Lesli Olson
From Chaos to Choir: Building a Program That Works
Wednesday, March 4th 4:30pm
Session Description
Middle school choir doesn’t have to feel like crowd control with sheet music. In this session, Lesli Olson shares how she’s built a program that students actually want to be in—one rooted in connection, consistency, and joy. With 22 years of experience in elementary, high school, and now middle school choir (her favorite), Lesli offers real strategies that meet students where they are—musically, emotionally, and developmentally.
You’ll learn how to create weekly routines that break up rehearsal monotony while building musicianship, scaffold melodic and rhythmic sight reading (sometimes with a Biggie beat), and use warm-ups to build classroom culture. Lesli also shares how she empowers students through repertoire choice, assesses changing voices with care, and uses flexible classroom management tools to keep rehearsal time focused and productive.
If you’re looking to reignite your love for middle school choir or just need ideas that actually work, this session is for you. Come for the real talk—leave with practical tools, fresh energy, and a reminder that great teaching starts with trust.
Clinician Bio
Lesli Olson is a 22-year music educator with experience teaching Orff-based elementary music, high school choir, and—her favorite—middle school choir. She holds Orff Levels I & II, Kodály Level I, and extensive Dalcroze training. After eleven years in classroom music and seven years in high school choir, she realized her true passion is preparing middle schoolers with the confidence, skill, and musicality she once wished her high school singers had. Her rehearsals blend structure and spontaneity, serious musicianship and joyful connection. Lesli believes in student voice, flexible routines, and creating a safe space where kids feel seen, capable, and excited to sing.