Georgia Music News - Winter 2025

WINTER ISSUE

The Gratitude Project Kathy Maso n

GMEA Research Division Announces Peer-Reviewed Submissions for Georgia Music News

A S S O C I AT I O N N E W S

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IN-SERVICE CONFERENCE

VOLUME 86 | NUMBER 2 | WINTER 2025

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In This Issue

GMEA BOARD OF DIRECTORS President Andy Esserwein Immediate Past President Neil Ruby Vice-President for Performance Evaluation Events Kevin Brown Vice-President for All-State Events Marla Baldwin Past Presidents’ Council Representative Dr. Richard Bell Executive Director D. Alan Fowler Band Division Chair Sean McBride Choral Division Chair Velma Jenkins College Division Chair Dr. Charles Jackson

The Gratitude Project Kathy Mason

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THE PRESIDENT SPEAKS

2 2026 Conference Presenters 15

Elementary Division Chair Erika Brown Orchestra Division Chair Kevin Anderson

District Chairs 1 - Hank Carter 2 - Dominique Lane 3 - Brian Walker.

4 - Monica L. Fogg 5 - Vanessa Edwards 6 - Quinn Kearse 7 - Michael Elzey 8 - Zach Williams 9 - Nicholas Gattis 10 - Tayler Norwood 11 - Leah Williams 12 - John Palmer 13 - David Metrio 14 - Dion Muldrow Editor, Georgia Music News Victoria Enloe For the complete list of Board Members please visit:

GMEA Staff Dr. Bernadette Scruggs Laura Webb Megan Williams Aleta Womack Advertising/Exhibitors Cindy Reed

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APPLY TODAY WWW.GMEA.ORG/ADVERTISE

© Copyright 2025 by the Georgia Music Educators Association All pieces reproduced in this issue are under prior copyright of the creators and publisher by the contractual arrangements. Nothing shown may be reproduced in any form without obtaining the permission of the publisher and any other person or company who may have copyright ownership.

W I N T E R 2025 | G E O R G I A M U S I C N E W S

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Association News The

President Speaks

Andy Esserwein I hope you are having a wonderful school year. As we near the midpoint of our academic calendar and look toward the future, it is my great pleasure to invite you to join your colleagues and friends in Athens for the 2026 GMEA InService Conference.

Our theme for 2026 is The Power of WE: Positively Changing Lives, Together. This theme celebrates the strength of collaboration and the profound, collective impact we have on our students. It reminds us that we do not do this work alone; rather, our influence is magnified when we support and uplift one another. This conference is our time to reconnect, learn from one another, and truly embrace the Power of WE as we work to positively change student lives together.

Our Conference Planning Team has prepared an inspiring few days for you. This year’s schedule features over 150 insightful clinics and professional development sessions from outstanding clinicians, alongside more than 40 stunning performances by Georgia's finest elementary, middle school, high school, and collegiate ensembles. Additionally, you can enjoy approximately 15 Lobby and Atrium performances by small ensembles from around Georgia, and explore an expansive exhibit hall with over 150 partners, ranging from instrument vendors and music publishers to colleges and professional organizations.

The conference officially begins at our Opening Session on Thursday, January 29th, at 10:30 a.m. This session is a time of celebration, where we will present multiple awards including our 25- and 40-year service awards and "Year of Retirement" recognitions. We will also honor recipients of the Administrative Leadership Award, Community Impact Award, Distinguished Career Award, Friend of Music Education Award, Volunteer of the Year Award, and Young Music Educator Award. These presentations will be followed by the recognition of the GMEA District Music Educators of the Year and the announcement of the GMEA State Music Educator of the Year.

Attendees will also enjoy a special guest performance by "Collaborate Music" from Rising Starr Middle School and 2

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Starrs Mill High School under the direction of Bonnie Krider.

The session culminates with our keynote speaker, Christy Todd, presenting "The Influence of a Teacher." Join the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year as she shares her inspiring journey from the classroom to the Georgia Department of Education. Her heartfelt reflections will inspire you to reignite your passion, reflect on the spaces you influence, and build connections that help every student find their creative superpower. You won't want to miss this energizing start to our time together.

Supporting Your Career Journey We are dedicated to supporting music educators at every stage of their professional lives. For our collegiate members, we invite you to attend the CNAfME Reception on Thursday, January 29th, from 5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. in Ligotti Hall 1 & 2. We also highly encourage you to take advantage of The CNAfME Career Launchpad, a series of sessions on Thursday designed to help you prepare for the first steps of your career.

• 1:30 p.m.: Attend either "Teach in the Peach: Why You Should Become a Georgia Music Educator" or "Exploring Music Therapy: A Meaningful Career Option for Music Students."

• 2:45 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.: "The Hiring Process: Best Practices for Resumes, Interviews, and Everything InBetween."

• 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.: "Fine Arts Coordinators: Mock Interviews."

Career support extends beyond our collegiate members. If you are a teacher seeking a new opportunity in Georgia, the GMEA Job Fair provides the perfect venue to connect directly with representatives from school systems across the state who are actively hiring. This event will take place on Friday afternoon, January 30th, beginning at 2:00 p.m. in the Athena-Olympia/ Parthenon Lobby.

Community and Innovation Beyond professional development, we gather to celebrate our shared history and future. We are proud to once again host

the HBCU Reception on Friday, January 30th, from 5:30 p.m.

- 7:00 p.m. in the Hyatt Place Ballroom. This is a wonderful event celebrating the profound impact of HBCU music programs and educators on music education across our state.

Engage with the latest scholarship and creativity in our field by stopping by the Atrium on Friday, January 30th, from 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. for the Research Poster Session. Presented by the GMEA Research in Music Education and College Division, this session showcases a diverse range of qualitative, quantitative, and historical studies, as well as "Action Research" conducted by educators from around the state.

That evening, you are invited to the Composition Contest Recital in the Oconee River Room from 5:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m.

GMEA sponsors and carries out this annual competition for the purpose of encouraging students who have an interest in and an aptitude for the writing of original music. Join us to hear the original works that represent the future of our repertoire.

Exhibit Hall The energy of our community is also on full display in the Exhibit Hall. Please dedicate part of your schedule to exploring this central hub, where you will find a wide array of over 150 exhibitors. Connect with vendors specializing in instruments, equipment, repairs, and travel; browse music from various

publishers; and speak with representatives from colleges, military ensembles, and professional organizations.

Tech Town returns larger and more interactive than ever.

Get hands-on experience with the latest in music technology, including exciting, interactive labs, podcasting stations, and mobile recording studios. These tools are designed to help you find new and innovative methods of teaching while enhancing learning and creativity in your classrooms.

Throughout all of these wonderful opportunities, our members will have the chance to build relationships with educators from around our state. These connections often grow into lifelong friendships and professional support networks that sustain us long after the conference concludes. Whether sharing a meal or discussing a session or concert, the camaraderie we build in Athens is truly the heartbeat of our association.

GMEA remains one of the nation's strongest music education associations because of you—our dedicated members.

From our collegiate members through our cherished retired educators, every one of us plays a role. This conference is our time to reconnect, learn from one another, and recommit to our shared purpose. We are all essential to The Power of WE as we continue Positively Changing Lives, Together.

I look forward to seeing you in Athens!

NAfME Guiding Principles, Frameworks, and Applications for AI in Music Education Grounded in the National Music Standards, Guiding Principles explores how AI tools can enhance creativity, support performance, and deepen student reflection. It also addresses assessment strategies, productivity tools, and the broader ethical responsibilities music educators must consider when integrating AI into their teaching. Whether you’re curious, cautious, or already experimenting with AI, this resource offers timely and practical information, ideas, and insights to help you make valuable, informed decisions about the use of AI. Download this free resource and take the survey linked on the last page: bit.ly/AIMusicEdGuidingPrinciples

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Association News From The

Executive Director D. Alan Fowler

During my sophomore year at the University of Georgia, I played tuba in the UGA Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. John Corina. That spring, the most challenging of my years in Athens, the orchestra performed a work for chorus and orchestra composed by Dr. Corina for the inauguration of UGA President Charles Knapp, which took place just before I arrived on campus.

you in the ground – or the oven.” That bit of wisdom I owe partly to Dr. Corina and Ursula Le Guin, and in large part to a lifetime of my own growth and development.

This time of year, two journey come to the forefront: the All-State audition process and the weeks and months ahead for students and directors preparing for and performing at one of GMEA’s more than 70 LGPE events across the state. Both require planning, preparation, performance, and both involve more than a few steps along the way.

Whether or not students pass the first round of All-State auditions, time spent preparing for district or regional auditions, if used well, improves performance. (If not used well, there’s a lesson there, too.) The same applies to the second round in January. Those selected for Athens enjoy a culminating experience, but the journey matters for all.

One student I taught didn’t make the second round until senior year, but each year’s growth was obvious, and he eventually made All-State and loved it. Even baby steps count as progress.

It took me more than a few minutes of Googling to recall the name of the piece: The Wealth of Wisdom. The reason I didn’t remember the title? Because that was not what stayed with me. What stuck was a lyric and melody Dr. Corina so beautifully married: “It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.”

– Ursula K. Le Guin, The Left Hand of Darkness If I have learned one thing in all my years as an educator (and student), it is that while we are often faced with “summative” challenges, the experiences – the learning, growing, and living of the adventure – are what truly matter. Or as I like to say: “It’s all formative until they put 4

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As for LGPE, whether you have already begun digging into your repertoire or will fully engage in shaping your program in the weeks ahead, the planning and preparation matter immensely.

Many directors will schedule pre-LGPE performances, or host evening or weekend camplike sessions to help students prepare. My hope is that, as with students preparing for auditions or solo and ensemble performances, we all embrace the whole experience. Make the most of every step

and you will feel rewarded once you leave the stage and the sightreading room.

Speaking of journeys, mine continues. As of the end of November, I have visited 207 different schools in my nearly three and a half years as your Executive Director.

Those of you who follow or are aware of my travels know that one of my goals from the very beginning was to get out there, meet our members, and listen to your needs, concerns, and ideas. I am grateful that so many have welcomed me into their schools, and I feel genuinely connected. As I have said previously, having spent my entire adult life hanging out and making music with kids, working from home (or as I like to call it, HQ East) can be lonely.

venues, or your schools—the chance to connect is what matters most. Thank you for making GMEA what it is and for ensuring we have an association we can all be proud of. Serving you continues to be a rewarding part of my own journey.

Georgia is a large state, and while I may not reach all 159 counties, my journey has already led me to 62 of them. No matter where I travel next—to Athens, concert

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Division News Band

Sean McBride I hope this message finds you well as we near the end of another exciting and busy semester. I come to you from the front seat of Mrs. Terri’s bus, headed to our final football game of the season on Halloween, followed by our final contest performance tomorrow. I cannot help but reflect on what has been a fall full of ups and downs and so much growth from our students.

We have seen beginners go from figuring out “which way is up” and making “joyful noises” to performing their first concerts for their families. We have seen our class bands grow from the ground up to developing ensembles ready to share their music at fall concerts. We have seen marching groups go from a blank field to performing wonderful productions, supporting their school during Friday Night Lights, and their communities in parades. Across every level, we have seen our students become leaders, young adults, and the best versions of themselves. It is truly amazing to witness what happens in our band rooms across Georgia! Thank you to all of you for your dedication, the countless hours you pour into your students, and the sacrifices you make to provide them with an outstanding music education.

As we move into November, I want to thank the organizers, host schools, and volunteers who make our fall events possible. The first-round Jazz All-State auditions in early November, Fall Solo and Ensemble in mid-November, and various marching events throughout the month would not happen without your dedicated efforts. Thank you!

Remember that the final round of Jazz Auditions will be held on December 6. Please be sure to review the instructions from Roy Denton and the audition organizers for the finalround audition. Middle School first round auditions are also on December 6, and high school auditions will take place on December 13. Remember, it is your professional responsibility to assist at these audition events. These days run smoothly because of the directors who step up to serve at registration, as adjudicators, monitors, tabulators, and more.

Your support ensures a positive and educational experience for every student involved.

I hope you have made plans to attend our 2026 In-Service Conference, January 29-31, 2026, in Athens. This year’s conference promises to be an inspiring one, with a dynamic 6

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lineup of concerts, clinics, and exhibits designed to inspire, teach, and recharge our music educators. It is always one of my favorite times of the year. There is a chance to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, share ideas, and celebrate the incredible work happening in Georgia.

The Band division will offer 24 sessions in addition to the performances at the Classic Center. The clinic sessions will cover a wide range of topics that include: Concert Programming, Teaching Jazz, Brass Pedagogy, Woodwind Pedagogy, Rehearsal Techniques, Work-Life Balance, Experiences of Female Band Directors, Booster Development, Teaching in Rural Settings & Teaching at a Title 1 School, Conducting Techniques, Rhythmic Literacy, Marching Band Tone Production, Student Assessment, Technology in Marching Band, Improved Adjudication through Improved Rubrics, and Emergency Instrument Repairs.

We will also have the good fortune to showcase exemplary ensembles from middle schools, high schools, community groups, and universities across the state. The weekend will conclude with the GMEA All-State Jazz Band performance.

We hope you will take the opportunity to support as many of our colleagues and their ensembles as possible.

As this semester wraps up, I hope you take time away to rest and recharge your batteries. Spend time with family and friends. The work you do each day matters deeply to your students. Never underestimate your impact on them, your community, and music education.

Wishing you all a joyful and restful holiday season, and I look forward to seeing you in Athens this January!

Choral

Velma Page Jenkins Every January, the GMEA In-Service Conference reignites our purpose and reminds us why our work matters. It is a weekend that restores our sense of purpose, filled with ideas, inspiration, and the kind of connection that only happens when music educators gather to share their craft. As we prepare for the 2026 GMEA In-Service Conference in Athens, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to belong to a community that believes in the power of collaboration and the lasting impact of music education. This year’s choral

sessions are designed to meet you where you are and send you home renewed. Clinicians will offer practical and inspiring approaches to strengthening sight-reading and musicianship, developing confident, independent singers, and selecting repertoire that engages learners at every level. Sessions will also explore vocal pedagogy, creative uses of technology, and ways to bring play, purpose, and inclusivity to the choral classroom. Whether your focus is middle school, high school, or beyond, these sessions reflect the vibrant and evolving landscape of choral teaching in Georgia. We will also celebrate outstanding performances by choirs from across the state each day of the conference at First Baptist Church in Athens.

