Welcome to Leadership Symposium 2025
February 14–16, 2025. | Sahara Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
We are very much looking forward to welcoming you to the 2025 GALA Choruses Leadership Symposium. Here are some details that will help you get the most out of the weekend.
- Registration will begin at 10:00 AM PST on Friday, February 14.
- Please register at the desk situated near the Nikko IV conference room.
- Programming begins at 12:00 PM PST with the Artistic/Music Director Masterclass and specific roundtable discussions following at 1:30 PM PST.
- Please download the Integra Mobile App for the list of workshops and locations.
- We are mostly paperless this year so please bring an appropriate device for note-taking and to view any music.
- For those attending the SSAA Music Rep Session, you will need to follow the Reading Session App instructions prior to attending the session.
- Everyone is invited to the Friday concert and karaoke party and the Saturday fundraiser. There will be light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.
Still need to register?
Register through the Integra Planner system; the registration fee is now $350 for the first 2 members of a chorus, and $300 for the 3rd or more.
GALA’s Leadership Symposium offers an opportunity for leaders of GALA member choruses to meet one another, attend workshops, network, learn about ways to engage with schools in your community, and to pick up resources for building successful choruses. We’ll share our success stories, learn from our collective mistakes, and have a great time in a beautiful location! It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet peers, and we’ll have special intensive workshops for new GALA chorus ADs, new chorus board members, and chorus managers.
In addition to a full slate of workshops and seminars, there will be plenty of open-agenda time to discuss the particular issues with which your chorus might be struggling. We’ll have round-table discussions, one-on-one consultations with GALA 411 Advisors, and social gatherings.
Symposium Housing
Housing for Symposium 2025 is available at SAHARA Las Vegas, where Symposium workshops will be held. Click below to reserve your room today!
Hotel Rates
These including resort fee and taxes.
Thursday 2/13—$120
Friday 2/14—$211
Saturday 2/15—$302
Sunday 2/16—$154
Symposium Events
Guest Conductor
GALA’s Artistic Directors will have the opportunity to work with guest conductor, Dr. Elizabeth Schauer. Dr. Schauer serves as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Arizona where she is recognized for her innovative and inclusive curricular approach to academia and choral settings. Dr. Schauer is also bringing her award-winning University of Arizona Symphonic Choir and will lead a series of Master Classes; GALA conductors will have a chance to conduct the Symphonic Choir. Dr. Schauer will also lead a workshop on community building and programming between academic choirs and community choruses.
Friday Evening Performance
On Friday evening, February 14, the University of Arizona Symphonic Choir will partner with the Las Vegas Men’s Chorus for a performance!
Fundraising Competition
In order to encourage collaborative sharing of ideas and experiences, GALA Symposium will hold a fundraising proposal competition along the lines of the TV show “Shark Tank”. In this competition, small and midsize budget GALA choruses will present a proposal that needs financial backing. That proposal could be an event, an initiative, a corporate sponsorship, or an investment idea that is needing financial support to get started. Each group will be given a time to propose their concept to a panel. During the presentation time, the panel will provide detailed feedback on the proposal. They will ask detailed questions that challenge the presenters to be fully prepared for any potential hiccups that are seen in the presentation. The panel will also provide feedback during and following the presentation that will allow the presenters to continue to advance the quality of their presentation. Prior to the competition the contestants will have an opportunity to work on their presentations with experienced fundraisers in workshop settings to prepare.
Schedule
All times are in Pacific Standard Time (PST).
| Date | Start | End | Name | Location | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri 02/14 | 8:30 AM | 12:00 PM | GALA Board Meeting | Clyde | |
| Fri 02/14 | 12:00 PM | 1:40 PM | Artistic/Music Director Master Classes | Albert I & II | Elizabeth Schauer, Gabriel Gonzales, Ligia Pucci, Mary Klaasen |
| Fri 02/14 | 1:00 PM | 5:00 PM | 411 Advisor One-on-One Consultations (sign up at registration desk) | Clyde | |
| Fri 02/14 | 1:30 PM | 3:15 PM | Executive Director Roundtable | Marcel I | Donovan Jones |
| Fri 02/14 | 1:30 PM | 3:15 PM | Board and Volunteer Roundtable | Nikko IV | John D Carrion |
| Fri 02/14 | 1:30 PM | 3:15 PM | Artistic/Music Direction Roundtable Discussion following Masterclass | Nikko III | Kathleen Hansen |
| Fri 02/14 | 3:30 PM | 5:00 PM | Intergenerational Dynamics | Marcel I | Abby Hall, Reid Vanderburgh |
| Fri 02/14 | 3:30 PM | 5:00 PM | SSAA Music Rep Session | Nikko IV | Melissa T Arasi |
| Fri 02/14 | 3:30 PM | 5:00 PM | TTBB Music Rep Session | Nikko II | Gabe Salazar, Jerry Soria-Foust |
