Page 188 - CJJanuary2026

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

Performing Choirs

Westminster California Chapter Barbershop art form, while providing and encouraging
of the Barbershop Harmony Society an inclusive community for youth in Southern Califor-

The Westminster Chorus nia and around the world to engage in lifelong singing,
music, and artistic expression.

Dan Wessler holds a DMA in choral con-
ducting and literature from University of
Colorado Boulder. In addition to his di-
rectorship of The Westminster Chorus,
Wessler serves on the adjunct faculties of
Concordia University Irvine and North Orange Coun-
ty Community College. He has had research published
in the Choral Journal and has presented sessions at the
annual conferences of Colorado MEA and California
The Westminster Chorus was founded in 2002 and MEA. Wessler sings with After Hours, the 2018 Inter-
quickly climbed the ranks of the Barbershop Harmo- national Barbershop Quartet champion. He is in de-
ny Society; they became international champions in mand as a clinician and coach, and is also an active
2007, 2010, 2015, 2019, and 2024. In 2009 they were barbershop arranger, having written over 250 arrange-
crowned Choir of the World at the International Mu- ments for various groups around the world. In addition,
sical Eisteddfod in Llangollen, Wales. The Westminster he serves as a certified musicality judge for the Barber-
Chorus holds a mission to preserve and advance the shop Harmony Society’s contest and judging system.

2026 ACDA Western Region Conference

Interest Sessions

A Tapestry of Chinese and Taiwanese Yu-Feng Huang is a Taiwanese cho-
Choral Voices ral conductor and scholar committed
to bridging cultures through music. He
Discover the vibrancy of Chinese and Taiwanese holds a DMA in choral conducting from
choral music through this culturally enriching session. the University of Utah and has over a
The presenter offers a historical and practical explora- decade of experience directing university and commu-
tion of repertoire, tonal language challenges, and per- nity choirs in Taiwan. His research supports non-Chi-
formance practices in works by notable Chinese-speak- nese-speaking choirs in performing Chinese choral
ing composers. Attendees will receive curated playlists, works authentically. As founder of the Chinese Choral
score access, and strategies for introducing this music Repertoire Promotion Project, Huang promotes access
to English-speaking choirs. This session is ideal for con- to diverse repertoire and fosters crosscultural engage-
ductors seeking fresh, authentic repertoire that reflects ment. He currently directs the Salt Lake Chinese Choir.
today’s global choral community.

186 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5