Special Edition: 2026 MMC | | |
Mr. Matthew T. Snell has served as Director of Choral Activities at Northwest High School since 2008, where he directs five choirs, produces the annual musical, and advises the Tri-M Music Honor Society. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Western Michigan University (2008) and a Master of Music Education from the University of Michigan (2017).
He currently serves as MSVMA Director of State Events, on the Adjudication Committee, and has stepped back into the role of District 8 Manager.
Under Mr. Snell’s leadership, the Northwest High School choirs have consistently earned superior ratings at both district and state festivals. His ensembles have been featured at the ACDA-MI State Conference (2013, 2015, 2019, and 2023) and at the Michigan Music Conference (2015 and 2026). In 2024, Mr. Snell conducted the MSVMA TTBB State Honors Choir, and in 2025, his choir was named MSVMA Outstanding Choir of the Year.
A passionate advocate for student engagement, Mr. Snell teaches approximately 20% of the Northwest student body, with one-third of his singers pursuing private voice lessons. He organizes and leads over 35 unique events annually—averaging one event each week — creating a vibrant and inclusive choral program that encourages growth, confidence, and lifelong musicianship.
A five-time nominee for MSVMA Teacher of the Year, Mr. Snell continues to contribute to the state’s music education community. In the 2025-2026 school year, he organized the MSVMA Adjudication Fast Track Event, District 8’s first Annual TB Day (with over 300 participants), and will host the State Solo & Ensemble Festival (South). His past leadership includes service on the full boards of both the American Choral Directors Association of Michigan and MSVMA, where he has held positions including District 8 Manager and Supervisor of State Choral Festival South.
Mr. Snell finds deep joy in teaching at Northwest High School and remains profoundly grateful for the support of his students, colleagues, and community. He lives in East Lansing with his wife, Jessica Nieuwkoop, and their two children.
| | 2026 Conference Headliner | | 2026 Conducting Symposium Headliner | Dr. Nicole Mattfeld, Alma College | | |
Jake Zimmer, Student
Western Michigan University
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Megan Sinclair, Director
Dundee Community Schools
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Nykkoa Lurie, Director
Gladwin High School
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Rachel Quillian, Director
Marysville High School
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Zach Everly, Director
Grand Ledge High School
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The celebration, collaboration, and shared joy of music filled the hallways of the Amway Grand Plaza, DeVos Place, and JW Marriott during the 2026 Michigan Music Conference. Friends and colleagues from across the state gathered to learn, reconnect, and be inspired. Our headliner, Elaine Hagenberg, gave us an insider’s view of the composer’s process and maybe inspired some of us to take a musical leap we’ve been contemplating. Her presence added an incredible depth and warmth to our conference, bridging the gap between technical artistry and emotional connection. Throughout the conference, attendees connected through engaging interest sessions and were energized by outstanding performances.
The conference opened on Thursday with focused professional growth at the Choral Conducting Symposium, led by Dr. Nicole Mattfeld and the Alma College Choir, and the Adjudication Conference, featuring the West Ottawa Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Honors Choirs under the direction of Carrie Ledet & Jamie Steinman. The 6-7-8-9 Honors Choirs, under the direction of Andrea Gay (SA), Dr. Jacob Berglin (SSA), and Kyle Cain (TTB), brought students together from across Michigan for truly life-changing musical experiences. Thursday afternoon also provided meaningful opportunities for future music educators, with a panel meet-and-greet, a session about passing the baton by Josh Danielson, and a session on what we didn’t learn in college by Matthew Greenberg and Katie Hill. A special thank you to Anthony Funaro for guiding the Thursday sessions with his signature enthusiasm and care and Jane Sorenson for continuing to provide opportunities for our collegiate membership with Campus Connections.
Friday and Saturday were filled with interest sessions that offered both fresh perspectives and immediately applicable classroom strategies. Heartfelt thanks to Roger David, Peyton Weil, William Mason-Walker, Amy Schroeder, Kathryn Witkowski, Meghan Eldred-Woolsey, James Cumings, Catherine Bennett, Natasha Valdes, Rob Stow, Stuart Chapman Hill, Jessica Murphy, Carolyn Carrano, Sadarra Fields, Darrius S. Washington, and Ryan Bowie, for generously sharing their expertise and passion. We also piloted the “Consult a Specialist” time - where members could ask questions about adjudication or their own classroom! A big thank you to this year's specialists for devoting their time: Kelli Falls (MSVMA Director of Adjudication), Amy Schroeder (ADCDA-MI and MSVMA Director of All-State Festival), and MSVMA members Emeriti Bob Cindric and Shirley Lemon.
