Page 170 - CJJanuary2026

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

Interest Sessions

Citlalli Gonzalez Del Valle is a master’s Springfield, Missouri. He holds a DMA in
student in the conducting program at the choral conducting and an MM in choral
University of Northern Colorado. She conducting from the University of Colo-
is a professional soloist, choir singer, and rado Boulder, and a BME from Brigham
conductor with experience in liturgical Young University, Provo. Dougherty is an
and Mexican choral music. She studied for a BM at in-demand coach and clinician for quartets and chorus-
Universidad de las Americas Puebla, where she was es around the world, a prolific arranger and composer
awarded with an artistic scholarship as a singer in the with more than one hundred arrangements, composi-
Chamber Choir. She has conducted in Mexico and It- tions, and publications in print across various styles—
aly in the Orquesta Camerata Anima Tonalli (Bologna, including barbershop, choral, and contemporary a cap-
2024), at the Universidad de las Americas Puebla Or- pella—and a frequent presenter, having delivered more
chestra (Puebla, 2021–2023), and has also been prin- than one hundred conference sessions worldwide. A
cipal conductor and assistant of the Chamber Choir proud father of five daughters, he resides in Nixa, Mis-
of the Universidad de las Americas Puebla (Puebla, souri, with his bride of more than twenty years, Megan.
2022–2023). She is currently the assistant conductor
in the Chamber Choir at the University of Northern
Colorado.
There’s No Place Like Tone

Learn how to implement voice-building techniques in
The Silent Choral Rehearsal: the classroom and how to transfer these techniques to
Rehearsing Without Words your music. Heather Orr will demonstrate a systemat-
ic approach to teaching breath management and vocal
We often hear the advice to “speak less” in rehears- technique so that you can maximize your choir’s true
als to allow more time for actual music making, but potential.
what if you didn’t speak at all? This interactive session
challenges traditional rehearsal methods by demon- Heather Orr serves as assistant director of
strating a completely silent choral rehearsal. Audience choral activities at Texas A&M University,
members will actively participate as a peer ensemble where she conducts the freshman ensem-
while Dr. Jay Dougherty leads a short rehearsal using bles Bella Voce and Legacy Voices. For-
only gesture, facial expression, and nonverbal cues, merly head choir director at Montgomery
revealing how silence can heighten focus, encourage High School, she enjoyed a distinguished thirty-year
deeper listening, and foster ensemble independence. career in public school music education. Her choirs per-
Following the demonstration, attendees will engage in formed at TMEA (2024, 2018, 2010, 2005); National
a discussion to analyze what worked, what challenges ACDA (2025, 2021, 2011); and SWACDA (2022, 2018).
arose, and how these techniques can be adapted for Orr holds degrees from The Ohio State University and
daily rehearsals. Learn how conducting without words Heidelberg College and is pursuing a doctorate in music
can sharpen musicianship, reduce verbal clutter, and education. Her honors include the TCDA Choral Excel-
create a more immersive, efficient, and artistically rich lence Award, UIL Sponsor Excellence Award, and rec-
choral environment. ognition as a two-time Grammy Music Educator semi-
finalist. She has been married for thirty-two years and is
Jay Dougherty is the performing arts department chair the proud mother of four adult children.
and director of choral activities at Drury University in

168 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5