shekela is a conductor, educator, and collaborator.

engage. create. ignite.

Dr. Shekela Wanyama (she/her/hers) builds community through crafting innovative and meaningful choral experiences. She is passionate about building a 21st century practice of art music that is inclusive, engaging, honest, and brave. A freelance conductor-educator based in Minneapolis, Dr. Wanyama directs choirs at several local colleges, the Minnesota Chorale’s Youth Choirs, and is on the music staff at Unity Church-Unitarian. She is an active clinician and has conducted state and regional honor choirs of elementary through high school singers.

A passionate educator, Dr. Wanyama taught middle and high school choir for over ten years in public, charter, and independent schools. She presents at choral and education conferences on 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, the International Choral Bulletin, and two GIA publications. She is a member of the inaugural cohort of Chorus America’s Executive Leadership Academy (2o23).

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.

Contact Shekela for more info.