Pearl Shangkuan is a celebrated choral music conductor, editor, and Director of Choral Activities as well as a professor at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. With degrees from prestigious institutions such as Westminster Choir College and Rutgers University, she has conducted choirs around the world, authored articles for music journals and is an advocate for inclusivity and diversity in choral music.

Shangkuan’s work as a conductor and clinician, especially her focus on the performance of music from a wide range of cultures, has been a notable contribution to the choral music field. Pearl Shangkuan’s impressive achievements and commitment to promoting multiracialism in choral music have procured her a well earned place as a respected figure and an inspiration to many aspiring choral music professionals. We are honored to have Pearl Shangkuan serve as Editor for Hinshaw Music.

Dan Forrest is a prominent American composer of choral music, known for his innovative and expressive works that have been performed by choirs around the world. Born in 1978, Forrest began his musical career as a pianist before pursuing composition, earning a doctorate in Music Composition from the University of Kansas. Since then, he has become one of the most sought-after choral composers of his generation, with a style that draws from a wide range of influences, from classical to folk and jazz.

One of Forrest’s most celebrated works is his Requiem for the Living, which has been praised for its emotional depth and musical complexity. The piece, which was premiered in 2013, is a powerful meditation on mortality and the human experience, featuring soaring choral lines and haunting melodies. Another notable work by Forrest is Jubilate Deo, a jubilant celebration of global musical traditions that has been performed by choirs in over 30 countries. With a catalog of works that includes choral cycles, hymns, and concertos, Forrest has established himself as a leading voice in contemporary choral music, beloved by audiences and performers alike. 

Tom T. Shelton, Jr. is an Associate Professor of Sacred Music Department at Westminster Choir College of Rider University. He is also the director of Children’s and Youth Choirs at Princeton United Methodist Church and conducts the Semi-Tones Ensemble with the Princeton Girl choir Organization. He earned both a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Professor Shelton has a passion for music education in all areas: church, school, and community. He taught middle school choral music in Winston-Salem/Forsyth County for 18 years and was selected Teacher of the Year for both Atkins Middle School and Kernersville Middle School. Professor Shelton is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, having served as the National President (2017-2019) and in various other leadership positions. He has conducted Choral Festivals in Carnegie Hall, Honor Choirs for the Central Division ACDA and Southern Division ACDA, as well as All State and Festival Choirs throughout the United States. Professor Shelton also has over 50 compositions published by various music publishers. He resides in Princeton, NJ. 

Andre J Thomas is a composer known for his choral music, particularly his spiritual arrangements.

His compositions often feature complex harmonies and intricate vocal lines, creating a rich and beautiful sound. Many of his works draw inspiration from African American spirituals and gospel music.

Thomas’ pieces often have powerful lyrics that convey themes of hope, faith, and perseverance. His music is uplifting and moving, and has been performed by choirs around the world.

Thomas is also a skilled conductor and educator, known for his ability to bring out the best in vocal ensembles. His contributions to the world of choral music have been significant and enduring.

Frank Ticheli (b. 1958) is a renowned American composer and conductor. His extensive body of work encompasses orchestral, chamber, choral, and concert band compositions. Many of his band compositions have achieved status as repertoire standards. Ticheli earned his doctoral and master’s degrees in composition from the University of Michigan. Until 2023, he held the position of Professor of Composition at the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music, where he had been a faculty member since 1991.

Notable accolades for his music include two awards from the American Academy of Arts and Letters, the Walter Beeler Memorial Prize, and First Prize recognition in various composition competitions, such as the Texas Sesquicentennial Orchestral Composition Competition, Britten-on-the-Bay Choral Composition Contest, and Virginia CBDNA Symposium for New Band Music.

Sherry Blevins is a fresh, new voice in the Hinshaw family. With a zest for life, and passion for music that illuminates the human condition, and a love of nature, she weaves melody with metaphor to create music that feels relevant for our time.

Having a natural aptitude for beautiful, yet accessible lyrical lines and a willingness to bare her soul, her music shouts what others only dare to whisper. Though Sherry spends most of her time composing, her dedication to music education is still apparent in her latest projects which include collaborating with choirs to co-compose and publish new music. After winning multiple awards, first as a career educator and later as a University Supervisor of Student Teachers, Sherry has also won accolades for her composing. 

Blevins is a sought-after clinician, conductor, and adjudicator who has worked with and composed for singers from Italy, China, Canada, and across the United States. Sherry holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master of Music from Appalachian State University. Her greatest hope is that her music will help others find their truth and inspire them to live their best lives – one song at a time.