OkCDA 2025 Summer Conference

July 13-15 | UCO Music Building, Edmond

Dr. Betsy Cook Weber is an internationally recognized conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and lecturer. She began her career with thirteen years in K–12 music education, working at the elementary, middle, and high school levels before transitioning to higher education. She later joined the University of Houston, where she served as Madison Endowed Professor of Music, Director of Choral Studies, and Director of the Houston Symphony Chorus. Both institutions have honored her with Emeritus status. She is currently the Artistic Director Designate of the Grammy Award-winning Houston Chamber Choir and will assume the full role of Artistic Director in the 2025–26 season.

During her tenure at the University of Houston, Dr. Weber led the Concert Chorale to national and international acclaim. The ensemble was featured at numerous state and national conferences and earned top prizes at prestigious competitions in Wales, France, Germany (twice), Hungary, Italy, Norway, the Netherlands, and Austria. The Chorale achieved a world ranking of #1 among university-age choirs (under age 24) and was also listed among the top ten Distinguished Collegiate Choirs worldwide.

As Director of the Houston Symphony Chorus, she prepared ensembles for performances with world-renowned conductors including Juraj Valčuha, Andrés Orozco-Estrada, Christoph Eschenbach, Jane Glover, and Nicholas McGegan, and led tours in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Germany.

Dr. Weber has also collaborated with professional ensembles such as Ars Lyrica and Mercury Houston, and prepared singers for a wide range of touring productions and televised performances, including Josh Groban, NBC’s Clash of the Choirs, Telemundo’s Latin Grammys, Star Wars in Concert, Andrea Bocelli, Eric Whitacre, and The Eagles.

In 2013, she became the thirteenth person—and the first woman—to receive the Texas Choral Directors Association’s prestigious Texas Choirmaster Award. She holds degrees from the University of North Texas, Westminster Choir College, and the University of Houston.

Dr. Kurt Cereske serves as Principal Conductor and Director of Kodály Studies for the National Children’s Chorus, where he has shaped a comprehensive, sequential Kodály-based curriculum since 2009. A sought‑after conductor and master teacher, he leads regional and national honor choirs and presents at major conferences—including Georgia and Texas Music Educators Association conventions, the WELS National Conference on Worship and the Arts, and the New Mexico Music Educators Association gatherings.

From 2019–2024, Dr. Cereske was Fine Arts Coordinator for Lubbock ISD, mentoring music educators and spearheading district‑wide arts initiatives. Earlier, he spent 15 years in North Hollywood, California, at St. Paul’s First Lutheran Church and School as Director of Music and music specialist, where he directed choirs and implemented a PreK–8 Kodály program. He also served as Associate Conductor of the West Texas Children’s Chorus, helping guide its artistic growth.

An active leader in the Kodály community, Dr. Cereske has held roles with the Organization of American Kodály Educators (Western Division I Representative, National Conference Co‑Chair, advisory board member), the Kodály Educators of West Texas (President), and the Kodály Association of Southern California (President). He currently sits on the board of the Lutheran Institute of Music Education.

Dr. Cereske earned his Ph.D. in Music Education (Fine Arts) from Texas Tech University, an M.M. in Music Education from Michigan State University, and a B.S. in Education from Dr. Martin Luther College. He holds Kodály Certification from the Kodály Association of Southern California and has taught choral pedagogy and elementary methods at Wayland Baptist University and elementary music methods at Texas Tech. With extensive experience across public and private schools, higher education, and national arts organizations, he is widely recognized for expertise in elementary music pedagogy, teacher preparation, curriculum design, and the artistic and educational leadership of children’s choirs.