Choral Executive Leadership Academy

The Choral Executive Leadership Academy is an intensive leadership development program for early-to-mid career choral leaders who have been marginalized because of race and ethnicity. The Leadership Academy focuses on building administrative skillsets required of C-suite leaders, with specific attention to unique challenges that these leaders face in predominantly White institutions, in order to create career pathways to executive leadership. Applicants from all choral backgrounds are welcome and encouraged to apply!

In the summer of 2023, the inaugural Choral Executive Leadership Academy will combine online learning (including synchronous and asynchronous formats) with hands-on guidance from expert faculty, one-on-one mentorship, and a kickoff in-person convening at the 2023 Chorus America Conference, May 31-June 2 in San Francisco, CA. The 2023 Leadership Academy will serve 30 participants, providing the opportunity to develop a cohort of peers and meaningful connections within the choral field.

Participants who complete this program will be equipped with the skills and support system to hold executive positions in choral organizations. Chorus America envisions increased diversity (and racial diversity in particular) in the choral field’s C-suite administrative leadership as a direct outcome of this program.

Collaboration With Equity Sings

The Choral Executive Leadership Academy is developed in collaboration with choral conductor, composer, consultant, and equity coach Arreon Harley-Emerson, and rooted in the proven curriculum of the “Leaders of Promise” program, which Harley-Emerson created as part of his consulting business, Equity Sings.

Applications for the 2023 cohort are now closed.

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