PANEL: "Transformative Practices for Equity in Choral Music"
In keeping with the theme of NCCO11, “Cultivating Transformation," the NCCO Executive Board has assembled a panel of transformative choral leaders in southern California whose innovative practices in choral music help further equity in our choral programs and communities — through composition, pedagogy, community engagement, commissioning, programming, and other means. They'll share ideas that can inspire your own work in these areas.
The following musicians have been invited as panelists:
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Mr. Saunder Choi, composer and conductor
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Dr. Kellori Dower, Dean of Visual and Performing Arts, Cypress College; NCCO Immediate Past President
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Dr. Zanaida Stewart Robles, composer and conductor, Zanaida Stewart Robles Singers
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Dr. Cordara Harper, moderator, Grambling State University and NCCO Secretary
Mr. Saunder Choi, composer
Saunder Choi is an award-winning Filipino-Chinese composer and choral artist based in Los Angeles whose work centers identity, place, and shared human experience. Recipient of the 2024 ACDA Raymond W. Brock Prize for Professional Composers, his music has been performed internationally by leading choirs such as the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Pacific Chorale, and many others. As an arranger, he has written for Lea Salonga, GMCLA, San Francisco Symphony, and many others. He sings with Pacific Chorale, L.A. Choral Lab, and HEX Vocal Ensemble, as well as in major film scores. He is the Director of Music at the UU Church of Santa Monica and a teaching artist with the Los Angeles Master Chorale. www.saunderchoi.com
Dr. Kellori Dower, Cypress College
Dr. Kellori Dower serves as Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access, and Belonging for the California Choral Directors Association and Dean of Visual and Perfoming Arts at Cypress College. She has conducted award-winning high school and collegiate choral programs and is a published composer whose works include performances with the San Diego Symphony. Dr. Dower is an active adjudicator and guest conductor for all-state and regional honor ensembles nationwide. Her pioneering research on culture and music led to collegiate courses in Rap, Hip Hop, and Gospel music traditions.
Dr. Zanaida Stewart Robles, composer and conductor
Dr. Zanaida Stewart Robles is an award-winning Black American female composer, vocalist, conductor, and teacher. She is the president and conductor of the Zanaida Stewart Robles Singers, a non-profit organization whose mission is to create intergenerational artistic experiences while inspiring and cultivating cultural, intellectual, and spiritual engagement through choral music. She is an accomplished composer with works published by Gentry Publications, E.B. Marks Music, Pavane Publishing, Oxford University Press, Stainer and Bell, and Stewart Robles Music. She also serves as music director of Neighborhood UU Church Pasadena, and she is the choir director at Harvard-Westlake Upper School in Studio City.
Dr. Cordara Harper, moderator (NCCO Secretary)
Dr. Cordara Harper is a native of Cove City, North Carolina, the Director of Choral Activities, Voice Area Coordinator, and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Grambling State University. Harper is an international presenter and acclaimed versatile musician active as a music educator, choral conductor, instructional leader, and vocal musician. Dr. Harper completed a Ph.D. in Music Education with a cognate in Choral Conducting at the University of Memphis.