I love this time of the year! As the leaves and temperatures begin to fall, I know that Thanksgiving is near, special holiday moments with friends and family are soon to follow, and the Annual GMEA InService Conference is getting near. The 2026 conference is sure to be one of the best ones yet!

Thursday, January 29, 2026 Lindley Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Chorus Northview High School Cecilian Singers Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts Advanced Choir Lux Kennesaw State University Chamber Singers

Tech Town will return for its 3rd year. Tech Town is a handson space where attendees can explore and experiment with the latest tech tools to supplement and enhance teaching and learning. There will be music tech workstations with Apple iMacs to check out the latest software and MIDI tools and a Podcasting station where we will be live podcasting from the exhibit hall.

Friday, January 30, 2026 Grovetown Middle School 8th Grade Choir DeKalb School of the Arts Tenor-Bass Choir Harrison High School Chamber Singers Dacula High School Gold Chorus Mercer Singers Saturday, January 31, 2026 Johns Creek High School Camerata Durham Middle School Advanced Chorus Spivey Hall Children’s Choir All-State Reading Chorus I would like to offer personal encouragement. Please stay for the Saturday morning performances. These ensembles are equally worthy of our attendance and support, and your presence in the audience is a genuine gesture of encouragement that honors our colleagues, their students, and the shared artistry that brings us together. If you have not yet registered, there is still time. Visit the GMEA website for registration information and full conference details. As we enter the busy winter season, may your rehearsals be joyful, your concerts inspiring, and your well-earned rest restorative. I look forward to seeing you in Athens and celebrating the community of teachers and students who keep music alive in every corner of our state.

Music Tech Heath Jones

We are also happy to welcome world-renowned DJ Hapa!

Hapa has shared the stage with artists such as Michael Jackson, Earth, Wind, & Fire, Drake, Bruno Mars, and Marshmello.

His corporate clients include: Formula 1, Ducati, Ferrari, Microsoft, ESPN, and The Grammys. He will present his Start to DJ curriculum and perform live in Tech Town. Make sure to stop by and get some DJ’ing tips and tricks from Hapa in Tech Town!

Soul Asylum Studios returns to Tech Town with the “World’s Loudest Hummer” and mobile recording studio! With over 200 Gold and 47 Platinum records, Raphael Capone and Soul Asylum Studios have worked with artists like T.I., Future, Akon, Justin Bieber, and Travis Porter. Bring your instrument or voice for recording tips in your classroom. Staff will answer questions about using technology with your students.

Tech Town would not be possible without the support of the GMEA Executive Board and some amazing sponsors who stepped up to provide equipment, including: MusicFirst, Dolby Labs, Soundtrap, Romeo Music, the Music Educators Group, LLC, and Apple, Inc. Last but not least, 2026 will have the 7th Annual Music Technology Student Showcase. We have some amazing evaluators lined up to provide feedback for students. The event will be held on Friday, January 30, at 7:00PM. The technical and artistic achievements of our students never cease to amaze and have earned this event recognition as one of the best of its kind in the country. You won’t want to miss it!

I wish you the best of luck wrapping up your 1st semester—I can’t wait to see you in Athens!

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Division News Orchestra Kevin Anderson

As we approach the end of the first semester of the 2025/2026 school year, I hope it ends on a high note and that you are gearing up for what the second semester will bring. Remember, our goal is to provide every student with a meaningful and engaging music education experience every single day.

With this goal guiding us, we have exciting opportunities ahead. If you’re attending the 79th Annual Midwest Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago (December 17– 20, 2025), support Ashley Culley, Evelyn Champion, and Dodgen Middle School Chamber Orchestra during their performance. We also anticipate impressive school orchestra performances at the GMEA In-service Conference, January 29–31, 2026, in Athens, GA:

Looking ahead to All-State 2026, I want to thank all of the organizers working to ensure we have a fantastic event: Stephen Lawrence-Carroll (Orchestra All-State Event Organizer), David Metrio (11/12 Full Orchestra), Jacob Hood (11/12 String Orchestra), Rae Litowich (9/10 Full Orchestra), Patricia Cleaton (9/10 String Orchestra), Sam Lowder (Middle School Orchestra #1), Bo Na (Middle School Orchestra #2), and Dr. Molly O’Roark (Harp Coordinator). Also, thank you to Jessica Smith for once again hosting the All-State Orchestra state audition at Riverwood International Charter School.

In closing, I hope your winter concerts are sensational and filled with great musical moments. Plan to get plenty of rest and relaxation during your holiday break, and do not forget to treat yourself to something special. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you require assistance. I look forward to seeing each of you at the 2026 GMEA Inservice Conference!

Barber Middle School Chamber Orchestra Adam Gresham, Director Cooper Middle School 8th Grade OrchestraJustin Owen-Head, Director DeKalb School of the Arts Sinfonia Jon Carmack, Director Kell High School Chamber Orchestra Jessica Fuchs, Director Trickum Middle School Honor OrchestraWhitney Tinley, Director Walton High School Chamber OrchestraDr. Perry Holbrook & Sara Grimes, Directors Congratulations as well to the many GMEA String Division Members presenting sessions at the GMEA Inservice Conference in Athens, GA. Presenters include Jon Carmack, Patricia Cleaton, Dr. Krissi Davis, Dr. David Doke, Jessica Fuchs, Adam Gresham, and Jim Palmer. Be sure to register and attend this outstanding event, which runs January 29–31, 2026.

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Retired Members Jay Wucher

When you’re busy with lesson plans, rehearsals, and the daily work of teaching, retirement can seem a long way off. Still, it’s never too early to start planning for your future. No matter if you’re new to teaching or nearing retirement, taking steps now can help you feel more secure later. Are You Prepared for Retirement? Age-By-Age Checklist for Teachers by Elizabeth Mulvahill and cited with permission from https://www.weareteachers.com/ gives practical, age-by-age guide to retirement planning for educators, showing what to focus on at each stage so you can build, protect, and enjoy the retirement you’ve earned.

Research

Rebecca Atkins

Happy Winter! I hope you had a chance to read at least one published research articles from your Georgia research colleagues this year. If not, many are listed in the last GMN research section! You can get access to many of these articles through your NAFME membership, or by typing the title into google scholar. You can also email the researcher directly. We love to share!

Announcement: I am excited to report that the GMEA research division will be accepting short research articles to be considered for publication in the Georgia Music News. Submissions will be reviewed through a blind peerreviewed process. If you are interested in publishing your research, please find the submission guidelines and review process at https://www.gmea.org/research (coming soon) or contact Rebecca L. Atkins at rlatkins@uga.edu.

Research sessions at the GMEA ISC 2026: We have nine 30-minute research sessions and 17 posters accepted for the In-Service Conference. Congratulations to all of you! The presentations start on Friday in Ligotti Hall 2 from 9:15am – 11:00. The poster session is in the atrium from 11:15-12:15, and the research sessions resume from 2:00pm-5:30pm in Ligotti Hall 2. Please join your colleagues and support their work! We look forward to seeing you at GMEA. Have a great end of semester and winter break! See you in Athens!

Historian

Matt Koperniak Music education in Georgia has persevered throughout challenging times since the official founding of GMEA and affiliation with MENC (now NAfME) in 1938. Just a few years later, World War II impacted public education across the United States. In this column, I would like to highlight Pinky Craft Ware, GMEA President from 1940-1941 and a music teacher in both North and South Georgia during the course of World War II. The following are the words of Mrs. P. C. Ware, as reprinted in the GMEA Milestones and Memories document. You can find this resource and many more on the History page of the GMEA website.

The effect World War II had on the progress of music education across the country and in the state of Georgia was significant. Ironically, its effect on music programs was both negative and positive. On the positive side, the pressing need to express patriotism and boost community spirit created a new and important place for music in American life. Music became a means to encourage good citizenship and promote the war effort. The opportunities for musical organizations to make appearances increased: patriotic parades, war bond drives, entertainment of hospitalized veterans. Negatively, because of teacher shortages, shrinking funds, and scarcity of materials to make instruments, many music programs were barely able to maintain their existence. -Pinky Craft Ware

Guitar

Caryn Volk When you think back to your own music teachers, do you recall any particularly bad habits? Yelling, bad instruction, a propensity for throwing things?

Did you learn what to do, or rather, what not to do under their instruction? Students today seem increasingly unfazed by the frenetic exhortations of our past professors, so try flipping the script.

A positive approach to instruction and correction helps bring your music students on your side during rehearsals. We highlight the good in their effort, pointing out strong students and sections, or pinpointing improvement in a difficult passage. Our praise is targeted, no generalities or meaningless banalities. In building these positive interactions, we foster a mutually trusting relationship and make room for mistakes in the learning process. Creating a positive environment allows students to rely on their own skills, knowing that you believe they are good musicians—and good people. And don’t discount the greetings, the pacing, announcements, and sendoff messages. You set the tone for a productive and positive rehearsal!

We are looking forward to another amazing GMEA in-service conference and have a strong roster of informational sessions and guitar performances ready for you. Register early! And don’t forget to register for the Giocoso Guitar & Piano Festival by 6 February 2026.

As we are moving into the busy winter performance season, take the time to recognize the good in the work you do and the good in the students who work for you.

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Division News College

Dr. Charles Jackson Members of the GMEA Music Supervisors Council met with representatives of the GMEA College Division in October to discuss strategies for increasing the number of Music Education majors in our universities and for strengthening the connection between graduating Music Education students and available teaching positions in Georgia’s public schools. Carolyn Landreau, Chairperson of the GMEA Music Supervisors Council, facilitated this productive session. As this was our inaugural meeting, I am hopeful that this initiative will continue.

I encourage all College Division members to participate in future meetings as we work collaboratively to ensure that every student enrolled in a Georgia public school music program has access to qualified music specialists who can support, guide, and advance music education across our state.

Looking ahead to the spring semester, Dr. Elise Naber-Allen has announced that Georgia College & State University will host its annual Career Day on February 16, 2026. The event will take place in Porter Hall and the Music Rehearsal Hall, beginning at 8:30 AM. Prospective students will have the opportunity to participate in ensembles and hands-on sessions, meet faculty and current students, tour the new rehearsal hall, and explore career pathways in music, including music education and music therapy.

Georgia College and State University Music Career Day Registration: https://forms.office.com/r/MZMEDcPWgy Questions: music@gcsu.edu | (478) 445-8289 All College Division members are invited to share information about upcoming university events that may be of interest to in-service music educators or music students. Please use the following link to access the Google Form to submit your announcements: https://forms.gle/Qqdr31PiiScBrRTKA

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Elementary Erika Brown

As the first semester ends, it’s remarkable how quickly time has passed. This year, we have a full house—500 students—in the Statewide Elementary Honor Chorus. This program is made possible by our directors, who dedicate their time and step away from personal commitments so their students can make music together. Thank you for your support.

With the release of the ISC schedule, I encourage everyone to take a moment to explore the wide array of sessions available across all areas. This year, we’re excited to introduce a new event: Elementary Exchange – A Sharing Social and GMEA Meeting, taking place on Friday afternoon. Join us to connect with fellow elementary music educators from across the state, learn about current initiatives, and maybe even win a door prize!

Additionally, I am currently seeking volunteers for two important committees: • Elementary Musical Festival/LGPE E-Level Choral Music List Development • EMF/LGPE Rubric and Judges Criteria Committee If you’d like to serve on one of these committees, please contact me. Your expertise will help us strengthen our elementary music programs.

Thank you for all you do to support music education in Georgia. I look forward to seeing you at the conference and continuing our work together to inspire young musicians across the state.

14 Georgia School Districts Among 2025 NAMM Best Communities for Music Education Each year, the NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Foundation, in partnership with NAfME, recognizes the Best Communities for Music Education, honoring school districts that demonstrate outstanding dedication and access to music education. In 2025, 14 Georgia districts were among the 935 honored. Congratulations to the teachers, administrators, parents, students, and community leaders whose commitment, collaboration, and hard work ensure that music education thrives in our schools and remains a meaningful part of every child’s learning experience!

Baldwin County School District Buford City Schools Carroll County School System City Schools of Decatur Clarke County School District Cobb County School District DeKalb County School District Forsyth County Schools Fulton County Schools Gwinnett County Public Schools Newton County Schools Paulding County School District Rockdale County Public Schools Valdosta City Schools Oconee County High School is one of 87 schools across the country to receive the SupportMusic Merit Award (SMMA), which recognizes individual schools for their support and dedication to music education.

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The Gratitude Project: How One St

By Kathy Mason, Buford Middle School hands them something. We teach them to thank grandparents for Christmas checks and waiters for refilling their Sprite. But we rarely—rarely—teach them to thank the people who show up every day to teach them, guide them, push them, and put their whole heart into helping them grow.

Beri did it instinctively.

So we stole the idea.

Teaching Gratitude Out Loud We built a simple routine into every band class.

Nothing complicated. Nothing corny.

About the Author Kathy Mason is the Director of Bands at Buford Middle School in Buford, Georgia. With over thirty years of experience teaching young musicians, she is passionate about building strong program culture, developing confident student leaders, and creating meaningful musical experiences for students of all backgrounds. She is active as an educator, clinician, and advocate for positive classroom communities.

Every now and then, a student walks into your program and quietly rewires the way you see your own classroom.

For us this year, that student was Beri Martin, an eighth grader who moved to Georgia from St. Louis.

A solid musician and a hard worker, Beri embodies everything you’d hope for in a transfer student.

That’s not what made him different, though.

What stood out was this: Every single day, at the end of class, Beri thanked us.

Not performatively. Not because anyone told him to. He’d grab his books, head for the door, and say, “Thank you for teaching me today.” Every day.

And honestly? It floored me.

We teach kids to say thank you when someone 12

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If a student had a tough day, made a mistake, or got corrected, they left class saying, “I’m sorry for…”

If they had a great day or felt proud of something, they left class saying,

tudent Changed Our Band Culture “Thank you.”

Not a whole speech. Not a forced apology. Just an honest, human acknowledgment.

It took about three days for the atmosphere in the room to shift.

But sometimes the thing that changes the culture isn’t a system, a binder, a motto, or a classroom redesign.

Sometimes it’s an eighth grader from St. Louis who remembers to say “thank you.”

Students weren’t just learning to appreciate us.

They were learning to appreciate the class, the process, the opportunity. Gratitude didn’t just make them nicer—it made them more invested. More connected. More aware of their own role in the environment we’re all building together.

It’s Spreading The best part is that it didn’t stay in our room.

