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

Daniel Afonso Jr. is the coordinator of Music of Southeast Asia
vocal and choral studies at California
State University, Stanislaus, and conduc-
tor and founding director of the Modesto Wed., Thur., and Fri. 4:45 pm - 6:15 pm
Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Originally Sheraton Dallas Hotel
from Rio de Janeiro, Afonso has been recognized for
his research and performance of Brazilian choral mu- Dallas Rooms D1, D2, and D3
sic and continues to present workshops and lectures
about the Latin American choral repertoire in the U. S. Be ready to sing in four languages! Explore East and
and abroad. He is the recipient of the 2020 Califor- Southeast Asian choral music through pieces that not
nia MEA’s John Swain College-University Educator only convey a message of hope but also a deep sense
Award. Afonso is also an arranger, composer, and edi- of gratitude and pride in cultural heritage. Through
tor. His choral music is heavily influenced by Brazilian evocative melodies, lush harmonies, and historical con-
folk music and has been performed throughout the text, we reflect on the strength of the human spirit and
Americas, Asia, and Europe. celebrate shared cultural threads that connect people
across borders, creating a rich tapestry of sound that
Diana V. Sáez is the director of choral ac- reflects the beauty of the Asian diaspora. Ultimately,
tivities at Towson University in Towson, this session is a celebration of heritage through singing
Maryland, directing the University Cho- and a tribute to the folk songs and cultures that inspires
rale, Treble Voices, and Choral Society. new choral music.
Prior to this appointment, Sáez served as
visiting choir director at Knox College in Galesburg, John Byun will be a clinician for this session. His photo
Illinois, and visiting choir conductor at McDaniel Col- and bio are on page 28.
lege in Westminster, Maryland. As a leading specialist
in the field of Latin American music, Sáez is a frequent Tracy Wong is a Malaysian Canadian
guest conductor, adjudicator, and lecturer. She began choral conductor, music educator, com-
her musical education at the Escuela Libre de Música poser, vocalist, and pianist. She strives to
in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She earned an MM from provide unique experiences for singers
Temple University and a DMA at the University of through collaborative commissions, cus-
Maryland, College Park. Her compositions for choir tomized workshops, festivals, and artist residencies. At
are published by Hal Leonard, Boosey and Hawkes, Western University, Canada, she is the assistant pro-
the Roger Dean, and La Voz Publishing. fessor of choral studies and conducts Chorale and Les
Choristes ensembles and teaches choral conducting.
She holds a DMA (choral conducting) from the Univer-
sity of Toronto. She collaborates regularly with choral
organizations in North America and internationally on
conducting events, workshops/clinics, commissioned
projects, and residences. Her compositions are widely
published and performed internationally.

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2025 Volume 65 Number 5 87