Shekela crafts and facilitates innovative, collaborative, and human-centered choral experiences.

Dr. Wanyama teaches 6th-8th grade choir at the Blake School (Minneapolis) and co-directs the Minnesota Chorale's Youth Choirs, non-auditioned ensembles for singers in grades 3-12 who reside in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Chorale's Youth Choirs are an integral part of the Chorale's mission of supporting lifelong singing through "rigorous artistic practice and joyous collaboration."

A passionate educator, Dr. Wanyama has taught middle and high school choir for over a decade in public, charter, and independent schools in Minneapolis, Seattle, and Berlin. She has also directed ensembles and taught conducting and choral methods courses at the University of Arizona, University of Minnesota, Hamline University, and Augsburg University. Dr. Wanyama's rehearsals are engaging, joyful, growth-oriented, and welcoming -- due in large part to the lessons learned from her energetic and honest students over many years.

Dr. Wanyama is active as a guest conductor for state and regional honor choirs as well as local ensembles. She has presented 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. Dr. Wanyama participated in Chorus America's Choral Orchestral Conducting Academy and was a member of the inaugural cohort of Chorus America’s Executive Leadership Academy. She serves on the board of Border CrosSing.

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.