Leadership Symposium 2025

Image of the Vegas strip with the text: Leadership Symposium, February 14-16, 2025, Sahara Las Vegas

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.

  1. Registration will begin at 10:00 AM PST on Friday, February 14.
  2. Please register at the desk situated near the Nikko IV conference room.
  3. Programming begins at 12:00 PM PST with the Artistic/Music Director Masterclass and specific roundtable discussions following at 1:30 PM PST.
  4. Please download the Integra Mobile App for the list of workshops and locations.
  5. We are mostly paperless this year so please bring an appropriate device for note-taking and to view any music.
  6. For those attending the SSAA Music Rep Session, you will need to follow the Reading Session App instructions prior to attending the session.
  7. 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.

Register

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!

Housing

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).

DateStartEndNameLocationParticipants
Fri 02/148:30 AM12:00 PMGALA Board MeetingClyde
Fri 02/1412:00 PM1:40 PMArtistic/Music Director Master ClassesAlbert I & IIElizabeth Schauer, Gabriel Gonzales, Ligia Pucci, Mary Klaasen
Fri 02/141:00 PM5:00 PM411 Advisor One-on-One Consultations (sign up at registration desk)Clyde
Fri 02/141:30 PM3:15 PMExecutive Director RoundtableMarcel IDonovan Jones
Fri 02/141:30 PM3:15 PMBoard and Volunteer RoundtableNikko IVJohn D Carrion
Fri 02/141:30 PM3:15 PMArtistic/Music Direction Roundtable Discussion following MasterclassNikko IIIKathleen Hansen
Fri 02/143:30 PM5:00 PMIntergenerational DynamicsMarcel IAbby Hall, Reid Vanderburgh
Fri 02/143:30 PM5:00 PMSSAA Music Rep SessionNikko IVMelissa T Arasi
Fri 02/143:30 PM5:00 PMTTBB Music Rep SessionNikko IIGabe Salazar, Jerry Soria-Foust
Fri 02/143:30 PM5:00 PMSATB Music Rep SessionNikko IIIEric Williamson, Jordan Saul
Fri 02/143:30 PM5:00 PMFrom Mission to Money: Communicating Your Value Through StoryAlbert I & IIChristopher Eanes
Fri 02/144:00 PM5:00 PMSymphonic Choir Soundcheck/Dress RehearsalCongo I & IIElizabeth Schauer
Fri 02/145:00 PM6:30 PMLVMC RehearsalCongo I & IIRyan Duff, Ryan Miller
Fri 02/146:30 PM7:30 PMConcertCongo I & IIElizabeth Schauer, Las Vegas Men's Chorus, University of Arizona Symphonic Choir, Ryan Duff, Ryan Miller
Fri 02/147:30 PM10:00 PMReception and Karaoke Event!Congo II and III
Sat 02/158:30 AM10:00 AMArtistic/Music Director Master ClassesAlbert I & IIElizabeth Schauer, Garrett Bond, Brad B Rinaldo, Michaela Cruse, Evan Miles
Sat 02/158:30 AM10:00 AMAn Introduction to Strategic Plans for Queer ChoirsNikko IIIJohn D Carrion, Simon White
Sat 02/158:30 AM10:00 AMNegotiating Contracts from Admin and Artistic/Music Director PerspectivesMarcel IKathleen Hansen (GALA), Michael McDonald
Sat 02/158:30 AM10:00 AMThe ABCs of Engaging With YouthNikko IVMitch Galli, Paul Heins, Joe Lee
Sat 02/159:00 AM5:00 PM411 Advisor One on Ones (sign up at registration desk)Marcel II
