Page 26 - CJJan24

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

Interest Sessions
In t er est S essions

focus on ways to incorporate these methods within rep- assistant at the UO, she taught concert choir and cho-
ertoire to maximize effective rehearsals for all types of ral methods at Southern Oregon University and was
choirs. director of choirs at North Medford High School. She
has given presentations on vocal health for music edu-
Andrew Robinette is an associate profes- cators (Oregon MEA conference, University of Ore-
sor of music at South Dakota State Uni- gon C-NAfME, Bethel School district).
versity, where he teaches conducting, cho-
ral methods, applied voice, and conducts
multiple choirs. He has presented his
research in more than two dozen conference sessions Love, Understanding, Positivity:
including national conferences of ACDA, NCCO, and Tenets for Building a Choral Program
MTNA. His publication placements include Choral
Journal, Anacrusis, The Choral Scholar, and American Choral
Review. Robinette’s choirs have performed at the Cana- A successful choral program fosters an energized,
dian Museum for Human Rights and state conferenc- inclusive, and safe culture and merges the director’s vi-
es. He is the former president of South Dakota NATS. sion, core values, and style with the synergy and tan-
His voice students have won state competitions for both gible realities of the students served. To achieve this,
MTNA and NATS. one must rely upon five tenets to innovate the choral
program and support, motivate, and welcome all stu-
dents. Dr. Eric Posada will share strategies that are
diverse and relatable to educators of all levels. Topics
Into the Great Unknown: include articulating a clear philosophy; building a pro-
Strategies and Resources for First-Year Teachers gram around core values; creating innovative themed
rehearsals; participating in meaningful bonding activi-
ties; learning each learner; selecting engaging, artistic
This session will offer strategies and resources for repertoire; inviting trust and empathy, and maximizing
navigating the first year of teaching from educators student potential via love, understanding, and positiv-
with experience in choir, instrumental, and general mu- ity.
sic at all age levels. Topics will include communication/
scheduling practices, “hacks” for effective classroom Eric Posada serves as director of choral
routines, recruitment and retention, low-cost online re- activities at Angelo State University and
sources, tips for building understanding, empathy and founder/artistic director of Pasión and
rapport with colleagues and students, and much more. the San Angelo Chorus. Previously, Posa-
Research-based and trauma-informed self-care tech- da held academic appointments at the
niques will be included to address the needs of first- University of North Carolina Charlotte, Tyler Junior
year teachers. Time for questions will be prioritized College, Texas A&M University, and Texas Tech Uni-
so attendees can ask for advice specific to their goals/ versity. He has presented interest sessions for twenty-
concerns. four regional and state music conferences. His profes-
sional chorus, Pasión, won third place in The American
Kendra Taylor is a PhD candidate in Prize for two categories—Choral Performance and the
music education at the University of Or- Performance of American Music—and performed the
egon. She holds an MA in teaching and 2021 Texas Choral Directors Association Conference.
a BM from Southern Oregon University.
She holds an Oregon K-12 teaching li-
cense (music). Before working as a graduate teaching

24 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2024 Volume 64 Number 5