• Sign In
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
American Choral Directors Association

American Choral Directors Association

The mission of ACDA is to inspire excellence and nurture lifelong involvement in choral music for everyone through education, performance, composition and advocacy.

  • Conferences
    • 2025 National Conference
    • Region Conferences
    • Symposium for Research in Choral Singing
    • Children’s Choir Conductor Retreat
    • Conference Archives
  • Resources
    • Repertoire
      • College and University Choirs Repertoire
      •  Soprano Alto Choir Repertoire
      • Tenor Bass Choir Repertoire
      • 2023 Spring Reading Sessions
    • Education and Communication National Standing Committee
    • Research and Publications Committee
    • National Webinars
    • ChoralNet
    • Composer Resources
    • International Conductors Exchange Program
    • Career Center
    • Advocacy
    • Students
    • Archive Collections
  • Publications
    • Choral Journal
    • ChorTeach
    • International Journal of Research in Choral Singing
    • Hinshaw Music Series
  • About
    • About ACDA
    • ACDA Careers
    • ACDA Bylaws
    • ACDA Leadership
    • Advertising & Exhibiting
    • ACDA Awards & Competitions
    • Chapters and Regions
    • History
    • Leadership Tools
    • National Office & Staff
  • Membership
    • ONE ACDA
  • Donate

Trauma-Informed Choral Pedagogy

William Sauerland
Purdue University - Fort Wayne

Megan Durham

Session Abstract: This interactive presentation will provide a foundation for trauma-informed music teaching, including: common stigmas around trauma, relational power dynamics, resistance to addressing trauma, the importance of language, and student agency and empowerment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration fourfold framework (realize, recognize, respond, and resist re-traumatizing) of trauma-sensitivity will be used to develop a trauma-informed choral pedagogy that can be tailored to diverse ensembles and styles of teaching. Attendees will garner specific strategies and rehearsal ideas that provide a collaborative, embodied approach to prioritize singers’ lived experiences and cultivate greater compassion and connectivity within the choral ensemble.

×
William Sauerland Headshot

William Sauerland

Purdue University - Fort Wayne

William Sauerland (he/they) is an Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at Purdue University - Fort Wayne. Dr. Sauerland is the author of the 2022 Rowman & Littlefield book “Queering Vocal Pedagogy: A Handbook for Teaching Trans and Genderqueer Singers and Fostering Gender-affirming Spaces” and numerous articles, including “Sound Teaching: Trauma-Informed Pedagogy in Choir (Choral Journal, 2021). As a choral and voice teacher, they have served on the faculties of San Francisco State University, Chabot College, Lick-Wilmerding High School, and the Pacific Boychoir. Sauerland holds degrees from Miami University, the Royal College of Music, and Columbia University.

Megan Durham Headshot

Megan Durham

Megan Durham (she/her) is a singing voice specialist and trauma-informed voice care facilitator. She is a certified practitioner of Transcending Sexual Trauma Through Yoga, Movement For Trauma, YogaVoice®, and LifeForce Yoga®. Megan is a founding member of the Voice and Trauma Research and Connection Group, with colleagues Dr. Elisa Monti, Oliva Resto, and Heleen Grooten. She holds a MM in voice pedagogy and performance from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and a BA in music from the University of Richmond. Megan has served on the voice faculties of DeSales University, Lehigh University, Moravian College, and Muhlenberg College.

This content was published on: August 17, 2022

  • Event Home

Additional Sessions

  • Dreaming a Just and Equitable Choral Future with VOICES21C
  • (Trans)itioning Voices: Inclusivity through Line Recombination
  • How Contemporary Female Canadian Composers Address Belonging in SSA Repertoire
  • Approaching Contemporary Irish Choral Repertoire
  • Performing ‘Weather’: Creating an Artistic Climate for Exploring Social Justice

Footer

Connect with us

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
AppStore Google Play Store

Privacy Policy

 
American Choral Directors Association

PO Box 1705
Oklahoma City, OK 73101-1705
(405)232-8161

© 2025 American Choral Directors Association · All Rights Reserved.