ChoralPop

Founded by Natalie Cardillo

After seven years of directing high school choirs, I made the difficult decision to step away from the classroom.

Teaching high school choir was something I had always dreamed of doing. I was fortunate to be a part of multiple wonderful communities of students, families, and colleagues. Over time I realized I wanted to spend more of my energy creating—developing resources, writing arrangements, and exploring new ideas at a moment when technology and AI are opening exciting, unexplored possibilities in music education. I was also searching for a different lifestyle, one that gave me more time with my husband, our families, and our cat. 😊 The change has allowed me to live more fully while continuing to devote myself to music education in new and exciting ways.

My passion for music education goes back to elementary school, when I first picked up the tenor saxophone, and it deepened in high school through my experiences in a fantastic choral program. It was there that I first began to recognize my own potential and the impact of great teaching. Music educators are extraordinary people who provide a lifelong gift—helping students find both joy and solace through music—and that truth has stayed with me throughout my career and into this new chapter with ChoralPop.

One of the unexpected joys of this transition has been collaborating with choir teachers who also happen to be close friends. Working together in musically creative ways has enriched our friendships and become a beautiful way to connect on a deeper level. Another joy has been the chance to fuel myself as a performer again: this October, I’ll be singing with the Delaware Choral Scholars—currently ranked #1 in the world by Interkultur—in the International Tolosa Choir Competition in Spain. Being back in a choir for the first time in years has reignited my love of ensemble singing and reminded me how much joy and inspiration comes from being on the other side of the podium.

I understand what it feels like to run a choir program: the workload, the scheduling, the pressure to make everything come together. My hope is to be a resource that lightens that load—to act as a kind of assistant for choir and a cappella directors, providing tools, ideas, and support that make their work more manageable while still inspiring students.

At its core, ChoralPop exists to make music education more creative, more accessible, and more sustainable—for both students and teachers

Vocal Point performing at University of Delaware’s Twilight Induction Ceremony (2016)

🎓 Education & Musical Training

University of Delaware
B.M. in Music Education (Voice), Class of 2017

  • Vocal Point (2013–2017) — Music Director (2014–2017)
    ICCA Finals 3rd Place (2014)

  • Cape Harmony (2015–2016) — Member and Music Director (2016) of Cape Cod’s premier all-female a cappella group

  • Delaware Choral Scholars (2017) — Conducting Scholar; conducted in Aix-en-Provence, France

  • International Choral Contest of Tolosa (2025) — Competing with the Delaware Choral Scholars (ranked #1 internationally)

👩‍🏫 Teaching Experience

High School Music Educator — Choir, A Cappella, Piano, Guitar, Music Appreciation

  • Ridgewood High School (NJ) | 2021–2025

  • Glenelg High School (MD) | 2018–2021

Highlights:

  • Directed four curricular choirs with over 100 students annually

  • Led two competitive a cappella groups; directed the AcaBellas to ICHSA Finals appearances in 2024 and 2025, featuring original arrangements of: “Don’t Let Go (Love),” “Church Bells,” “My Rose,” and “Fighter”

  • Created custom arrangements that highlighted student strengths and supported vocal development

  • Provided individualized instruction in voice, sight-reading, and college audition prep

  • Developed inclusive and differentiated resources for learners with IEPs and 504s

  • Coordinated annual banquet fundraisers, raising $6,000+ to support choral programming

  • Fostered a positive, inclusive program culture through strong relationships with students, families, and faculty

Get to Know Me - Choir Edition

Songs I’ve sang in choir:

Conducting the Glenelg High School Madrigals at the Christmas Village in Baltimore (2019)