My cousin teaches fifth grade at a nearby elementary school. She tried it with her class. She told me, “It changed my day, and it changed their day.”

Two of my middle-school band colleagues heard the story and implemented it immediately. They’ve already seen a difference.

Kids are starting to say “thank you” and “I’m sorry” to their other teachers. And when one kid does it, another kid picks it up. Gratitude turns out to be surprisingly contagious—one of the few things in a school building that spreads faster than gossip.

A Small Ritual With a Big Impact We’re calling it The Gratitude Project, and it’s the simplest thing we’ve ever done that’s had this much impact.

If every teacher shared it with one colleague… and every colleague shared it with one more…

Pretty soon, we’d be surrounded by students who are proud of their work, thankful for their teachers, and invested in their own learning.

Band directors talk a lot about culture. We talk about expectations, habits, pride, discipline.

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Book today at aso.org/field-trip-opportunities 14

G E O R G I A M U S I C N E W S | W I N T E R 2025

Presenters

The Power of We W I N T E R 2025 | G E O R G I A M U S I C N E W S

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PRESENTERS Jennifer Aikey

• What Do I Do with a Guitar Class? A Beginner’s Guide to Teaching Class Guitar Jennifer Parker Aikey (eye-key) is a PhD Candidate in Music Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and an Instructor of Strings at Winston-Salem State University. Aikey is the graduate program coordinator for the Peer Artist Leadership (PAL) program at UNCG. Through her graduate assistantship at UNCG, she is the co-teacher for the Lillian Rauch Beginning Strings Program (LRBS) in Greensboro. Both PAL and LRBS provide private (PAL) or group (LRBS) instruction for K-12 students in the Greensboro community.

Prior to her arrival in Greensboro, Aikey taught Orchestra at Durham Middle School from 2013-2023 in Cobb County, GA. She also piloted an elementary strings program at East Aiken Elementary School of the Arts in Aiken, SC. Aikey received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Augusta University and received her Master of Music Education from Florida State University. Her passion for music began through the opportunities offered to her in Georgia public schools, which continues to drive her commitment to providing high-quality music instruction for K-12 students.

Aikey's primary research area is examining experiences of neurodivergent music teachers and preservice teachers. She has also researched factors influencing music teacher attrition/retention and equity and access in music education. Aikey's composition, "Echoes of Hope," was recently premiered by the Sinfonia Orchestra at UNCG. She is also an active member of NAfME and ASTA, serving in the Accessible Music Education SRIG and the ASTA Advocacy committee. She is an active clinician, conductor, and performer on violin, mandolin, guitar, and voice.

Melanie Alexander

• Sing, Dance, Play, Create: Transform Your Elementary Music Classroom!

Ms. Alexander brings extensive experience in elementary music education and curriculum development, having spent nearly two years as an Education Technology Marketing Coordinator at Hal Leonard and over 16 years as an elementary music specialist in the Zachary Community School District (LA). She holds both a Master of Music and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Louisiana State University and is a National Board Certified Teacher in Early/Middle Childhood Music.

Beyond her classroom experience, Ms. Alexander is a Seesaw Ambassador with Seesaw Learning, a platform for digital learning and student portfolio creation, and a teaching fellow with Louisiana A+ Schools, promoting arts integration across Louisiana.

Emily Allison

• Musical Mayhem: Mistakes, Missteps, and Meaningful Fixes Emily Allison is in her sixth year serving as the choral director at Cherokee Bluff Middle School. She previously spent twelve years at East Hall Middle School where she was selected as the 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year. She currently serves as a member of the CBMS leadership team and Tome Sponsor and served as the Grade Level Chair from 2020-2024. She was selected as the CBMS Teacher of the Year for the 2024-2025 school year, the District 14 Music Educator of the Year for 2025, and the Hall County District Teacher of the Year for 2025-2026. Her 7th/8th Grade chorus were also featured performers in the 2025 GMEA In-Service Conference. Mrs. Allison holds a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance and a Master's Degree in Music Education from Piedmont University. In her free time, she serves as the Children's Director at Jefferson First United Methodist Church. She is also the co-founder and co-conductor of Lux, the professional Treble ensemble of North Georgia who were selected to perform at the October 2024 GA ACDA conference. They will also be featured at this year’s GMEA conference and will perform at the Southeastern Region ACDA conference in March. She loves to read and go on adventures with her husband and two kids, Anthony and Nora.

Dr. Thomas Ardrey

• Performing Choral/Orchestral Masterworks with High School Choirs and Orchestras Dr. Thomas Ardrey is the choir director at Oxford High School in Oxford, Mississippi. In addition to choir, he teaches AP Music Theory, Dual Credit Music Appreciation, and serves as the music director for the OHS theatre program. Ardrey holds a BME in vocal music education from Auburn University, an MM in choral conducting from the University of Mississippi, and a PhD in Music Education from the University of Mississippi. His research interests include melodic dictation, integrating aural skills into large ensemble rehearsals, and performing masterworks with high school choral ensembles. He is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, the American Guild of Organists, Pi Kappa Lambda, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. His wife, Hannah Ardrey, EdD, is the choir director at Oxford Middle School and the 2020 Mississippi Teacher of the Year.

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PRESENTERS Alan Armstrong

• Let’s Go Play Outside! Developing High Quality Winds Performance in the Marching Band Setting Alan Armstrong retired from public school education in 2025 after a 37-year career as a music educator in Alabama and Georgia, including 29 years as Director of Bands at Northgate High School (GA). Under his leadership, the Northgate program earned hundreds of accolades and was one of the first three high schools to receive the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award for excellence in all areas of band performance. His ensembles performed at the Georgia State Leadership Conference, the University of Alabama Honor Band Clinic, national holiday parades, and the Alabama Governor’s Inaugural Parade. Northgate’s marching band consistently achieved class, divisional, and Grand Championship honors.

Armstrong’s experience in the marching arts spans four decades and includes instructional, design, and consulting roles with programs of all sizes, including nationally recognized ensembles. He has served as Program and Instructional Coordinator for several drum corps, including Atlanta CV, a four-time DCA medalist. His DCI involvement includes six years as a judge, nine years on the brass staff of The Cavaliers, and two decades with Spirit of Atlanta, where he currently serves as Brass Caption Manager.

Armstrong is a sought-after clinician on a multitude of topics, having conducted sessions in the U.S. and Japan and presented multiple times at the GMEA State Convention. His honors include Teacher of the Year, multiple “Star Teacher” awards, AJC Honor Teacher, and a Georgia Legislative Resolution recognizing his contributions to education. He is a member of GMEA, NAfME, the National Band Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Phi Beta Mu.

Amber Arnold

• Music Meets Admin: Translating Creative Instruction for Your School Leadership Amber Arnold currently serves as the K-12 Fine Arts Instructional Coach in Gwinnett County Public Schools. She taught Elementary Visual Arts for over 12 years and is now in her seventh year supporting K-12 Fine Arts teachers in her district. Amber holds a BFA and MAEd in Art Education from the University of Georgia, an EdS in Art Education from Piedmont University, and a Coaching Endorsement through the GCPS Staff Development Department.

In addition to her instructional support role, Amber has been actively involved in the Georgia Art Education Association (GAEA) as a Student Chapter Sponsor, Elementary Representative, and conference co-chair. She has presented at both state and national levels and currently facilitates a national Professional Learning Community for the Connected Arts Networks through the National Art Education Association (NAEA). Amber is passionate about lifelong professional learning through collaboration and community. As an instructional coach, she has the honor of building community and working with teachers across all Fine Arts disciplines, including Performing and Visual Arts. She also facilitates the Fine Arts Mentor Program and works closely with the district’s new Fine Arts teachers.

Anthony Baglio

• From Beginner to Intermediate: Techniques For The 2nd Year Guitarist and Classroom Duluth Middle School is located in Duluth, Georgia, northeast of Atlanta in Gwinnett County. The school has an enrollment of 1,300 students with over 800 participating in orchestra, chorus, band, or guitar. The guitar program currently has 280 students enrolled in grades 6-8, under the direction of Anthony Baglio. The Duluth Middle School Guitar Program originated as a general music class in 2008, becoming one of the first middle schools in Gwinnett County to offer a performing guitar ensemble. Year-long guitar ensembles were then established in 2012, and today, guitar is a fully established fine art with six year-long classes and an honors ensemble.

In 2014 and in 2024, the Duluth Guitar Ensemble was featured on GCPS TV in the ArtStage Sounds of the Season program. In 2018, 2020, and 2022 the Duluth Guitar Ensemble performed at the GMEA in-service conference. Continuing our mission to expand our presence in the community, the Duluth Guitar Ensemble has performed several times at Eddie Owens Red Clay Music Foundry, located in the heart of the Duluth Community. The DMS guitar program continues to grow thanks to the addition of guitar programs developing in elementary feeder schools as well as the ongoing support of faculty, staff, and administration of Duluth Middle School.

The mission of Duluth Middle School is to inspire all students to achieve academic excellence and to embrace the rigor required to thrive in a global society.

Rebecca Baglio

• The First Five Years: From Frazzled to Fearless Rebecca Baglio is an orchestra director at Alton C. Crews Middle School. A native of Lawrenceville in Gwinnett County, she received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education with a concentration on violin, graduating Cum Laude at the University of Georgia. She is working on her Master’s in Music Education from the University of West Georgia. Before teaching at Crews Middle School, Mrs. Baglio taught private violin lessons in Suwanee. She also taught at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Athens, the UGA String Project, and Summerour Middle School as the orchestra director from 2018-2023, where the orchestras earned Superior and Excellent ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation. Mrs. Baglio lives with her husband and two cats, Danny and Zelda.

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PRESENTERS Corie Benton

• Help Me Help You: Mentorship and Support for Music Educators Corie Benton has been the Orchestra Director at Pope High School in Marietta, Georgia since 2016. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Loyola University-New Orleans and completed her graduate degree at Anderson University in South Carolina. After graduating from Loyola, Mrs. Benton began teaching in Plano, Texas. While in Plano, her orchestras received superior ratings at the annual University Interscholastic League and had many students participate in All-State Orchestras.

Since moving to Georgia, Mrs. Benton has taught in Cobb, Clayton, and DeKalb counties. Throughout her tenure, she has been very active in the music community. She has presented at Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service (2013) and the ASTA National Conference (2022); performed at GMEA In-Service twice had students perform in 2015 and 2019 and had one of her schools named Her students competed in ASTA’s National Orchestra Festival (2018) and received superior ratings for their performance.

Mrs. Benton is a regularly requested Adjudicator at workshops, clinics, Honor Orchestras, and LGPEs in Georgia and around the country. She is a member of GMEA, Past President of the Georgia chapter of ASTA, a board member of national ASTA , and PresidentElect for national ASTA. Mrs. Benton works with area colleges and universities as an advocate for teacher education, mentoring future music educators. When not teaching, she designs jewelry for her jewelry company, Me and My Sweetpea. Although Mrs. Benton loves music, her greatest love is her family. She is married to Robert Benton and has two sons, Cameron and William.

Christian Bigliani

• Vertical Alignment: No Chiropractor Necessary!

Colombian-born pianist and educator, Christian Bigliani, is the Choral Director at Vickery Creek Middle School. He is also a current PhD student studying Music Teaching and Learning at the Eastman School of Music. Before Vickery Creek, Christian was the Choral Director at Cambridge High School and DeSana Middle School, where he was named Teacher of The Year in 2018-2019. Christian started his musical training at the tender age of 8 years old and went on to receive a B.M. in Piano Performance from Shorter College and a M.M. in Music Teaching and Learning and Piano Accompanying from the Eastman School of Music. Passionate about creativity and musicianship in the music classroom, Christian has presented sessions at the GMEA In-Service Conference, NYSSMA Winter Conference, and the Gordon Institute for Music Learning International Conference. In his spare time, Christian loves to play piano for local choirs, or can be found searching for the next binge-worthy Netflix series to watch with his partner, Kevin and their cat, Jessica.

Melissa Blizzard

• Reinventing Tradition: Remixing Folk Dance with Student Creativity Melissa Blizzard is a music educator who loves inspiring and educating young minds about the joys of music. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University, a Master of Music degree from Western Michigan University, and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Georgia Regents University. Currently, Melissa serves as the music teacher at Stevens Creek Elementary in Columbia County, GA, where she teaches K-5 and directs the Stevens Creek Sound Orff Ensembles. She is a fully certified Orff educator, and is certified in First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege. Melissa is a founding member and president of the Greater Augusta Area Orff Chapter, Augusta, GA, and the course director for the Greater Augusta Area Orff Levels Course. She is a member of the American Orff Schulwerk Association and the Georgia Music Educators Association. Prior to her career in education, Melissa served as a member of the U.S. Air Force Heartland of America Band as a flutist. She currently resides in Grovetown, GA with her three children and two judgmental dogs.

Emily Kay Boswell

• Surprise! The Secrets of Elementary Music You Didn’t Know You Needed Emily Boswell is a dedicated music educator with over eight years of experience inspiring young musicians. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Young Harris College in 2017 and continued her academic journey by completing a Master’s degree in Music Education from Georgia College and State University in 2023. Emily is passionate about creating meaningful and lasting musical experiences for her students both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to her classroom teaching, she extends learning opportunities by sponsoring a 4th and 5th grade chorus and leading a ukulele club—fostering creativity, collaboration, and a lifelong love of music. Known for her enthusiasm, student-centered approach, and commitment to musical excellence, Emily is a valued educator and advocate for the arts in her school community.

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PRESENTERS Dr. Amy Bovin

• Breaking the Silence: The Experiences of Female Band Directors Dr. Amy J. Bovin is an internationally awarded guest conductor, clinician, and presenter at schools, universities, workshops, and conferences. She is the Interim Director of Bands and Music Education at the University of Tampa, the President of the Florida Chapter of Women Band Directors International (WBDI), and a Clinician for Pinellas County Schools and the award-winning Tarpon Springs Leadership Conservatory for the Arts. Previously, Dr. Bovin taught high school band in Connecticut, worked with secondary bands across Utah, and was the Interim Associate Director of Bands and Director of the Javelina Marching Band at Texas A&M Kingsville, which made her the first female head marching band director of any Texas A&M University branch. Dr. Bovin completed a Ph.D. in Music Education at The University of Hartford’s the Hartt School and was the first female to earn the degree of Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting with a Wind Band emphasis from the University of Connecticut. She also received a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Science in Education from UConn, was a recipient of a 2018 CBDNA Mike Moss Conducting Grant, and a conducting fellow for the 2015 Cortona Sessions for New Music in Cortona, Italy. At the 2016 Midwest Clinic, she received the Citation of Merit from WBDI for “outstanding contribution to band and band music”. Dr. Bovin is a Past President of Connecticut MEA, Past WBDI Connecticut President, a life member and past National Officer of Tau Beta Sigma, and an honorary life member of Kappa Kappa Psi.

