Children’s & Community Youth Choir Conductors’ Retreat

Conference Registration opens on October 1. The conference is open to ACDA members. To register for the conference, you will be asked to log-in with your ACDA credential.

CLICK HERE to start your registration! Need help? Email gro.a1759608450dca@p1759608450ihsre1759608450bmem1759608450

Registration includes breakfast and lunch on Saturday; Lunch on Sunday; 2 reading session packets.

Early Bird Pricing until December 3 at 11:59pm central time:
Student members: $80
All other members: $215

Pricing on December 4 through the conference:
Student members: $80
All other members: $250

Hotel information is provided on the confirmation email after you register for the conference. This ensures that rooms are available for those who have made confirmed plans to attend the conference.

You can pay your conference registration fee by debit/credit card at the time of registration. You may also pay by PO by selecting the Pro Forma option to print an invoice and then email your approved PO to gro.a1759608450dca@p1759608450ihsre1759608450bmem1759608450. Your registration is not fully confirmed until your PO has been received. Please DO NOT submit personal checks.

Friday, January 16, 2026
2:00-2:30 – Pre-conference Registration
2:30-5:30 – Pre-conference Workshop; additional fee required
6:00-7:00 – Registration at hotel
7:00-9:00 – Casual Gathering at Local Restaurant 

Saturday, January 17, 2026
8:00-9:00 – Registration
8:00-9:00 – Breakfast–provided with registration
8:45-9:00 – Community Sing
9:00-11:30 – General Sessions
11:30-1:00 – Lunch–provided with registration
1:00-4:30 – General Sessions
4:30-7:00 – Dinner Break
7:00-8:30 – Concert

Sunday, January 18, 2026
8:00-9:00 – Registration
8:45-9:00 – Community Sing
9:00-12:30 – General Sessions
12:30-2:00 – Lunch–Provided with registration
2:15-4:45 – General Sessions

Vocal Technique is Like a Box of Chocolates…You Never Know What You’re Gonna Need
Presented by: Judith Nicosia
When: Friday, January 16 at Christ Lutheran Church from 2:30pm-5:30pm
Pricing: $50.00

This workshop will equip directors with practical, memorable tools for working with developing voices. Using simple visuals, demonstrations, and easy-to-apply exercises, you’ll learn effective ways to address common vocal challenges without medical jargon. Designed with young singers in mind, the session includes plenty of demonstrations, time for questions, and a handout summarizing key concepts and resources.

You can add this opportunity to your schedule at the time of registration.

Sessions

Beyond “Just A Warm Up” | Kelly Wyszomierski
Beyond Advocacy: Growing Your Choir Through Community | Jeremy Bartunek
Beyond the Notes: Inspiring Artistry in Every Rehearsal | Chris Maunu
Bridging Cultures Through Choral Collaboration | Michael Wu
Creative Choir – Creating Arrangements with Body Percussion| Beth Ann Hepburn
Draw the Circle Wide: Mentorship and Leadership Development | Anna Wade
Finding Your Voice: Beginning & Intermediate Repertoire | Aubrey Patterson
Grounded Gesture: Laban, Breath, and Mindful Conducting | Dr. Lisa Bellingham
Low Budget, High Impact: Smart Tools for Choir Management | Caitlyn McGlynn
Navigating the Changing Voice | Stephen Holmes
Raising Your Voice: Intermediate & Advanced Repertoire | Aubrey Patterson
Supporting LGBTQ+ Singers in Youth Choruses | Dr. Paul Heins
Vocal Exercises to Diversify Tone and Style with Young Singers | Kim Doucette

Headliner

Dr. Angela Kasper 

Presenting:
With Humbleness, Curiosity, and Respect: Teaching World Music in a Choral Setting
Repertoire as a Teaching Tool: Skill Building for Young Singers

Dr. Angela Kasper (formerly Broeker), recently retired from Western Washington University, has had a distinguished career as a conductor, educator, and clinician. Before joining WWU, she served for 20 years as Director of Choral Activities at the University of St. Thomas, leading ensembles that toured internationally and performed at ACDA national, regional, and state conferences.

She is a frequent presenter and guest conductor for organizations such as ACDA, NAfME, OAKE, and AOSA, and has led all-state and honor choirs in more than 35 states as well as internationally in Asia, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. Highlights include conducting the ACDA National Children’s Honor Choir in 2015 and numerous honor choirs at ACDA divisional conferences.

Dr. Kasper coauthored Educating Young Singers with Mary Goetze and Ruth Boshkoff (GIA Publications) and has written for the Choral Journal, Music Educators Journal, and other professional publications. Her research and presentations often focus on cultural authenticity, vocal color, community, and inclusion in choral music.

She holds a D.M.A. from the University of Oklahoma and M.M. and B.M.E. degrees from Indiana University.

Baltimore Children’s Choir – Joey Shortall & Cécile Audette, Directors
Children’s Chorus of Maryland – Rachel Morgan, Director
Deer Creek Youth Choir – Julie Culotta & Stacey Scarff, Directors
Glorystar Children’s Chorus – Emily & Maria Chu, Directors
Maryland State Boychoir – Stephen Holmes & Joey Shortall, Directors
Olney Community Youth Chorus – Ashley Grantham & Sidney Clarke-Lequerique, Directors
Singing Sensations Youth Choir – Dr. Hollie Hood-Mincey 
Strathmore Children’s Chorus – Carrie Eyler & Michael Wu, Directors
Youth Chorus of Annapolis – Lauren Walker & Emily James, Directors