The annual elections for ACDA-MN will be scheduled for March 1-11, and once again will utilize on-line technology for members to cast your vote. Positions are open for State Secretary (two year term), and three year terms for district chair positions in the Northeast, Southwest, and Metro West districts.
We are thrilled to announce this lineup of these exceptional candidates that are eager to support our growing professional organization. Please take the time to become familiar with the reasons they wish to serve by clicking on their profiles listed below.
Secretary Position Candidates
[toggle expand=0 title=’GILLIAN TEOH-BERBEE – SECRETARY’]
Bio
Currently in her 13th year of directing choirs at Lake Middle School in Woodbury, Gillian Teoh-Berbee has been a lifelong music lover. Although she started life as a pianist and violinist, Ms. Teoh-Berbee found her true passion for music when she joined choir in high school. She went on to earn a B.M. in Vocal Music Education from St. Olaf College, and later completed her M.A. in Music Education with a choral concentration from the University of St. Thomas with a thesis entitled “Chinese Folk Songs for Middle School Choirs.” Through her advocacy, Ms. Teoh-Berbee led the implementation of single-gender choirs in her district, and has more than quadrupled student participation in choral music at her school. Ms. Teoh-Berbee has been an active member in ACDA-MN; she served as an adjudicator for honor choirs in the past, presented her choir for a clinic at the middle school immersion session at the 2010 State Conference, and presented a “Personal Pick Six” at Summer Dialogue in 2012. Outside of work and volunteering with ACDA-MN, Ms. Teoh-Berbee enjoys running, baking, and spending time with her husband Chris, and son, Gabriel.
How has ACDA-MN influenced your personal growth as a choral director?
I am constantly inspired by the directors that I have met around the state! Many of our own conductors have shared tips and techniques at the State Conference, Summer Dialogue, and in the Star of the North that I can take back to my own choirs to help them continue growing as musicians. Furthermore, the conversations I have with other directors spark new ideas to try with my choirs! More than anything, the other directors I’ve met from around the state encourage me to continue growing as a director and to trust my own musical instincts.
If elected, how will I support and inspire a community of choral musicians in our state?
If elected, I will continue to listen to the ideas shared by other directors from around the state and bring them to the attention of the board. I am extremely proud of how inclusive ACDA-MN has become with some of our new initiatives, such as the inclusion of developing choirs in a clinic setting at the state conference. I hope to continue implementing more ideas from our members, and to continue to explore ways to reflect the diversity in our communities within ACDA-MN.
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[toggle expand=0 title=’ELIZABETH EGGER – SECRETARY’]
Bio
Elizabeth Egger is the choir director at Jordan Middle School, where her choirs were selected to perform at the 2015 ACDA-MN Fall Conference and the 2014 Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) Midwinter Convention. Along with public school teaching, Beth also conducts Angelica Cantanti’s Con Brio choir. She earned her MA in Music Education at the University of St. Thomas and BM summa cum laude in Vocal Performance and Music Education at the University of Minnesota. A Wisconsin native, she has held teaching and conducting positions in schools and churches in the Milwaukee area including the Milwaukee Children’s Choir. She has sung professionally with The Singers-Minnesota Choral Artists, Milwaukee Choral Artists, Florentine Opera, and Skylight Music Theatre.
How has ACDA-MN influenced your personal growth as a choral director?
ACDA-MN has provided me with opportunities to stay current in our ever-evolving profession. I love seeing my students push themselves to sing their best when auditioning and participating in ACDA-MN honor choirs. I enjoy the challenge of performing for colleagues and learning from others in sessions at the ACDA-MN Fall Conference. I am inspired by the conversations with like-minded directors at Summer Dialogue. This organization has fueled my passion for choral music through these experiences!
If elected, how will I support and inspire a community of choral musicians in our state?
If elected as State Secretary, I want to help others grow professionally through collaborative and creative experiences. I am organized and a forward thinker, which helps me get to the next level of creativity. I love working with others toward a common vision, especially when it is related to choral music. I can see this organization becoming even more connected with new opportunities to collaborate so that both our choirs and directors can reach their full potential.
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Northeast District Chair Candidates
[toggle expand=0 title=’TONYA BARNES – NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAIR’]
Bio
I am in my 2nd year teaching at North Branch High School where I teach 4 curricular choirs, one extracurricular choir, direct the music of the school musical, and direct One Act Play. I am in my 3rd year as the director of Unum Vox, a high school honor choir sponsored by the East Central Minnesota Chorale, based out of Cambridge, MN. In 2003, I graduated from Cornell College and currently have started my Masters in Music Education from North Dakota State University.
How has ACDA-MN influenced your personal growth as a choral director?
