Arts & Culture

Dr. Peter Steenblik named president-elect of Florida American Choral Directors Association

The University of West Florida Dr. Grier Williams School of Music announces Dr. Peter Steenblik, director of choral activities at UWF, has been named president-elect of Florida American Choral Directors Association.

Steenblik conducts two ensembles and teaches aural skills, choral literature and teaching methods courses. Steenblik draws from his experiences as a teacher in public schools and an active performer to elevate the UWF choral program to a place of local and national prominence.

A former member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Steenblik frequently appeared as a soloist. He is the chorus master for the Pensacola Opera and has a background in musical theater. He is an experienced handbell director and clinician, and a four-time assistant director for the Utah Ambassadors of Music European tour.

From 2010 through 2012, he served as the head of choral activities for the Utah Music Educators Association and on the Utah American Choral Directors Association board as repertoire and standards chair for men’s choruses. He was a featured presenter at the 2012 American Choral Directors Western Division Conference in Reno, Nevada and twice at the Utah conference at Utah State University. His students have appeared in concert with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Women’s Chorus of Dallas, Utah Symphony, Ballet West, Pensacola Symphony Orchestra and Pensacola Children’s Chorus. Steenblik’s previous positions include director of the women’s chorus and assistant to the director of choral studies at the renowned University of North Texas, and director of choral music at Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah.

He received a bachelor’s degree in choral music education, a master’s in choral conducting from the University of Utah and a doctorate in conducting from the University of North Texas.

For over 60 years, American Choral Directors Association has been the preeminent association for choral conductors throughout the United States. The mission of ACDA is to inspire excellence and nurture lifelong involvement in choral music for everyone through education, performance, composition and advocacy, with the vision of the ACDA being to create powerful artistic experiences and advocate for cultural and educational change to transform people’s lives.