By Melissa Alonso | October 17, 2025 

Eight Georgia Tech students represented the Institute this month as part of the inaugural All-College Choir at the Georgia American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) State Conference, held at Kennesaw State University’s Bailey Performing Arts Center. 

“This was our state conference,” said Dr. Brittney Boykin, Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music in Georgia Tech’s School of Music. “The American Choral Directors Association is a national organization, and this was their annual state gathering. This year marked their first All-College Choir, and we were invited to bring eight students from Georgia Tech.” 

Boykin emphasized how meaningful the invitation was for Georgia Tech’s choral community. “Georgia Tech has music technology, but a lot of our choir students aren’t music majors,” she said. “Typically this event is popular with schools that have vocal performance or music education majors, so it was a really exciting opportunity for us to have representation.” The All-College Choir featured about 60 singers from seven Georgia colleges and universities under the direction of Dr. Paul Neal, Director of Choral Activities at Berry College. “They performed four pieces, including a newly commissioned premiere by Eric Nelson, the artistic director of the Atlanta Master Chorale,” Boykin said. “They also sang works by Johannes Brahms, Florence Price—hailed as the first Black woman composer in the United States—and the contemporary Korean composer Hyowon Woo.” 

Boykin said the students, who represented a wide range of majors across the Institute, reflected the creativity and diversity of the Georgia Tech community. “We had students studying biology, communications and social justice, and even aerospace engineering with a minor in quantum sciences and technology,” she said. “They come from all over, and they’re brilliant, artistic, and passionate about music.” Participating students included (Sopranos) Manya Mamidi, Cyra Alesha (Altos) Kelsey Moller, Clara Stickney, Dominique Hernandez, Kiari Mays; (Tenor) Kailen McCauley; and (Bass) Yadiel Hernandez.

For Boykin, the performance marked another milestone for Georgia Tech’s growing music program. “People always say, ‘We didn’t know Georgia Tech had a choir!’” she said. “This was another opportunity for us to show that our students are not just engineers and scientists—they’re also musicians, creatives, and collaborators. Dr. Joshua Palkki, Associate Professor of Music, and I were amazed by their outstanding performance and are extremely proud of them representing Georgia Tech so admirably at this year's conference.