ACDA has been instrumental in helping me grow as a young director and conductor. The community of musicians that ACDA is has helped me be able to network with my fellow colleagues to gain ideas in and out of the classroom. Conferences give renewed inspiration and provide access new techniques and music. ACDA has helped me in keeping my expectations high in choral music and keeps challenging me to be a better director. My colleagues who are a part of this amazing organization share and dialogue openly because, I believe, they truly want the best for each choral student in this state and the true meaning of this profession is to foster the love of choral singing for life.
If elected, how will I support and inspire a community of choral musicians in our state?
It would be an honor to represent the Northeast District and be able to contribute to the Minnesota choral community. I would love to learn more about the inner workings of this organization and help with the planning and preparation of our Conference and Dialogue.
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[toggle expand=0 title=’JERRY UPTON – NORTHEAST DISTRICT CHAIR’]
Bio
Jerry is currently the director of choirs at Duluth East High School, where he conducts 5 curricular ensembles. Under his direction, the Duluth East High School A’Cappella Choir and Choralaires have made several appearances at ACDA state and regional conventions. Jerry has been an active member of ACDA of Minnesota for 28 years. He was named the 2008 Choral Director of the Year by the organization. Throughout his career, he has served in numerous leadership capacities for ACDA and also served as the Choir Vice President for the Minnesota Music Educators Association from 2003-2005.
How has ACDA-MN influenced your personal growth as a choral director?
Throughout my career, I have felt much embraced by the ACDA-MN. Attending the ACDA Summer Dialogue has consistently given me a charge when going back into the school year. Our state conventions have continued to showcase outstanding performers from all types of choirs, as well as offer quality informative sessions for me. Whether attending ACDA events or serving the organization, I take away valuable experiences that have make me grow as a professional in my own job. ACDA of Minnesota members give back to the organization, and, in turn, inspire me to give back to ACDA. I enjoy serving the organization because the organization serves me so well!
If elected, how will I support and inspire a community of choral musicians in our state?
Serving on the ACDA-MN board is an important responsibility. As your representative, I will keep in mind the organization’s full complement of members, including school, church, and community choral directors. It is my hope that I can have the opportunity to meet with choral directors in my region, listen to concerns of our directors, and advocate for our members at board meetings. I will work to bring innovative projects and events to our district to help generate support and encouragement to our northeast members.
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Metro West District Chair Candidates
[toggle expand=0 title=’JEFF DAHL – METRO WEST DISTRICT CHAIR’]
Bio
Jeff Dahl, Chorale Director at Wayzata High School. Jeff conducts the Cantori, Varsity Men’s Choir, 9th Grade Treble choie and 9th Grade Men’s Choirs at Wayzata. He is a graduate of Bemidji State University and earned a M.M.E. from the University of Northern Colorado. Jeff’s choirs have performed at ACDA and MMEA conventions. Jeff has been active in ACDA for thirty years.
How has ACDA-MN influenced your personal growth as a choral director?
ACDA has had a significant impact on my growth as a chorale director. It has provided me professional and personal relationships that have encouraged, supported, sustained and challenged me. As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another.
If elected, how will I support and inspire a community of choral musicians in our state?
If elected I will support and inspire the chorale community by bringing myself fully to the work. At this point in my career my experience hopefully allows me some wisdom that may benefit others. I also am a person who is energized by new ideas so I will bring my curiosity and relentless pursuit for refinement, efficiency and a fresh approach while valuing tradition and past practice.
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[toggle expand=0 title=’CAROLINE SWANSON – METRO WEST DISTRICT CHAIR’]
Bio
Caroline’s work in the Eastern Carver County Schools (Chaska/Chanhassen) began in 1992; since 1998, she has taught vocal and general music full-time at the middle level. Caroline’s Bachelors Degree in Vocal Music Education is from Bemidji State University, where she studied under Paul Brandvik; her Masters Degree is in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of St. Thomas. Caroline has been employed as a musician at St. Victoria Catholic Church in Victoria since 1993; she is also Soprano Section Leader and Cantor at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Minnetonka. In summer, she directs the River City Singers (formerly the Chaska Community Choir) and sings with the Minnesota Beethoven Festival Chorale under the direction of Dale Warland. Since 2008, Caroline has sung with The Singers, led by Founding Artistic Director Matthew Culloton, and is the group’s Soprano Section Leader.
How has ACDA-MN influenced your personal growth as a choral director?