The success of MMC would not be possible without the dedication of so many volunteers. MSVMA members once again stepped up, offering their time and talents to ensure a smooth and welcoming conference experience. Special thanks to Megan Sinclair, Sarah Stockton, Matt Callaghan, Zach Everly, Anthony Funaro, Natalie Smith, Julia Holt, Eric Cadena, Laura Oprea, Matt Snell, and Amy Schroeder for presiding over sessions and performances. We are also grateful to the state supervisors and coordinators whose work throughout the fall culminated in the exceptional performances and experiences at MMC.
Friday and Saturday also showcased inspiring performances during the MSVMA Choral Hours and High School Honors Choir concerts. Congratulations to Kristin Burton and the Grand Ledge Beagle Middle School 8th Grade Choir, Emerick Dee and the Traverse City West Middle School Tenor/Bass Choir, Jennifer Metcalf and the Byron Center High School Bella Voce, Steve Lorenz and the Ann Arbor Pioneer High School A Cappella Choir, and Matt Snell and the Jackson Northwest High School Vocal Dimension for their moving performances during Friday’s Choral Hour. And what an incredible way to end the concert, with the combined singing of Martin’s “The Awakening!”
Saturday’s Specialized Choral Hour featured musical theatre soloists Will Powers (Ann Arbor Skyline High School) and Lana Lanzanis (Troy Athens High School), along with the South Lyon Millennium Middle School Chamber Choir under the direction of Christopher Knapp, and the Ann Arbor Skyline High School Cantare TB Choir under Lyn CieChanski. Additional highlights included the All-State Jazz Ensemble, conducted by Rosana Eckert, the High School SSAA Honors Choir led by Ashley Ward, the TTBB Honors Choir conducted by Matthew W. Smith, and the SATB Honors Choir under the direction of Dr. James Borst - each taking audiences on a remarkable musical journey.
Thank you to everyone who attended MMC 2026. We invite you to share feedback by completing our post-conference survey; your input directly informs and strengthens future conferences.
Did MMC leave you inspired and full of new ideas? This year’s conference was so successful because of the diverse variety of sessions presented - we want to hear from you! Consider submitting a session proposal for the 2027 Michigan Music Conference. Proposals are due by Friday, April 24th: Submit Here!
Submitted by Meghan Eldred-Woolsey, MMC Planning Committee
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MMC Executive Board - MSVMA Representatives
Brian Leduc & Sarah Stockton
MMC Planning Committee - MSVMA Representatives
Eric Cadena, Matthew Callaghan, & Meghan Eldred-Woolsey
| Gail Worden was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the Michigan Music Conference. Her depth of knowledge and historical perspective for the conference was truly appreciated and we are very grateful for her many years of dedicated service. | | |
The Emeritus Membership Program honors retired MSVMA members, whose lives have been devoted to the enhancement of choral music in secondary schools.
Congratulations to our newest Members Emeritus!
