Conductor and educator Jason Vodicka is Associate Professor of Music Education at Westminster Choir College of Rider University where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, mentors student teachers, and teaches summer courses in conducting and choral pedagogy for in-service musicians. He is conductor of the Westminster Conservatory Youth Chorale and director of the Westminster Vocal Institute, an intensive two-week summer music program that draws over 100 students from across the United States. Dr. Vodicka is also on the faculty of the Choral Institute at Oxford, a joint venture between Westminster Choir College and St. Stephen’s House, a Permanent Private Hall of Oxford University.
Prior to his appointment at Westminster, Dr. Vodicka was Assistant Professor of Music and Coordinator of Music Education at Susquehanna University where he taught courses in music education, conducted the University Chorale, and founded the Susquehanna University Choral Institute. During that time, he also served as music director of the Harrisburg Choral Society and Orchestra, a community-based ensemble founded in 1895.
For nine years, Dr. Vodicka was a vocal music and music theater instructor at Pennsbury High School in Bucks County, Pa. During his tenure, the Pennsbury choirs performed at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, made four international concert tours, and were invited to sing at the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Annual Conference and the American Choral Directors Association Eastern Division Conference in Philadelphia.
Dr. Vodicka holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in music education from Westminster Choir College and a doctorate in conducting from the University of Georgia. In 2017, he was inducted into the Westminster Choir College Music Education Hall of Fame. Dr. Vodicka is in frequent demand as a clinician and guest conductor. He has presented at state, regional and national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education, and he is the author of several publications on choral pedagogy.
Special appearances this year:
- High school workshops with Nazareth Area High School (PA), Rancocas Valley Regional High School (NJ), Special Music School High School (NYC), Ramsey High School (NJ), Pennsbury High School (PA)
- Professional Development Day for Bel Canto Youth Choir of the Bethlehem Bach Choir
- North Jersey School Music Association Choral Adjudication
- Curriculum Assessment for St. Peter School (DC)
- Loudoun County (VMEA District XVI) SSAA Choir
- Conducting workshop for Vassar College Majors