Dr. Pamela Blackstone is a renowned and respected conductor on the national and international choral scene, where her expertise and innovative approach to singing have empowered performers to achieve their highest levels of musicianship, vocal technique, and creative artistry. Currently, she serves as Associate Artistic Director and Chief Programming Officer of the GRAMMY® Award-winning National Children’s Chorus. For over three decades, Dr. Blackstone has devoted herself to the art of performance and music education with passion and awe-inspiring energy. Her concert appearances have included Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Royce Hall, and The Broad Stage, with international appearances in London, Oxford, Wales, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Copenhagen, Oslo, Rome, Florence, Venice, Vatican City, Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Lisbon, Madrid, Barcelona, Beijing, Xi’an, the Korean DMZ, Seoul, Tokyo, Kyoto, Sydney, Cairns and Melbourne. Her recent musical collaborations include projects with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Grant Gershon and the Los Angeles Master Chorale, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, American Youth Symphony, VOCES8, Sharon Farber, Nico Muhly, Caroline Polachek, and Meredith Monk. As a college educator, Dr. Blackstone held the position of Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Studies at the University of Arkansas, Fort Smith, and emerged as one of the Midwest region’s most sought-after choral clinicians, judges, and choreographers. She also served as the Assistant Conductor of the Los Angeles-based Angeles Chorale, and has taught choral and vocal music at the University of California Los Angeles, Santa Ana College, and church organizations across the nation. In addition, Dr. Blackstone is a featured conductor and clinician at music conferences throughout the country. Dr. Blackstone obtained her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from the University of Kansas, a Master of Music degree in choral conducting from the University of Missouri–Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of California Los Angeles. Combined with her expertise in the healing arts profession, Dr. Blackstone has advocated for an integrated, holistic approach to music education that embodies an eclectic array of modalities and methodologies, enriching her students mentally, emotionally, and kinesthetically. In addition, Dr. Blackstone has established herself as an invaluable vocal instructor and in-demand performance coach across the nation. Recent students have been accepted with scholarships at top-level programs including the University of Southern California, University of California Los Angeles, Manhattan School of Music, New York University, Mannes School of Music, Northwestern University, Boston Conservatory, Berklee, Oberlin, University of Michigan, Peabody Institute, Indiana University, Stanford and Harvard.

Julia Morris is a conductor and vocalist native to the San Francisco Bay Area. She began her musical journey with the flute at age 7 and has since found her niche in song and the choral art. Julia recently completed her Master of Music degree in choral conducting at the University of Michigan, where she studied under Dr. Eugene Rogers. While at Michigan, Julia served as co-conductor of Orpheus Singers and as assistant conductor for the Women’s Glee Club and Michigan Youth Chamber Singers. Prior to her graduate studies, Julia served as assistant conductor for Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra for three years, where she conducted masterworks including Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, and a segment of Dvorak’s Spectre’s Bride. Working as an educator, she was an Artist-in-Residence in the vocal department of the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, where Julia enjoyed directing the treble ensemble Anacrusis, coaching vocal performance students, and mentoring student conductors. She is ever grateful to composer/conductor Eric Choate and the community at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin in San Francisco who offered Julia her first opportunity to study choral conducting as their Conducting Scholar. Seeking additional growth as a conductor and leader, Julia participated in Chorus America’s 2023 Choral-Orchestral Conducting Academy as a Scholar, and she has participated in two summer Choral Artistry Institutes at Eastman School of Music. She is delighted to have sung with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus from 2018-2021 where she continued to nurture her love of singing. Julia graduated cum laude from Kenyon College in Ohio where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in music (departmental distinction) and psychology. Among her mentors and teachers are Dr. Eugene Rogers, Daniel Washington, Ming Luke, Eric Choate, and Dr. Benjamin Locke. Julia currently serves on the conducting team with the National Children’s Chorus, and as artistic director of Vallejo Choral Society.

Julia Morris is a conductor and vocalist native to the San Francisco Bay Area. She began her musical journey with the flute at age 7 and has since found her niche in song and the choral art. Julia recently completed her Master of Music degree in choral conducting at the University of Michigan, where she studied under Dr. Eugene Rogers. While at Michigan, Julia served as co-conductor of Orpheus Singers and as assistant conductor for the Women’s Glee Club and Michigan Youth Chamber Singers. Prior to her graduate studies, Julia served as assistant conductor for Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra for three years, where she conducted masterworks including Brahms’ Ein Deutsches Requiem, Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass, and a segment of Dvorak’s Spectre’s Bride. Working as an educator, she was an Artist-in-Residence in the vocal department of the Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of the Arts, where Julia enjoyed directing the treble ensemble Anacrusis, coaching vocal performance students, and mentoring student conductors. She is ever grateful to composer/conductor Eric Choate and the community at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin in San Francisco who offered Julia her first opportunity to study choral conducting as their Conducting Scholar. Seeking additional growth as a conductor and leader, Julia participated in Chorus America’s 2023 Choral-Orchestral Conducting Academy as a Scholar, and she has participated in two summer Choral Artistry Institutes at Eastman School of Music. She is delighted to have sung with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus from 2018-2021 where she continued to nurture her love of singing. Julia graduated cum laude from Kenyon College in Ohio where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in music (departmental distinction) and psychology. Among her mentors and teachers are Dr. Eugene Rogers, Daniel Washington, Ming Luke, Eric Choate, and Dr. Benjamin Locke. Julia currently serves on the conducting team with the National Children’s Chorus, and as artistic director of Vallejo Choral Society.