Born and raised in Auburn, AL, Farlanda Buchannon found his love for the arts through vast choral experiences and the harmonious melodies of Southern gospel music. He is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Voice. A nationally known clinician, adjudicator, choreographer and conductor, Farlanda has taught many elementary, middle school, high school choirs and collegiate choirs. Recently awarded Best Choreographer of 2023 by the Chicago Reader, Farlanda travels throughout the United States and beyond as a highly sought after choreographer for several competitive middle and high school show choirs. He also serves as a clinician at Showchoir Camps of America hosted at Millikin University in Decatur IL, and Heidelberg University in Tiffin OH.
In addition to his conductor commitments, Farlanda serves as the in-house resident choreographer for Uniting Voices Chicago. A non-profit organization that inspires and unites nearly 4,000 youth to become global leaders through music. He also co-directs Groove, a select ensemble within the world-renowned Voice of Chicago, which was developed to perform more advanced choreography. Farlanda believes that teaching students from different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds through diverse choral literature builds community and facilitates creativity.
Outside of Uniting Voices Chicago, Farlanda enjoys traveling and exploring different cities. He is thrilled at every opportunity to empower students through the fine arts, and is so thankful to all the directors, parents, administrators, and communities that support them!