Page 190 - CJJanuary2026

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

Interest Sessions

lustrate practical tools to create music that not only that bring music to life in fresh and meaningful ways.
suits their singers but also elevates their artistry. Whether you’re looking to diversify your programming
or encourage student-led musicianship, you’ll gain
Kate Crellin (she/her) is a vocalist, ar- practical techniques for elementary, middle, and high
ranger, composer, and educator. She school classrooms—and beyond! Participants will leave
has BAs in choral music and law from with a wealth of repertoire sources as well as innovative
USC and an MM from Queens’ College, ideas for transforming simple charts into expressive,
Cambridge. Crellin is the choir director collaborative performances that foster creativity and
at Mira Costa High School and Manhattan Beach confidence.
Middle School, and the director of music ministries at
the Manhattan Beach Community Church. Addition- Jess Edelbrock is the director of opera-
ally, she is on staff at A Cappella Academy. tions at the Tucson Girls Chorus, over-
seeing all programming and strategy in
MaryAnne Muglia is an award-winning partnership with Dr. Marcela Molina.
composer, singer, and educator known She also directs TGC ensembles span-
for creating music that is both melodical- ning grades K–12. Edelbrock earned a BME from
ly rich and emotionally impactful. Based Northern Arizona University and an MM in choral
in Arizona, she blends contemporary and conducting from Michigan State University. In 2023
classical influences to craft compositions and arrange- she was appointed adjunct professor of music educa-
ments that resonate deeply with performers and audi- tion at the University of Arizona Fred Fox School of
ences alike. Her enduring love for harmony and piano, Music. She currently serves on the Arizona Choral Arts
which first inspired her to compose, remains at the core Association board and as the youth R&R chair for AZ
of her artistry. Muglia’s music has been performed by ACDA. She is a frequent presenter at state conferences
a wide range of ensembles, from high school choirs to and a collaborative pianist for festival choirs, most re-
professional groups, and her work is celebrated for its cently accompanying the National ACDA 5–7 Treble
ability to foster meaningful connections. She enjoys Honor Choir. Under her direction, the TGC Bumble-
collaborating with musicians of all levels, crafting mu- bees performed at the 2022 ACDA National C&YCC
sic that speaks to the heart while challenging and in- Retreat as the youngest choir to be invited to perform
spiring its performers. at a national ACDA event.

Nicky Manlove (they/them) is the com-
munity engagement director for the
Creating Artistry from Tucson Girls Chorus, where they also
Lead Sheets and Unison Singing conduct the Jubilate Choir and Las Es-
trellas at Prince Elementary, and accom-
A vast and diverse repertoire exists beyond tradi- pany the Bumblebee Singers and Mariposa Singers.
tional octavo formats, offering accessible and engaging Manlove is a committed advocate of equity-centered
options for students of all ages. These flexible scores and liberatory choral practice, and supports a number
expand programming possibilities and empower stu- of justice-focused choral initiatives nationally. Their
dents to play an active role in the creative process. This research has been featured at national conferences
interactive session will explore strategies for elevating for ACDA, Chorus America, and Early Music Amer-
unison singing, interpreting lead sheets, and craft- ica. Manlove is the chair of DEI for Western ACDA,
ing collaborative arrangements from short melodies has served on the ACDA National Diversity Initiative

188 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5