Collegiate Festival Chorus

Frances Fonza serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she imparts her passion for music education and conducting to both undergraduate and graduate students and directs the Concert Choir, Bella Voce (Treble Ensemble), and Gospel Choir.

Dr. Fonza has a rich background in choral music education, having taught at the middle and high school levels in Kentucky and served as the choir director and sight-singing teacher at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Missouri-Columbia and master’s and doctoral degrees in choral music education and conducting from Florida State University.

Prior to her role at Southeastern, Dr. Fonza was Assistant Professor of Music Education and Director of Choral Activities at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. She has also been a faculty member at Stephen F. Austin State University and the University of Central Arkansas. Choirs under her direction have performed at state, regional, and national music festivals.

Dr. Fonza is an active singer, clinician, and adjudicator, frequently engaged for guest conducting opportunities both nationally and internationally. She has conducted all-state, honor, public school, community, and church choirs, and had the honor of leading the All-National Honor Choir in 2020 and 2023. Her research interests include community partnerships, healthy singing in Gospel music, the versatile voice, and innovative tone-building strategies for the choral classroom. She is an active member of the National Association for Music Educators and the American Choral Directors Association.