Wesley Brooks

• Music Meets Admin: Translating Creative Instruction for Your School Leadership Wesley Brooks is in his 17th year of education and currently serves as the Coordinator of Fine Arts for Gwinnett County Public Schools, supporting all K-12 Fine Arts teachers. Prior to his district leadership role at GCPS, he was an Assistant Principal at North Gwinnett Middle School. As a music educator, he directed the Alton C. Crews Middle School Band in Snellville, GA for five years and was the Assistant Director of Bands at Woodland High School in Cartersville, GA for six years. At Woodland, he was the principal conductor of the Symphonic Band and assisted with the Wind Symphony, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and all aspects of the marching band. Additionally, Mr. Brooks spent a year as the Assistant Band Director at South Forsyth High School in Cumming, GA, where he contributed to all facets of the band program.

Mr. Brooks is currently pursuing an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership at The University of North Georgia and holds a leadership certification from The University of Georgia. He earned his Master of Education degree from Auburn University and his Bachelor of Music Education from The University of Georgia in Athens, GA. During his time at UGA, Mr. Brooks studied clarinet under Dr. D. Ray McClellan and performed with the UGA Wind Ensemble, directed by Dr. John Culvahouse and Dr. John Lynch. He was also a member of the Redcoat Marching Band and served on the executive board of the Kappa Mu chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. Mr. Brooks’ professional affiliations include NAfME, GMEA, NAEA, and GAEA.

Erika Brown

• Elementary Exchange: A Sharing Social and GMEA Meeting Erika Brown currently serves as the GMEA Elementary Division Chair and is a passionate advocate for music education. Since 2006, she has been the Music Specialist at Big Shanty Intermediate School in Kennesaw, Georgia, where she teaches general music to 3rd–5th grade students and directs multiple performing groups, including the Eagle Chorus, Little Eagle Chorus, and the Drumming Eagles percussion ensemble.

Before moving to Georgia, Mrs. Brown taught in San Antonio and Pasadena, Texas, as well as Baton Rouge, Louisiana, bringing a wealth of diverse teaching experience to her current role. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Louisiana State University and a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Technology from Kennesaw State University. She is also an Orff Schulwerk certified educator, blending creativity and movement into her classroom instruction.

In addition to her work with students, Mrs. Brown is a sought-after presenter at state conferences, sharing innovative strategies for integrating STEM/STEAM concepts into music education and exploring the powerful connections between drumming and literacy development. She serves as an elementary music teacher leader for the Cobb County School District and is an active member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the American Orff-Schulwerk Association.

Mrs. Brown believes deeply that every child deserves access to a high-quality music education that inspires creativity, confidence, and lifelong appreciation for the arts. Outside the classroom, she enjoys cheering on her daughter at the softball field, supporting her beloved LSU Tigers, playing with her dogs, and spending time with family and friends.

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PRESENTERS Dr. Kasia Bugaj

• Pedagogical Touch in the Orchestra Classroom and String Studio Katarzyna (Kasia) Bugaj is an Associate Professor of Music Education at The Florida State University. At FSU, Dr. Bugaj teaches string techniques, string methods courses, and historical research. She is the director of the FSU Summer Orchestra Camp and the conductor of the Tallahassee Youth Orchestras Chamber Orchestra. Involved with the American String Teachers Association and the Florida Orchestra Association in many capacities, she is a frequent guest speaker, clinician, trainer, and conductor throughout the United States. In 2018–2019 she was a Fulbright Scholar at the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, Poland. In 2018, she was selected as the Collegiate Educator of the Year by the Florida Music Education Association.

Dr. Bugaj received her Ph.D. in Music Education from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She also has degrees from Western Michigan University, The Peabody Conservatory, and is a graduate of the Interlochen Arts Academy. Prior to her appointment at FSU, Dr. Bugaj was the director of a curricular elementary violin program in Attica Indiana, taught violin and viola on the faculty of the Indiana University String Academy, and was a member of the viola sections of several regional orchestras in the Midwest.

Dawson Burnes

• Untangling the Horn: What Young Players Need from You Originally from Rome, Georgia, Dawson Burnes is the Assistant Director of Bands at East Paulding High School in Dallas, Georgia.

Dawson holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia, where he was a member of the UGA Horn Studio under the direction of Dr. James Naigus and Dr. Jean Martin-Williams. While at UGA, he performed in the Wind Ensemble and British Brass Band and studied under many notable conductors and performers, such as Dr. Michael Robinson, Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger, Dr. Nicholas Williams, Dr. Shiree Williams, and Philip Smith.

Dawson is heavily involved in the marching arts and athletic bands. He served as a mellophone section leader and Associate Band Captain of Performance with the UGA Redcoat Marching Band, conducting the pep band, volleyball band, and gymnastics band. He has marched in the Drum Corps International circuit starting at the age of 15, concluding his marching career as a conductor of Phantom Regiment. Dawson is also a freelance composer and arranger, writing for concert bands, chamber groups, and marching ensembles. His arrangements are frequently played in the stands by the UGA Redcoat Marching Band and several high schools in the North Georgia area. He currently serves as a mellophone technician at Atlanta CV Drum & Bugle Corps.

Jonathan Burns

• Modern Band Tips, Tricks, & Resources for 2026 & Jam Session!

Jonathan Burns serves as a Music Specialist at Huddleston Elementary in Fayette County Schools, a position he has held since 2018. His teaching emphasizes Music as a Second Language and Modern Band methods, integrating instruments such as ukulele and guitar to create accessible and student-centered music experiences. In addition to teaching general music, he directs afternoon programs in Chorus and Modern Band, providing students with opportunities to perform throughout the academic year. He also coordinates school-wide and grade-level music programs, contributing to events such as Veterans Day observances and World Dance Celebrations. His curriculum incorporates STEAM principles and social-emotional learning practices, supporting students through hands-on activities and collaborative projects. Burns earned a B.A. in Music Education from Columbus State University, graduating Magna Cum Laude and as an Honors College Graduate. He is affiliated with professional organizations including the Atlanta Area Orff Chapter and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

SheaAaron Burns

• Lessons that Stick: Clarinet and Woodwind Pedagogy for Lasting Growth SheaAaron Burns is a clarinetist, music educator, and Founder/CEO of MelodiousOne Studios and MelodiousOne Educational Institute in Augusta, Georgia. With over 20 years of experience in music instruction and education leadership, she specializes in clarinet pedagogy, immersive arts education, and student-centered teaching. Burns holds a B.A. in Music and an M.Ed. in Teacher Leadership from Claflin University.

A former lead teacher for middle school bands in Richmond County, she has trained hundreds of students in woodwind technique, many of whom have earned placements in District Honor Band and All-State Band. Burns also serves on the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) leadership team as Chair of the Music in Our Schools Month Committee.

Her teaching philosophy centers on building lasting musical habits and artistic confidence through practical, engaging instruction.

Burns frequently presents master classes and professional development workshops across the Southeast and directs REACH CSRA and RAMPS, two youth initiatives dedicated to expanding access to quality music education.

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PRESENTERS Dr. Scott Burstein

• Fundamentals of Hip Hop Education • Songwriting: Expressing Ourselves in Words and Music • Teaching Guitar Through Popular Music • Tech Tools for Modern Band Dr. Scott Burstein is the Director of Strategic Initiatives for the non-profit Music Will. His duties include managing training, advocacy, and educational outreach. He previously taught public high school in Los Angeles for twelve years, including subjects such as Modern Band, Marching Band, Jazz Band, and AP Music Theory. Scott received his DMA in Music Education at the University of Southern California, completing his dissertation titled “Transformation of Habitus and Social Trajectories: A Retrospective Study of a Popular Music Program” and lead author on the award winning "Modern Band Method Book" series.

Dr. Gene Butler

• From High School to the Podium: Strategies to Grow Future Music Teachers Driven by a deep sense of gratitude for the communities that shaped him, Dr. Gene Butler has devoted nearly two decades to giving back through music education. He currently serves as Director of Bands at his alma mater, Smiths Station High School, where he is committed to making quality music education accessible to all students in Alabama.

Dr. Butler earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees from Troy University and his Ed.D. from Columbus State University. At Troy, he served as drum major for the “Sound of the South” Marching Band and principal tuba in the Symphony Band, later receiving the Outstanding Music Graduate Award in 2010.

Previously, Dr. Butler led the band program at Trinity Presbyterian School in Montgomery, where enrollment grew from 39 to over 80 students. His ensembles have consistently earned superior ratings at competitions across the Southeast. In 2015, he was named Alabama’s Outstanding Young Music Educator of the Year by the Alabama Music Educators Association. In 2024, Dr. Butler was honored as Teacher of the Year at Smiths Station High School and as Lee County Schools’ Secondary Teacher of the Year. He is also a member of Yamaha’s 2025 “40 Under 40” class. Dr. Butler actively supports Alabama’s band community through leadership roles in the Alabama Bandmasters Association, AMEA, Phi Beta Mu, and NAfME. As a clinician and adjudicator, he travels across the Southeast helping students achieve their musical goals.

Jon Carmack

• Teaching to the Middle: Sequencing and Skills for Intermediate String Players Jon Carmack has over 14 years of teaching experience and is currently the orchestra director at the Dekalb School of the Arts where he teaches orchestra and piano. Ensembles under his direction consistently earn superior ratings at Performance Evaluation and students frequently perform with youth orchestras along with participating in district honor orchestra and all-state. The DSA orchestra's recent highlights include side-by-side performances with the: Dekalb Symphony, Agnes-Scott College Orchestra , and Georgia College & State University Orchestra. They have also performed at the 2023 KSU Orchestra Invitational. As a performer, Carmack currently plays with the Atlanta Wind Symphony and North Georgia Winds. Highlights of his performance career include: the Rose Parade (twice), Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, The Midwest Clinic in Chicago (2015 and 2021), GMEA In-Service Conference (5X), and the 75th commemoration of D-Day in Normandy, France in 2024. Mr. Carmack was the teacher of the year for Double Churches Middle School for the 2016-17 school year. Current leadership roles include: NGW Horn Section Leader and GMEA District 4 Orchestra Chair. Conference Presentations include: GMEA In-Service Conference, GA Association of Art Educators, and Georgia Middle School Association. Jon holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Georgia Southern University along with an educational specialist degree from Valdosta State University. In his free time, Carmack can be found training for his next half marathon and spending time and traveling with his wife, Kaitlin who is a high school band director.

Kirby Carruth

• Managing Challenging Behaviors in the Elementary Music Classroom Kirby graduated from The University of Alabama with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy and completed her master’s degree at Georgia College and State University. Her creativity and knowledge of current music is a gift to her students. She is Past-President of the Music Therapy Association of Georgia (MTAG) and has worked with the Fulton County School system for nineteen years.

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PRESENTERS Evelyn Champion

• Integrating Music Theory with ToneSavvy.com • Engaging your Students Outside of your Classroom with MakeMusic Cloud Mrs. Evelyn Champion graduated Magna Cum Laude with High Honors from the University of Georgia in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and holds her Master of Music Education and Education Specialist degrees from UGA as well. Mrs. Champion taught orchestra at Daniell M.S. in Cobb County for nine years before transferring to Sprayberry H.S. in 2003. In 2016, Mrs. Champion moved to Northwestern M.S. in Fulton County and in 2023, she moved to Dodgen M.S. in Cobb County, where she currently teaches.

Mrs. Champion is the 2011 Georgia American String Teachers Association String Teacher of the Year and the 2012 Georgia Music Educators Association Music Educator of the Year. Mrs. Champion is a 2013 “Woodruff Arts Center Salutes Georgia Arts in Education Leaders” finalist for Music Education.

Mrs. Champion has served in multiple elected positions in the Georgia Music Educators Association, including District Chair, VicePresident from 2007-2009, Orchestra Division Chair from 2009-2011, and President from 2017-2019. She was the statewide organizer for the GMEA All State Orchestras from 2009 to 2022.

An active clinician, Mrs. Champion has adjudicated performance evaluations and conducted honor orchestras throughout Georgia and is also a GMEA LGPE Certified Head Adjudicator. Her Northwestern MS Orchestra performed at the GMEA In Service Conference in January 2022. Her Dodgen MS Chamber Orchestra performed at the GMEA Conference in 2024, earned third place at the American String Teachers Association National Orchestra Festival in 2025, and performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2025. Mrs. Champion plays violin with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra.

Patricia Cleaton

• The Fastest 6 Minutes in Music! Tips & Tricks for Surviving Sight-Reading at LGPE Patricia Cleaton is the Orchestra Director at Peachtree Ridge High School in Gwinnett County. The PRHS Orchestra program serves approximately 350 students across four ensembles each year and consistently receives Superior ratings at the GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation. In March 2025, the PRHS Chamber Orchestra was a featured performing ensemble at the American String Teachers Association National Conference in Atlanta.

In addition to her teaching duties, Ms. Cleaton serves as the GMEA District 13 Orchestra Division Chair, as an organizer for the GMEA All-State Orchestras, and as Chair of the GMEA Orchestra Standing Committee. She appears frequently as a guest clinician and adjudicator in the metro-Atlanta area. In 2024, Ms. Cleaton conducted the high school symphony orchestra at the University of Georgia Summer Music Camp, and she served on the staff of the Encore! Orchestra Camp from 2017-2019.

Ms. Cleaton earned her Master of Music Education from Illinois State University and Bachelors in Music Education and Music Performance from the University of Georgia. She taught previously at Glenn C. Jones Middle School in Gwinnett County and Cooper Middle School in Cobb County. Professionally, Ms. Cleaton is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). Away from the podium, she enjoys cooking, cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs and Atlanta Braves, and spoiling her dogs Jackson and Julep.

Randall Coleman

• Building a Better Band...Focus on What Matters Randall Coleman is currently the Director of Bands and the Frances Hall Hill Professor of Music at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga where he serves as the conductor of the UTC Wind Ensemble, teaches courses in conducting and music education, and oversees all aspects of the band program at UTC including the Marching Mocs and Pep Band. He also teaches graduate classes in wind band literature and conducting. Prior to his tenure at UTC, Professor Coleman was the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Alabama. At UA, he was the conductor of the Alabama Symphonic Band and was one of Directors of the Million Dollar Band. He also taught graduate and undergraduate conducting and wind band literature classes. Additionally, Professor Coleman serves as Conductor and Artistic Director of the Alabama Winds, an all-adult community wind band based in Birmingham, Alabama.

