdirector forYoungVoicesofColoradoandisnowserving asYVCBoardPresident.Withthirtyyearsof publicschoolexperience,sheservedtheCherry CreekSchoolDistrictasCampusMiddle School’schoirdirectorandthedistrictmusic coordinator.Shealsosharedherexpertiseatthe MetropolitanStateUniversityofDenverteaching musiceducationclasses.
CamphasservedSWACDAasapresident, treasurer,andprogramchairformanySWACDA Conferences Shehasearneddegreesfrom TrinityUniversityandTheUniversityofTexasat SanAntonioandamusicspecialistdegreefrom theUniversityofColoradoatDenver.Campwas inductedintotheColoradoMusicEducatorsHall ofFameandreceivedACDA’sVolunteerofthe Yearaward InDenverin2024,shewasawarded theinauguralMargieCampLifetimeAchievement AwardforChoralExcellence.Shewasrecently awardedtheColoradoACDALegacyAward.
PRESIDENT-ELECT ErinPlisco
Dr.ErinPliscoservesasPresident-Electof SWACDA,beginningasix-yeartermin2026that includestwoyearsaspresident-elect,twoyears aspresident,andtwoyearsaspastpresident She hasbeeninvolvedinACDAleadershipsince 2018,andsince2022hasservedasnational repertoireandresourcechairforsoprano/alto choirs,recentlyleadingacommissionconsortium fortreblechoirsthatproduced13newworks.
PliscoisAssociateDirectorofChoralStudiesat MissouriStateUniversity,wheresheleadsa choralprogramofover300singersandteaches undergraduateandgraduateconductingand literature.ShepreviouslyservedasDirectorof ChoralStudiesatPinecrestHighSchool(NC), whereherchamberchoirwonTheAmericanPrize forhighschoolchoralperformance.
SheholdsaDMAinchoralconductingfromthe UniversityofArizona,anMMfromTrinity College,Cambridge(GatesCambridgeScholar), andaBMfromChristopherNewportUniversity
TREASURER
RondalWallace
RondalWallaceservesastheOklahomaChoral DirectorsExecutiveDirector.Heisalsoa professionalaccompanistandchurchmusicianin theOklahomaCityarea Currentlyservingasthe organistforStPaul’sLutheranChurch.Rondal alsohasexperienceasasecondaryvocalmusic teacher,teachingMiddleSchoolandHighSchool Choirsfrom1991-2021.MrWallacehasbeen anactiveACDAmemberformanyyears.
Seven states, seven leaders. Your state presidents are the closest link between SWACDA and your own back yard reach out to them with questions, ideas, and news from your corner of the region.
Nick Farr
Christy Elsea
Julia Dale
Emery Edwards
Leigh Ann McClure
Brandon Wade
Karsten Longhurst
MEET YOUR 2026–28 R&R CHAIRS
Behindeverygreatnewsletterarticle,repertoire list,andhonorchoirrecommendationisoneof ourRepertoire&ResourceChairs,andthisterm’s groupisnothingshortofexceptional. Representingeverycornerofourchoral community,fromchildren’schoirstocollegiate ensembles,jazztoworshipmusic,thesearethe peoplewhowillbesharingtheirexpertisewith youthroughoutthenexttwoyears
EachR&RChairbringsyearsofexperience,a genuineloveforchoralmusic,andareal commitmenttothisregion.They’llbewriting articles,offeringrepertoiresuggestions, presentingatourconference,andshowing upinwaysbigandsmalltosupportyouandyour program.Manyofthemsteppedforwardthrough ouropencallforvolunteersthisyear,areminder thatsomeofourbestthinkingcomesfrom memberseagertoserve,notjustthosealready sittingonacommittee.
Ifyouhaveaquestionintheirarea,don’thesitate toreachout.Ifyouhaveanidea,arehearsal technique,orrepertoireworthsharing,they’d lovetohearfromyoutoo.Takeamomenttoget toknowthem,andconsiderthisyouropen invitationtoconnect
We’redeeplygratefulfortheirwillingnessto serve,andexcitedforwhatthey’llbringto SWACDAintheyearsahead.
