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2026 ACDA Midwestern Region Conference February 25-28, 2026 Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Central Michigan University Chorale NouvEAU
Chamber Singers

Chorale NouvEAU, based in Eau Claire, Wiscon-
sin, is an auditioned adult community choir of mixed
voices founded in 2019. Known for its elevated perfor-
The Chamber Singers are the flagship ensemble at mances and diverse repertoire, the choir blends artistic
Central Michigan University School of Music. The en- excellence with a strong commitment to community
semble comprises twenty-four undergraduate students impact. Each season, the choir partners with a local
studying music as their primary area of emphasis. The nonprofit, using its concerts to raise awareness and sup-
ensemble’s strength is the versatility and range of vocal port for causes that matter to the community. Rehears-
ability and approach to a truly diverse repertoire. “Full ing once a week for two hours, the ensemble prepares
body” is a phrase often used to describe the sound of two concert programs annually. Chorale NouvEAU ac-
this choir, but they also move in and out of styles ele- tively supports the broader Chippewa Valley arts scene
gantly, from Renaissance to romantic, pop, and even by collaborating with other local performing groups.
vocal jazz, and do so authentically. The ensemble’s
proposed program reflects just this, with contemporary Kate Larson is a passionate choral con-
choral standards, spirituals, vocal jazz, and so on. ductor with twenty years of experience
in music education. She holds a BM in
Amon Eady serves as the director of cho- vocal music education from St. Olaf
ral activities at Central Michigan Univer- College and an MME from the Uni-
sity, where he conducts four ensembles versity of St. Thomas. She began teaching in Daven-
and teaches undergraduate and graduate port, Iowa, and spent nine impactful years at Mound
choral conducting and choral literature. Westonka High School in Minnesota, where her choirs
Before arriving at CMU, Eady taught at both the mid- were honored to perform at MMEA and ACDA state
dle school and high school levels over the course of nine conferences, and twice at the Minnesota Choral Arts
years in the White Station community of Memphis, Finale at Orchestra Hall. In 2014 she was honored as
Tennessee. Eady’s choirs have performed at state and the Outstanding Young Choral Director of the Year
regional ACDA conferences, including performances by Minnesota ACDA. Now based in Eau Claire, WI,
by the Central Michigan University Chamber Sing- Larson is the founder and artistic director of Chorale
ers at the 2020 Michigan ACDA Conference, and the NouvEAU, choir director at Christ Church Cathedral,
White Station High School Men’s Choir at the 2014 and artistic/musical director of the Stand in the Light
Southern ACDA Region Conference. Eady was rec- Memory Choir.
ognized by Tennessee MEA as Music Educator of the
Year in 2014.

CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5 51