Prior to his appointment to the faculty at the University of Alabama, Mr. Coleman enjoyed a successful 25-year career as a high school band director and supervisor in metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, retiring as the Director of Bands at Milton High School in 2007.

Professor Coleman is currently serving as Immediate Past-President of the National Band Association, and he was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 2016. He also holds membership in the National Association for Music Education, the Tennessee Music Educators’ Association, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, the East Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association, the Georgia Music Educators’ Association (Past President), and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters’ Fraternity.

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PRESENTERS Dr. Nancy Conley

• Help Me Help You: Mentorship and Support for Music Educators Nancy Conley is Associate Professor of Music Education (Orchestra) and Program Coordinator for Music Education at Kennesaw State University, where she teaches coursework in string technique, pedagogy, and literature. Dr. Conley also supervises student teachers, conducts the KSU Philharmonic, and serves as the faculty advisor to the KSU collegiate chapter of the American String Teachers Association.

Dr. Conley received the Ph.D. in music education from Michigan State University, the M.M. in performance from Binghamton University, and the B.M. in music education and performance from Ithaca College. She holds the certification for Music Learning Theory Elementary General Music Level One and has completed teacher training for Suzuki Violin Level One and Two. Before pursuing her doctoral degree, Dr. Conley was a public school educator, teaching elementary, middle, and high school instrumental music for seventeen years.

Before moving to Georgia, Dr. Conley was on faculty at the Crane School of Music at the State University of New York at Potsdam, where she taught string technique and pedagogy classes and directed the National String Project. While at Crane, Dr. Conley developed a Musician Wellness course and the Lab Ensemble, a course that encouraged pre-service music teachers to use improvisation, arranging, and composition in the classroom. Prior to joining the faculty at KSU, Dr. Conley was the Director of Music Education at Clayton State University.

Dr. Conley has presented at regional, national, and international conferences. Her research interests include the use of improvisation as a tool for teaching and life-long learning, musician and music educator wellness, and the retention and mentoring of music educators.

Dr. Ashley Conway

• Musical Mayhem: Mistakes, Missteps, and Meaningful Fixes Ashley Conway is the Music Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Brenau University. At Brenau, she directs Vocal Chamber Ensemble (lobby performing choir GMEA, 2022), and Spectrum Singers, and teaches music education courses, aural skills, and conducting. Dr. Conway's previous appointments have included public and private schools, colleges and universities, churches, and community music programs throughout the United States. She is an active scholar, guest conductor, and adjudicator, and is a founder and conductor of the professional treble choir, Lux (GA-ACDA performance 2024). Dr. Conway holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music education from Brenau University, and the University of Georgia. She earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from Arizona State University. Her research interests include womens choirs, and music and hearing loss.

When not making music, Dr. Conway loves spending time with her wonderful husband, Bradley, and fabulous daughters, Mia and Zoe.

Lafe Cook

• Building a Better Band...Focus on What Matters Lafe Cook has been a high school band director for 29 years and is in his 24th year as the Director of the Dobyns-Bennett Band in Kingsport, Tennessee. Mr. Cook is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where he was drum major of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band and a graduate assistant with the music department. He taught at E.C. Glass High School in Lynchburg, Virginia for six years prior to coming to Dobyns-Bennett.

Mr. Cook’s teaching responsibilities at Dobyns-Bennett High School include directing the Wind Symphony, the Marching Band and administering the 380-member band program. He is the Supervisor of Secondary Bands for Kingsport City Schools. Mr. Cook is a past president of the Tennessee Music Education Association. He is a past president of the Tennessee Bandmasters Association, and a past president of East Tennessee Band and Orchestra Association. Mr. Cook served two terms on the Board of Directors of the National Band Association and currently serves on the Bands of America Advisory Board.

Mr. Cook was honored by the John Philip Sousa Foundation as a Sudler Flag of Honor Laureate and was elected to the prestigious American Bandmasters Association in 2008. Mr. Cook has been a clinician for state and regional honor bands as well as university honor ensembles in 18 states and has presented at the Midwest Clinic and multiple Tennessee Music Education Association Conventions.

Rachel Coon-Arnott

• Managing Challenging Behaviors in the Elementary Music Classroom Rachel graduated from Charleston Southern University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy and obtained her master’s degree from Georgia College and State University. She is an avid reader, animal lover, qualitative researcher, and skilled at government relations and Music Therapy. Rachel has been working for the Fulton County School system for twenty- two years.

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PRESENTERS Vanessa Crixell

• Kickstart the Beat: Launching a DJ Program in the Modern Music Classroom Vanessa Todora Crixell, a Baylor University graduate in Music Education, has an extensive background in the music classroom, music technology, and content creation spaces. As a Lead Trainer for Romeo Music, she has led numerous professional development sessions for music teachers across Texas, equipping educators with essential technology skills for the classroom. Vanessa is deeply passionate about supporting music educators, drawing from her own teaching background. She believes that having the right equipment, combined with the empowerment to use it effectively, are key to being a tech-savvy rockstar in the classroom.

Ty Cundy

• Panic! At The Mixer - Marching Electronics Without Fail Ty Cundy is currently in his first year as Assistant Director of Bands at Johns Creek High School and Autrey Middle School. He is in his third year coordinating percussion in the cluster. In this position, he conducts wind band, coordinates rehearsals, and oversees all aspects of percussion instruction, including marching front ensemble, battery, concert percussion, and percussion ensemble.

Prior to joining Johns Creek, Ty studied at Georgia Southern University, from which he graduated summa cum laude in 2023 with a B.M. in Music Education and a minor in Music Technology. At GSU, he performed with the Southern Pride Marching Band, was principal percussionist of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and percussion ensemble as well as the jazz pianist for Jazz band. in 2022, Ty was awarded with the prestigious Theodore Presser Undergraduate Music Scholarship. Ty has studied percussion with Dr. Matthew Fallin and Brandon Kunka. Ty also performs regularly with the Atlanta Percussion Ensemble, and teaches private lessons.

Ty is affiliated with Phi Eta Sigma, the Percussive Arts Society, The Georgia Music Educators Association and the National Association for Music Education.

Dr. Krissi Davis

• Orchestra Division Reading Session Dr. Krissi Davis is the orchestra director at Midtown High School in Atlanta Public Schools and is currently in her 21st year as a music educator. A highly respected leader in her field, she was honored as the 2019–21 APS Teacher of the Year.

Before her current role, Dr. Davis taught at both the middle and high school levels in Clayton and Fayette Counties. Under her direction, school orchestras have consistently earned superior ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Large Group Performance Evaluation and have performed at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall, and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Orchestra Festival in both 2018 and 2025.

Dr. Davis is a sought-after clinician and presenter, having shared her expertise at the 2018 and 2020 GMEA In-Service Conferences and the prestigious 2019 Midwest Clinic. She is also a published author, with her work featured in the February 2021 issue of American String Teacher.

An active member of the American String Teachers Association and the Georgia Music Educators Association, Dr. Davis has served as the Orchestra Division Chair for GMEA and currently serves as Member-at-Large for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Orchestra Council.

Sarah Deal

• SOS I’m Sick! Creating More Meaningful & Musical Substitute Plans for the Elementary Music Classroom Sarah is a sixth year teacher, teaching all six years in Gwinnett County Public Schools. She holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Music Education from the University of Kentucky. Sarah has completed all three levels of Orff Schulwerk training, as well as training in First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege Levels 1 and 2. She is an active member of the Atlanta Area Orff Chapter and the American Orff Schulwerk Association.

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PRESENTERS Jennifer Denk Stull

• Exploring Music Therapy: A Meaningful Career Option for Music Students Jennifer Denk Stull, MM, LPMT, MT-BC is an Assistant Professor of Music Therapy. She received her M.M. in Music Therapy (2020) and B.M. in Music Therapy (2010) from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Her research and teaching interests include music therapy with older adults, and exploring music therapy as psychosocial support for long-term caregivers. Professor Stull has presented her work at local, regional, and national music therapy conferences.

Prior to her appointment at UGA, Professor Stull served as Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Therapy at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. Before entering academia, she provided clinical music therapy services for a variety of populations including pediatrics, adult oncology, and hospice and end-of-life care in Iowa, Texas, and Florida.

Lesley Dennis

• Move Your Body: 1, 2, Step Lesley Dennis taught elementary music for 9 years in Florida and Texas. Dennis earned her BA degree in Music K-12 from BethuneCookman University, and is certified in Orff Schulwerk. She is a life member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Inc. Dennis is currently Lead Training Specialist for QuaverEd.

Roy Denton

• Demystifying the All State Jazz Audition Roy L. Denton is in his third year as the Director of Bands for Monroe Area High School. Under his leadership, the band has doubled in size, moving from just one concert ensemble to three independent ensembles with class enrollment going from 52 (2023-24) to 110 (2025-26). In addition, the Jazz program has increased significantly, now having three full-time big bands and multiple jazz combos, with over half the students engaged in jazz. The Marching Canes have also grown from 42 members in 2023 to over 80 members in the 2025 season. Mr. Denton currently serves as the All State Jazz Ensemble Coordinator for GMEA. Prior to Monroe Area, Mr. Denton was the Director of Bands at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust, GA. Under his direction, the band experienced significant growth in numbers and ability. The jazz program began under his direction and included nearly 75% of the band students by the end of his tenure. He also founded the Strong Rock Classic, a marching competition for 1A and 2A bands.

Mr. Denton studied music education at the University of Georgia. He has a bachelor's in music from Boyce College and a master's in conducting from the University of Tennessee. He is currently pursuing his PhD in music education.

Mr. Denton resides in Monroe, GA, with his wife of 25 years, Trudie. They have three grown children, Abi (24), Caleb (23), and Lydia (20). Abi is married to a firefighter (Will) and they have a one-year-old son, Colton. Lydia and Caleb are both members of the MAHS band staff.

David DeStefano • Music for Every Season

David DeStefano has taught elementary music since 1997 in Florida, California and Georgia and has been the music teacher at Crabapple Crossing Elementary in Milton since 2014. David earned undergraduate degrees in Clarinet Performance and Music Education from Bradley University (Peoria, IL) and holds a Master of Music Education degree from Georgia College and State University. He completed his Orff Schulwerk Level III training in 2004 and has since gone on to complete several master level Orff courses. In 2008, he became a National Board Certified Teacher with emphasis in Early/Middle Childhood Music and renewed that certification in 2017.

David has presented sessions at local, state and national music education conferences in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey and Wisconsin. He has been interviewed for NAfME's Teaching Music magazine and has written for the AOSA publications The Orff Echo and Reverberations. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), American Orff Schulwerk Association (AOSA), Atlanta Chapter AOSA and Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE).

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PRESENTERS Katie Dial

• Vertical Alignment: No Chiropractor Necessary!

Mrs. Katie Dial is proud to be the Chorus Director at Hendricks Middle School in Forsyth County where she teaches Chorus and directs the school musical. She is pleased to be in her fourth year at Hendricks Middle School and also has experience teaching Elementary Music. Recently, her 8th Grade Chorus was selected to perform at the Georgia American Choral Directors Association conference in October of 2024. Katie is active in the choral education community holding memberships for both GMEA and ACDA, and plans district-wide choral events and professional development opportunities for fellow choral educators in her district.

Mrs. Katie Dial received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Georgia, and is currently working towards her Master of Music in Conducting (Low Residency) from Georgia State University. Her mentors and teachers include Mr. Gene Seese, Dr. Dan Bara, Dr. JD Burnett and Dr. Deanna Joseph.

She is a member of the Atlanta Master Chorale and the Treble Chorus, Lux. When she is not teaching or singing, Mrs. Katie Dial can be found reading, petting her cat, or harmonizing poorly with her husband.

Dr. Paul Dickinson

• Beyond the Buzz: Building Better Brass Players A native of Darlington, South Carolina, Dr. Paul Dickinson works across the Southeast US as a performer and teacher. He currently serves as Lecturer of Low Brass at Kennesaw State University, where he also teaches brass pedagogy and music theory courses.

Dr. Dickinson maintains a tuba/euphonium studio at Reinhardt University and teaches in numerous high school and middle school programs across the greater Atlanta area. He currently plays euphonium with the Georgia Brass Band based in Atlanta, GA, and serves on their Board of Directors. Alongside his work in secondary and higher education, he has been the Brass Instructor for the Georgia Governor's Honors Program since 2019, and he has served as the Music Department Chair for that program since 2023.

Dr. Dickinson holds degrees from Furman University, Georgia State University, and Florida State University.

Dr. David Doke

• Meeting Students Where They Play: Creative Strategies to Differentiate Instruction and Foster Musical Success • Achieving Excellence Together: Fostering Student Collaboration in a Community of Practice David Doke is an accomplished music educator with over three decades of experience in string pedagogy and orchestra program development. Dr. Doke spent his teaching career in the Cobb County School District (Georgia), where he was the founding director at North Cobb High School (1994–2006) and Hillgrove High School (2006–2024). Under his leadership, these programs flourished, earning multiple appearances at the GMEA State Conference, performing at Boston’s Symphony Hall, the Kennedy Center, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, and Carnegie Hall, and conducting international concert tours to China, France, and Iceland.

Before his career in education, Dr. Doke had an accomplished career as a professional violinist, performing with the Springfield (MO) Symphony and Opera, the Rockford (IL) Symphony, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, la Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico, la Orquesta Filarmónica de la UNAM in Mexico City, and the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.

Dr. Doke was awarded the 2003 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Honor Teacher Award and was recognized as STAR Teacher at Hillgrove High School in 2012 and 2024. He holds a DMA in Music Education from Boston University, MM in Violin Performance from DePaul University, and a BM in Violin Performance from the UMKC Conservatory.

Diane Drysdale

• What You Read is What You Get. Ready for Better Rehearsals?

Diane is a band director and music educator with many years' experience. She is the recipient of several prestigious awards as conductor and music educator and has had a stellar teaching career from 6th to 12th grades including one of Canada’s top IB schools. When Breezin’ Thru Theory & Composing came on the scene 14 years ago, she immediately began using it to help build musicianship and boost confidence in her students. She quickly realized they were having fun learning while building important mastery. Now as a product expert, she shares her knowledge, experiences and successes with other teachers across North America.