Jabarie Glass
jabarie glass@gmail com
JabarieGlassservesasDirectorofChoral ActivitiesattheUniversityofOklahoma,where heprovidesartisticandadministrativeleadership forthechoralprogram,teachesgraduatecourses inconductingandscorestudy,andconducts UniversityChorale.Hepreviouslyservedonthe facultyoftheUniversityofSouthCarolina followingnearlyadecadeofdistinguished leadershipinsecondarychoralmusicin Mississippi.Ensemblesunderhisdirectionhave performedbyjuriedinvitationatstateand regionalconferencesofACDAandNAfME.
AnativeMississippian,Glassearneddual bachelor’sdegreesinbusinessmanagementand musiceducationfromtheUniversityof Mississippi,amaster’sinmusiceducationfrom FloridaState,andadoctorateinconductingfrom theUniversityofMichiganSchoolofMusic, Theatre&Dance.
T R E B L E / S S A A C H O I R S
Kristina MacMullen kristina macmullen@baylor edu
KristinaCaswellMacMullenhasdevotedher careertosharingmusicandinspirationwith studentsandaudiences,drivenbyanunflagging beliefinthepowerofchoralmusic.
ShecurrentlyservesastheMaryGibbsJones ChairofMusicandDirectorofChoralActivitiesat BaylorUniversity,conductingtheACappella ChoirandChamberSingersandleadingthe graduateconductingprogram.Shepreviously servedonthefacultiesoftheUniversityofNorth TexasandTheOhioStateUniversity,earningthe SirWilliamOslerAwardandUNT’sPresident’s SpecialRecognitionAward.
MacMullenisknownforinterdisciplinarycreative projectsaddressingthemeslikehumantrafficking, grief,belonging,andcivicengagement.Anactive clinician,shehasconductedAll-Stateandhonor choirsnationwide,andherteachingisfeaturedon GIA’sConducting-TeachingDVD(2009) Her editionsarepublishedbyBoosey&Hawkes, MusicatusPress,andMusicSpoke.Sheholds degreesfromMichiganStateUniversityanda DMAfromTexasTechUniversity,andsingswith theprofessionalensembleMirabai
Shinn cshinn@jackson k12 mo us
ChristyShinnisDirectorofChoirsand DepartmentChairatJacksonHighSchool, beginningher30thyearofteaching Shedirects TrebleChoir,BoysChoir,ConcertChoir,and Women’sChoir,andteachesAPMusicTheory andAdaptiveMusic.SheholdsaBMEandMME fromSoutheastMissouriStateUniversity.
Herstudentsarewidelyrecognizedatthestate andregionallevel,regularlyselectedforMCDA, SWACDA,andNationalHonorsChoirs,witha recordnumberchosenforAll-Districtand MissouriAll-StateChoireachyear.HerJHS ConcertChoirhasperformedattheMMEAState Conventionandincollaborativeconcertswith MissouriStateUniversity’sConcertChorale.
ShinnhasservedMCDAasRecordingSecretary andMMEAasChoralVicePresident,andremains activeinMMEA,MCDA,ACDA,andMSTA Her honorsincludetheMCDAOutstandingDistrict DirectorAwardandMissouriTeacheroftheYear recognitions.
Christy
C H O I R S
Cothern ecothern@jr2mail.org
EmilyCothern,graduateofMillikinUniversity, willbestartingherfourthyearofteachingin Jackson,MO ShetaughtKindergartenthrough 4thgradeforthepastthreeyearsandisstarting herfourthyearofteachingatthe5thand6th gradebuilding!
