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

student at USC, Alphonso served as business manager holds bachelor’s degrees in music education and voice
and music director of USC’s premier a cappella group performance from the Pennsylvania State University
and five-time ICCA champions, the SoCal VoCals. She and a master’s degree in voice performance from the
has sung on a number of films (Wicked, The Color Purple, University of Delaware. She is certified in elementary
NOPE, Encanto) and television shows (Brooklyn 99, The general music by The Gordon Institute for Music Learn-
Rookie, All American) and alongside notable artists. ing and has served regionally as a presenter, clinician,
and adjudicator.
Scott Hoying will be a clinician for this session. His
photo and bio are on page 11.

Ben Bram will be a clinician for this session. His photo Voice and the Vagus Nerve:
and bio are on page 26. The Key to Unlocking Vocal Freedom

Shams Ahmed will be a clinician for this session. His How do we envision a choral world where every
photo and bio are on page 30. voice truly belongs? This transformative session ex-
plores the vagus nerve’s role in vocal freedom and how
nervous system regulation can reduce anxiety, tension,
and disconnection, especially for singers navigating
Vocal Exercises to Diversify Tone trauma or marginalization. Learn how stress shapes
and Style in Young Singers vocal production and experience embodied, trau-
ma-informed tools (like humming, breathwork, and
Diverse and inclusive practices must be applied to vocal toning) that promote regulation, access, and ex-
the development of choral tone. By intentionally craft- pression. If you’re ready to reimagine choral singing
ing exercises, we can develop a young choir’s tonal as a sanctuary for diverse bodies and nervous systems,
palate to perform all musical selections with integrity. this session will inspire and equip you to lead with both
This session will introduce a format to develop skills science and soul.
with singers ages eight to thirteen, with applications
for older singers. Using an approach that seeks to be Natasha Valdes is a certified trauma-in-
culturally responsive and culturally expansive, we will formed voice specialist through the Voice
address alignment, respiration, aural skills, and vocal- Study Centre (UK) and holds an MM in
ization in a variety of timbres that can be applied to a vocal pedagogy from the Boston Conser-
diverse range of repertoire styles. Directors will leave vatory. She is the creator of the Embod-
with a repertoire of exercises, strategies that encourage ied Vocal Wellness Program, developed after losing her
singers, and conducting gestures that evoke nuances of voice to psychogenic dysphonia following a life-threat-
color and style. ening trauma. Her work bridges vocal pedagogy, ner-
vous system science, and trauma-informed care to help
Kimberly Doucette has been artistic direc- singers regulate performance anxiety, release vocal
tor of the Wilmington Children’s Chorus tension, and reclaim their authentic sound. Valdes has
since 2009 after joining the staff as asso- presented at ACDA, CCDA, CASMEC, PAVA, NATS,
ciate director in 2005. Doucette oversees and TEDx Fullerton.
WCC’s artistic and educational programs,
which provide tuition-free music education to over seven
hundred children annually. Under her leadership, WCC
has solidified their reputation for vocal artistry, musi-
cal excellence, and community connections. Doucette

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5 43