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PRESENTERS Jeremy Dudman

• Production Techniques for Recording Vocals and Instruments Jeremy is an educator, audio professional, and musician who currently teaches Music Technology and Guitar at Peachtree Ridge High School in Gwinnett County. He has over fourteen years of experience working with clients in commercial and home studio environments. He specializes in studio recording, mixing, mastering, sound editing, and post-production. He currently produces and co-hosts a bi-weekly podcast, "The Album Argument." Jeremy is the current Chair of the Audio Engineering Society Atlanta Section and is a voting member of The Recording Academy. Jeremy has an MFA in Recording Arts and Technologies from Middle Tennessee State University and a BA in Commercial Music from Florida State University.

Carlee Durden

• United Arts: An Adapted Music Appreciation Curriculum for Students with Disabilities in High School Carlee graduated with a bachelor’s from The University of Georgia in Music Therapy. She has worked with Fulton County Schools since 2020. Carlee has recently started her master’s degree program at UGA while also working with school system.

Dr. Trey English

• Student Teaching 1101: A Guide to Success Trey English is the Director of Bands at Feagin Mill Middle School in Warner Robins, Georgia. Under his leadership, the band consistently earns Superior Ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluations, with students regularly selected for District XI Honor Band, South Georgia Region Honor Band, and GMEA All-State Band. The Feagin Mill Symphonic Band received the Georgia Music Educators Association’s Exemplary Performance Award for the 2024–2025 school year and was invited to perform at the 2025 Music for All Southeastern Region Concert Band Festival.

Trey serves on the GMEA District XI executive board and is a GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations adjudicator. He is also cofounder of Mastery Musician Educational Services, LLC, which helps students reach musical goals through a flexible, student-centered assessment system.

He earned dual degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from Columbus State University, graduating summa cum laude in 2013. He went on to earn a Master of Music from Baylor University in 2016 and an Educational Specialist degree from Auburn University in 2023. He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at Auburn University, focusing on impostor syndrome and mental health in music educators.

Beyond the classroom, Trey is a yoga and sound healing instructor at Homegrown Yoga, Musical Theatre Director at Theatre Macon and Warner Robins High School, pianist at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, and Professor of Trombone at Mercer University. Trey lives in Warner Robins with his wife, Shelby, a theatre educator, their daughter Rory Jane, and their two cats, Chloe and Flynn.

Andy Esserwein

• Panel Discussion: The Power of WE Andrew Esserwein, the current President of the Georgia Music Educators Association, retired in 2025 following a 30-year career that included serving for 7 years as the Assistant Band Director at North Cobb High School and 23 years as the Director of Bands at Sprayberry High School. Under his direction, the Sprayberry band program flourished, achieving consistent high ratings in concert, marching, jazz, percussion, and winterguard activities, with performances throughout the Southeast and in major cities such as Chicago and New York. A native of Cobb County, Mr. Esserwein holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Theory from Furman University and a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting from Northwestern University.

Beyond his directorial duties, Mr. Esserwein has maintained a strong commitment to service in music education, serving in roles as the GMEA District 12 Chair, District 12 First Round All-State and Honor Band Coordinator, High School Final Round Audition Tabulator Coordinator, and currently as one of the High School All-State Auditions Co-Coordinators. His leadership and dedication have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the 2020 GMEA State Volunteer of the Year Award and his 2022 induction as a Legion of Honor Laureate by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. He currently serves as Vice President of the Phi Beta Mu Zeta Chapter and remains an active clinician and adjudicator throughout the Southeast. He resides in Canton, Georgia, with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Sarah.

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PRESENTERS Dr. Ellyn H. Evans

• Exploring Music Therapy: A Meaningful Career Option for Music Students Ellyn H. Evans, PhD, MT-BC, (NICU-MT) is an Associate Professor of Music Therapy. She received her Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis in Music Therapy (2020) and M.M. in Music Therapy from Florida State University (2013). She received her B.M. in Music Therapy from The University of Alabama (2011). She is a Fellow of the National Institute of Infant and Child Medical Music Therapy and is a collaborator in the Early Notes Network, a music therapy consortium for childhood neurodevelopment.

Her research and teaching interests include medical music therapy and music therapy in early childhood intervention, with particular focus on Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Music Therapy (NICU-MT). Dr. Evans' publications appear in a variety of refereed journals including Acta Paediatrica, Advances in Neonatal Care, Developmental Neuropsychology, and Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology.

Before coming to UGA, Dr. Evans was a research coordinator in the Early Neurodevelopment and Neurorehabilitation Laboratory at the Research Institute of Nationwide Children’s Hospital as well as a clinician in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Previously, she worked as a research assistant and music therapist at Monroe Carrel Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in the Division of Neonatology. She also served on the faculty at Belmont University as an adjunct professor of Music Therapy teaching Introduction to Music Therapy and Music Therapy Foundations and Principles.

Lillie H. Feierabend

• Vocal Development in Young Children • Sing in Parts: By Ear and By Eye Lillie is known for her work with young children and instilling a love of music within them. She has been an early childhood and general music educator for over forty years and was a conductor for the Connecticut Children’s Chorus for eighteen. She has twice been honored with her respective district’s Teacher of the Year Award for her inclusive and innovative music programs, and in 2008 received the Outstanding Elementary Music Educator Award from the Connecticut Music Educators Association.

Lillie is a frequent clinician at local, state, national and international conferences, and has presented over three hundred lively and thought-provoking sessions on music and movement development. She conducts regional honors choirs and teaches weeklong workshops around the country. Over the course of her career, she has mentored twenty-three student teachers and will forever be grateful for the opportunity.

Lillie is a member of NAfME, OAKE, CMEA, AOSA, FAME, and ACDA. She was a former president of KESNE (Kodaly Educators of Southern New England) and Vice President of CT State Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, an international organization which supports excellence in education.

Michaelyn Findley

• Reimagining Rehearsal: Yes, Singing Games Work for Middle School Chorus!

Michaelyn Findley is a dedicated and accomplished music educator with a teaching career that began in 1996. A product of Texas public schools, Michaelyn earned her Bachelor of Music degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, and later received her Master of Arts in Music Education from Liberty University.

She spent the first seven years of her career teaching in Texas before relocating to Georgia, where she has now served over 26 years in middle school education. Michaelyn currently teaches at Red Top Middle School in Bartow County, a Title I school with a vibrant choral program. Her students regularly participate in Honor Choirs, LGPE (Large Group Performance Evaluation), and All-State events, showcasing their skills and growth under her leadership.

Red Top Middle School was recently awarded the Peter R. Marsh Foundation Grant in recognition of the music program’s commitment to community service and character through performance. Michaelyn’s passion for music education, combined with her extensive experience and strong advocacy for student achievement, continues to inspire and impact her school community.

Johnny Folsom

• Make Concerts a MUST GO Event!

John Lewis Folsom, Jr. (Johnny) has retired from 45 years of full time band directing and resides in Columbus, Mississippi. He spent twenty-five years as a successful band director in Alabama, first at Geneva (8 years) and then at TR Miller, Brewton (17 years), and13 years with the Cairo High School Band in Georgia. He also spent 7 years as the director of bands and low brass instructor at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia. Folsom is now with the Mississippi State University Music Department serving as a university supervisor of student interns, working with the MSU Famous Maroon Band, and director of the Starkville/MSU Community Band.

Folsom was a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association and served as chairman for district 2. He is also a past president of the Alabama Bandmasters Association. He was honored by the Troy State University’s music faculty as its 1996 Alumnus of the Year. He has judged numerous marching and concert festivals in Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisianna, Mississippi, and South Carolina and regularly serves as an honor band clinician. Mr. Folsom was honored to be selected to the Phi Beta Mu Alabama Bandmasters Hall of Fame and the High School Band Directors National Association Hall of Fame.

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PRESENTERS Ladell Fortune

• You Have 5 Minutes! Tips for Choral Sight Reading Success at LGPE Mr. Ladell Fortune is in his 24th year as a music educator in the state of Georgia and has served as Choral Director at Flat Rock Middle School since 2018. Choirs under his direction have consistently earned Superior Ratings in Performance and Sight Reading at Large Group Performance Evaluations (LGPE). His students are active participants in the District 6 Honor Chorus and the Georgia All-State Chorus.

In 2023, the Flat Rock Middle School Chorus was selected to perform at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in Athens, Georgia. That same year, the FRMS Singers were featured at the Georgia American Choral Directors Association Conference held at Kennesaw State University.

Mr. Fortune is a sought-after clinician and LGPE adjudicator for Georgia. His work has provided opportunities to serve singers of all ages at the local, regional, and national levels. He has been recognized as both a school and district-level Teacher of the Year.

He currently serves as Co-Chair for GMEA District 6, is a member of the Georgia All-State Chorus Committee, and holds several leadership roles at Flat Rock Middle School, including Fine Arts Department Chair, Connections Department Chair, and Leadership Team Member.

D. Alan Fowler

• Panel Discussion: The Power of WE D. Alan Fowler serves as both the Executive Director of the Georgia Music Educators Association and the Music Director of the Newton County Community Band. Until the summer of 2022, he was the Director of Bands at Eastside High School in Covington, GA and the Fine Arts Specialist for the Newton County Schools. Mr. Fowler is passionate about all forms of music, deeply committed to serving his community, and is a proud graduate of the University of Georgia, Ball State University, and Georgia State University. He has taught students from elementary through college and was personally selected by the legendary T.K. Adams, Sr. to succeed him as the Music Director of the Newton County Community Band, which Adams founded in 1993.

During his tenure at Eastside, the bands traveled to and performed in seven states, as well as Canada, with two of the most special performances taking place at Pearl Harbor and in The Hollywood Christmas Parade. Under his direction, the Eastside Bands consistently earned superior ratings at concert and marching events, had a long tradition of students excelling at Solo & Ensemble, and frequently were represented in the GMEA All-State Bands. In 2016, Mr. Fowler was awarded the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence.

Having accumulated vast experience working with bands in multiple states and throughout Georgia, Mr. Fowler is respected throughout the South as a band consultant, instructor, and adjudicator. Remaining active as a tuba and low brass artist, Mr. Fowler is a member of Tara Winds and marched in the 97th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of the Saluting America’s Band Directors Marching Band. He is also the co-founder of Porterdale Tuba Christmas. Having performed with orchestras, choirs, and small ensembles throughout his career as a musician, Mr. Fowler proudly continues to learn, grow, and develop. He is a member of GMEA, NAfME, Phi Beta Mu, NBA, PAGE, Phi Mu Alpha, and the Covington Kiwanis Club.

Mr. Fowler and his wife, Susan, live in Covington and are the proud parents of two wonderful daughters, Katie Beth and Grace.

Dr. Sara Fruehe

• Demystifying Double Reeds Part 2: Addressing Common Concerns Dr. Sara Fruehe is a versatile artist with a varied career as educator, soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer. Sara currently serves as Assistant Professor of Bassoon at the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music. Sara’s performance is both dynamic and diverse. She is second bassoon with the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra and has performed with notable ensembles such as The Atlanta Opera, and the symphonies of Columbus (GA), Terre Haute (IN), Columbus (IN), Owensboro (KY), Battle Creek (MI). Dr. Fruehe is also a frequent performer at prestigious festivals and conferences, including the International Double Reed Society, College Music Society, among others.

In addition to performing, Sara is a highly regarded clinician and masterclass presenter. She has been invited to teach and perform at universities and colleges across the U.S., in addition to serving as artist-faculty at the Schwob Summer Music Festival and IU Summer Music Clinic summer programs for high school students.

Sara holds degrees from Indiana University (D.M. and B.M.) and DePaul University (M.M.). TO learn more about Dr Fruehe, visit www. sarafruehe.com.

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PRESENTERS Jessica Fuchs

• Foundations to Fluency: Comprehensive String Pedagogy for the Orchestra Classroom Jessica Fuchs currently serves as Director of Orchestras at Kell High School in Marietta, GA, where she has been since 2022. Prior to her position at Kell, she served as Orchestra Director at Ola Middle School and Co-Orchestra Director at Dodgen Middle School.

Under her direction, the orchestra programs increased in enrollment and repeatedly received superior ratings at LGPE. As an educator, Mrs. Fuchs strives to facilitate a creative, engaging, purposeful, and inclusive learning environment for all students.

A native of Acworth, Georgia, Mrs. Fuchs holds a Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where she studied under the guidance of Dr. Rebecca MacLeod and Dr. Fabian Lopez. During her time at UNCG, Mrs. Fuchs held the position of Undergraduate Research Assistant and was the recipient of the Community-Based Undergraduate Research and Creativity Award in 2018. In 2020, her work on “Near-Peer Mentorship: A Model for Private Music Instruction in an Underserved Community” was published in String Research Journal.

Mrs. Fuchs currently serves as the GMEA District 12 Orchestra Chair and LGPE Coordinator. She is also a member of the K–12 ASTA Committee and the CCSD Fine Arts Advisory Council. In 2025, she presented at the ASTA National Conference. An active member of GMEA, ASTA, and NAfME, Mrs. Fuchs is a sought-after violin clinician in the Atlanta area.

Amanda Gardner

• A Music Teacher, a Guitar, and a Room Full of Little Kiddos!!

Amanda Gardner received her Bachelor of Music Education from Shorter College in 2004 and Master of Educational Leadership and Technology from Kennesaw State University in 2010. Along with her degrees Amanda is also Kodaly and Orff-Schulwerk certified, a Level I instructor in World Drumming, a First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfege facilitator.

Amanda currently teaches in Cobb County at Mount Bethel Elementary where she has been proudly instructing General Music in grades K-5 for the past twenty years. Amanda has conducted 5th grade Honor Choirs across Georgia and for various GMEA district events. She also serves the Cobb County Fine Arts Department as their New Teacher Academy Instructor where she trains and mentors teachers through their first year of instructing in the areas of music K-12, dance, and drama.

Suzanne Grant

• Integrating Music Theory with ToneSavvy.com Ms. Grant is currently the Choral Director at Northwestern Middle School in Milton, Georgia where she and the NMS Music Department received the Georgia Music Educators Association Program of the Year Award in 2022. She came to Northwestern in 2012 from New York City where she lived and worked as a freelance musician and music teacher. Prior to her time in New York, Ms. Grant taught Choral Music at Haynes Bridge Middle School and Centennial High School as well as private voice and piano at The Peggy Still School of Music. She has also taught in Fayette County and Lawton, Oklahoma. Ms. Grant holds a Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia where she also completed her undergraduate work after attending Shorter College for 2 years. In addition to teaching Choral Music, Ms. Grant serves as the Middle School Choral Fine Arts Support Teacher for Fulton County Schools supporting and mentoring teachers and leading professional development for Secondary Choral Teachers. She has served as guest conductor for honor choirs around the Southeast including most recently her own GMEA District 5. She is a former member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and has served GMEA as the District 5 Choral Chair and All-State Chorus Committee Chair.

