50 georgia music news / winter 2015
SHELLEY TOMICH Shelley Tomich has been teaching elementary band, chorus, and general music in Fulton County Schools for 13 years. During this time she has won Teacher of the Year at her school, served as the lead teacher for her grade level, and currently serves on the technology leadership team in Fulton County. She has a BME in instrumental music education from the University of Alabama, MME in vocal and general music from the University of Georgia, and the Ed.S. degree in Technology in Schools from the University of Missouri. She started her publishing company, Pitch Publications, in 2014 in order to share Pitch Hill, and other teaching resources with fellow music educators.
Session
-Pitch Hill: Teaching Solfege through Children’s Literature
debra traficante Dr. Debra Traficante serves as Kennesaw State University’s Associate Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands. In this position, Dr. Traficante guides and directs all aspects of the KSU Marching Band (“The Marching Owls”), premiered in the Fall 2015, as well as the KSU Basketball Pep Band. Professor Traficante also serves as the Conductor of the KSU Concert Band, teaches beginning instrumental conducting, wind band literature, arranging and pedagogy, and marching band technique courses, while also advising Music Education students. She also serves as the Kappa Kappa Psi (Nu Mu) and Tau Beta Sigma (Iota Psi) chapter advisor. Dr. Traficante serves on the brass staff for the Boston Crusaders. Dr. Traficante formerly served as Assistant Professor of Music/Assistant Director of University Bands at the University of Oklahoma where she conducted the Symphony Band, assisted in directing the “Pride of Oklahoma” Marching Band, taught conducting lessons to graduate and undergraduate students, taught graduate wind literature courses, served as the lead teacher for the undergraduate conducting and methods course, and oversaw music education students. She also served as the School of Music: Music Minor advisor, Honors College Music Coordinator, faculty sponsor for Sigma Alpha Iota, and faculty sponsor for the Delta Chapters of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. Professor Traficante earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education, cum laude, from the University of Florida (Gainesville, FL), a Master of Music degree in Wind Band Conducting from the University of Florida, and earned a Fellowship to pursue a Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Band Conducting degree from the University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK). She served as Director of Bands for five years at New Smyrna Beach High School, Florida and Assistant Director of Bands for two years at Buchholz High School, Florida. Dr. Traficante frequently judges, guest conducts, and clinics ensembles across the United States, and has conducted at the International World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles Conference in Singapore in 2005. Professor Traficante is the immediate past National Vice President of Professional Relations for Tau Beta Sigma, and an Honorary Member of the Delta Chapters, Alpha Eta Chapter, and Beta Xi Chapter of the Kappa Kappa
Psi National Band Fraternity and Tau Beta Sigma National Band Sorority. Additionally, she was honored in 2010 as a Distinguished Member in Sigma Alpha Iota and has been awarded the Martha Starke Memorial Scholarship for Women Conductors.
Session
-Teaching Percussion Pedagogy through the Wind Band
bRANDON tuCKER Brandon Tucker is a native of Stockbridge, Ga and has served as band director for Taylor, Miller, and Atkinson Counties. He currently is employed by the Chatham County Board of Education as Teacher Specialist for Performing Arts, coordinating all performing arts programs in Chatham County. Mr. Tucker holds an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership.
Session
-Understanding, Writing, and Administering the S.L.O.: A Practical Approach for Teachers
Carolyn Tuttle Ms. Tuttle earned her Bachelors degree in Music Education in Choir and Piano from the University of Florida and her Masters of Music Education from The Florida State University. While there, she studied conducting with Dr. Andre Thomas and Dr. Kevin Fenton. Ms. Tuttle is honored to be the treble choir director for the Jacksonville Children’s Chorus and she is beginning her eighth year as the Choir Director at Oceanway Middle School. In 2013, she was nominated for Teacher of the Year at Oceanway and was chosen as one of the top 15 Teacher of the Year finalists in Duval County. As a result, her teaching was filmed for the county’s “Teaching for Excellence” series.
Session
-Overcoming Obstacles: Creative Ways to Start and Grow a Thriving Program
jODY uNDERWOOD Jody has been working in the field of music education technology for nearly 15 years. His cutting-edge product knowledge (of music, audio, video and computer technology) is evident in his daily interactions with teachers. Because of his love of music, Jody also devotes many non-working hours to utilizing his musical gifts at church. In addition to leading the church band from the piano during weekly services, he also writes and records new worship songs in his home studio. Jody resides in Murfreesboro, TN with his wife, Roxanne, and 2 beautiful daughters, Ryley and Delaney. Jody earned his BA in Commercial Keyboard with a Technology Emphasis at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Session
-Technology Tools for the K-12 Music Instructor including iPads! -Four Simple Ways To Record Your Students