Sat 02/1510:15 AM11:45 AMDigital Marketing Through an Artistic Director LensMarcel IShawn Cullen
Sat 02/1510:15 AM11:45 AMSing for Your Supper: Blueprint for Arts Fundraising Through Small GroupsNikko IVTimorell Morrell, John D Carrion
Sat 02/1510:15 AM11:45 AMReframing Your Fundraising FutureNikko IIIMatthew Ramsey
Sat 02/1510:45 AM12:15 PMArtistic/Music Director Private Coaching LessonsAlbert I & IIElizabeth Schauer, Amy Saari, Ligia Pucci, Michaela Cruse
Sat 02/1512:00 PM1:00 PMBIPOC Lunch Gathering (invitation only)Azilo Ultra Pool and Lounge
Sat 02/151:30 PM3:00 PMLicensing: Custom And Non-Stock OptionsNikko IVMiriam Davidson, Sean Mikel Baugh, Steve Milloy
Sat 02/151:30 PM3:00 PMNew Harmony Workbook I & IINikko IIIAnthony Cabrera, Maria-Elena Y Grant
Sat 02/151:30 PM3:00 PMSocial Media: Building Your BrandMarcel ITrevor Chauvin-DeCaro
Sat 02/151:30 PM3:00 PMMake Your Pitch Presentation (requires pre-registration)Nikko IIJohn D Carrion, Lou Spisto, Craig Coogan, Eve Campbell
Sat 02/151:30 PM3:00 PMChoirs for Change: Programming with PurposeAlbert I & IIElizabeth Schauer
Sat 02/153:15 PM4:45 PMAging Voices / Trans Identified VoicesMarcel IJessica Steuver, Klo Garoute
Sat 02/153:15 PM4:45 PMCleaning Up Your Conducting TechniqueAlbert I & II
Sat 02/153:15 PM4:45 PMWhat's In A Name?Nikko IIIAnthony Cabrera, Maria-Elena Y Grant, Miriam Davidson
Sat 02/153:15 PM4:45 PMMake Your Pitch PresentationNikko IICraig Coogan, John D Carrion, Lou Spisto, Eve Campbell
Sat 02/153:15 PM4:45 PMElevating Voices: Choral Conducting Interns and Local University Music ProgramsNikko IVBrayton Bollenbacher, Jordan Saul
Sat 02/156:00 PM8:00 PMGALA Leadership Symposium Fundraising GalaSahara TheatreAbby Hall, Brayton Bollenbacher, Gabe Salazar, John D Carrion, Maria-Elena Y Grant, Matthew Ramsey
Sun 02/168:30 AM10:00 AMForum for Female-Identifying LeadersAlbert IIMiriam Davidson, Kristen Stinnett
Sun 02/168:30 AM10:00 AMBoundaries and Self-Care: Living and Working in Your CommunityNikko IVBrayton Bollenbacher
Sun 02/168:30 AM10:00 AMBuilding Board and Volunteers for your OrganizationNikko IIIEve Campbell
Sun 02/1610:30 AM12:00 PMGALA Onward: Taking Stock in a Time of TransitionNikko IVJohn D Carrion, Maria-Elena Y Grant
Sun 02/1612:00 PM1:30 PMLunchNikko IV
Sun 02/161:30 PM4:30 PMOpen Artistic/Music Director timeNikko IV
Sun 02/161:30 PM4:30 PMOpen Admin timeAlbert II
Sun, 02/168:30 AM10:00 AMForum for Female-Identifying LeadersAlbert IIMiriam Davidson, Kristen Stinnett
Sun, 02/168:30 AM10:00 AMBoundaries and Self-Care: Living and Working in Your CommunityNikko IVBrayton Bollenbacher
Sun, 02/168:30 AM10:00 AMBuilding Board and Volunteers for your OrganizationNikko IIIEve Campbell
Sun, 02/1610:30 AM12:00 PMGALA Onward: Symposium and Festivals of the FutureNikko IVJohn D Carrion, Maria-Elena Y Grant
Sun, 02/161:30 PM4:30 PMOpen AD TimeNikko IV
Sun, 02/161:30 PM4:30 PMOpen Admin TimeAlbert II

2025 Symposium Partner

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