EmilyhasalonghistorywiththeAmericanChoral DirectorsAssociation,participatingindistrict, state,andnationalhonorchoirs.Sheisalegacy memberofMCDA,withherparents, grandparents,andauntsservingtheorganization
Emilylovestobakeandenjoystimespentwith herhusband,Isaac,andhersweetpuppy,Connie
Andy Waggoner serves as Director of Worship Arts at Webster Hills UMC in Webster Groves, MO and is Artistic Director of the 240-member St. Louis County Community Chorus. He has served Missouri ACDA as R&R for Community Choirs and Music in Worship and currently serves in various capacities, mainly in welcoming new members and assisting with special events Andy has prepared choruses and conducted residencies in London, Dublin, New York City, Washington DC, and festivals and tours throughout the Midwest. He has also prepared and sung in choirs for touring shows at the Fox theater, Sheldon Concert Hall, Stifel Theater and Scottrade Center, including artists such as Josh Groban, Fantasia, Barry Manilow and live video game concerts like Final Fantasy. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve SWACDA, an organization that has meantsomuchtohimthroughouthiscareer.
Karl Nelson knelson15@uco edu
Dr. Karl Nelson has served as Director of Choral Studies at the University of Central Oklahoma since 2006, directing the Concert Chorale, Second Street Singers (vocal jazz), and teaching undergraduate and graduate conducting. He holds a DMA and MM in choral conducting from LSU and a BS in Music Education from the UniversityofIllinoisatUrbana-Champaign
Under his direction, the UCO Concert Chorale has performed at OkMEA and College Music Society National conferences, and toured England and Scotland in 2023, including the BrandenburgChoralFestivalinLondon.He has taught choral conducting at Guizhou Normal University in China and was selected for ACDA’s 2015 International Conducting Exchange PrograminSweden
Nelson serves as SWACDA’s R&R Chair for Vocal Jazz, having previously chaired Community Choirs for SWACDA and Church Music for Oklahoma ACDA. He also directs the Chancel ChoiratFirstChristianChurch–Edmond.
nathan@boulderchorale org
NathanWubbenaisknownforhisabilityto communicate,lead,andinspirestudentsand adultsalike HeservesasArtisticDirectorofthe BoulderChildren’sChoraleandLongmont Chorale,andfoundedAscentVocals.Heisa sought-afterguestclinicianandhonorchoir conductoracrossColorado,workingwith ensemblesfromelementarythroughhighschool WubbenaholdsanMMinMusicEducationwith aConductingSpecializationfromCSUandaBME fromUNC HeservesasSWACDA’sCommunity ChoirsR&RChair,helpedfoundtheColorado MiddleAll-StateChoir,andreceivedthe2015 OutstandingYoungMusicEducatorAwardfrom theColoradoMusicEducatorsAssociation.
Nathanbelievesmusicisforeveryone,andworks tocreatespaceswherecollaborationbrings beautyandjoytoperformersandlistenersalike HelivesinLongmontwithhiswifeandtwo children,whereheenjoyscheeringforthe Broncosandspendingtimeoutdoorswithhis family.
C
Nathan Wubbena
Thorpe
nyadia thorpe@gmail com
NyadiaThorpeisachoraleducator,conductor, worshipmusician,andadjudicatorwithnearly twodecadesofclassroomteachingexperience andmorethan20yearsofserviceinchurchand communitymusic.ShecurrentlyservesasChoir DirectoratLifeHighSchoolWaxahachieand DirectorofWorship&MusicatFirst PresbyterianChurchDuncanville
AgraduateoftheUniversityofTexasat ArlingtonandSouthernMethodistUniversity, Nyadiaispassionateaboutdevelopingconfident singers,inspiringstudentleadership,and equippingfelloweducatorswithpractical strategiesforbuildingsuccessfulchoral programs.Herworkreflectsacommitmentto excellence,servantleadership,collaboration,and creatingmeaningfulexperiencesthatstrengthen schools,churches,andcommunitiestoachieve moretogetherthanthoughtpossible.
