Reflections on Choral Connect '25
1 Oct 2025
Our ACD Choral Connect conductors conference, held in Wellington in September 2025, was a source of inspiration and invigoration for the more than 90 delegates who attended.
We asked three of them - Christine McLeod (Invercargill), Dan Ieremia (Rotorua) and Sarah Whittles (WhÄngarei) - to share their reflections.
Choral Connect was an experience I didn’t know my spirit was longing for. From the wisdom and generosity of Dr. Pearl Shangkuan—and every presenter, clinician, and advisor—to the breathtaking empathy and sound of the guest choirs, the weekend renewed my love for the art form and the community that sustains it.
Encountering so many of my role models and musical heroes, and witnessing their innate graciousness, was a gift beyond measure—especially in a field where ego can so easily slip in unnoticed š¤£. Most of all, I’m grateful to the NZCF for creating this gathering. Meeting fellow conductors and sharing stories of rehearsal challenges, community-building philosophies, and the ever-familiar shadows of self-doubt or imposter syndrome was a powerful reminder that none of us are alone as we work to nurture humanity through music in our own small corners of Aotearoa.
As a first time attendee, I was blown away with how much I learned in the space of three days - every single session was worthwhile.
The opportunity to conduct in the masterclass with the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir, while terrifying, was a thrilling experience!
The night after I returned home, I put many of the things I had learned straight into practice with my choir, and hearing and seeing them respond was just magic!
The warmth and supportiveness of the tutors and the other attendees at Choral Connect made this an experience to treasure and I can’t wait to attend the next one.
What a fantastic conference – warm, welcoming and inclusive with something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned directors. It was a wonderful opportunity to connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, be inspired and reminded that we are not alone in the challenges and joys of choral leadership.
Pearl Shangkuan and the outstanding tutors inspired and reminded me of the role we can play in others' lives as choral directors: to connect deeply with our choirs, and create music that not only sounds glorious but also moves people, bringing joy, unity, and a shared sense of humanity.