Page 40 - CJJanuary2026

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

Interest Sessions
In t er est S essions

2022 Rowman & Littlefield book Queering Vocal Pedago- lege (BA), The Florida State University (MME), and
gy: A Handbook for Teaching Trans and Genderqueer Singers Shenandoah University (DMA).
and Fostering Gender-affirming Spaces and numerous arti-
cles, including “Sound Teaching: Trauma-Informed Ocie S. Banks is director of choirs and
Pedagogy in Choir” (Choral Journal, 2021). As a cho- voice at Thomas G. Pullen K–8 Cre-
ral and voice teacher, they have served on the facul- ative & Performing Arts School in Prince
ties of San Francisco State University, Chabot College, George’s County, MD, where he is also
Lick-Wilmerding High School, and the Pacific Boy- an alumnus. His choirs consistently earn
choir. Sauerland holds degrees from Miami University, superior ratings, and he leads curriculum development
the Royal College of Music, and Columbia University. for middle school chorus and voice. He recently con-
ducted the PGCPS all-county honors chorus. Banks
holds degrees from George Mason University (BM)
Reclaiming Repertoire: and Messiah University (MM, CAGS). He serves as
Programming with Power, president of Maryland/DC-ACDA, member-at-large
for MCEA, and Eastern Region representative on
Passion, and Purpose! NAfME’s Council for Choral Education. He is also

CEO of OSB Music, LLC, and an active clinician and
Repertoire is more than music—it’s a powerful tool advocate for equity and excellence in choral music.
for inclusion, equity, and human connection. This pan-
el brings together four choral educators from diverse Khyle Wooten (he/they) is director of
settings to explore how intentional programming can choral activities and assistant professor of
break down barriers, elevate underrepresented voices, music performance at Ithaca College. A
and reflect every singer’s identity. Topics include select- Philadelphia native, Wooten is a conduc-
ing pedagogically strong, emotionally resonant, and tor, educator, composer, and researcher
culturally relevant works; discovering new music; and whose work centers on Lena McLin and extended cho-
crafting concerts with purpose and impact. Attendees ral works by Black women composers. He has presented
will leave with practical strategies for creating mean- nationally and published in Choral Journal (2023). For-
ingful, artistically rich programs that center students merly associate director of choral activities at the Uni-
and advance a collective vision of choral singing as an versity of Tennessee, Knoxville, he also taught K–12
essential, inclusive force in everyday life. music in Philadelphia and Atlanta. Wooten has held
church music roles with the UMC and the Fellowship
Edryn J. Coleman teaches choir and pia- of Affirming Ministries. He was a fellow with the Fu-
no at Oakland Mills High School in Co- ture of Music Faculty Fellowship and ACDA/ASTA’s
lumbia, MD, and has taught music at all New Canon Project. He holds degrees from Lincoln
levels—elementary through college. His University (BS), Georgia State University (MM), and
wide-ranging experience fuels his com- The Florida State University.
mitment to accessible, high-quality music education for
all students. He is an active guest conductor, adjudica- Gyasi J. Blanton, a New Jersey native,
tor, and lecturer; his choirs have performed at state and is a dynamic conductor, educator, and
national conferences, including an insight session at the Tommy Tune Award-winning music di-
2023 ACDA National Conference. He currently serves rector (Young Frankenstein). He currently
as membership chair for Eastern ACDA Region and is serves as assistant director of choirs at
past president of the Maryland Choral Educators As- Stratford High School in Houston, TX, where his en-
sociation. Coleman holds degrees from Stillman Col- sembles consistently earn UIL sweepstakes. Passionate

38 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5