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

Sing with Us: Brandon Ellsworth (he/they) is a cho-
Inside an Accessible Choral Rehearsal ral director, adaptive music educator,
and advocate for inclusion in music ed-
What does an accessible choir actually sound like? ucation. He teaches choir and adaptive
In this immersive session, participants will rehearse general music at North Salinas High
alongside students from an inclusive choral program to School, where he explores inclusive teaching practic-
experience firsthand the strategies that make inclusive es through both traditional and adaptive ensemble
rehearsals work. Through warmups, rehearsal activi- settings. His work focuses on rehearsal design through
ties, and accessible tools like AAC devices and visual Universal Design for Learning and the implementation
schedules, attendees will participate in a real rehearsal of practical accommodations in school choral settings.
built for access and belonging. A guided debrief will His adaptive curriculum earned recognition with the
follow, offering practical takeaways and real-world 2025 CMEA Innovations in Music Education Award.
strategies to adapt in your own classroom. This is not a He holds a BME from Westminster Choir College and
performance; it’s a shared rehearsal experience rooted is pursuing an MME (autism concentration) at Boston
in the belief that all singers deserve access to commu- Conservatory at Berklee. He is also the founder and
nity and musical growth. director of SingAble, an accessible community choir
based in San Jose, CA.

CCM SUMMER

CHORAL INTENSIVE

Declared “one of this country’s leading conservatories” by the New York
Times, UC’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) offers an exceptional
summer choral intensive program.

CHORAL CONDUCTING INTERNATIONAL
WORKSHOP CONDUCTING TRAINING
July 13-18, 2026 PROGRAM LEARN FROM RENOWNED FACULTY:
Early bird registration due May 1 July 11-18, 2026
Registration deadline June 15 Application deadline April 4
Offers a focused immersion in Offers advanced training for conductors
new pedagogies, literature and who seek to elevate their professional
performance practice. experience with guidance from CCM’s
- Receive coaching on body mapping, renowned faculty.
voice and choral pedagogy - Refine your gesture, approach and
- Explore a wide range of historic MARIE BUCOY- BRETT SCOTT,
and modern repertoire score analysis CALAVAN, DMA DMA
- Gain exposure to the CCM - Rehearse and conduct a professional Artistic Director, Professor of
International Conducting program chorus and orchestra Choral Arts Society Ensembles and
Conducting at CCM
and performances - Prepare masterworks for performances of Washington
- No audition required - Audition required

Professional Development contract hours documentation is available upon completion of
the Choral Intensive. Apply online at ccm.uc.edu/summer-choral-conducting

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5 191