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Emily Burch

Acting professor

Education

  • D.M.A., conducting, University of South Carolina
  • M.M.E., music education, Florida State University
  • B.M.E., music education, Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge

Credentials

  • Professor of acting, 2023–present, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA
  • Adjunct professor, 2021–23, Savannah Technical College, Savannah, GA
  • Visiting professor of music and coordinator of music education, 2019–23, University of South Carolina-Aiken, Aiken, SC
  • Founder and artistic/executive director, 2016–23, RISE Chorales, LLC & RISE Outreach, Savannah, GA
  • Contracted teacher trainer and lead choral curriculum contributor, 2010–23, Quaver's Marvelous World of Music, Nashville, TN
  • Artistic advisor, 2016–20, Perform International, Atlanta, GA
  • Artistic director, 2018–19, Midlands Men's Chorus, Columbia, SC
  • Instructor of record, teaching assistant, and graduate assistant, 2017–19, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC
  • Adjunct professor, 2016–18, Savannah State University, Savannah, GA
  • Assistant choirmaster and director of children's choir, 2015–20, Christ Church Episcopal, Savannah, GA
  • Director of music and education, 2007–16, Savannah Children's Choir, Savannah, GA
  • Chorus, piano, general music teacher, and department chair, 2010–14, Savannah Chatham County Public School System, Savannah, GA
  • Graduate assistant, 2008–10, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
  • Assistant music director, 2008–10, First Presbyterian Church, Thomasville, GA
  • Voice, piano, and guitar teacher, 2008–13, Private Lesson Studio, Tallahassee, FL
  • Contracted music teacher, 2008–10, Mason's School of Music, Tallahassee, FL
  • Music teacher, 2007–08, Elan Vital Montessori School, Baton Rouge, LA
  • Assistant conductor and soprano section leader, 2007–08, St. Alban's Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge, LA
  • Soprano section leader, 2005–07, Trinity Episcopal Church, Baton Rouge, LA

Awards, recognitions, and honors

  • International Conducting Exchange Program, 2015
  • Louisiana State University, Music Education Award, Music Club of Baton Rouge, 2007–08
  • Louisiana State University, Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority, New Member Coordinator, won National Silver Award, 2007

Organizations

  • ACDA: American Choral Directors Association
  • Chorus America
  • NAfME: National Association for Music Education
  • ChorAmor, Founding Member

Publications and presentations

Books

  • Burch, Emily W., and Alex Gartner. "The Business of Choir: A Choral Leader's Guide to Organizational Growth." GIA, May 2022.

Book Chapters

  • "A New Year Carol by Benjamin Britten." In Sacred Choral Music Repertoire: Insights for Conductors, ed. Tim Sharp, GIA, 2020.
  • "Love Bade Me Welcome by Judith Weir." In Sacred Choral Music Repertoire: Insights for Conductors, ed. Tim Sharp, GIA, 2020.

Articles

  • "Film Review: The Choir and Conductor." The Choral Journal 63, no. 2 (2022): 77-79.
  • "Authenticity, Collaboration, Connection, and Growth: Exploring the ACDA International Activities Mentorship Program and the Power of YOU!" The Choral Journal 61, no. 10 (2021 ): 40-45.
  • "Collaboration and Steps for Engaging in Meaningful Partnerships." The Choral Journal 60, no.2 (2019): 34-40.
  • "Three Steps Toward Stellar Rehearsals: Front Load Your Planning." The Choral Journal 56, no.8 (2016): 67-70.

Blog Posts

  • Monthly Advocacy and Collaboration Blog Post on www choralnet org on every 3rd Wednesday, beginning December 2021 and continuing monthly.
  • International Conductors Exchange Program Spotlight. Choralnet.org. (2015).
  • Back to School Inspiration Using Quaver Outside the Classroom. QuaverMusic.com. (2015).

Columns

  • "Children's and Community Youth Choir Directors' Retreat." The Choral Journal 60, no 10 (2020): 71.
  • "The 2015 International Conductors Exchange Program (Choral Connections with Sweden)." The Choral Journal 55, no. 8, (2015): 30-36.

Recordings

  • Compilation Album. Holiday Songs. Savannah Children's Choir. Independently Published, 2013, Compact Disc.

Presentations

  • Florida Music Educators Association Conference, "Communicating Your Value: Car Sales, Choir, and Everything in Between," Tampa, FL, 2023
  • Rock Hill County Music Teachers PD Creation/Instruction, "Engaging, Collaborating, and Inspiring in the Classroom and Beyond - Tangible Teaching Tips & Tools," Rock Hill, SC, 2022–23
  • South Carolina ACDA Conference, "Using Technology to Spark Passion in the Classroom Post-pandemic: Keeping Your Technology L.I.T.," Anderson, SC, 2022