Page 86 - CJJanuary2026

2026 ACDA Northwestern Region Conference March 4-7, 2026 Tacoma, Washington

Performing Choirs
P er f orming C hoirs

Steilacoom High School West Salem High School
Advanced Treble Choir Choir of the Titans

The Steilacoom High School Advanced Treble The West Salem High School Choir, located in Sa-
Choir is an auditioned ensemble of twenty-four to thir- lem, Oregon, was established in 2002 and has consis-
ty treble singers in grades ten though twelve. Steilacoom tently epitomized musical excellence. Renowned within
High School (Steilacoom, WA) is a 2A high school in the Salem community and the state of Oregon, West’s
the Steilacoom Historical School District and serves choirs have showcased their talent at numerous music
950 students. Advanced Treble Choir is active in their festivals, earning accolades for their performances both
local community through collaborations with commu- locally and nationally. Beyond that, the choirs have re-
nity choirs, feeder schools, and universities. Over the ceived invitations to showcase their passion at music
past ten years, they have earned superior ratings at re- conferences and workshops. West is excited to continue
gional large group contests. Advanced Treble Choir has performing for others outside of their community and
placed in multiple recent years at the WMEA/WIAA to create relationships with other choirs and music ad-
state solo and ensemble contest (including first place in mirers.
2023 and third place in 2024).
Cole Haole-Valenzuela was raised in Sa-
Kasey Eck is the director of choirs at Stei- lem, Oregon, where he was involved in
lacoom High School in Steilacoom, WA. various Salem-Keizer performing arts
She completed her undergraduate studies programs. He graduated from Sprague
at Western Washington University and High School and attended Oregon State
her master’s in choral conducting at the University, where he earned a BME and a music edu-
University of Oregon. Under Eck’s direction, the Ad- cation master of art in teaching. While serving on vari-
vanced Treble Choir and Tenor-Bass Ensemble earned ous NFHS, OSAA, and OMEA boards as a music rep-
first place at state solo and ensemble in 2023 and 2024. resentative, Haole-Valenzuela has consistently strived
Other highlights include performing at Carnegie Hall to amplify student voices and guide discussions toward
in 2017 and 2024 with her Chamber Choir. She was decisions that prioritize what is best for kids. He has
recognized by Washington ACDA with the Outstand- been presented the Emerging Conductor Award from
ing Emerging Choral Director Award and received Oregon ACDA (2019), the Outstanding Early Career
the Graduate Employee Teaching Excellence Award Music Educator Award from OMEA, the NFHS Out-
in 2020. She has served as the treble choir R&R chair standing Music Educator Award (2023), the Oregon
on the WA-ACDA board, the choral curriculum officer Symphony Music Educator of the Year Award (2024),
with the WMEA executive board, and is currently on and was named one of the 50 Music Teachers Who
the board of directors for Tacoma Youth Chorus. Make a Difference in SBO+ Magazine.

84 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2026 Volume 66 Number 5