--- title: Blog — Chorus Connection | Viraj Lal description: "Viraj Lal has been the Choral Director at Newark Academy in Livingston, NJ since 2007. He holds a Master of Music Education degree from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Rutgers University. Viraj is proud to direct nine vocal ensembles at NA, including their top varsity choir Academy Voices. His choirs have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City with artists such as Sarah McLachlan and Loreena McKennitt. Newark Academy’s choirs worked with guest artist Casey Breves, formerly of Chanticleer, during a weeklong visit as their Artist-in-Residence, as well as Ysaye Barnwell, formerly of Sweet Honey in the Rock, and composer Jim Papoulis. Viraj has held board positions for the following organizations: North Jersey School Music Association, American Choral Directors Association (NJ Chapter), and NJ Music Education Association." --- - [About](https://www.chorusconnection.com/about) - [Features](https://www.chorusconnection.com/features) - [Pricing](https://www.chorusconnection.com/pricing) [![Chorus Connection](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/hubfs/Chorus_April2019%20Theme/image/download.png)](https://www.chorusconnection.com) - [Blog](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/) - [Login](https://app.chorusconnection.com/sign_in) - [Book a Demo](https://pages.chorusconnection.com/request-a-demo) [![Chorus Connection](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/hubfs/Chorus_April2019%20Theme/image/download.png)](https://www.chorusconnection.com) - [About](https://www.chorusconnection.com/about) - [Features](https://www.chorusconnection.com/features) - [Pricing](https://www.chorusconnection.com/pricing) - [Blog](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/) - [Login](https://app.chorusconnection.com/sign_in) - [Book a Demo](https://pages.chorusconnection.com/request-a-demo) # Chorus Management Resources - Filter by topic - [artistic development](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/artistic-development) - [choir technology](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/choir-technology) - [choral consortia](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/choral-consortia) - [choral marketing](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/choral-marketing) - [Chorus Connection updates](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/chorus-connection-updates) - [chorus management](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/chorus-management) - [concert operations](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/concert-operations) - [emergency preparedness](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/emergency-preparedness) - [fundraising](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/fundraising) - [gender inclusivity](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/gender-inclusivity) - [healthy choir](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/healthy-choir) - [humor](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/humor) - [inspiration](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/inspiration) - [managing during the pandemic](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/managing-during-the-pandemic) - [member management](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/member-management) - [racial equity](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/racial-equity) - [singer recruitment](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/singer-recruitment) - [singer retention](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/singer-retention) - [ticket management](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/ticket-management) - [voices for change](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/voices-for-change) - [volunteer management](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/volunteer-management) - [youth choirs](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/youth-choirs) - Filter by author - [Alex Speir](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/author/alex-speir) - [Alison Cole](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/author/alison-cole) - [Amanda Carroll](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/author/amanda-carroll) - [Andrew Goren](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/author/andrew-goren) - [Andrew Hansen](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/author/andrew-hansen) - [Andrew Swinney](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/author/andrew-swinney) - [Angelica Rowell](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/author/angelica-rowell) - [Anne-Marie Bulawka](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/author/anne-marie-bulawka) - [Brian A. 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He holds a Master of Music Education degree from Florida State University and a Bachelor of Music degree from Rutgers University. Viraj is proud to direct nine vocal ensembles at NA, including their top varsity choir Academy Voices. His choirs have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City with artists such as Sarah McLachlan and Loreena McKennitt. Newark Academy’s choirs worked with guest artist Casey Breves, formerly of Chanticleer, during a weeklong visit as their Artist-in-Residence, as well as Ysaye Barnwell, formerly of Sweet Honey in the Rock, and composer Jim Papoulis. Viraj has held board positions for the following organizations: North Jersey School Music Association, American Choral Directors Association (NJ Chapter), and NJ Music Education Association. [See posts by all authors](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/) ### Recent Posts [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20new%20post%20from%20Chorus%20Connection:%20Motivating%20Youth%20Singers%20and%20Building%20New%20Skills%20During%20a%20Pandemic&body=https://blog.chorusconnection.com/motivating-youth-singers-and-building-new-skills-during-a-pandemic](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20new%20post%20from%20Chorus%20Connection:%20Motivating%20Youth%20Singers%20and%20Building%20New%20Skills%20During%20a%20Pandemic&body=https://blog.chorusconnection.com/motivating-youth-singers-and-building-new-skills-during-a-pandemic) - [member management](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/member-management) - [youth choirs](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/youth-choirs) - [managing during the pandemic](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/topic/managing-during-the-pandemic) ### [Motivating Youth Singers and Building New Skills During a Pandemic](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/motivating-youth-singers-and-building-new-skills-during-a-pandemic) [Guest author and Choral Director at Newark Academy, Viraj Lal, shares his experiences navigating a global pandemic and motivating his youth singers.](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/motivating-youth-singers-and-building-new-skills-during-a-pandemic) [Viraj Lal](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/author/viraj-lal) Aug 12, 2020 [Read Article \>](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/motivating-youth-singers-and-building-new-skills-during-a-pandemic) [Viraj Lal](https://blog.chorusconnection.com/author/viraj-lal) No More Posts ## **Chorus Management Resources** - [What is Choir Management Software?](http://chorusconnection.com/what-is-choir-management-software) - [Ticket Sales Strategies for Choruses](https://www.chorusconnection.com/chorus-management-101-sell-more-tickets) - [Fundraising Strategies for Choruses](https://www.chorusconnection.com/chorus-management-101-fundraising-for-choruses) - [The Ultimate Guide to Singer Recruitment](https://pages.chorusconnection.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-singer-recruitment) - [Volunteer Handbook for Community Choruses](https://pages.chorusconnection.com/the-volunteer-handbook-for-community-choruses?__hstc=21858660.c48cd284471f2fc781b85ec7cd6920fb.1554964062887.1554964062887.1554964062887.1&__hssc=21858660.3.1554964062885&__hsfp=2151446153) - [Share Your Chorus Management Stories](https://www.chorusconnection.com/share-your-chorus-management-success-story) ## **Get in Touch** - [Login](https://app.chorusconnection.com/sign_in) - [Book a Demo](https://pages.chorusconnection.com/request-a-demo) - [Sign Up for a Free Trial](https://www.chorusconnection.com/free-trial) - [Customer Success Stories](https://www.chorusconnection.com/customer-success-stories) - [Help Center](https://help.chorusconnection.com) - [Contact](https://www.chorusconnection.com/contact-us) ## **Policies & FAQs** - [FAQs](https://www.chorusconnection.com/chorus-connection-faqs) - [Terms of Service](https://www.chorusconnection.com/terms-of-service) - [Ticket Purchaser Terms of Service](https://www.chorusconnection.com/ticket-purchaser-terms-of-service) - [Privacy Policy](https://www.chorusconnection.com/privacy-policy) - [Cookie Policy](https://www.chorusconnection.com/cookie-policy) - [Jobs](https://www.chorusconnection.com/join-our-team) Copyright © 2026 Chorus Connection. 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