Rhonda Fuelberth, Glenn Korff School of Music Associate Professor of Music Education, received the Nebraska Choral Directors Association 2016 Nebraska Outstanding Choral Director of the Year award at the state Nebraska Music Educators Association All-State Conference and Clinic in November.
The award is given annually to an NCDA member who has 10 years or more teaching experience, maintains high performance and literature standards, participates in ACDA/NCDA activities through attendance and leadership, and promotes choral music in the community. Fuelberth was nominated by NCDA member, Judy Vrbka, Vocal Music Teacher at Wilber-Clatonia Schools.
In addition to teaching courses in choral music education, music and special education, and conducting and literature for school ensembles, Fuelberth has served as conductor/teacher of the UNL University Chorale, and is the artistic and program director for i2Choir—Inclusive, Intergenerational, Exponentially Better Together. The i2Choir is an effort to open choral singing opportunities to individuals who have a variety of physical, sensory, and cognitive challenges, as well as those who support them through their friendship and musicianship. Under her direction, the University Chorale has appeared at numerous state, regional, and national conferences.
An active member of the National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association, Fuelberth currently serves as President-Elect for the North Central division of the American Choral Directors Association, previously serving as Repertoire and Standards Chair for Women's Choirs for NC-ACDA, and as Past-President for the Nebraska Choral Directors Association. She frequently serves as a clinician and guest conductor, and has presented and published research at the state, regional, national and international levels of the National Association for Music Education, the International Society for Music Education and the American Music Therapy Association.