Interest Session Presenter Biographies

Liana Salinas is a Nicaraguan-American choral conductor, educator, and entrepreneur based in Miami, Florida. She serves as Executive Artistic Director of the Miami Children’s Chorus, an organization she has been part of for 27 years. Having grown up in the chorus, she holds a deep understanding of the power of choral singing and the sense of community it fosters. In 2023, she appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, where she advocated for the impact of choir programs and the importance of access to music education for young people.

Liana is also the Founder and CEO of My Music Match, a company that connects students with private teachers in Miami, New York, and virtually worldwide. The organization also partners with schools to support music programs and books musicians for live events and festivals.

A sought-after guest conductor, Ms. Salinas has led honor choirs for the ACDA Eastern and Western Regions, as well as district and state choruses. She regularly collaborates with composers to commission new works for young voices and is known for creating meaningful musical experiences that connect singers to the music and to one another.

Dr. Ellen Gilson Voth serves as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Studies at the Univ. of CT (starting in Aug. 2026). Her conducting spans professional, community, collegiate and secondary-level ensembles throughout the Northeast. For nineteen years she has served as Artistic Director of the Farmington Valley Chorale (community chorale in greater Hartford, CT), and for seven years as Artistic Director of Novi Cantori, a professional chamber choir based in greater Springfield, MA – in both roles balancing traditional and innovative programming with new ventures in community outreach.

A regularly commissioned composer, Voth’s works are published by Oxford University Press, ECS Publishing, Graphite Publishing, Colla Voce, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and Walton Music. Voth is the winner of the 2022 American Prize for Choral Composition (shorter works), for “Across the empty square”; the 2022 winner of the ACDA Pearl Prize, for “Standing Tall”; the 2021/22 co-winner of the Ithaca College Choral Composition Prize, for “I had no time to hate”; and the 2020 Cincinnati Camerata Composition Prize, for “Above gravity”. She was also a finalist in the ACDA Brock competition for professional composers.

Voth is a singing member of CONCORA (CT Choral Artists) and performs frequently as a keyboard artist. Her doctoral degree (DMA) is from The Hartt School, Univ. of Hartford.

Dr. Kyra Stahr is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Syracuse University, where she conducts Vox Salina and teaches conducting and choral literature. Recently, she earned her DMA in Choral Conducting from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Her career is built on compassion and vulnerability, encouraging singers to approach music with authenticity and courage. A sought-after clinician and guest conductor, Stahr co-hosts the podcast conduct(her), amplifying female voices in the choral field. She holds degrees from USC and Miami University and continues to lead and present at international and national conferences, fostering humanity through choral excellence.

Ashley Vance is a soprano and is the visiting choral director at Colgate University, the music director at Pebble Hill Church, and a freelance vocalist and teacher. She earned her M.Mus. in Choral Conducting from Syracuse University (2026) and B.M. in Vocal Performance from Trevecca University (2020). Notable solo vocal experiences include Messiah (2026), Considering Matthew Shepard (2025), The Cloths of Heaven (2025 world premiere), and Lord Nelson Mass (2021). Ashley believes in the transformative power of choral spaces, cultivating vibrant communities where shared artistry serves as a catalyst for genuine friendship, joy, and collective creativity.

Dr. Micera is the Director of Choral Music and Theatre at Putnam Valley High School, and is a private practice clinical psychologist in NY. He received his doctorate in clinical psychology from Capella University in Minneapolis, MN, masters degrees in counseling from Pace University in NY and in music education from the University of Colorado, and his bachelors degree in piano performance from the University at Albany, NY.

Dr. Micera has has worked extensively in the field of choral music education directing middle and high school ensembles. Clinical psychology experience includes therapy with children, adolescents, and adults, specializing in working with couples and adolescents. He has a passion for treating issues related to anxiety, depression, adjustment difficulties and behavioral concerns.

Byron De Leon is a Guatemalan-American conductor, baritone, and educator from Brooklyn, NY. He sings with the Marble Choir at Marble Collegiate Church and has been invited to join the rosters of professional ensembles such as Voices of Ascension and the Philadelphia Symphonic Choir. Recently, he traveled to the Tolosa Choir Competition and the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing in Maribor, Slovenia, with the Delaware Choral Scholars and served as Conducting Apprentice with the Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia for their 152nd season. De Leon has participated in workshops including the King’s Singers Summer School, the Cleveland Orchestra Choral Institute, the Sarteano Choral Workshop, the Collaborative Piano Institute, and the Lift Every Voice Symposium. He holds an MM in Choral Conducting from Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, where he maintained a private voice studio, and a BM in Voice Performance with a minor in Linguistics from the Ithaca College School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. He is also an alumnus of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City and the Professional Performing Arts School.

Penelope Cruz has taught music at all grade levels, conducted community children’s and festival and honor choirs, and sung professionally. Since 2003, she has been the choral conductor at White Plains (NY) HS where the choirs have performed a body of varied repertoire, including commissioned works and major works, performing locally and in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center. She was President of the ACDA Eastern Region from 2020-2022 and will again serve as President 2026-2028. From 2016-2020, she was co-chair of the inaugural National ACDA Diversity Initiatives Committee. She has served as the program and honor choir chair for Eastern Region conferences since 2012 and was the NY ACDA President. In these roles, she has led conference programs, presented various workshops, has aimed to bring quality repertoire to every situation, and fostered diversity of all kinds. She was a writer on the Arts Standards Revision Committee for the NYSED. Penelope Cruz is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory and Eastman School of Music and currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

