Jillian Burgam

Jillian Burgam serves as Lecturer of Choral Music at Eastern Michigan University, conducting the EMU Voices. With over a decade of experience teaching in public middle and high schools across Arizona, Montana, and Michigan (including Fordson High School in Dearborn), her choirs consistently earned superior festival ratings and produced singers for state and national honors ensembles.

Her academic credentials include:

• Master of Choral Conducting, Westminster Choir College (2020)
• Bachelor of Music in Choral Music Education and Spanish Education, Western Michigan University (2013)

Professionally, Burgam specializes in Culturally Responsive Teaching methodologies for English Language Learners within music education. As Artistic Director of the Detroit Women’s Chorus—a barrier-free treble ensemble—she has led performances on PBS: Detroit Performs, collaborations with Detroit artists (Emily Rose, Audra Kubat, Emily Rogers), and the National Anthem at a Detroit Tigers game, emphasizing inclusivity across ability levels.

Her performance career spans nationally recognized ensembles including the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale, Spoleto Festival USA Chorus, and Toledo Symphony Chorus, alongside regular engagements with Beyond, Mariners’ Church of Detroit, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Burgam actively contributes to professional organizations as State Choral Festival Supervisor for the Michigan School Vocal Music Association and member of the American Choral Directors Association and Chorus America. She has developed new-teacher mentorship programs and orientations at Wickenburg High School and Fordson High School, advocating for educator support systems.