WCDA is proud to announce the candidates for 2 elected leadership roles in our organization:
President-elect: Alexa Doebele and Zachary Durlam
North East District Representative: David Bowman and Michael Pufall
The polls for both of these races will be open now until January 12, 2019. The terms for each of these offices begins July 1, 2019.
ALL current WCDA members are welcome to vote for their choice for president-elect.
ONLY WCDA members in ZIP codes 530, 541, 542, 543 may vote for NE rep.
President Elect
Alexa Doebele
Dr. Alexa Doebele is associate professor of music and Director of Choral Activities at Concordia University Wisconsin, where she conducts Kammerchor, Selah, and the Chapel Choir, in addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, conducting, and choral literature. She joined the CUW faculty in 2009, having taught previously at the University of Wyoming, the University of Colorado, and Front Range Community College. She is a ten-year veteran of K-12 music education, most recently at Iver C. Ranum High School in Denver, Colorado. She is a frequent clinician, adjudicator, and guest conductor, and is active as an editor of choral music. Prior to her arrival in Wisconsin, Dr. Doebele served as the Director of Music at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. She is also active as both a solo and choral singer, having appeared with Vox Antiqua, the Milwaukee Choral Artists, the Colorado Conductors’ Chorus, the Ars Nova Singers, St. Martin’s Chamber Choir, the Boulder Chorale, the Littleton Chorale, and the Colorado Symphony Chorus. She completed a bachelor’s degree (double major in vocal performance and German language and literature) at Washington University in St. Louis and her Master of Music Education and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees at the University of Colorado. She currently serves as the Collegiate/University Repertoire & Resources Chair for WCDA.
I am passionate about ACDA and what it has to offer choral conductors of all types and all levels of experience. This is why I have been a member of ACDA for over 25 years, and this is also why I have been on state boards of ACDA and conference planning committees: to serve the organization that has done so much for me. If chosen as President-Elect of WCDA, I would like to continue the fine work we have been doing, but also to reach out to those who are not current members of WCDA and/or have not been involved to see how we can better meet the needs of Wisconsin choral directors.
President Elect
Zachary Durlam
As Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Dr. Zachary Durlam leads multiple choirs and teaches graduate and undergraduate conducting and choral literature. He previously taught at Fresno Pacific University where he was awarded the 2013 Faculty Distinguished Service Award and at Iowa City West High where his Chamber Choir performed for the 2006 NCACDA conference and the music department was one of seven programs in the nation named a Gold Signature School by the Grammy Foundation. Durlam received his bachelor’s degree from Luther College, master’s from the University of Iowa, and doctorate from Michigan State University. The UWM Concert Chorale under his direction has appeared at the WMEA and WCDA state music conferences and performed with the Rolling Stones at Milwaukee’s 2015 Summerfest. He has presented at state and regional conferences of ACDA and NAfME, and he frequently works as a guest conductor and clinician.
Throughout my career, ACDA has been a critical part of my development as a choral director and teacher. ACDA mentors and conferences were a lifeline for me early in my career, and the people, music, information, and experiences I encounter through ACDA and WCDA activities continue to inspire me and help me grow as a choral educator. It has been a privilege to serve on the WCDA board for the past 3 1/2 years, and it would be an honor to serve as president and give back to this organization that has given me so much.
President Elect Voting
ALL current WCDA members are welcome to vote for their choice for president-elect.
NE District Representative
Michael Pufall
Michael Pufall is in his tenth year at Bay Port High School and he currently directs the Concert Choir, Vocal Ensemble (auditioned, mixed chamber choir), and Cantus (non-auditioned bass clef choir). Prior to teaching at Bay Port, Michael taught middle school choirs and general music in Waunakee and Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. He holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education from UW-Milwaukee and Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN. Michael currently serves as the bass coach for the WSMA High School State Honors Mixed Choir and has previously served as a section coach for the WSMA Middle-Level Honors Choir. He has also served as a director for Singing in Wisconsin’s TB choir. Himself a former student at Bay Port High School, Michael is honored to return to his roots to offer quality musical opportunities for students and the community.
Michael looks forward to a role with WCDA in representing the northeast part of the state.
NE District Representative
David Bowman
Mr. Bowman received his Bachelor of Music from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. He met his musical wife while standing next to her inchoir. His teaching experience began at Janesville's Marshall Middle School where he taught for one year, five months and four days before taking on the challenge of rebuilding the choral program at Janesville Parker High School. After some issues in the arts department where he was lucky enough to get chosen to lead the choral program at the historic and iconic Manitowoc Lincoln High School. Choirs under his direction have sung at the United Nations in New York, Disney World, and Old North Church as well as Faneuil Hall in Boston. His choirs have also appeared at the Wisconsin Association of School Board Officials Conference and performed with the Manitowoc Symphony and the Milwaukee Symphony.
At this point in my career, I have some insights that would help our organization move forward and further its history of excellence.
NE District Representative Voting
ONLY WCDA members in ZIP codes 530, 541, 542, 543 may vote for NE rep.
