Cross-Choral Training
This program empowers educators to lead inclusive and dynamic youth choirs. Participants gain skills in vocal health, artistic excellence, and culturally responsive teaching—resulting in more confident conductors, engaged choristers, and vibrant rehearsals.
The Cross-Choral Training learning experience includes:
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Monthly virtual office hours with Dianne Berkun Menaker
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Ongoing support from a dedicated virtual education liaison
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An in-person classroom or rehearsal observation by either Dianne Berkun Menaker or our education liaison, with real-time feedback
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A final in-person workshop facilitated by Dianne Berkun Menaker on November 15, 2025, 1:00–6:00 p.m.
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A feedback session where participants can share valuable input to help improve the program
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A $250 stipend upon successful completion of the program*
Appropriate for all choral conductors and music educators with a special focus on young treble-voices.
Space is limited—register today!
*Successful completion means completing all modules, one site visit, attending the final workshop, and participating in feedback sessions or survey.
Instructor
Dianne Berkun Menaker
Dianne Berkun Menaker is the Founder & Artistic Director of Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Under her visionary leadership for 31 seasons, the Chorus has become one of the most highly regarded ensembles in the country and has stretched the artistic boundaries for the youth chorus. She is the creator of Cross-Choral Training®, a proven holistic and experiential approach to developing singers in a group setting encompassing functional voice training pedagogy for healthy, authentic singing across a range of musical styles and music literacy and sight-singing approaches based on experiential and sequential learning.
“I was immediately able to incorporate the ideas in my next chorus rehearsals. I’m already hearing and seeing a difference in my students.“
- Past CCT workshop attendee
Transform your choral sound from the inside out!
Hailed by The New York Times as “a remarkable choral director,” Dianne Berkun Menaker has created Cross-Choral Training®, a proven program of vocal and musicianship pedagogy, to help singers develop healthy, reliable and flexible vocal technique working in group settings. This approach has led the Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn Youth Chorus to be the chorus of choice for top orchestras and recording artists worldwide–from Beyoncé & Elton John to The New York Philharmonic and John Adams.
Applicable for elementary, high school, and community choruses, beginners to advanced, Cross-Choral Training® is built on two foundational pillars - Vocal Training: Functional voice pedagogy for healthy, authentic singing across a range of musical styles and Musicianship: Music literacy and sight-singing approaches based on experiential and sequential learning
Here’s what past Cross-Choral Training participants have said:
“It surpasses every music workshop I have ever attended.”
“I very much enjoyed the workshop and was immediately able to incorporate your ideas during my chorus rehearsals. I’m already hearing and seeing a difference in my students. “
“It is by far the most practical and applicable workshop I have taken in many years.”
“I came away with both big over-arching ideas as well as concrete techniques I can try on myself and my students.”
“I would recommend this workshop in a heartbeat! This workshop is taught by professionals with a passion for music and children, who teach it in a relaxed, welcoming and extremely informational and practical format.”
Thank you to the Buck Family Foundation for their support of Cross-Choral Training