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2025 ACDA National Conference March 18-22, 2025 Dallas, Texas

Marques L. A. Garrett (he/him) is asso-
ciate professor of choral studies at the
University of North Texas. He is an ac-
complished vocalist and composer, with
his works available through several pub-
lishers and performed by festival/honor, all-state, pro-
fessional, and college/university choirs such as the Los
Angeles Master Chorale and the Oakwood University
Aeolians. He regularly serves as a choral clinician and
guest conductor for festival and honor choirs through-
out the country. He is an active researcher with pub-
lished articles and presentations on the choral music Creek High School choral program, which also in-
of Black composers and rehearsal techniques for state, cludes the Apollo Contra Ensemble (advanced tenor/
regional, and national conferences. bass), Giovani Voci (beginning treble), Meistersingers
(beginning tenor/bass), and Bel Canto (intermediate
Susan Kelly is co-director of choirs at treble). The Stewarts Creek Choirs are one division of
Stewarts Creek High School in Smyrna, the Stewarts Creek Fine Arts Academy, which offers
Tennessee. Previously, Kelly was the di- a collaborative, conservatory-style education within a
rector of choral activities at Tennessee public high school. In 2023, Athena was selected to
State University. She serves as the as- perform at TN-MEA.
sociate conductor for Vox Grata Women’s Choir in
Nashville and as the adult choir director at Saint Paul’s
Episcopal Church in Murfreesboro. Kelly is also in de- Voices Unleashed:
mand as a guest conductor, having recently conducted
regional and all-state choirs across the Southeast and Empowering Students in
Northeast. She is a past president of TN-ACDA and Contemporary A Cappella
serves as chair of choral performance assessment for
Middle Tennessee Vocal Association.
Friday 1:10 pm - 2:00 pm
Brian Russell is co-director of choirs at Moody Performance Hall
Stewarts Creek High School in Smyrna,
Tennessee. Previously, Russell was assis- Auditorium
tant professor of music at Illinois Wes-
leyan University (Bloomington) and Ho- Join us for a hands-on workshop designed to equip
bart and William Smith Colleges (Geneva, NY). He choral directors with the skills and knowledge to guide
serves as executive music director of Murfreesboro’s students in expressing themselves through contempo-
Ethos Youth Ensembles and director of music at St. rary a cappella. Using members of a professional a
Andrew Lutheran Church in Franklin. He remains an cappella group to demonstrate, participants will gain
active guest conductor, having been an invited clinician the tools necessary to teach students how to indepen-
for regional and all-state choirs across the Southeast, dently handle every aspect of a cappella performance,
Midwest, and Northeast. He serves as the state choral from selecting repertoire to arranging, beatboxing, and
performance assessment coordinator for TN-ACDA. creating choreography. This session will draw on tra-
ditional choral foundations and pedagogy, honoring
The Stewarts Creek High School Athena Treble bel canto singing, while embracing innovative methods
Choir is the flagship treble ensemble of the Stewarts and styles of contemporary a cappella.

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2025 Volume 65 Number 5 65