Page 172 - CJJanuary2026

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

Interest Sessions

musicologist Luisa Vilar. As a violist, he performs with Citlalli Gonzalez Del Valle will be a clinician for this ses-
the Gioia Quartet, touring internationally with an em- sion. Her photo and bio are on page 168.
phasis on Mexican repertoire.

2026 ACDA Southwestern Region Conference

Honor Choir Conductors
ors
H
onduc
t
onor C
hoir C
Eastern, Midwestern, and Southwestern Regions, as well
4th-6th Grade Treble as performances at the White House and with univer-

sities in Brazil and Malaysia. He has headlined ACDA
Elizabeth Hogan is a conductor, educator, conferences in multiple states and held residencies at
and community builder whose work spans institutions across the United States and abroad. Also
education, sacred music, and nonprofit an active composer, his works are published by Gentry,
leadership. She is the artistic director of Santa Barbara, Alliance, and MusicSpoke. A lifetime
Bel Canto Women’s Chorus in St. Lou- member of ACDA and past president of the Southern
is, MO; sings with the professional women’s ensemble Region, Packwood continues to influence the profession
mirabai; and serves as director of Gathering Kids at as a conductor, educator, composer, and consultant.
The Gathering United Methodist Church. In 2021 she
founded Elevated Harmonics Studio, offering music les-
sons, professional development, and educator coaching. 7th-9th Grade Treble
Hogan previously served as assistant professor of music
education at Southeast Missouri State University. Her
leadership includes roles as executive director of the St. Elizabeth Núñez is creative director of the
Louis Christmas Carols Association and deputy direc- award-winning Young People’s Chorus
tor of the St. Louis Children’s Choirs. She holds a PhD of New York City, where since 2004 she
from the University of Missouri and an MM from Mich- has shaped programs and led choruses in
igan State University. performances across New York City, on
national television, and internationally. She has directed
all-state honor choirs, the 2016 OAKE National Chil-

7th-9th Grade Tenor Bass dren’s Honor Choir, and led YPC as a featured choir
at the 2020 Eastern ACDA Region Conference. Núñez
is the founding artistic director of the SoHarmoniums
Gary Packwood is recognized internation- Women’s Choir and creator of WIT: Women Inspiring
ally as a conductor, pedagogue, author, Tomorrow, a mentoring program connecting YPC’s
and clinician. He has conducted all-state high school girls with alumnae and professional women.
and honor choirs in forty states, led large She earned music education degrees from Lee Universi-
festival choirs nationwide, and appeared ty and the University of Oklahoma, receiving Lee’s Dis-
four times at Carnegie Hall. His conducting highlights tinguished Alumnus Award in 2017. She serves on the
include ACDA regional conferences in the Northwest, Chorus America Board of Directors.

170 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5