carrar@lisd net
AlexanderCarrisaconductorandeducator recognizedforhisfocusontonedevelopment andinnovativeprogramming AnativeofCedar Hill,Texas,AlexholdsaBMEandMMfrom TexasChristianUniversity,wherehestudied underProf.RonaldShirey,Dr.SheriNeill,and Dr.EphEhly.AtTCU,hewasagraduate assistant,directoroftheMen’sChorus,and DrumMajoroftheHornedFrogMarchingBand
Currently,AlexisDirectorofChoralActivitiesat HebronHighSchool Underhisleadership, Hebron’schoirshaveearnedtheAmericanPrize andperformedatthe2023TMEAand2026 SWACDAconferences.AnactiveDFW performerandadjudicator,hesingswithand servesasArtisticAssociateoftheTurtleCreek Choraleandco-conductoroftheTCCChamber Chorus.HealsoservesonstaffwiththeCoppell CommunityChoraleandasDirectorofMusicat SaintBarnabasUnitedMethodistChurchin Arlington.
Muhn yoojin muhn@utsa edu
Dr.YoojinMuhnistheDirectorofChoral ActivitiesattheUniversityofTexasatSan Antonio(UTSA),wheresheconductstheUTSA ChamberSingersandteachesundergraduateand graduatechoralconducting.Shealsoservesas MusicDirectoroftheSanAntonioMastersingers. Recentguestengagementsincludeconducting the2025LouisianaAll-StateChoirand conductingFauré’sRequiematCarnegieHallin 2026withManhattanConcertProductions.
Underherleadership,theUTSAChoirshave performedatCarnegieHallandthe2025 NationalACDAConference,andtheUTSA ChamberSingerswereselectedtoperform atthe2026TexasMusicEducatorsAssociation Convention Dr Muhnholdsdegreesfromthe UniversityofSouthernCalifornia,theUniversity ofCincinnatiCollege-ConservatoryofMusic, WestminsterChoirCollege,andSookMyung Women’sUniversityinSeoul,SouthKorea.
Dr.KarenKenaston-FrenchisProfessorand DirectorofChoralActivitiesatUTArlington, wheresheconductstheACappellaChoirand leadstheVocalArea.Underherdirection,the choirhasperformedatNCCO,SWACDA,TMEA, andnationalACDAconventions,andcollaborated withtheDallasSymphony,FortWorth Symphony,andDallasWinds Since2019,shehas alsoservedasArtisticDirectoroftheFortWorth Chorale.
PreviouslyDirectorofChoralActivitiesatAustin PeayStateUniversity,shehasalsotaught conductingatSMUandUNT.Asought-after guestconductorandadjudicator,shehasled honorchoirsnationwideandpresentedwidelyon choraltone,conducting,andrehearsaltechnique
SheholdsaBAfromWestVirginiaWesleyan, dualMM/MSMdegreesfromSMU,andaDMA fromUNT,whereshereceivedtheOutstanding GraduateStudentinConductingaward.Shewas partoftheinauguralRobertShawFestivalChorus atCarnegieHallin1991.
Mindy Bettridge
mindy bettridge@owassops org
Mindy Bettridge serves as Choir Director at Owasso High School and Choral Department Chair for Owasso Public Schools With over 25 years of teaching experience from kindergarten through college, she is dedicated to musical excellence and student leadership. She has also taught Secondary Choral Methods as adjunct facultyatOklahomaStateUniversity
Under her direction, Owasso choirs have performed internationally, including three appearances at Carnegie Hall and a performance at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, consistently earning superior ratings and Accent Awards at OSSAAStateChoirContests.
Bettridge has served OkMEA as Quad Chair and All-State Treble and Mixed Choir Chair, and is a past president of the Northeastern Choral Directors Association She holds a BME from UNLV and an MS in Curriculum and Instruction from Oklahoma State University, and sings with VoxSolarischamberchoir.
eddiesings@yahoo com
EddieVandewalkerisanOklahomanativeand musiceducator,collaborativepianist,conductor, clinician,andchurchorganistwhohasspentmost ofhiscareerinTexas.Ofhis30+yearsin education,17havebeenattwo-yearcolleges, wherehehasconductedchoirsandensembles, taughtMusicTheoryandAppliedVoice/Piano, anddirectedmusicaltheaterproductions,often servingasdepartmentchair
VandewalkerfrequentlyservesasasummerAllStateChoirCampclinicianacrossTexasandplays pianoforchoralreadingsessionsatTCDA conventions.Hiscollegestudentshavesungin theTexasTwo-YearCollegeAll-StateChoir, SWACDACollegeHonorChoirs,andNational ACDAHonorChoirs,andhishighschoolchoirs haveearnedUILsweepstakesandOutstanding Soloisthonors.
