Shekela Wanyama
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Shekela Wanyama (she/her/hers) is a freelance conductor-educator based in Minneapolis. Currently, she serves on the faculty of the University of Minnesota and Hamline University, and on the music staff at Unity Church-Unitarian. Recent conducting engagements have included programs with the Minnesota Chorale, Singers in Accord and Vocalpoint. She sings with Border CrosSing and the Minnesota Chorale, and has previously performed with choirs in the United States and Germany. Wanyama taught middle and high school choir for over ten years in public, charter and independent schools. She serves on the faculty for the Seattle Kodaly Levels Program and has a certification in Smithsonian Folkways World Music Pedagogy. She presents at choral and education conferences on repertoire for developing voices, building community in choir, contemporary repertoire by composers of the Global Majority and holistic chorus preparation. Her writing has appeared in Choral Journal and the International Choral Bulletin. She is a member of the inaugural cohort of Chorus America’s Executive Leadership Academy in 2023.
Wanyama holds a DMA in conducting from the University of Minnesota, an MM in choral conducting from Temple University and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Minnesota, and is a proud graduate of the Minneapolis Public Schools. She lives and gardens on Dakota land.