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2026 ACDA Western Region Conference March 4-7, 2026 San Jose, California

Special Events

Pre-Conference (Wednesday) Keynote Speaker

Nurturing Our Roots: Elementary-Level Practice Why We Must Sing Each Other’s Songs:
and Pedagogy for 21st-Century Choirs Community, Connection, and Commonality

Nurturing Our Roots emerges from a desire to attend These days there is a great fear of appropriation and
carefully to the beginning of all of our choir programs— cultural missteps. Folks, out of fear, think it is best to stay
the unique needs of our youngest singers. Facilitated by in their own lane, only singing music from their own
the Tucson Girls Chorus, this workshop will supplement culture. This is dangerous thinking that works to keep
the elementary-level offerings already planned at the us apart. We will explore the ways our various traditions
Western ACDA Region conference. and songs connect. Be sure to attend Melanie’s interest
This interactive workshop will share strategies for session on Thursday, March 5.
building engaging choral music programs for K–5 sing-
ers, focusing on techniques for building comprehensive Melanie DeMore is a three-time Gram-
music literacy, movement-based strategies to increase my-nominated singer/composer, choral
singer engagement and reinforce musical concepts, ex- conductor, music director, and vocal ac-
citing and accessible repertoire, incorporating play, and tivist who believes in the power of voices
singer-led strategies such as composition and student raised together. She facilitates vocal and
leadership. Participants will leave this workshop with stick pounding workshops for professional choirs and
both practical ideas to apply to their teaching right away community groups, as well as directing numerous cho-
and pedagogical tools to deepen their approach to teach- ral organizations across the United States, Canada, and
ing elementary-level musicians. beyond. She is a featured presenter of SpeakOut!—The
Institute for Social and Cultural Change, works with ev-
The Tucson Girls Chorus was founded in 1985 and pre- eryone from Baptists to Buddhists, and was a founding
pares a diverse group of young women to be confident member of the Grammy-nominated ensemble Linda
leaders through participation in a well-constructed edu- Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir. She is a char-
cational program that emphasizes music, performance, ter member of Kate Munger’s Threshold Choirs and
leadership training, and community service. The TGC conducts song circles with an emphasis on the voice as
unites communities through collaborative partnerships, a vessel for healing. In her own words, “A song can hold
diverse repertoire, and singer-led programming. We cel- you up when there seems to be no ground beneath you.”
ebrate the strength of each girl’s voice, embracing in-
novation to create initiatives that ensure every girl who
loves to sing can participate. Chanticleer Interest Session

Challenges, Techniques, and Benefits of
Unconducted Ensemble Singing for All Skill Levels

Unconducted ensemble singing increases agency
and ownership among members, fosters interpersonal
connection between singers, livens performances, and
increases musicianship skills. Without a conductor, sing-

176 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5