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From Left to Right: Wendee Wolf-Schlarf, Sheri Petersen, Kevin Wells, Gail Worden, Janice Boswell, Michael Martin, and Jeffrey Danner
Not pictured: Shawn Lawton and Kristine Ryskamp
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6-7-8-9 SA Honors Choir
Andrea Gay, Director
Jane VanHof, Collaborative Pianist
Anne Lawrence, SA State Coordinator
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7-8-9 TTB Honors Choir
Kyle Cain, Director
Aaron Goodyke, Collaborative Pianist
Jeanna Lemar, Clarinet
Luke Timmer, TTB State Coordinator
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7-8-9 SSA Honors Choir
Jacob Berglin, Director
Todd Schreiber, Collaborative Pianist
Christopher Knapp, SSA State Coordinator
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High School SSAA Honors Choir
Ashley Ward, Director
Dave Howland, Collaborative Pianist
Anne Thompson, Cello
Benjamin Mohr, SSAA State Coordinator
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High School TTBB Honors Choir
Matthew W. Smith, Director
Todd Schreiber, Collaborative Pianist
Jaylon Sims, TTBB State Coordinator
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High School SATB Honors Choir
Dr. James Borst, Director
Todd Wilkie, Collaborative Pianist
June Nelson, Guest Collaborative Pianist
Jennifer Kotchenruther, Violin
Anne Thompson, Cello
Luke Devries, Stephen Gillich, Leah Ivory, Percussion
Marisa Bergh, SATB Coordinator
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8th Grade Treble Choir
Beagle Middle School
Kristen Burton, Director
Carmen Karkau, Colloborative Pianist
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7th & 8th Grade Tenor Bass Choir
Traverse City West Middle School
Emerick Dee, Director
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Bella Voce
Byron Center High School
Jennifer Metcalf, Director
Rebecca Becker, Collaborative Pianist
Maddy Peters, Cello
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A Cappella Choir
Ann Arbor Pioneer High School
Steven R. Lorenz, Director
Seohyun You, Collaborative Pianist
| | Specialized Choral Hour & All-State Jazz | | |
Cantare TB Choir
Ann Arbor Skyline High School
Lindsay CieChanski, Director
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Musical Theatre Intensive Soloist
Will Powers
Ann Arbor Skyline High School
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Musical Theatre Intensive Soloist
Lana Lanzanas
Troy Athens High School
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Chamber Choir
Millennium Middle School
Christopher Knapp, Director
Larisa Kennedy, Collaborative Pianist
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All-State Jazz Honors Choir
Rosana Eckert, Director
Jed Scott, Coordinator
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Chanteurs
West Ottawa Middle School
Carrie Ledet and Jamie Steinman, Directors
Virginia Kerwin, Choral Adjudication Clinician
Jolene Plotzke, Sight Reading Clinician
| | We experienced so many incredible sessions by so many exceptional music educator colleagues. Below are some highlights! | | |
MSVMA Collegiate #2:
Passing the Baton: Navigating Culture Change in a Legacy Choral Program
Josh Danielson, Reeths-Puffer High School
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Getting Your Middle School Choir to "Make a Scene" (On Purpose)
James Cumings, Jackson Northwest Kidder Middle School
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Off Broadway, In the Classroom: Belting for the Choral Director
Kathryn Witkowski, Triumph Music Academy
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The Sacred Sounds of the Black Church Experience
Sadarra Fields, Forsythe Music Academy
Darrius Washington, Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School
Ryan Bowie, Ypsilanti Community High School
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Igniting Passion Through Repertoire: Finding Music That Inspires
Meghan Eldred-Woolsey, DeWitt High School
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Teamwork Makes the Dream Work: Creating Cohesive Secondary Choral Programs
William Mason-Walker and Demetrius Mason-Walker, Michigan State University
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Visitors to the MSVMA's booth at the MMC Exhibit Hall could register to win professional development opportunities and fun organization activities.
Drawing winners are:
Julie Pelligrino-Hartman
2026 MSVMA Community
Katelyn Dunn
Choral Student Leadership Conference
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth and entered our drawings!
| | Reception & Annual Meeting | | |
Being a part of MSVMA is more than just making music - it’s about growth, connection, and inspiration. We are all part of a passionate community that truly values the power of music, the value of strengthening confidence, discipline, and appreciation of all genres and cultures. We aim to foster a supportive environment, surrounded by people who are cheering each other on and striving for excellence together. The friendships, the encouragement, and the shared love of music make MSVMA feel like a sanctuary to so many. Through rehearsals, performances, professional development, and more, we witness how voices bring meaning to moments of joy, grief, celebration, and healing.
Please stay involved…or get involved if you haven’t yet! There are so many opportunities.
Reach out if you have any questions or concerns; we are here to help. We really mean that.
Bring someone new into our community; tell other vocal music educators that may not yet be members of MSVMA about what it is that we do. It’s that personal connection that really makes a difference.
We are looking forward to continuing to embrace innovation while honoring tradition. We are looking forward to continuing to expand access to vocal music for every type of community that we serve. We are looking forward to strengthening partnerships that amplify our impact.
On our logo we are constantly reminded to Educate. Empower. Experience. The art of vocal music. We are doing just that.
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