About the Cascade Choral Conducting Masterclass

Led by Dr. Geoffrey Boers, Music Director of Symphony Tacoma Voices, and Director of Choral Activities at the University of Washington, the Cascade Conducting Choral Masterclass is an in-depth look at artistry and gesture, as well as vocal and rehearsal pedagogy. The class will be a hands-on one-to-one exploration of gesture to find each student’s personal “signature” which communicates deeply with the ensemble. Leading-edge practices of group vocal technique and singer-student based teaching will be explored. In addition to rich hours of learning, the course offers choral conductors 60+ minutes of instructional podium time with the Symphony Tacoma Voices, as well as two sessions with the Cascade Conducting Chamber Orchestra (rehearsal and concert), led by Symphony Tacoma principal musicians. The final concert on Friday, June 30th, will be professionally video- recorded and made available to participants.

"Cascade was a transformative experience for me as a conductor and singer. The combination of podium opportunity, vocal science, and collaboration with fellow conductors created a fulfilling and valuable week!"

~2023 Participant

Cascade Conducting

With the motto of "Excellence through Equity," Cascade Conducting is dedicated to bringing world- class musical education to talented and diverse musicians from the US and around the world. Conceived by Paula Madrigal, Teo Benson, and Sarah Ioannides in 2017, Cascade Conducting is officially a program of Orquesta Northwest, a 501(c)3 non-profit.

Since 2018, Cascade Conducting has given out 30 full tuition scholarships equaling more than $70,000 to exceptional young conducting and composing students, with a focus on engaging talented BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) musicians who may not have access to traditional avenues or opportunities.

A unique pedagogical philosophy has formed the mission of Cascade Conducting, which seeks to provide a unique map for navigating the world of music and conducting, and to find balance between the demands of the business, and the preservation of one’s individual musicianship as a necessity to achieve excellence.

In 2020, in a partnership with Symphony Tacoma, Cascade Conducting teamed up with Symphony Tacoma composer in residence, and now Dean of the School of Music at Julliard, David Serkin Ludwig, to create the first Cascade Composers Workshop with David Ludwig, and culminated in the performance of "The Final Conquest" presented by Symphony Tacoma. Now in it's 3rd full year, the Cascade Composers Workshop is comprised of 10 composers from around the US and the World including composers from Venezuela, Hong Kong, and Beijing.

In 2022, Cascade Conducting added a Choral Conducting Masterclass, led by Director of Choral Activities, and Music Director of Symphony Tacoma Voices, Dr. Geoffrey Boers. This year's Choral Conducting Masterclass is comprised of 13 talented and emerging choral conductors from all over the US and Canada.

The Orchestral Masterclass with Sarah Ioannides, Second Annual Choral Masterclass with Geoffrey Boers, and Third Annual Cascade Composers Workshop will run simultaneously the week of June 24th- June 29th 2024, giving participants from each class the opportunity to learn from different teachers and disciplines at the Seventh Annual Cascade Conducting Masterclass with Sarah Ioannides.

In the words of Ioannides:

“I am thrilled to take this opportunity to share with conductors of all levels my experience and to have the chance to help train a new generation of conductors.

I worked with and studied at great length with many different teachers. Some broadened my conducting language and techniques, some helped me understand harmony and phrasing in a new light, and some shared great philosophical thought on the leadership role. Some prepared me for the daunting tasks of score study and how to prepare sufficiently (if there is such an end point), and others helped open new ways of listening for balance within the orchestra, stylistic interpretation, color variety and depth of dynamics. From others, I learnt how to prepare and lead rehearsals efficiently, to accompany well, an dto work with all types of musicians. I am still benefitting in my work from the endless lessons I received.

I wish to share the knowledge that has been passed on to me by great conductors. However, this course is also designed to help each individual to find their own unique and successful path as a musician and conductor.”

About Orquesta Northwest

Led by primarily Latinx staff and board, Orquesta Northwest has worked to promote a sense of belonging and empowerment in Seattle-area Latino community members, beginning with the arrival of Paula Nava Madrigal, professional cellist, and conductor from Guadalajara. In collaboration with a local nonprofit providing instruction, without charge, to under-served youth, she launched the World Youth Orchestra program the same year. In 2015 Ms. Madrigal and Teo Benson, professional violinist and founder and Director of Halcyon Strings Music School, co-founded the Ballard Civic Orchestra and began offering annual Latino arts and culture concert series featuring Latinx guest artists and composers. In 2019 Orquesta Northwest became a 501c3 nonprofit organization, presenting World Youth Orchestra and Ballard Civic Orchestra arts and culture programs and projects and offering an annual Master Class by a new Cascade Conducting program in partnership with Symphony Tacoma. Orquesta Northwest collaborates and partners with other Seattle-area Latino organizations, such as the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle, Casa Latina, Latino Community Fund, and SeaMar Museum of Chicano/a Latino/a Culture, to present Latino arts and culture events and youth educational programming without charge.

The programs and projects of Orquesta Northwest serve as a bridge to excellence in every dimension of life by celebrating Latino arts and culture, empowering marginalized community members, especially youth, and building partnerships and deepening ties with the Latino community. In 2022 Orquesta Northwest social justice projects include voter education, community messaging about the pandemic and vaccination, a celebration of Latinx essential workers, youth cultural education, and capacity-building to achieve equitable access to space in Seattle.

Orquesta Northwest is supported by city, county, state, and federal grants as well as foundations and individuals, including the National Association of Latino Arts & Culture (NALAC), National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), Tides Foundation, 4Culture (King County), ArtsWA, Seattle’s Office of Arts & Culture and Neighborhood Matching Fund, and Equitable Communities Initiative.

Cascade Choral Conducting Concert 2024

Cascade Choral Conducting with Geoffrey Boers, Final Concert!