Master Teachers/Mini-Sessions PDF Print E-mail
“The Nitty-Gritty of the Choral Profession”
Herb Berendsen & Staff. Herb is in his 29th year of teaching vocal music, and 14th year at Oshkosh West High School. He was recently named director of the MacDowell Male Chorus, Appleton. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wheaton College and a Master of Music degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with an emphasis on vocal pedagogy. He is an active accompanist, singer, and clinician and a proud member of WCDA. Mr. Berendsen is a member of the VoiceCare Network and runs a private voice studio.

"Conducting Mini-Sessions"
Sharon Hansen is director of choral activities and head of graduate choral studies at UWMilwaukee. She is also founder and music director of the Milwaukee Choral Artists, the only professional women's vocal ensemble in the Midwest. She is widely known as a conductor and master teacher throughout the United States and in Europe. Hansen authored the book Helmuth Rilling: Conductor— Teacher, and is founder and editor of the series "On the Voice" for the ACDA Choral Journal. She received her doctorate from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
"The Future of Choral Music/Choral Music Careers"
Kevin Meidl is a past president of WCDA and the North Central Division of ACDA. He is director of choirs and performing arts department chair at Appleton West High School where he has taught junior high and high school choir for the past 28 years. In addition, he is the artistic director and principal conductor with the Appleton Boychoir and founder and principal conductor of the Badger State Girl Choir. He has conducted honors and all-state choirs throughout the U.S. and in over thirty countries. He received his doctorate at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.
"How to Survive & Thrive in a College Music Program"
Lucinda Thayer is professor of music and director of choral activities at UW-Stevens Point. She is also music director of the Wausau Lyric Choir, an adult community choir dedicated to the performance of sacred choral literature. Ms. Thayer is a past president of WCDA and also served as a district representative. She is a member of MENC, WMEA, ACDA, and the International Federation for Choral Music. She holds memberships in Pi Kappa Lambda and Phi Eta Sigma, and an honorary membership in Sigma Alpha Iota.