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2024 ACDA Western Region Conference March 6-9, 2024 Pasadena, California

Interest Sessions
In t er est S essions

pel and little-to-no music reading exposure. Through Unlocking the Power of the Vagus Nerve:
recorded examples, demonstrations, and the experi- The Key to Vocal Freedom
ences of the clinicians, we will explore the unique voice
of the Black gospel musician by seeking to understand
the core of the gospel vocal sound, common gospel The presentation will explore the mind, body, and
harmonic devices, and the cultural heartbeat that seeps voice through neuroscience and pedagogical applica-
through this special musical art. Participants will learn tion. There will be discussion on the function of the va-
about how to better connect with, honor, and educate gus nerve, our body’s neurological response to fight or
these students. flight, and how to recognize students triggered by vari-
ous neurological reactions. Participants will learn how
Matt Falker is a jazz and gospel pianist, to align the four systems of the voice using Vocal Ton-
vocalist, arranger, and clinician. Falker ing, a method used to release trauma in the mind, body,
distributes his vocal jazz arrangements and voice. The presentation will take a collaborative
through his publishing company, Anchor approach, including participation from the audience to
Music Publications (formerly Sound Mu- explore vagal toning exercises that can be used in the
sic Publications founded by Frank DeMiero in 1988), as classroom to create the optimal learning experience.
well as the music of dozens of other vocal jazz arrang-
ers and composers. He is also the executive director of Natasha Valdes is a certified trauma-
the Vocal Jazz Academy: a nonprofit organization ded- informed voice professional through the
icated to training and supporting vocal jazz educators Voice Study Center in England with an
through a series of one-day jazz workshops for teachers MM from the Boston Conservatory and
and students. As a full-time piano and vocal jazz pro- a BM from California State University, Long Beach.
fessor at MiraCosta College, he directs the Downbeat Valdes became a trauma voice specialist after strug-
Award-winning Frequency vocal jazz program, and gling to find healing solutions for her own issues with
hosts the Oceanside Jazz Festival. Falker directed the psychogenic dysphonia. Valdes is the founder and CEO
Jazz Immersion Choir at the 2023 ACDA National of Complete Vocal Wellness, a neuro-centric coaching
Conference. program for voice users to learn functional-based voice
training, increase optimal performance, and heal core
Jamond McCoy is an improvisational jazz trauma wounds. Valdes is known for sharing her re-
and gospel influenced vocalist, pianist, search on “Rewiring trauma, anxiety, and depression in
composer, arranger, session singer, and the Voice” at conferences like CCDA, ACDA, NATS,
accompanist, creating music for various CASMEC, and BOCO Vocal Symposium.
venues and other fellow musicians. He is
the baritone for the famous a cappella group m-pact
and is also a passionate educator, teaching privately
and at various institutions, including California Bap-
tist University, Cerritos College, and Orange County Yes, You Can Compose and Arrange for Your Own
High School of the Arts. He has worked as the assistant Choir: Why and How Every Educator Should
director at the Monterey Jazz Summer Camp, the fa- Try Writing for Their Own Ensemble
mous A Cappella Academy (Ben Bram and Avi Kaplan
form PTX), and loves giving back to the church com-
munities that helped shape him as a musical director. Composer/conductor Saunder Choi and composer
Dale Trumbore lead this interest session for conductors
who want to learn how to write and arrange for their

184 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5