Page 42 - CJJanuary2026

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

Interest Sessions
In t er est S essions

She is the director of the high school Concert Choir of Education, with certifications in both Kodály and
(non-auditioned “come-all” choir), Nightingales (se- Orff-Schulwerk pedagogy. She is the R&R chair for el-
lect soprano/alto ensemble), Cantus (select SATB en- ementary school choirs for Eastern ACDA Region, the
semble), and oversees two student-directed a cappella R&R liaison for NY-ACDA, and is on the board with
groups. She also teaches four levels of piano and one NYC-AOSA.
level of music theory at the high school. Nazareth Area
School District was recognized as one of the best in the Kenneth Griffith is the music director
nation for music education by the NAMM Foundation of Boston Children’s Chorus and artist
for the past five years. Rocchi has served as the guest faculty in choral conducting at the Os-
conductor for several choral festivals and was selected her School of Music at the University
as the 2020–2021 Penn State School of Music Out- of Southern Maine. At BCC, he leads
standing Music Education Alumni Award winner. artistic programs, coaches the conducting staff, leads
school-based programming in Boston Public Schools,
and conducts the flagship ensemble, Premier Choir,

Songs That Tell the Story: which was featured at the 2024 Eastern ACDA Region
Conference. He regularly serves as an adjudicator, cli-
A Reading Session for nician, and conductor for regional and state choral fes-
Elementary and Community Youth Choirs tivals. He prepared a chorus and ensemble for Antho-
ny Davis’s Pulitzer Prize-winning opera X: The Life and
Great repertoire fuels every thriving youth ensemble Times of Malcolm X with the Boston Modern Orchestra
in classrooms and community settings alike. As sing- Project. He holds a BM from Capital University and an
ers grow in literacy and performance, the right music MM from Bard College.
sparks both skill and imagination. This session explores
eight to ten choral works for singers from elementary
through high school. Each piece highlights storytelling
through bravery, rhyme, adventure, or the deeper story Start with Joy:
of our shared humanity. Selections range from unison Power Warm-Ups Using Part-Songs and Rounds
to mixed voicings, offering practical tools to inspire
growth and connection. This session provides accessi- A productive, focused rehearsal often begins with a
ble yet rich repertoire that builds vocal technique, en- quick sprint to joyful, successful singing—so why not
semble sound, and expressive artistry. start with a round or part-song? This session offers
quick-to-learn songs you can bring directly to your
Emily Crowe Sobotko is a NYC-based ensemble. Participants will explore practical ways to
choral conductor, educator, and arts use these pieces in warm-ups to promote part singing,
leader. As the director of music programs refine intonation and solfège, and increase ensemble
for Uncommon Schools, she oversees engagement. Once learned, these songs become tools
fourteen K–12 music programs across for reinforcing vocal techniques like timbre, placement,
Brooklyn, New York, coaching teachers, developing dynamics, and articulation. Beginning rehearsal with
curriculum, leading professional development, and accessible, meaningful music fosters focus, connection,
guiding the strategic growth of music education across and joy while setting the tone for a vibrant and effective
the network. She continues to sing with and is associate rehearsal.
conductor of the Young New Yorkers’ Chorus Treble
Ensemble. She holds a BME from Lawrence University John J. Atorino will be the clinician for this session. His
and a master’s in teaching from Relay Graduate School photo and bio are on page 11.

40 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5