Farmer, Palkki and Swanson Receive National ACDA Appointments

Grant Farmer, Joshua Palkki, and Elizabeth Swanson have received National appointments to serve ACDA. We welcome these professionals into service and thank them for the work they will do to serve the membership and forward the mission of ACDA.

Grant Farmer has been appointed as a committee member for the ACDA Education and Communication National Standing Committee.

Grant Farmer’s passions as a conductor are to create meaningful performance experiences for a broad audience and to prepare future music educators with rigorous training and sound vocal pedagogy. He currently serves as Director of Choral Activities and Music Department Chair at The College of Idaho, where he conducts multiple choral ensembles and the opera program as well as teaches music education courses. His ensembles are known for their brilliant sound production and unique programming, engaging with the diverse audience of the liberal arts college and its community. In the Northwest Region, Grant connects with local and regional K-12 programs through honor choir conducting engagements, festival adjudications, masterclasses, and presentations through ACDA. He is the R&R Chair for Community Choirs with Idaho ACDA and is a National Board Member of NCCO. Grant also serves as the Music Director for the Boise Philharmonic Master Chorale, conducting and preparing major works for large chorus and orchestra.

Joshua Palkki has been appointed as a committee member for the ACDA Diversity Initiatives National Standing Committee.

Joshua Palkki (he/him) is Assistant Professor of Music Learning and Teaching/Choral Conducting and Associate Director of Choral Activities at Arizona State University and co-author of Honoring Trans and Gender-Expansive Students in Music Education (Oxford University Press).He holds degrees from Michigan State University (Ph.D., Music Education/choral conducting cognate), Northern Arizona University (M.M., Choral Conducting), and Ball State University (B.S., Music Education). He has guest conducted in several states and presented at state, national, and international research, choral, and music education conferences. Joshua’s writing appears in peer reviewed journals and several books including Routledge Companion of Jazz and Gender. 

Additionally, the Diversity Initiatives Committee has issued this statement of appreciation to Dr. André de Quadros for his service on the committee and welcoming Dr. Palkki.

Elizabeth Swanson has been appointed as the National R & R Student Activities Co-Chair, Chapter Programming.

Elizabeth Swanson is the Associate Director of Choral Studies at the University of Colorado–Boulder where she conducts the CU Treble Chorus and University Choir, teaches conducting, and serves on graduate committees. Swanson is frequently a guest conductor, educator, and adjudicator. Some residencies for 2023-24 include Carnegie Hall, University of Denver, University of St. Thomas, and University of Wyoming. Closer to home, she is the Associate Conductor of the Boulder-based professional choir, Ars Nova Singers. Nationally, Swanson has most recently served as Vice President on the Executive Board of the NCCO and is the Collegiate and University R&R Chair for SWACDA. Swanson’s degrees are from Northwestern University (DMus), Ithaca College (MM), and St. Olaf College (BME).