A choral and voice pedagogue based in New York City, Jonathan Morrone holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Messiah College in Pennsylvania and a Master of Voice Pedagogy degree from Westminster Choir College in New Jersey. He is also Assistant Conductor of the Glass Menagerie Chorus in lower Manhattan and additionally serves as Festival Chair for the NYSSMA Zone 12 Junior Area All-State festival.
His ensembles have consistently earned superior ratings at Music in the Parks adjudications and have received gold medals at NYSSMA Majors evaluations, reflecting a commitment to artistic excellence and educational growth. He has served as an adjudicator and clinician and presented interest sessions at professional development conferences for the Maryland Music Educators’ Association and the Pennsylvania Music Educators’ Association.
With a background rooted in both choral conducting and voice pedagogy, Jonathan is particularly interested in bridging the gap between private voice instruction and ensemble singing. His current research and professional focus center on expanding access to evidence-based voice pedagogy for transgender singers, with the goal of fostering inclusive, affirming, and functional vocal environments in both studio and choral settings.
He is dedicated to advancing equitable vocal education practices that support singers of all identities while maintaining artistic integrity in choral performance.

Dr. Edryn J. Coleman is a dynamic choral conductor, educator, and author whose work inspires singers and teachers alike. He teaches choir and piano at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia, Maryland, and serves as adjunct faculty in Music Education at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC). With experience spanning elementary through collegiate levels, he is committed to creating spaces where every student feels a sense of belonging, confidence, and artistic growth.

A passionate advocate for meaningful and accessible choral experiences, Dr. Coleman is a sought-after guest conductor, adjudicator, and presenter. His ensembles have performed at state and national levels, including an Insight Session at the 2023 ACDA National Conference. He also serves as Membership Chair for the ACDA Eastern Region and Immediate Past-President of the Maryland Choral Educators Association, supporting connection and collaboration among educators.

He is co-editor of *Accessible and Beautiful* (Oxford University Press), an anthology focused on inclusive, growth-centered repertoire. His work centers on the belief that repertoire can build skill, foster empathy, and strengthen community.

Dr. Coleman holds degrees from Stillman College, Florida State University, and Shenandoah Conservatory, and brings both rigor and heart to every space he leads.

Destiny Cooper is an active performer, conductor and educator whose goal is to find ways to build community through music, education and performance. Graduating from Westminster Choir College, Destiny has been a Middle School Choral Director and Conductor for Boston Children’s Chorus since 2018. As a music educator and conductor, Destiny is passionate about getting students thinking creatively in their music-making; through improvisation, Circlesinging and songwriting; previously presenting her work with students for Massachusetts NAfME and ACDA. She is an active judge and choral clinician and has been invited to work with Junior Ensembles in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Dr. Tyler Thomas teaches vocal music and musical theatre at Red Hook High School, directing the concert choir and vocal jazz ensemble. He has held prior positions in the Hudson Falls, North Colonie, and Galway school districts, and The School for Music Vocations in Creston, Iowa. Dr. Thomas has served as a guest conductor for honors mixed choirs and vocal jazz ensembles in Colorado, Pennsylvania, and New York. He holds a B.M. in Music Education from The Crane School of Music, and both an M.M. and D.M.A. in Jazz Studies from the University of North Texas.

Amy Kotsonis, Associate Professor, is the Director of Choral Activities at the University of New Hampshire, where she conducts Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, and teaches choral methods. She also serves as conductor and instructor at the Summer Youth Music School at the university, is the Music Director of the Community Chorus at South Berwick, Maine, and Artistic Director and Founder of Seacoast Choral Artists. Prior to her appointment at UNH, Amy was Associate Professor of Choral Ensembles and Music Education at the University of Northern Iowa, Artistic Director of the Metropolitan Chorale and UNI Children’s Choir, and Assistant Conductor of the Young People’s Chorus of New York City. She holds degrees from New York University, the University of New Hampshire, and Florida State University.

Mr. Garrett Fujarski is a 4x Grammy nominated music educator, and currently in his 15th year of directing chorus at William T. Rogers Middle School in the Kings Park Central School District. He is grateful to the directors and chairpeople of NY-ACDA for giving him the opportunity to present to current and future music educators, passing along knowledge that has been passed along to him. Mr. Fujarski is also a proud husband and father of two, and his eldest son (5) has said “Daddy makes the best pancakes,” before promptly refusing to eat them.

Robyn Hilger is the National Executive Director for the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), the largest association for choral professionals in the world.

Robyn’s career started as serving as the band and strings director at Belle Isle Middle School in Oklahoma City Public Schools. In 2007, she joined the Foundation for Oklahoma City Public Schools as the Chief Programs Officer, developing programming for Oklahoma’s largest urban school district. In 2014, after serving as a volunteer on the project development team, Robyn was named the Executive Director of El Sistema Oklahoma, a program focused on utilizing instrumental music education as a tool to facilitate the development of empowered youth. El Sistema Oklahoma is a non-auditioned program serving more than 200 students, grades 3-12, every day after-school for free. Robyn has also served as the Development Director at ReMerge, an organization focused on criminal justice reform for women facing felony offenses and as a Project Manager for the US Education Department’s G.E.A.R U.P. (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) at the University of Oklahoma’s K20 Center. She joined ACDA in September 2021.

In 2006, Robyn was named the Oklahoma Teacher of the Year and served as Oklahoma’s Ambassador for Education for a year, giving more than 200 presentations across the state for educators and community members. In 2017, she was named new Fundraiser of the Year by the Association for Fundraising Professionals, Oklahoma City Chapter. Robyn attended Oklahoma City University, graduating summa cum laude in 1999 with her bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education. She completed her master’s degree in School Administration in 2010 at the University of Central Oklahoma. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education in Administration and Leadership at Southern Nazarene University. Robyn is a renewed National Board Certified Teacher in Early Adolescence/Young Adult Music.