Dr. Marla A. Ringel is the Assistant Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Texas Christian University (TCU), where she conducts two major choral ensembles and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in choral methods, conducting, and music education.
Dr. Ringel earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting with a cognate in Vocal Performance from TCU, as well as a Master of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music Education (summa cum laude). Before her collegiate career, she was a successful secondary choral director in Texas public schools and was honored as a “Top Teacher” by Fort Worth Magazine for her classroom achievements.
Dr. Ringel has curated and directed over two dozen major choral performances, often focusing on themes of social equity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and community engagement. She has served as guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for more than 60 middle school, high school, and collegiate choirs across Texas and the U.S., including over ten honor choirs, with additional engagements scheduled through 2026. Her adjudication experience spans numerous festivals and contests, and she collaborates closely with district fine arts programs to support teacher development and ensemble growth. Her professional reach is expanding internationally with an upcoming guest conducting engagement at the Interscholastic Association of Southeast Asian Schools (IASAS) Cultural Convention in Manila, Philippines.
Dr. Ringel is also the Director of the TCU All-State Choir Camp, a long-standing program with a history of over 30 years that welcomes more than 500 high school students each summer from across Texas to prepare for the Texas All-State audition process. She oversees all aspects of the camp, including curriculum design, faculty coordination, operations, and the overall student experience.
Her scholarly interests focus on choral pedagogy, conductor preparation, and teacher immediacy behaviors, with presentations at national conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals. She regularly offers professional development workshops and in-service training for music educators on vocal pedagogy, score study efficiency, and rehearsal planning.
At the heart of Dr. Ringel’s work is a profound commitment to providing high-quality musical and educational experiences that foster a lifelong love for music and the arts. She strives to instill the rewards of hard work while emphasizing integrity, humility, respect, and community—crafting meaningful artistic experiences through collaborative music-making.
