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Lawrence Abernathy is a choral artist based in Kansas City. He is currently the interim Director of Choral Studies at William Jewell College (Liberty, MO) where he oversees an award-winning choral program and teaches a variety of music related courses. Recognized for his dynamic conducting style, Lawrence was awarded the 2023 Dale Warland Prize in Choral Conducting presented by The American Prize and is regularly in demand as a guest artist and lecturer. Lawrence's research interest focus on conducting pedagogy, novel approaches to score study, and the importance of including historical information into the choral rehearsal. In addition to his academic duties, Lawrence is a life-long church musician who has served congregations in Texas, Indiana, South Carolina and Georgia, and is currently the Director of Vocal Music at Community Christian Church in Kansas City, and Lawrence also maintains an active schedule as a tenor and has performed with ensembles such as Spire Chamber Ensemble, Te Deum, the Bloomington Bach Cantata Project, and The Cecilia Ensemble (Augusta, GA). Lawrence holds a Doctor of Music from Indiana University and a Master of Music from the University of South Carolina.