HeholdsaBachelorofVocalMusic Education/PianoPerformancefromEastCentral UniversityandaMasterofMusicfromUT Arlington,andhasstudiedconductingwithJeff Frederick,SteveWalker,Jing-LingTam,Jerry McCoy,andHenryGibbons
S H O W C H O I R S Michael Shimp michael.shimp@jenksps.org
Michael Shimp received his Bachelor of Vocal Performance from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2003, beginning his operatic studies with the Tulsa Opera Young Artist Program. Now in his 17th year of teaching, he currently teaches at Jenks High School after previously teaching in Owassofrom2007to2018.
Shimp is well known for organizing regional and statecompetitions,includingservingasNortheast Quad All-State Chair for OkMEA, OkCDA Vocal Jazz All-State Chair and Co-Chair, and Oklahoma Circle the State with Song Coordinator. He has served on the Choral Staff of the Oklahoma AmbassadorsofMusicsince2011.
His choirs have been selected as the Honor Group for the Oklahoma Music Educators Convention(2014)andhisAdvancedMen’sChoir (2022) Shimp holds memberships in NAfME, OkMEA, ACDA, and OCDA, and serves as Quad Chair for Oklahoma Music Educators Northeast All-Stateregion.
murphymt2@sfasu
MichaelMurphyisDirectorofChoralActivities andProfessorofMusicatStephenF.Austin StateUniversity,teachingchoralconducting, ensembles,andrepertoire,andoverseeingthe graduateconductingprogram.Hepreviously spentnineyearsasDirectorofChoralActivities attheUniversityofIdaho,wherehefoundedthe IdahoBachFestival.
Anactiveclinicianandauthor,Murphyhas conductedandtaughtinternationallyinAustria, China,England,Germany,Italy,andSweden, amongothers TheConfuciusInstituteawarded himthe“UnderstandingChinaFellowship,”and hehasservedasvisitingscholaratseveral Chineseuniversities.
Heisco-authorandeditorof ConductingPrimerin Practice,hasbeenpublishedin ChoralJournal,and contributedto TeachingMusicThrough PerformanceinChoir,Vol.4.Hischoirshave performedatregionalandstateACDAand NAfMEconferences,andhehasheldleadership rolesinWCCN,ICCF,ACDA,NAfME,and NCCO.MurphyholdsdegreesfromFloridaState UniversityandEastCarolinaUniversity.
WELCOME IN
Every Beginning Matters to Us
Every choral director’s journey has a beginning, and every one of those beginnings matters to us. New Voices in SWACDA is our chance to welcome the newest members of our region, whether you’re brand new to the professionandjuststartingtofindyourfooting,oryou’ve been leading choirs for years and are new to SWACDA itself. Either way, you belong here, and we want the wholeregiontoknowit.
Thisfeatureisaboutmorethanintroductions.It’sabout connection.Whenweshareanewmember’sstory,their background, what drew them to choral music, and what excited them about joining SWACDA, we’re building bridges across our seven states. Someone reading their story might reach out with a welcome, an invitation, or a piece of advice that makes all the difference in those early days. That’s the kind of region we want to be: one wherenobodyhastofigureitoutalone
So if you’re new to the profession, new to SWACDA, or you know someone who is, we’d love to feature them Every voice adds something to this region, and we can’t waittohelptherestofushearit.
Name and state
Current role or position
A short bio a few sentences on their background and what drew them to choral music
What excites them about being part of SWACDA
A headshot
You can submit your own information, or nominate a new member you’d love to see featured.
