Dr. Dustin S. Cates (he/him/his) is a teacher, conductor, singer, researcher and proud native of Kansas City, Missouri. He is passionate about building meaningful relationships with people through music. Dr. Cates is Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at Boyer College of Music and Dance, part of the Center for Performing and Cinematic Arts at Temple University. At Temple he conducts the University Chorale, supervises graduate students, and teaches courses in music education, choral/vocal pedagogy, and choral methods. His research focuses on issues of equity, inclusion, belonging, and social justice in choral music. Cates is an active conductor/clinician for honor choirs and music festivals throughout the United States and a frequent presenter of workshops for music educators. Dr. Cates earned undergraduate and doctoral degrees in choral music education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory and a master’s degree from Baker University. Prior to his work at Temple, Cates was Artistic Director and Conductor of Heartland Men’s Chorus, Associate Director of Worship Arts at The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection and taught high school choral music in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He currently serves as the American Choral Directors Association National Repertoire and Resources Chair for Tenor/Bass Choirs and is Past President of the Kansas Choral Directors Association. Dr. Cates considers his most important roles to be husband to Dr. Raymond Cattaneo, and father to their son Emmaus.