Page 65 - CJJanuary2026

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

Colorado, and California, earning superior ratings and Mari Ésabel Valverde is an award-win-
awards with his ensembles. He has completed doctoral ning transgender Mexican American
coursework in choral conducting at the University of composer who has been commissioned
Nebraska–Lincoln, where he was assistant conductor by ACDA, Boston Choral Ensemble,
for four choirs and teaching assistant for the advanced Cantus, the Gay and Lesbian Associa-
conducting course. He holds an MM in choral con- tion of Choruses, Los Angeles Master Chorale, One
ducting, an MME in secondary education, and a BM. Voice Mixed Chorus, Portland’s Resonance Ensemble,
His research focuses on choral intonation, conducting Seattle Men’s and Women’s Choruses, TMEA, and
pedagogy, and repertoire by women composers. He is the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club. She has
the architect, associate editor, and contributing author also built a reputation as a singer, educator, adjudica-
for Choral Repertoire by Women Composers (GIA, 2025) and tor, and translator. Following six years as a high school
copresented an interest session at the 2025 ACDA Na- classical voice instructor, she spent two years specializ-
tional Conference. ing in transgender voice training. Proficient in Spanish,
French, and Brazilian Portuguese, she has translated
Lynne Gackle is a clinician for this session. Her photo numerous vocal works and documents. A native of
and bio are on page 96. North Texas, she holds degrees from St. Olaf College
and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

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CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5 63