“I Make This Look Good” Pathways, Successes, and Equity Issues Among Women in Choral Conducting

Abstract
Women in collegiate choral conducting have built long, successful careers while navigating gender equity challenges, which are often compounded by intersecting identities such as race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status. Although existing research has explored their experiences, more in-depth qualitative inquiry grounded in gender equity-focused frameworks are needed. We employed a qualitative, multiple case study design to examine the successes, challenges, and equity issues faced by five women collegiate choral conductors. Guided by a critical feminist lens, we examined factors that empowered or challenged their careers, their experiences related to equity, and key elements of their success. Our findings provide an in-depth portrait of the support systems, challenges, and equity issues women choral conductors face as they navigate their personal and professional lives. We shared how their experiences aligned (or did not align) with prior research and highlighted implications for allyship. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on gender equity in music and offers actionable insights for fostering inclusivity within the field.

Keywords: choral conducting, collegiate conducting, gender bias, gender equity, women conductors