Ryan W. Holder is the Associate Director of Choral Studies at Northern Arizona University, where he directs the Women’s Chorale, Northern Voices and High Altitude vocal jazz ensembles, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting and choral methods, supervises choral student teachers, and serves as the adviser for the NAU student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. Ryan received his doctoral degree in the Fall 2007, from the University of Miami in addition to bachelors and masters degrees from Southern Oregon University and University of Northern Colorado, respectively.

A native Oregonian, Ryan graduated from South Medford High School and served as the Director of Choirs at Grants Pass High School from 1997-2001. During his tenure in Grants Pass his choirs won awards and accolades in both vocal jazz and traditional choral music, and his Melodairs women’s choir took first prize in the women’s choir division at the Vienna Youth and Music Festival in 2001.

Dr. Holder has given lectures and presentations at local, state, and regional American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and the National Music Educators Association conventions, and recently gave a lecture on “Male Choir Directors: Working with and Relating to Beginning Women’s Choirs” at the 2009 ACDA National Convention in Oklahoma City.  He has conducted honor choirs in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Colorado, Montana, and Hawaii.  His ensembles have been invited to perform throughout the Southwest, including performances at state and regional ACDA conferences. Dr. Holder serves as the Arizona State ACDA President as well as the ACDA National Committee on Technology.

Ryan also serves as the Director of Music at The Church of the Red Rocks in Sedona and is proud to serve as the Artistic Director of The Sedona Academy of Chamber Singers.

Joshua Palkki (he/him) is Assistant Professor of Music Learning and Teaching/Choral Conducting and Associate Director of Choral Activities at Arizona State University and co-author of Honoring Trans and Gender-Expansive Students in Music Education (Oxford University Press, 2021). He holds degrees from Michigan State University (Ph.D. music education), Northern Arizona University (M.M. choral conducting), and Ball State University (B.S. music education). Dr. Palkki has presented at national and international events including the National ACDA Conference, NAfME National Conference, and the Society for Music Teacher Education Symposium and is a sought-after guest conductor and scholar on equity and justice topics. Joshua’s writing appears in several choral and music education publications including Choral Journal, Journal of Music Teacher Education, and Journal of Research in Music Education, Engaging Musical Practices: A Sourcebook for Middle School General Music (2nd edition), Routledge Companion of Jazz and Gender, and the Handbook of Music and Art (Bloomsbury).