Chelsea Green

• Conducting Across the Clef: Women Directing Tenor-Bass Ensembles Chelsea Green is the choral director at Lassiter High School in Marietta, GA, where she teaches four curricular choirs, AP Music Theory, and various extracurricular ensembles. She is also the assistant conductor for the Atlanta Women’s Chorus with its mission of “Changing hearts and minds through music.”

Chelsea is an emerging clinician, having recently worked with 7th and 8th grade All-County Tenor-Bass Choir in Prince William School District in Manassas, Virginia, and regularly visits local metro-Atlanta area schools to work with choirs. She has been awarded Cobb County School District High School Chorus Teacher of the Year for the 2021-2022 school year and was most recently honored with The Georgia Commendation Medal from the United States Military for her commendable service to Veterans in her innovative planning and direction of the Lassiter Chorus Veterans Day Concert. Mrs. Green’s choirs consistently receive Superior ratings at all festivals and performance evaluations and participate in District Honor Chorus, All-State Chorus, GHSA Literary Competition, and the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program.

Mrs. Green received a Bachelor of Music Education from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia, in 2015, and a Master of Music Education with a focus in ethnomusicology from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2021. Chelsea Green maintains professional memberships with the American Choral Directors Association (GA), National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association and Professional Association of Georgia Educators. She lives in Marietta, GA, with her husband, Steven Horzewski and two dogs, Chase and Yuki.

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PRESENTERS Adam Gresham

• Foundations to Fluency: Comprehensive String Pedagogy for the Orchestra Classroom Adam Gresham is the currently the Director of Orchestras at Barber Middle School in Acworth, GA, where he has served since 2022. He maintains a program of over 250 students and six different performing ensembles. Under his direction, the Barber Orchestra Program has seen significant growth and recently performed at the 2025 National ASTA Conference. His students regularly participate in state and district level honor orchestra events and receive consistent superior ratings at all state music evaluations.

Prior to teaching at Barber Middle School, Mr. Gresham has held a variety of positions including Associate Director of Bands at Central-Carroll Middle and High Schools, Associate Director of Bands, Director of Percussion, and Music Technology Coordinator at Norcross High School, and Director of Bands at Richards Middle School.

Mr. Gresham holds an Education Specialist degree from Auburn University, a Masters degree from Central Washington University, and a Bachelors degree in. Music Education from Georgia State University. Mr. Gresham currently serves at the GMEA District XII ViceChairman, LGPE Coordinator, and is a member of the CCSD Fine Arts Advisory Council. He member of the National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), the American String Teachers Association (ASTA)National Band Association (NBA), Percussive Arts Society (PAS), and Professional Association of Georgia Educators (PAGE). He currently lives in Powder Springs, GA, with his wife, Megan, and his two French bulldogs, Mikey and Waffles.

Dr. Alyssa Grey

• BYOB: Bring Your Own Baton Dr. Alyssa Grey is Director of Wind Studies and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Berry College. She completed undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Music Theory & Composition from the University of Miami where she studied with GRAMMY-Award Winning composer Lansing McLoskey. She received a Master’s degree in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music and a Ph D. from the University of North Texas where she studied wind band conducting with Eugene Migliaro Corporon. Dr. Grey has presented sessions and research with the College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Society for Music Teacher Education, College Music Society, GMEA, NJMEA, FMEA, OKMEA, ArkMEA, TMEA, the North Texas Conductors Collegium, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Midwest Clinic. She is an active conductor and researcher and has been published in scholarly journals including the Journal of Music Teacher Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, the Music Educators Journal, Teaching Music, the Instrumentalist, and is a contributor to the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series. Dr. Grey’s Wind Ensemble has performed at the Georgia Music Educators Association State Conference.

She also has performed professionally with the Dallas Symphony Chorus for five years under the baton of Jaap van Zweden, conductor of the New York Philharmonic. Dr. Grey currently serves on the Editorial Committee for the Music Educators Journal.

Lawrence Grey

• From Studio to Stage: Running Beat Battles and Student Showcases Lawrence Grey is a lifelong musician, a dedicated educator, and a tireless proponent of music education in schools. Lawrence is the founder of Young Producers Group and serves as the head of curriculum development by designing innovative, engaging curricula that reflect the interests and lived experiences of students. With a Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition from New York University (NYU), a Masters Degree in Education from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), and as an Ableton Certified Trainer, Lawrence’s unique position singularly qualifies him to create curricula and lead a team of forward-thinking educators.

William Grimes

• Swingphonic: A full band beginner approach to teaching Jazz.

William Grimes has been the Director of Bands at Dickerson Middle School in Cobb County, Georgia, since 2016. Prior to teaching at Dickerson, Mr. Grimes taught at Cooper Middle School and Floyd Middle School, also in Cobb County. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Georgia and a Masters in Music Education from Anderson University.

The Dickerson band program consists of five concert bands, three jazz bands, and various small ensembles and chamber groups.

Under Mr. Grimes’s direction, the Dickerson 8th Grade Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the Music for all Southeastern Concert Festival in 2018.

Mr. Grimes professional affiliations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Band Association, and the Jazz Educators Network. Mr. Grimes lives in Marietta, Georgia with his wife Sara (Executive Director of the Walton High School Orchestra) and their two children, Charlie and Teddy.

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PRESENTERS Stephanie Guest

• Managing Challenging Behaviors in the Elementary Music Classroom Stephanie graduated from Tennessee Tech University with a Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy. She is active in church and community activities and brings a deep knowledge of structure and flow to her Music Therapy sessions. Before working for FCS, she served older adults and taught private lessons. Stephanie has been working for the Fulton County School system for twenty-four years.

Miguel Guisasola

• Teaching On Empty: The Myth of Work-Life Balance Miguel Guisasola is a native of Ellijay, Georgia, and a 2002 graduate of Gilmer High School, where he lettered 4 years in band and track. During his high school years, he participated in various clubs including 4-H, Youth mentoring Program, and Boy Scouts of America where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

Mr. Guisasola graduated from the University of Georgia with his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. He was a trombone and voice major with Dr. Philip Jameson and Dr. Stephanie Tingler respectively. While at UGA, he was section leader in the Redcoat Marching Band. He also participated in UGA Wind Symphony, various concert bands, Men’s Glee Club, University Chorus, Basketball Band, and the UGA Trombone Choir. Mr. Guisasola received his Masters in Education at UGA and his Specialist Degree from Piedmont College.

Prior to Flowery Branch High School, he served as the band and chorus director at Henry County Middle School, Band Director at Kings Bridge Middle School and as the Band Director at East Jackson Comprehensive High School. Mr. Guisasola’s bands at his previous teaching assignments achieved high marks both in District and State events/competitions. Mr. Guisasola is a member of the Georgia Music Educators’ Association and Kappa Kappa Psi National Service Fraternity.

He currently resides in Hoschton with his wife, Allison who is an Occupational Therapist in Gwinnett County Schools and his 3 young children Sammy, Ian and Sophie.

Casey Hall

• A Wrench in Your Plans? Try GaDOE Fine Art's New Teacher Toolbox!

• State of the Arts Mr. Casey Hall serves as a Fine Arts Education Program Specialist for the Georgia Department of_Education where he actively supports Georgia’s Music Educators (K-12) from across the state. In this role, he advocates for and supports Georgia’s Music Educators through managing virtual, content-specific professional learning community groups, assisting in the development of highquality Fine Arts instructional resources, creating Fine Arts-related, self-paced online courses, and presenting professional learning workshops to school districts and regional education service agencies (RESAs) throughout the state.

He joined the GaDOE Fine Arts Department team from Fulton County Schools as a Fine Arts Support Teacher (FAST) and Music Specialist in Atlanta, Georgia where he was awarded the title of 2019-2020 South Learning Community Teacher of the Year for Fulton County Schools._During his time as a_FAST Team_member in Fulton County,_he coached and_provided_support for elementary music teachers across the district. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University and a master’s degree in music education from Georgia State's School of Music. Mr. Hall has presented at various conferences at international, national, state, and local school district professional development sessions.

Austin Hannon

• Rehearsals, Rep, and Real Talk: A Young Choral Director's Survival Guide Austin Hannon is the Choral Director at Twin Rivers Middle School, where he leads a thriving program of 350 singers. He also serves as the Lead Teacher for Middle School Chorus in Gwinnett County Public Schools. His choirs consistently receive straight superiors in both performance and sight reading at Large Group Performance Evaluation and send several singers to All-State each year. Austin earned a B.M. in Music Education from Georgia Southern University, an M.M. in Choral Conducting and Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi, and is currently pursuing an Ed.S. in Advanced Educational Studies at Augusta University. At USM, Austin worked as a Graduate Assistant in the Choral Area, assisting with the Southern Chorale, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Spirit of Southern, while also teaching undergraduate theory and aural skills courses. His graduate research on the work identities of LGBTQ+ music educators has been presented at NAfME conferences throughout the Southeast. Additionally, Austin is a staff singer at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Atlanta.

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PRESENTERS Christina Hart

• Move with Purpose: Intentional Movement in the Elementary Music Room Christina Hart is a music educator and Florida native who currently serves as the music teacher at Poole’s Mill Elementary School in Cumming, Georgia. At Poole’s Mill, she teaches K–5 general music, directs the Pirate Sound ensemble, and leads the school musical.

Christina holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida State University, a Master’s degree from Stetson University, and an Educational Specialist degree from Augusta University. She is fully certified in Orff Schulwerk, having completed all three levels of training. She began her teaching career in 2006 as a middle school band director in Orlando, Florida, and has been with Poole’s Mill Elementary since it opened in August 2020. Throughout her career, Christina has shared her passion for music education by presenting professional development sessions at both state and local conferences. Christina was named Teacher of the Year at the school level in both 2009 and 2023, and was a top five finalist for the 2023 Forsyth County Teacher of the Year award. She is an active member of NAfME (The National Association for Music Education), the Georgia Music Educators Association, the American Orff Schulwerk Association, and the Atlanta Area Orff Chapter. Christina resides in Cumming, Georgia, with her husband, Shawn, and their two children, Maddie and Ethan.

Maddie Hellemn

• Managing Challenging Behaviors in the Elementary Music Classroom Maddie Hellemn earned her bachelor’s in music therapy from the University of Georgia and completed her internship with FCS during the 22-23 school year. She returned to UGA for her MS in Applied Behavior Analysis with a focus on special education, becoming a board-certified behavior analyst. In her free time Maddie loves reading, doing yoga and playing with her dog, Rocky. Maddie is excited to be back with the Fulton County music therapy team!

Bri Henderson

• United Arts: An Adapted Music Appreciation Curriculum for Students with Disabilities in High School Brianna graduated from East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Music Therapy. She completed her internship with Fulton County Schools in 2014-2015. Outside of music, Bri loves to read, travel, and cook. She recently graduated from Colorado State University with her master’s degree in music. This is her tenth year with Fulton County Schools.

Dr. Marcus Henderson • Ai + Logic Pro

Dr. Marcus L. Henderson is a nationally recognized music educator, producer, and entrepreneur who has transformed how students engage with music through technology and real-world industry practices. As the founder of The Music Industry Academy, Dr. Henderson leads an innovative program that empowers young creatives to not only make music but to create, brand, and profit from it—all before graduation.

With over a decade of experience in public education and a deep understanding of tools like Logic Pro and emerging AI technologies, Dr. Henderson bridges the gap between classroom learning and the fast-evolving music business. His work has been featured in major media outlets, and he is known for his dynamic teaching style, industry insight, and commitment to equity in music education.

At GMEA, Dr. Henderson brings a unique lens to the future of music production, blending his expertise in Logic Pro with the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in creative learning environments.

Follow his work at @themiaatl and www.themusicindustryacademy.org.

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PRESENTERS Amelia Herzog

• Student Teaching 1101: A Guide to Success Amelia Herzog is a music educator and clarinetist who earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Mercer University. A passionate and experienced teacher, she has served as Principal Clarinet in the Mercer Wind Ensemble and worked as a woodwind tech, private lesson instructor, and band director. Amelia is committed to helping students grow through meaningful and engaging music experiences. She has been recognized with honors including the John Philip Sousa Award and General Excellence in Music Awardand remains active in professional music education communities.

Christopher Hickey

• Pedagogical Approaches to Choral Repertoire Selection Christopher Hickey is currently pursuing his DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Georgia. Mr. Hickey recently moved to Georgia from central Florida where he taught High School for six years and middle school for three years. He has also performed with the Festival Singers of Florida under the direction of Dr. Kevin Fenton, Voci Del Coure under the direction of Dr. Jeffrey Redding, and Stetson Choral Union under the direction of Sandra and Tim Peter. He completed his Masters in Music Education at FSU in 2023 and earned his Bachelor of Music Education from Stetson University in 2016.

Jonathan Hickox

• Built to Last! Teaching Band Your Entire Career in Rural South Georgia Jonathan Hickox is in his twenty-eighth year as the director of bands at Appling County High School in Baxley, GA. He directs the Pirate Brigade Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Band and Basketball Pep Band. He is married to Ansley Hickox and they have three children- Madison (23), Camden (19) and Harrison (15). He has also been the Minister of music at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church for twenty-six years.

Mr. Hickox is a 1993 graduate of Charlton County High School. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s of Music Education from Valdosta State University in 1997 and later attended the American Band College earning a Master’s degree through Southern Oregon University.

The ACHS Band program has enjoyed great success during Mr. Hickox’s tenure. Bands have traveled and performed in places such as Atlanta, Gatlinburg, Dallas, Orlando, Washington D.C. and Hawaii. The Symphonic band has earned a superior rating for twenty-five consecutive years at GMEA district festival/LGPE. The Pirate Brigade Marching Band has earned many grand champion and best in class awards. Mr. Hickox has twice been STAR Teacher at ACHS. He also was the ACHS teacher of the year and the system wide teacher of the year in 2006. In 2024 he was the winner of the GMEA District 8 Music Educator of the Year award. He has served on the GMEA state adjudication committee and is currently a member of the marching band committee. He has served GMEA District 8 as a former instrumental chair, district chair, honor band organizer and all state organizer.

