Odell Zeigler, IV, is the Director of Choirs at the Visual & Performing Arts Academy at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, Virginia. He conducts the Concert Choir, Women’s Chorale, Men’s Chorus, and Mixed Chorus, inspiring students through dynamic and engaging musical instruction. In addition to teaching Music Appreciation and AP Music Theory, Odell also brings his leadership skills to the court as the Head JV Boys Basketball Coach.
An active adjudicator, clinician, and public speaker, Odell is increasingly recognized as a leading voice in choral music and education. He has presented research at prestigious All-State and All-Region conferences across 13 states and has been featured as a headlining clinician in two states.
Odell is an accomplished writer, with articles published in prestigious outlets such as Teaching Music Magazine (NAfME), the Iowa Music Educator Journal, the Massachusetts Music Educator Journal, the Rhode Island Music Educator Journal, the Virginia Harmony Newsletter, and the ChorTeach online journal. His expertise has also been highlighted in School Band & Orchestra Magazine (SBO). As a featured blogger for ACDA’s online platform, ChoralNet, Odell continues contributing valuable insights to the choral music community.
Odell is a committed member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc. He also contributes his expertise as a member of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Education Committee. Odell holds a B.A. in Music & Psychology from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, an M.M.Ed. from the University of Rhode Island, and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership with a Principal Certification Endorsement from Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
Learn to enhance vocal development, improve teaching strategies, and increase student engagement through the strategic use of gesture and movement in choral rehearsals
“It doesn’t matter whether you are pursuing success in business, sports, the arts, or life in general: the bridge between wishing and accomplishing is discipline.” – Harvey Mackay
"The unconventional approach is not supposed to replace the conventional or foundational way of teaching chorus, but it can be a jump-start to the traditional method."