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Tucson Girls Chorus Annual Summer Professional Development Series
July 22 & 25, 2026
Tucson Girls Chorus • 4020 E River Rd
This warm, meaningful workshop features presenters who will offer practical ideas that you can apply to your classroom right away, along with inspiration to carry you into the year as you create a space for your students to know that they belong. Ideal for music educators who teach singing, and music education students.
Attend Day 1, Day 2, or both!​​​
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DAY 1
Wednesday July 22nd, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
13th Annual FREE Reading & Resource Session | Tucson Girls Chorus Staff
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The perfect way to start the year! Gain accessible, practical rep ideas and resources while connecting with fellow music educators. Casual and friendly. Snacks provided!
DAY 2
Saturday, July 25th, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
$50 current teachers / $10 students
Partial scholarships available! Contact Alanah adickinson@tucsongirlschorus.org
9:00am Refreshments and Mingling
9:30am We Sing to Express, Not Impress: Pursuing Excellence in Service of Expression | Dr. Joseph Johnston
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11:00am Break
11:15am Kinesthetics: Feeling Music in the Body • Stretching, Movement, and Hands-On Activities for Classroom and Rehearsal |​ Dr. Sharon Hansen
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12:45pm Lunch on your own
2:00pm Workshop with Tucson Girls Chorus & Tucson Arizona Boys Chorus Staff
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3:00pm SINGALONG
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3:30pm BYE!
DR. JOSEPH JOHNSTON
Music Faculty Lead
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
WE SING TO EXPRESS, NOT IMPRESS:
Pursuing Excellence in Service of Expression
Great choirs are built on more than beautiful sound. They are communities where students feel seen, valued, challenged, and inspired. This session explores how intentional community building, thoughtful repertoire selection, and purposeful preparation, combined with high expectations extend beyond the classroom. Discover ways to build ensembles where every voice matters, every singer contributes, and artistic excellence becomes a vehicle for authentic expression.
DR. SHARON HANSEN
Professor and Director of Choral Activities, Emerita
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
KINESTHETICS: FEELING MUSIC IN THE BODY
Stretching, Movement, and Hands-On Activities for Classroom and Rehearsal
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In this workshop, participants will explore kinesthetics—the idea of understanding and expressing music through physical movement. Using hands-on activities and fun, accessible games, we’ll connect sound to motion, helping studentsfeel rhythm, phrasing, dynamics, and musical structure in their bodies rather than just hearing it. No dance experience required—just a willingness to move and play.
Designed for both classroom and rehearsal settings, the session will offer practical strategies teachers can use right away. You’ll leave with adaptable activities that boost engagement, reinforce musical concepts, and support a wide range of learners, all while making music-making more active, memorable, and joyful.