Trainer Profile

Dr. Julie Ford, an Estill Master Trainer (julieford.org), is a classical, jazz, and pop choral conductor, vocalist, and educator in the San Francisco Bay Area. As Director of Vocal-Choral Activities and tenured Professor at Saint Mary’s College of California, she directs the Chamber Singers, Glee, and Jazz Singers, and teaches Levels One and Two annually (within the college curriculum), as well as lyric diction, private and group voice, jazz techniques, and conducting. The SMC Jazz Singers were "Winners" of the College Vocal Jazz category at the Folsom Jazz Championship (2024 & 2023); SMC Glee and Chamber Singers received three Gold and three Silver Medals at the World Choir Games "Pop" and "Classical Chamber Choir" Championship categories (2024, 2018, 2014, 2012) and her choirs have been selected to sing at state (CASMEC-2017) and national conferences (American Choral Director Association -2009); she served for six years as a member of the ACDA California affiliation board (CCDA: as the Music in Worship representative, and through statewide election, San Francisco Bay Area Regional Representative). She serves regularly as a guest conductor, guest lecturer, adjudicator, and clinician, and sings professionally (EP, vocal jazz group Moodswing on Spodify & YouTube: Laughing All the Way: A Jazz Christmas). She holds a Doctorate in Choral Conducting (University of Oklahoma), a Masters in Conducting (Eastman School of Music), and a Bachelors in Vocal Performance (San Jose State University). Visit julieford.org for recordings and a more extensive biography.