conductor & Educator
Alec Schumacker is the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa where he conducts the Chamber Singers and Concert Choir. He presently serves as the Associate Conductor of the O‘ahu Choral Society and as the Vice President of the Hawai‘i Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. He completed his DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Miami, where he studied with Joshua Habermann and Karen Kennedy. His master’s degree in Choral Conducting is also from the University of Miami. He graduated cum laude with honors in music from Williams College.
An award-winning composer and arranger, Alec’s choral music is published by Alliance Music Publications, earthsongs, E.C. Schirmer Music, Hinshaw Music, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and World Projects. His works have been performed around the country by all-state choruses and prestigious ensembles such as the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the New World Symphony, the University of Delaware Chorale, the Frost Chorale, the Voices of Aloha, and even at the NFL’s Pro Bowl in 2016.
An active educator and sought-after presenter, Alec delivered lectures at the 2025 Malaysia Choral Eisteddfod, the 2023 and 2019 International Kodály Symposia in Los Angeles and Malaysia, the 2020 Western Division ACDA conference in Salt Lake City, the 2018 and 2016 Asia Kodály Symposia in Taiwan, the 2017 National ACDA conference in Minneapolis, and various others. His written work on incorporating popular music in the choral curriculum was recently published by GIA in the textbook Becoming Musical.
An award-winning composer and arranger, Alec’s choral music is published by Alliance Music Publications, earthsongs, E.C. Schirmer Music, Hinshaw Music, Santa Barbara Music Publishing, and World Projects. His works have been performed around the country by all-state choruses and prestigious ensembles such as the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, the New World Symphony, the University of Delaware Chorale, the Frost Chorale, the Voices of Aloha, and even at the NFL’s Pro Bowl in 2016.
An active educator and sought-after presenter, Alec delivered lectures at the 2025 Malaysia Choral Eisteddfod, the 2023 and 2019 International Kodály Symposia in Los Angeles and Malaysia, the 2020 Western Division ACDA conference in Salt Lake City, the 2018 and 2016 Asia Kodály Symposia in Taiwan, the 2017 National ACDA conference in Minneapolis, and various others. His written work on incorporating popular music in the choral curriculum was recently published by GIA in the textbook Becoming Musical.
recent & upcoming
conducting engagements
October 2026 - Wilfrid Laurier University Residency, Toronto
August 2026 - 2026 Malaysia Choral Eisteddfod 2025, Kuala Lumpur
March 2026 - Aloha State Choral Festival, Honolulu
February 2026 - Nā Leo Pili Mai Middle School Choral Festival, Honolulu
November 2025 - Alaska All-State Mixed Chorus, Anchorage
November 2025 - Malaysia Choral Eisteddfod 2025, Kuala Lumpur
February 2025 - Nā Leo Hou, Hawai‘i All-State High School Choral Festival, Honolulu
April 2024 - Kapuana Festival, Honolulu
March 2024 - World Projects Pacific Basin Music Festival, Honolulu
August 2026 - 2026 Malaysia Choral Eisteddfod 2025, Kuala Lumpur
March 2026 - Aloha State Choral Festival, Honolulu
February 2026 - Nā Leo Pili Mai Middle School Choral Festival, Honolulu
November 2025 - Alaska All-State Mixed Chorus, Anchorage
November 2025 - Malaysia Choral Eisteddfod 2025, Kuala Lumpur
February 2025 - Nā Leo Hou, Hawai‘i All-State High School Choral Festival, Honolulu
April 2024 - Kapuana Festival, Honolulu
March 2024 - World Projects Pacific Basin Music Festival, Honolulu
recent and upcoming
presentations and Speaking Engagements
July 2026 - Pacific Music Institute, Honolulu
June 2026 - Arizona ACDA Conference, Phoenix
February 2025 - Hawai‘i Music Educators Conference, Honolulu
September 2024 - Hawai‘i ACDA Professional Development Day, Honolulu
August 2023 - International Kodály Symposium, Los Angeles
March 2020 - Western ACDA Conference, Salt Lake City
January 2020 - Hawai‘i Music Educators Conference, Honolulu
August 2019 - International Kodály Symposium, Kuching, Malaysia
July 2019 - Texas Choral Directors Association Convention, San Antonio
February 2019 - National ACDA Conference, Kansas City
September 2018 - Hawai‘i ACDA Professional Development Day, Honolulu
August 2018 - Asia Kodàly Symposium, Kaoshiung, Taiwan
January 2018 - Hawai‘i Music Educators Conference, Honolulu
December 2017 - Westminster Choir College Music Education Symposium, Princeton
August 2016 - Asia Kodàly Symposium, Kaoshiung, Taiwan
June 2026 - Arizona ACDA Conference, Phoenix
February 2025 - Hawai‘i Music Educators Conference, Honolulu
September 2024 - Hawai‘i ACDA Professional Development Day, Honolulu
August 2023 - International Kodály Symposium, Los Angeles
March 2020 - Western ACDA Conference, Salt Lake City
January 2020 - Hawai‘i Music Educators Conference, Honolulu
August 2019 - International Kodály Symposium, Kuching, Malaysia
July 2019 - Texas Choral Directors Association Convention, San Antonio
February 2019 - National ACDA Conference, Kansas City
September 2018 - Hawai‘i ACDA Professional Development Day, Honolulu
August 2018 - Asia Kodàly Symposium, Kaoshiung, Taiwan
January 2018 - Hawai‘i Music Educators Conference, Honolulu
December 2017 - Westminster Choir College Music Education Symposium, Princeton
August 2016 - Asia Kodàly Symposium, Kaoshiung, Taiwan
reviews
"The Finale of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, that symphony within a symphony, shined with the presence of roughly 200 members of the combined forces of the Master Chorale of South Florida, Alec Schumacker, director, and the Master Chorale of Tampa Bay, James K. Bass, director...the balance between orchestra and chorus was perfect throughout the movement. The massive choir maintained a well-shaped sound throughout, and got the most bravo shouts in the four curtain calls at the end."
- Fernando Landeros, Miami Artburst, March 18, 2013
"...the Master Chorale produced a rich, well-balanced tone and sang with engagement and enthusiasm..."
- South Florida Classical Review, April 20, 2013
- Fernando Landeros, Miami Artburst, March 18, 2013
"...the Master Chorale produced a rich, well-balanced tone and sang with engagement and enthusiasm..."
- South Florida Classical Review, April 20, 2013
