We farewell and welcome new board members. Since the last edition of ChoraLink, Bob Drafall decided to step down from the role of Eastern Region Membership Chair. Bob was the region’s first membership chair and we are very grateful to him for all he did to establish the position. In recent months the national office has been working to have more structured policies and procedures to increase membership, and since July 1 national membership has grown by more than 300 people, in no small part because of the work of all region membership chairs.
We wish Bob all the very best, and I’m delighted to share that Edryn Coleman (MD) has agreed to serve in this position for the remainder of the term of this board (June 30, 2024) and through Amanda’s presidency. I am grateful to Edryn and look forward to having him on the board.
Dr. Edryn Coleman
Dr. Edryn J. Coleman teaches Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and Piano at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia, MD. He has taught music in racially diverse public schools in the elementary, middle, and now high school level. He also brings years of classroom teaching experience from 2 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Each one of those experiences shaped his personal commitment to diversity in music education for every student at every levels.
Dr. Coleman has presented interest sessions for numerous professional organizations and school systems. Including appearances at 2 national conferences for ACDA speaking on Black perspectives in choral music from teaching styles to repertoire selection. In addition, his choirs have also performed for state and local conferences. With a plethora of guest conducting engagements, and judging appearances, Dr. Coleman is always grateful for the opportunity to share his love of choral music with learners of all ages.
From Edryn…
Greetings ACDA Eastern Region members, I am Edryn J. Coleman,a choir and piano teacher at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia, MD. My musical journey, spanning every level from elementary to college reflects an unwavering commitment to nurturing musical growth at every stage.
As an active guest conductor, adjudicator, and lecturer, my choirs have graced national conferences, with a highlight being an appearance in one of the Insight Sessions at the 2023 ACDA National Conference. I will now proudly be assuming the role of Eastern Region Membership Chair. I bring leadership experience, most recently as the President of the Maryland Choral Educators Association to this duty. Hailing from Montgomery, Alabama, with a musical foundation from Stillman College, Florida State University, and the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, I am guided by the philosophy that “They’ll never care how much you know until they know how much you care.” I’m beyond humbled to embark on the role of Eastern Region Membership Chair, and eagerly anticipate contributing to our collective passion for choral excellence within ACDA.
– Dr. Edryn J. Coleman