Submit a New Voice
Complete the New Voices in SWACDA form →
Michael Baker Brown
MichaelBakerBrownisamusiceducatorandarts leaderdedicatedtobuildinghigh-performing programsthroughstrategicleadership, collaboration,andstudent-centeredexcellence HeservesasFull-TimeMusicFacultyandChair ofArts,Communications,andLanguagesat NorthwestArkansasCommunityCollege,where heworkstoexpandaccesstoqualitymusic educationandstrengthenconnectionsbetween highereducationandthecommunity BrownholdsaMasterofMusicEducationfrom theUniversityofFlorida,aBachelorofMusic EducationfromtheUniversityofArkansas,and anAssociateofArtsfromNorthwestArkansas CommunityCollege.Hiscareerspanssecondary andcollegiateeducation,withextensive experiencedevelopingaward-winningensembles, teachingmusictheory,andadvancing comprehensivemusiccurricula.
Acommittedadvocateformusiceducationacross Arkansas,BrownpreviouslyservedasRegion6 ChairforArkCDAandcurrentlyservesas MembershipChairforACDAArkansas.His professionalfocuscentersoncultivatingmusical excellence,empoweringeducators,andcreating sustainableprogramsthatpreparestudentsfor successbothonandoffthestage.
Flynn
BelindaFlynnhasdedicated30yearstomusic education,inspiringgenerationsofstudents throughexcellenceinvocalmusicandchoral performance Shebeganherteachingcareerin Amarillo,Texas,beforerelocatingtoOklahoma aftermarriage.Forthepast22years,shehas servedastheSecondaryVocalMusicTeacherfor CushingPublicSchools,whereshecontinuesto cultivatestudentachievement,musicalgrowth, andalifelongappreciationforthearts ArespectedleaderinOklahoma’schoral community,Belindahasservedinnumerous leadershiproleswiththeOklahomaChoral DirectorsAssociation,includingAll-StateChair, QuadChair,President,andcurrently MembershipChair.SheisalsoapastRegion ChairfortheCircletheStateWithSong,serving forseveralyearsinthatcapacity.
Throughherdedicationtobothteachingand professionalservice,shehascontributed significantlytotheadvancementofchoralmusic educationacrossthestate.Belindaremains passionateaboutherworkintheclassroomand herservicetoOklahoma’smusiceducators, helpingstudentsdiscovertheirpotentialthrough musicwhilesupportingandstrengtheningthe choralprofessionthroughoutthestate.
Belinda
Deadlines at a Glance
Below is a quick-glance list of upcoming deadlines from ACDA National and each of our seven states, so you never miss an audition window, application deadline, or registration cutoff. We’ll refresh this list every issue, so bookmark this space and check back each month.
DATE
July 14–17, 2026
July 16–18, 2026
July 19–22, 2026
July 20–22, 2026
Sept 1–23, 2026
Sept 1–23, 2026
Sept 1–23, 2026
Sept 1 – Oct 15, 2026
October 9, 2026
Oct 15 – Nov 3, 2026
EVENT & DEADLINE
MCDA Conference on-site registration open during conference
TCDA Conference late registration open; on-site available July 16–18
ORGANIZATION
Missouri ACDA
ACDA Arkansas Conference late registration deadline; on-site available July 19–22 TCDA
CoACDA Conference registration open now; on-site available July 20–22
National Show Choir Honor Choir application deadline
Graded Honor Choirs application deadline: September 23, 11:59pm CDT
National Vocal Jazz Honor Choir application deadline: September 23, 11:59pm CDT
Student Conducting Masterclass Auditions deadline: October 15, 11:59pm CDT
NMACDA Choir Audition registration / submission
Research Poster Session application deadline: November 3, 11:59pm CDT
Arkansas ACDA
Colorado ACDA
National ACDA
National ACDA
National ACDA
National ACDA
New Mexico ACDA
National ACDA
Know a deadline we missed? If you know of a deadline in your state that isn’t listed here, send the date, the deadline description, and the organization it’s tied to by completing this form at least one month before the event deadline, and we’ll add it to the next issue.
