Page 26 - CJJanuary2026

2026 ACDA Eastern Region Conference February 25-28, 2026 Providence, Rhode Island

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Yale University Felicia Barber is an associate professor,
Yale Camerata adjunct of choral conducting, and con-
ductor of the Yale Camerata at Yale Uni-
versity. She teaches graduate-level cho-
ral conducting and is developing a new
initiative designed to prepare Yale students to work in
both school and church settings. Her research includes
effective teaching strategies, fostering classroom diver-
sity in choral curricula, and the linguistic performance
practice of African American spirituals. Her book, A
Yale Camerata is a community ensemble that per- New Perspective for the Use of Dialect in African American
forms a varied spectrum of sacred and non-sacred Spirituals: History, Context, and Linguistics, was released
choral literature and programs larger choral work with in 2021. She is a guest conductor for all-state festivals
orchestra several times a year. Composed of a diverse and has conducted at the Eastern ACDA Region Con-
group of singers, the ensemble includes as part of its ference in 2024 and Carnegie Hall Festival in 2025.
membership both graduate and undergraduate stu- Barber holds a BM in voice from ORU, an MME from
dents, faculty, staff, and talented singers from the sur- MU, and a PhD in choral music education and choral
rounding community. The ensemble has approximate- conducting from FSU.
ly eighty singers and maintains a special commitment
to performing diverse choral music from the BIPOC
community.

2026 ACDA Eastern Region Conference

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essions
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Interest Sessions
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A Cappella 101: Marci Major is a visionary leader, con-
No Experience Necessary ductor, and educator who serves as fac-
ulty associate to the graduate school dean
This interactive session empowers music educators and chair of music education and music
to envision a more inclusive and creative future for cho- therapy at West Chester University. With
ral music through contemporary a cappella. Even with over twenty years in higher education, she leads stra-
minimal experience, educators can launch an a cap- tegic initiatives that advance social and economic mo-
pella group that builds student leadership, strengthens bility through music education. Her work reimagines
musicianship, and reaches singers who may not con- how collegiate music programs connect with K–12
nect with traditional ensembles. Participants will sing, schools and communities—creating innovative curric-
explore vocal percussion, and leave with tools for select- ula, building sustainable partnerships, and expanding
ing repertoire, structuring rehearsals, and advocating access to real-world teaching experiences. An active
for program support. No experience necessary—just a choral conductor and clinician, she remains ground-
willingness to try something new. ed in the artistry and community that make choral
music transformative. Major holds degrees from West

24 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5