Everyone’s Song: Gender-Inclusivity in the Choir Room
Session Abstract: With men’s choirs, women’s choirs, tuxes, dresses, and standard repertoire that often reinforces masculine and feminine stereotypes, the gender lines in choral classrooms are well established. However, over the past decade the number of students who choose to express their non-binary gender identity has seen an increase. This session will unpack the results of a national study exploring gender-inclusive practices in choral music. We will examine concepts surrounding the intersection of gender diversity and singing and discuss practical steps choral directors can take to begin to transform their choir room into a place of belonging for transgender and non-binary singers.
Dustin Cates
Dustin S. Cates (he/him) is a teacher, conductor, and researcher from Kansas City, Missouri. He is passionate about building meaningful relationships through music and helping future conductor?teachers embrace their authentic voice. He is Associate Professor of Choral Music Education at Temple University, where he conducts University Chorale, mentors graduate students, and teaches courses in choral/vocal pedagogy and music education. His work centers on inclusion and belonging in choral music. An active presenter and conductor, he leads workshops and honor choirs nationwide. Before joining the faculty at Temple, he taught high school choir and served as artistic director and condcutor of Heartland Men?s Chorus. He has held leadership roles with ACDA at the state, regional, and national levels. He is husband to Dr. Raymond Cattaneo (medical, not music) and father to their son, Emmaus.
Ben Herstig
Temple University
Ben Herstig is a senior choral music education major at Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University. Upon graduation, Ben hopes to teach choral music in a secondary school setting. He is a member of Temple’s collegiate chapters of NAfME and ACDA. Ben sings in the Temple University Concert Choir under the direction of Dr. Paul Rardin and serves as a music director for Pitch, Please, Temple University's Queer Advocacy A Cappella group. He is passionate about advocacy for LGBTQ+ issues and in particular the experiences of trans and non-binary singers in educational music settings.