| Fri 02/14 | 3:30 PM | 5:00 PM | SATB Music Rep Session | Nikko III | Eric Williamson, Jordan Saul |
| Fri 02/14 | 3:30 PM | 5:00 PM | From Mission to Money: Communicating Your Value Through Story | Albert I & II | Christopher Eanes |
| Fri 02/14 | 4:00 PM | 5:00 PM | Symphonic Choir Soundcheck/Dress Rehearsal | Congo I & II | Elizabeth Schauer |
| Fri 02/14 | 5:00 PM | 6:30 PM | LVMC Rehearsal | Congo I & II | Ryan Duff, Ryan Miller |
| Fri 02/14 | 6:30 PM | 7:30 PM | Concert | Congo I & II | Elizabeth Schauer, Las Vegas Men’s Chorus, University of Arizona Symphonic Choir, Ryan Duff, Ryan Miller |
| Fri 02/14 | 7:30 PM | 10:00 PM | Reception and Karaoke Event! | Congo II and III | |
| Sat 02/15 | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | Artistic/Music Director Master Classes | Albert I & II | Elizabeth Schauer, Garrett Bond, Brad B Rinaldo, Michaela Cruse, Evan Miles |
| Sat 02/15 | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | An Introduction to Strategic Plans for Queer Choirs | Nikko III | John D Carrion, Simon White |
| Sat 02/15 | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | Negotiating Contracts from Admin and Artistic/Music Director Perspectives | Marcel I | Kathleen Hansen (GALA), Michael McDonald |
| Sat 02/15 | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | The ABCs of Engaging With Youth | Nikko IV | Mitch Galli, Paul Heins, Joe Lee |
| Sat 02/15 | 9:00 AM | 5:00 PM | 411 Advisor One on Ones (sign up at registration desk) | Marcel II | |
| Sat 02/15 | 10:15 AM | 11:45 AM | Digital Marketing Through an Artistic Director Lens | Marcel I | Shawn Cullen |
| Sat 02/15 | 10:15 AM | 11:45 AM | Sing for Your Supper: Blueprint for Arts Fundraising Through Small Groups | Nikko IV | Timorell Morrell, John D Carrion |
| Sat 02/15 | 10:15 AM | 11:45 AM | Reframing Your Fundraising Future | Nikko III | Matthew Ramsey |
| Sat 02/15 | 10:45 AM | 12:15 PM | Artistic/Music Director Private Coaching Lessons | Albert I & II | Elizabeth Schauer, Amy Saari, Ligia Pucci, Michaela Cruse |
| Sat 02/15 | 12:00 PM | 1:00 PM | BIPOC Lunch Gathering (invitation only) | Azilo Ultra Pool and Lounge | |
| Sat 02/15 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | Licensing: Custom And Non-Stock Options | Nikko IV | Miriam Davidson, Sean Mikel Baugh, Steve Milloy |
| Sat 02/15 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | New Harmony Workbook I & II | Nikko III | Anthony Cabrera, Maria-Elena Y Grant |
| Sat 02/15 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | Social Media: Building Your Brand | Marcel I | Trevor Chauvin-DeCaro |
| Sat 02/15 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | Make Your Pitch Presentation (requires pre-registration) | Nikko II | John D Carrion, Lou Spisto, Craig Coogan, Eve Campbell |
| Sat 02/15 | 1:30 PM | 3:00 PM | Choirs for Change: Programming with Purpose | Albert I & II | Elizabeth Schauer |
| Sat 02/15 | 3:15 PM | 4:45 PM | Aging Voices / Trans Identified Voices | Marcel I | Jessica Steuver, Klo Garoute |
| Sat 02/15 | 3:15 PM | 4:45 PM | Cleaning Up Your Conducting Technique | Albert I & II | |
| Sat 02/15 | 3:15 PM | 4:45 PM | What’s In A Name? | Nikko III | Anthony Cabrera, Maria-Elena Y Grant, Miriam Davidson |
| Sat 02/15 | 3:15 PM | 4:45 PM | Make Your Pitch Presentation | Nikko II | Craig Coogan, John D Carrion, Lou Spisto, Eve Campbell |
| Sat 02/15 | 3:15 PM | 4:45 PM | Elevating Voices: Choral Conducting Interns and Local University Music Programs | Nikko IV | Brayton Bollenbacher, Jordan Saul |
| Sat 02/15 | 6:00 PM | 8:00 PM | GALA Leadership Symposium Fundraising Gala | Sahara Theatre | Abby Hall, Brayton Bollenbacher, Gabe Salazar, John D Carrion, Maria-Elena Y Grant, Matthew Ramsey |
| Sun 02/16 | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | Forum for Female-Identifying Leaders | Albert II | Miriam Davidson, Kristen Stinnett |
| Sun 02/16 | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | Boundaries and Self-Care: Living and Working in Your Community | Nikko IV | Brayton Bollenbacher |
| Sun 02/16 | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | Building Board and Volunteers for your Organization | Nikko III | Eve Campbell |
| Sun 02/16 | 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | GALA Onward: Taking Stock in a Time of Transition | Nikko IV | John D Carrion, Maria-Elena Y Grant |
| Sun 02/16 | 12:00 PM | 1:30 PM | Lunch | Nikko IV | |
| Sun 02/16 | 1:30 PM | 4:30 PM | Open Artistic/Music Director time | Nikko IV | |
| Sun 02/16 | 1:30 PM | 4:30 PM | Open Admin time | Albert II | |
| Sun, 02/16 | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | Forum for Female-Identifying Leaders | Albert II | Miriam Davidson, Kristen Stinnett |
| Sun, 02/16 | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | Boundaries and Self-Care: Living and Working in Your Community | Nikko IV | Brayton Bollenbacher |
| Sun, 02/16 | 8:30 AM | 10:00 AM | Building Board and Volunteers for your Organization | Nikko III | Eve Campbell |
| Sun, 02/16 | 10:30 AM | 12:00 PM | GALA Onward: Symposium and Festivals of the Future | Nikko IV | John D Carrion, Maria-Elena Y Grant |
| Sun, 02/16 | 1:30 PM | 4:30 PM | Open AD Time | Nikko IV | |
| Sun, 02/16 | 1:30 PM | 4:30 PM | Open Admin Time | Albert II |
Symposium 2025 Partner
