Page 23 - CJJan24

2024 ACDA Northwestern Region Conference January 24-27, 2024 Spokane, Washington

teaches choral methods and conducting. He earned his Building Relationships,
DMA in choral conducting at Louisiana State Univer- Community, and Rapport
sity, MM in choral conducting from Northern Arizona
University, and BA in vocal performance/music edu-
cation from Luther College. Prior to his time at WSU, Building relationships is something we do every year.
he taught choir at The American International School With these fun games and activities, your groups will
of Muscat in Oman; Boylan Catholic High School in become more connected and they will have fun in the
Rockford, Illinois; and the University of Alabama. He process! Once students know how to play these games,
conducts the Palouse Choral Society and co-hosts the they can easily be used for sub plans and time fillers.
Choir Fam Podcast. These activities also make great competition and can
be used as formative and summative assessments.

Cassie Horner is currently director of
Breathwork: choirs at Les Bois Junior High in the Boise
Stress Relief for Directors and Singers School District. She graduated from Ida-
ho State University in 2012 and earned
a masters in educational leadership from
This interactive session will provide participants Boise State University in 2016. Horner is in her elev-
with a breathwork experience led through a trauma-in- enth year teaching and her fifth year at Les Bois Junior
formed lens and provide tools for use in their personal High. Her top group, Improv, was selected to perform
lives, careers, and with singers to reduce anxiety, relieve at the 2019 fall In-Service Idaho ACDA Conference
stress, and be more present. Breath can ward off burn- and at the 2023 Idaho Music Educators Conference.
out, mitigate challenging behaviors, and supercharge She has enjoyed performing with the Boise Women’s
energy. This session will include a list of various breath Chorus and in the choir at Cathedral of the Rockies.
patterns that can energize, relax, and reset both direc-
tors and choirs. Breathwork is proven to lower blood
pressure along with a host of other physical, mental,
and psychological benefits. This session will be led by Choral Singing in America:
certified trauma-informed breathwork facilitator, en- Nurturing the Country's Soul
ergy healer, and NWACDA DEI Chair Brenda Winkle. Special Film Screening

Brenda Winkle is a choral music educa-
tor with twenty-six years of experience Jerry Blackston, artistic director
across all levels. Winkle has taught in Emily Ellsworth, conductor & advisor
rural, suburban, and urban settings and Brian Gukel, filmmaker
understands the pressures facing music Matthew Workman, executive producer
educators and their students. She currently serves as
NWACDA DEI Chair. In 2022 she pivoted to bring Choral Singing in America is a visual representation of
healing to teachers, parents, and students by bringing the breadth and depth of choral singing today. The
in breathwork healing to schools. In her business she film beautifully tells the myriad stories and sounds of
supports highly sensitive people, over-achievers, perfec- American choral singers and
tionists, people pleasers, and empaths (musicians) set leader—stories that inspire, build
boundaries, protect their energy, and heal their nervous community, foster hope, and
systems. She lives in the Portland Metro Area in Bea- showcase the tremendous social
verton, Oregon. capital and community building

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5 21