Page 167 - CJJanuary2026

2026 ACDA Southwestern Region Conference March 4-7, 2026 Albuquerque, New Mexico

from Colorado Springs, CO, who special- ing symposia. In January 2024 she participated in the
izes in bringing passion for choral and Northwestern ACDA student conducting masterclass
chamber music to a new generation of with Dr. André J. Thomas. She earned a BME, MME,
musicians. He holds a BM in composition and MM from UW.
from the University of Boulder Colorado
along with certifications in music theory and music tech-
nology. He began a master’s in choral conducting at the
University of Oregon in 2025. In addition to produc- It’s Not Skynet (Yet):
ing many awarded compositions for mediums like choir Practical Uses of AI for Conductors
and orchestra to electronics and jazz combos, Maynard
served as a president and founder of the Renova New This session will delve into the potential for Large
Music Ensemble—CU Boulder’s premier contempo- Language Model (LLM) systems to assist choral conduc-
rary choral group. tors. Focusing on practical application use, areas such as
repertoire programming, the development of rehears-
al strategies, and even the description of effective con-
Imposter Phenomenon, Musical Excellence, ducting gestures using Laban Movement language are
explored. As LLM systems become integral to diverse
and Mentorship software applications, the discussion addresses crafting
nuanced user prompts specifically within the music per-
As musicians and educators, we strive to create mean- formance discipline. We will also learn how to navigate
ingful musical experiences while encouraging growth in around the risks of AI, including misinformation, copy-
technical skill and artistry. When high expectations, mu- right issues, and plagiarism. The session will conclude
sical excellence, and personal growth collide, perform- with a glimpse of future applications such as AI’s po-
ers often experience a paralyzing sense of self-doubt, tential for visual analysis of musical notation in score
sometimes referred to as imposter phenomenon. In this study and the more nuanced connections with physical
session, we will explore strategies directors might use to conducting gesture.
help combat feelings of imposter syndrome both person-
ally and in support of their students. While this session Gary Seighman will be the clinician for this session. His
is aimed toward collegiate-level learners and mentors, photo and bio are on page 158.
particularly at the graduate level, the general practices
apply to a wider audience. Participants will learn about
some of the perceived social and emotional causes con-
tributing to imposter phenomenon. Additionally, we will The Lavender Scores:
explore how positive and active mentorship can provide Repertoire from LGBTQIA+ Composers
support to individuals suffering from imposter phenom-
enon. Join us in an immersive workshop exploring the cho-
ral works of LGBTQIA+ composers. One of the eas-
Emily T. Peterson is a graduate student iest ways we can foster inclusivity in our classrooms is
at the University of Colorado Boulder through the works we program. If you have been want-
pursuing a doctoral degree in choral con- ing to find pieces by LGBTQIA+ composers but don’t
ducting and literature. She studies under know where to start, this session is for you! The music
the tutelage of Drs. Coreen Duffy and presented in this session has been carefully selected for
Elizabeth Swanson. Peterson formerly studied with Dr. its accessibility, ensuring ensembles of any experience
Brian C. Murray at the University of Wyoming, where level will be engaged through varying opportunities for
she participated in various masterclasses and conduct- musical growth. This session will include a live read-

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5 165