Dr. Shekela Wanyama (she/her/hers) builds community through crafting innovative and meaningful choral experiences. A freelance conductor-educator, Dr. Wanyama currently conducts the Hamline University A Cappella Choir, the Augsburg University Global Harmony Choir, and is on the music staff at Unity Church-Unitarian. Recent conducting engagements have included programs with the Minnesota Chorale, Singers in Accord, and Vocalpoint. She currently sings with Border CrosSing and the Minnesota Chorale, and has previously performed with choirs in the United States and Germany.
A passionate educator, Dr. Wanyama taught middle and high school choir for over ten years in public, charter, and independent schools. She taught music education courses at the University of Minnesota and the Seattle Kodaly Levels Program. Presentations at choral and education conferences have included topics such as repertoire for developing voices, building community in choir, contemporary repertoire by composers of the Global Majority, and holistic chorus preparation. Her writing has appeared in Choral Journal and the International Choral Bulletin.
Dr. Wanyama holds a DMA in conducting from the University of Minnesota, an MM in choral conducting from Temple University, a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Minnesota, and is a proud graduate of the Minneapolis Public Schools. She lives and gardens on Dakota land.