OkCDA 2026 Summer Conference

July 12-14 | Oklahoma City University

Frances Fonza serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she imparts her passion for music education and conducting to both undergraduate and graduate students and directs the Concert Choir, Bella Voce (Treble Ensemble), and Gospel Choir.

Dr. Fonza has a rich background in choral music education, having taught at the middle and high school levels in Kentucky and served as the choir director and sight-singing teacher at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and master’s and doctoral degrees in choral music education and conducting from Florida State University.

Prior to her role at Southeastern, Dr. Fonza was Assistant Professor of Music Education and Director of Choral Activities at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. She has also been a faculty member at Stephen F. Austin State University and the University of Central Arkansas. Choirs under her direction have performed at state, regional, and national music festivals.

Dr. Fonza is an active singer, clinician, and adjudicator, frequently engaged for guest conducting opportunities both nationally and internationally. She has conducted all-state, honor, public school, community, and church choirs, and had the honor of leading the All-National Honor Choir in 2020 and 2023. Her research interests include community partnerships, healthy singing in Gospel music, the versatile voice, and innovative tone-building strategies for the choral classroom. She is an active member of the National Association for Music Educators and the American Choral Directors Association.

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.