Page 128 - CJJanuary2026

2026 ACDA Southern Region Conference

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Through a Different Lens: Tone and Style:
Empowering Neurodiverse Conductors Using Pop Music to Build Better Singers

Many conversations in music education focus on sup- Why should we perform popular music with our
porting neurodivergent students, but what about the ed- choirs? How can we use contemporary music to build
ucators? This session explores the experiences of neu- stronger singers and diverse programs while expanding
rodivergent choral directors through both research and traditional technique and challenging choral norms?
lived perspective. Presenters Rebekah Bridges and Jacob This session will reveal the benefits of popular and con-
Ven Huizen will highlight common challenges neurodi- temporary music to choral singers and their communi-
vergent educators face, such as executive dysfunction, ties while addressing the most common roadblocks di-
social navigation, and masking, while offering insights rectors face while teaching it. Participants will leave the
for neurotypical colleagues to foster empathy and sup- session with a better understanding of the importance
port. The session will also provide practical strategies of culturally native pop music in the choral program,
for neurodivergent educators to manage their workload, strategies to successfully and authentically teach this
reduce stress, and focus on what matters most: making music to their singers, and practical ways to incorpo-
music. Join us for a candid, empowering discussion with- rate it into their programs.
in the vibrant Prism of Voices.
J. D. Frizzell is the director of fine arts at
Rebekah Bridges is a middle school choir Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis,
director in Bethesda, Maryland. A Texas TN. He earned the DMA from the Uni-
native, she grew up in a strong culture of versity of Kentucky. His ensembles have
music education with her mother as her performed by invitation at state, regional,
first music teacher. Bridges is a ten-year national, and international conventions. Their music
educator with experience primarily at the elementary has been downloaded and streamed over 120 million
and middle school levels, including eight years in pub- times worldwide. They have performed at the Emmy’s,
lic schools. She performs regularly as a singer with The competed on America’s Got Talent, and collaborated with
Washington Chorus, where she is also a soprano section multiple Grammy winners, including The Swingles and
coach. She holds a BME from Baylor University and an Foreigner. Frizzell is the cofounder and president of the
MM in conducting from Simpson College. A Cappella Education Association and the founder of
the National A Cappella Convention. He is a member
Jacob Ven Huizen is a conductor, educator, of The Recording Academy and a published composer,
and composer based in Lincoln, NE. A na- arranger, and author. In 2024 and 2025 he was named
tive of northwest Iowa, he spent six years a top-ten national finalist for the Grammy Music Edu-
teaching grades seven to twelve at West cator Award.
Lyon CSD, where his ensembles earned
consistent division I ratings. His Wildcat Jazz Choir be-
came a top competitor, earning multiple first-place fin-
ishes and a top-three finish at the 2024 Iowa Vocal Jazz
Championships. He holds degrees from Northwestern
College and Simpson College and is pursuing a DMA
in choral conducting at the University of Nebraska–Lin-
coln, where he conducts the All-Collegiate Choir and
teaches undergraduate conducting.

126 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5