My first experience with ACDA-MN came back in the early 1990s at a Summer Dialogue at Bemidji State University. A most profound connection was made in the Director’s Chorus, led by someone I would come to know as a dear friend- the late Paul Oakley. That experience forged a lasting relationship for me with the organization. Over the years, I’ve come to the deep understanding that ACDA-MN supports my students and me by presenting practical and meaningful sessions at its conferences. It provides extraordinary opportunities via honor choirs and superb guest clinicians. It fosters excellence through performances of choirs of all kinds from all over the state so that my students and I may dwell in what is possible. For me personally, it provides ideas and inspiration so that I may encourage students and the adults in my community choir to continuously aim higher.
If elected, how will I support and inspire a community of choral musicians in our state?
I would seek to listen to my fellow educators and music-makers; to hear their stories and understand their experiences. I would aim to be a voice for those needing support, encouragement, and perspective. Given the privilege of serving, I would strive to be the best possible advocate for my colleagues; to be a resource and a liaison for them; to ensure that they know that ACDA-MN is truly working for their success. Perhaps most importantly, I would aspire to continue some of the greatest work of those who’ve come before me- fostering and maintaining vital connections within this extraordinary Community of Song.
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Southwest District Chair Candidates
[toggle expand=0 title=’CHAD FELTON – SOUTHWEST DISTRICT CHAIR’]
Bio
Chad Felton currently teaches vocal music for grades 5-12 at Lac qui Parle Valley in Madison, MN. Prior to coming to LqPV Chad held positions at Cloquet Public Schools and at Murray County Central. He received his undergraduate degree from The University of Minnesota, Morris and a Masters in Music Education from The NDSU School of Music. He, his wife, and their four boys live in Madison, MN.
How has ACDA-MN influenced your personal growth as a choral director?
Being a member of ACDA-MN has truly shaped how I have developed as a choral director. ACDA’s greatest asset is its membership. The number of positive people you meet at an ACDA event are like no other. All of the members are willing to talk about the positive things in our careers and lend an open ear to those problems that arise over time. I am ever grateful for the many long , helpful discussions I have had over the years that always seem to come just as they are needed. The financial support ACDA has given me will always be remembered. From my first summer dialogue scholarship to a graduate degree scholarship this help will not be forgotten and I hope to repay it in the future so others can have the same opportunity.
If elected, how will I support and inspire a community of choral musicians in our state?
If elected I will do my part to continue to support the many great endeavors that are in place in our state such as the honor choirs for our students and the professional opportunities for our membership. I would encourage all non-members to really think about joining our organization. As a district chair I would do my best to convey the needs of our district to the ACDA Board.
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[toggle expand=0 title=’SEANA GRABER – SOUTHWEST DISTRICT CHAIR’]
Bio
Hello fellow choral directors! My name is Seana Graber and I am the middle and high school choir director for the Luverne Public Schools in Luverne, MN. This is my 26th year of teaching choral music. I started teaching K-12 vocal music at Edgerton Public School in 1990 and then moved back to my hometown of Luverne to teach elementary music. During my first 15 year in Luverne, I taught kindergarten, 3rd and 4th grade music. In the fall of 2010, I became the director for the middle and high school choirs, directing a 6th grade choir, a 7th-8th grade choir, a 9th grade girls’ choir, and my high school concert choir. I am currently in my sixth year as choir director. I am a graduate of Concordia College and received by master’s degree in education from SMSU in 2010.
When I became the Luverne MS/HS choir director, I was encouraged by Kyle Eastman to join ACDA and attend summer dialogue. This was my first opportunity to encounter the organization and found it a very valuable resource. I have continued to attend summer dialogue, and this year, also had the opportunity to attend the state convention. By being willing to put myself out there and attend these events, I have learned so much! This may be my 26th year of teaching, but I will always have more to learn. Through my membership and my attendance at different ACDA-MN events, I continue to grow as a choir director.
How has ACDA-MN influenced your personal growth as a choral director?
I do not have all the answers and never will, but by attending ACDA conventions and summer dialogue, I have more experiences to draw from when working with my choirs. It may be a new concept, a new piece of music, or a warm-up that I can bring back to my choir room. Maybe it is a new idea I received through dialogue with other directors, or having the opportunity to remember my love of music as I sing with the Director’s Chorus. My experiences at ACDA-MN events have been invaluable to me! Over the years, I have loved watching some of my students have the opportunity to sing in the state honor choirs. Wow, to watch their faces light up as they sing music that may be too difficult for my choirs, or just having the chance to sing with other students who love music as much as they do is a great thing!
If elected, how will I support and inspire a community of choral musicians in our state?
I hope to share my love of teaching and my enthusiasm and quest to want to learn more about my profession with all the choral directors in the SW District. We are never too old to learn and being a member of ACDA-MN has reinforced that for me. I have met some wonderful people through ACDA and hope to have the opportunity to represent our SW District at the state level.
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