Dr. Quincy Hilliard

• Make Concerts a MUST GO Event!

Quincy C. Hilliard is the 2023 recipient of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Eminent Faculty Distinguished Professor Award.

Dr. Hilliard's compositions for wind band are published by a variety of well known publishers. In 2021 he was commissioned by Trinity College Press (London) to compose eight pieces for their new Woodwind Examination Syllabus. Currently, he is completing a book with two other distinguished music educators entitled Teaching Instrumental Music Across Settings: Contemporary Perspectives and Pedagogies, which has been accepted for publication by Oxford University Press. In 2014, Hilliard received the prestigious Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters Award in the Classical Music Division.

Daniel Holder

• Supporting our Emergent Multilingual Musicians Daniel Holder is the K-5 music specialist at Knight Elementary School, part of Gwinnett County Public Schools. He received his bachelor’s degree from Berry College and his master's degree from the University of Kentucky, both in Music Education, and is currently studying at Auburn University for his specialist degree. Daniel is an active member of the Atlanta Area Orff-Schulwerk Chapter and has completed all three levels of his Orff-Schulwerk training. He has also attended the 2023 Escuela Internacional de Verano hosted by the Asociación Orff España (AOE) in addition to virtual workshops hosted by the AOE and the Asociación OrffSchulwerk Argentina. He is constantly supported by his great friends, colleagues, and his partner, Caleb.

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PRESENTERS Dr. Samuel Holmes

• Drumming 4 Creativity: Four Approaches to Keep Students Active and Engaged Dr. Samuel Holmes is currently the music specialist at Garden Hills Elementary School in the Atlanta Public School District in Atlanta, GA. Samuel’s 20+ years of teaching service has reached students in Georgia, California, and New Mexico, ranging from elementary to high school, in both public and private school settings. Samuel’s style of teaching can be described as active learning, where the exploration and development of creativity is key in educating the “whole child,” through the scope of standards-based music skills and knowledge. Some examples of student learning in Samuel’s classroom include Orff instruments, keyboards, circle drumming, digital creativity, ukuleles, collaborative centers, and bucket drumming, along with singing and movement. He has maintained active leadership roles at local schools in curriculum and instruction, International Baccalaureate (IB) program, STEAM, and technology considerations.

Having recently completed the Ph.D. program in Teaching and Learning (Music Education) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA, Samuel taught courses in early childhood music education and conducting techniques. He was site coordinator for SoundLearning, a grant that bridged musicians into classrooms of Atlanta’s most underserved communities, and a member of Georgia State’s P-12 Educational Advisory Committee, which oversaw the well-being of the school’s teacher preparation programs.

Samuel has received the Teacher of the Year award twice, most recently in 2023. He was also named a national Music Teacher of Excellence by the CMA (Country Music Awards) Foundation in 2023. Sam has presented at multiple music education research and teacher in-service conferences throughout the United States, focusing on collaborative and digital creativities in the general music classroom.

Dr. Tina Holmes-Davis • Open Up The Door

Tina Holmes-Davis is Associate Professor of Music, specializing in music education at Georgia College and State University, and the founder and executive director of the Center for Music Education at Georgia College (CME@GC). Her primary research interests include self-regulated musical learning and the impacts of disability in music education. She has published articles in the Clarinetist, the International Journal of Music Education, and her book Able will Suffice is available through GIA publications. Holmes-Davis’ teaching duties include undergraduate foundational courses in music education and specialized courses in elementary and middle school music pedagogy. She also teaches graduate courses in curriculum, research, and community and philosophical music perspectives.

She is also the founder and executive director of the (CME@GC), which functions as a public outreach arm of the music education area at Georgia College. The CME@GC was designed to promote collaboration and mutual achievement through departmental and community-based interaction. Toward that end, the CME@GC delivers 8-12 professional development workshops for pre-service and in-service music teachers annually and supports several community-based music endeavors within the music department, such as BASF Bobcat keys and a Suzuki-style strings initiative at the Baldwin County Early Learning Center. A recent initiative, the “More Able than Dis…” podcast is a resource to promote and share ideas for teaching disabled music students in school settings.

Holmes-Davis is a stroke survivor and plays a one-handed clarinet; she regularly performs using the one-handed clarinet with the Georgia College Wind Symphony and the Wellston Winds Adult Community Band in Warner Robins, GA.

Sally Housholder

• Song & Story (& Standards!)

Mrs. Housholder is proud to serve as a K-5 General Music teacher for Fulton County Schools. Growing up she was deeply involved in music and theater, leading her to earn a Bachelor of Music Education from Young Harris College (2015) and later a Masters of Education from Kennesaw State University (2020). Since joining Fulton County, Mrs. Housholder has pursued professional growth and leadership opportunities, serving on the Fine Arts Support Team (FAST), becoming a contributor for the district's music Standards Mastery Framework (SMF), and presenting at various Music Education conferences and collaboratives. Mrs. Housholder is also privileged to have built a thriving digital footprint for music education, creating video lesson content through the GA DOE's partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting ("Let's Learn GA!") as well as managing a strong social media presence as "@housholdmusic" on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. She was honored as Teacher of the Year at Heritage Elementary in 2018 and Shakerag Elementary in 2020. Mrs. Housholder is a certified Orff Educator, a member of NAfME, GMEA, and AOSA, and holds multiple additional certifications in elementary music. She lives a quiet, comfortable life with her husband, daughter, dog and two cats.

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PRESENTERS Matt Hudson

• Help! I Have to Teach Guitar: Simple Solutions for Teaching Beginning Guitar Class • Introducing Blues & Improvisation to your Beginning Guitar class Matt Hudson is a versatile guitarist and dedicated music educator with deep roots in jazz, rock, R&B, and funk. Originally from Erie, Pennsylvania, he honed his craft at the University of Pittsburgh, studying under jazz luminaries Dr. Nathan Davis and Joe Negri, as well as contemporary composer Mathew Rosenblum. As a recipient of the prestigious Mellon Jazz Scholarship, he immersed himself in Pittsburgh’s vibrant jazz scene, performing alongside some of the city's finest musicians.

In 2003, Hudson relocated to Chicago, where he quickly became a sought-after guitarist, collaborating with artists like Will Kurk, Anthony Nicholson, and Cole DeGenova. His ability to blend technical mastery with expressive improvisation has made him a standout in Chicago’s diverse music community.

Alongside his performance career, Hudson has been committed to music education since 2000, sharing his expertise with students of all levels. He earned a Master of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music and currently teaches at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences. His approach emphasizes both foundational technique and creative expression, helping students develop not only their skills but also their musical voice.

Amanda Irby

• The Seven Year Itch: Surviving the beginning years as an “Educator in Title 1 School” Amanda Irby is the Director of Bands at Burney Harris Lyons Middle School in Athens, GA. She currently serves as the Connections Department Chair and Mentor within her school for new teachers. Additionally, Mrs. Irby is the Director of the North Georgia Youth Winds and an adjunct professor at Truett McConnell University. Mrs. Irby earned her Bachelors in Music Education from Valdosta State University, Master’s Degree in Music Education from The University of Georgia, and her Specialists Degree in Music Education from Piedmont University.

John Jacobson

• So You Think You Can’t Dance - 50 Dances Kids Should Know John Jacobson is the author and composer of many musicals and choral works that have been performed by millions of children worldwide, as well as educational videos and tapes that have helped music educators excel in their individual teaching arenas. John has staged hundreds of huge music festival ensembles in his association with Walt Disney Productions and directed productions featuring thousands of young singers including NBC’s national broadcast of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

John is a teacher's teacher. He has been presenting for nearly 40 years and understands to motivational and inspirational aspects of teaching that educators need. Furthermore, the active nature of his sessions always provides an energetic and highly attended sessions.

John Jacobson is the author and composer of many musicals and choral works that have been performed by millions of children worldwide, as well as educational videos and tapes that have helped music educators excel in their individual teaching arenas.

Currently, he is the president and creative content designer for JJ and Me, Inc thru Musicplay.

Reece Jennings

• United Arts: An Adapted Music Appreciation Curriculum for Students with Disabilities in High School Reece graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s degree in music education and an Equivalency of Music Therapy. An active performer, he plays trombone in multiple ensembles in the Metro-Atlanta area and enjoys cooking and playing with his dogs. This is his fourth year with Fulton County Schools.

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PRESENTERS Zelda Johns

• Conducting Across the Clef: Women Directing Tenor-Bass Ensembles Zelda Johns did not have extensive music training as a young person. A first generation American, Zelda’s family did not always have the money for music lessons. She was in and out of piano lessons starting at the age of seven. However, being an introvert and a latchkey kid of the 80’s, she kept up her piano skills by practicing the same old songs on her own. Her vocal and piano skills were developed through opportunities available in her school music programs. Namely, through district and state Solo and Ensemble festival. Zelda auditioned for and was denied acceptance into Florida State University School of Music as a vocalist. Fortunately, her high school chorus teacher’s wife was a piano teacher and gave her piano lessons in exchange for babysitting to prepare her piano audition. It was through piano that she was accepted into FSU’s music program, where she earned her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Education. Zelda taught in Florida for nine years before moving to Pope High School. She is proud to pass the legacy of her public school music teachers on to her students.

Hannah Johnson

• Reinventing Tradition: Remixing Folk Dance with Student Creativity Hannah Johnson has been a Music Educator since 2007 and has taught Kindergarten through eighth grade general music, Chorus, and Band in Tennessee, West Virginia, and Georgia. She is currently the Music teacher at Baker Place Elementary in Grovetown, Georgia. She has her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Augusta State University and has completed Orff Level 1. Hannah is a member of GMEA, AOSA, and a founding member of the Greater Augusta Area Orff Chapter. She loves professional development with other music teachers and is on the Levels board to bring Orff Levels to her area.

This year, Hannah won the Columbia County School District Foundation grant and a scholarship from AOSA to attend Orff Level 2 this summer. Recently, she was named Baker Place Elementary’s Teacher of the Year and will compete at county level. Besides teaching Music, her other loves include her husband and two boys, singing in choirs, performing in musicals, and reading on her couch with her cats and dog.

Heath Jones

• CTAE & Future of Music Tech Heath has worked with Gwinnett County Public Schools and the Georgia Department of Education in developing curriculum, performance standards, and assessments at both the state and local levels. He served on the 2023 Governor's Sound Economy Task Force that developed a set of recommendations to support career readiness for students to enter into careers in the music and sound technology fields. He is in demand as a guest lecturer having presented sessions at the NAfME National Conference, the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the Texas MEA Conference on two occasions as well as numerous state-level conferences on topics of music technology and curriculum. He is the author of Music Technology 101, published by Hal Leonard. In 2023 he was recognized by TI:ME (Technology In Music Education) as the Mike Kovins National Teacher of the Year. He is passionate in his work to support and encourage his own students while advocating for the continued growth of music technology programs in his state, region, and country.

Roy Joyner

• United Arts: An Adapted Music Appreciation Curriculum for Students with Disabilities in High School Roy attended Florida State University, where he received both his bachelor’s and his master’s degrees in music therapy. He later received his certificate in Educational Leadership from the University of West Georgia. He is an accomplished bassist and a keen observer of client/therapist dynamics. Roy has been a two-time President of the Music Therapy Association of Ga and has served on the executive board of the Southeastern Region.He has been with Fulton County schools for twenty-seven years.

Krystin Kicklighter

• Positive All-State Chorus Auditions: Procedures, Preparation, and Practices Krystin Kicklighter was born and raised in the Savannah area, and now resides in Effingham county with her husband, Steven and son, Malcolm. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Armstrong Atlantic State University and her Master of Choral Conducting from Georgia Southern University. She recently earned her Education Specialist in Music Education from Piedmont University and is now pursuing her Doctorate in Music Education at Liberty University. She has served as the Director of Choral Activities at Effingham County Middle School for the past twelve years and also serves as the Region 5 All-State chorus coordinator.

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PRESENTERS William Kilgore

• Teaching On Empty: The Myth of Work-Life Balance William Kilgore is Director of Bands at Jackson County High School. Mr. Kilgore received his Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Educational Leadership degrees from the University of Georgia. Mr. Kilgore earned his Specialist degree from Piedmont College.

He has been a guest lecturer for colleges and universities and is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the Southeastern United States. For decades, Mr. Kilgore has helped marching bands, jazz bands, concert bands, praise bands, choirs and individual musicians maximize their potential.

Mr. Kilgore has earned several awards and honors throughout his professional career including “Teacher of the Year” at multiple schools and most recently, the 2024 GMEA District 14 Music Educator of the Year. Mr. Kilgore has been featured as “One of the Fifty Music Educators who make a Difference” in the School Band and Orchestra Magazine. He has been awarded multiple Citations of Excellence by the National Band Association. His professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, the Georgia Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Phi Beta Mu. Bands under his direction have performed at the GMEA Conference, UGA Midfest, SEUS Honor Band Clinic and many other venues and events throughout the Southeast. His bands have accumulated an enviable record of the highest ratings at GMEA Performance Evaluations. Students under Mr. Kilgore’s direction have been awarded many high honors and have been selected to perform with some of the most elite state and national performing ensembles.

Dr. Kellen King

• Tone, Technique, Articulation, and Musicality: How to Effectively Communicate with your Percussion Section Dr. Kellen King is currently Lecturer of Percussion at Georgia State University and directs all percussion activities at Reinhardt University and The University of West Georgia. Prior to moving to Atlanta, he was Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at Western Oregon University.

Kellen performs, presents, and clinics frequently in the Atlanta area, as well as nationally. He is currently a member of the Percussive Arts Society Music Technology Committee and has previously served as the Oregon PAS Chapter Secretary, winning the PAS Outstanding Chapter Award during his service. Kellen is an avid educator, researcher, and well-versed performer in classical and contemporary percussion, having spent most of career focusing on solo, chamber, and electroacoustic music.

Kellen has taught and arranged music at an array of music organizations across the United States; teaching elite competitive marching band and collegiate level performance and academic courses, in addition to being a featured guest artist and clinician at institutions across the country. During his education, he has studied with Dr. Thomas Burritt, Gordon Stout, Judy Moonert, Tony Edwards, Conrad Alexander, and Greg Evans. Kellen earned his degrees from Western Michigan University (B.M. Music Education and Music Performance), Ithaca College (M.M. Percussion Performance), and The University of Texas at Austin (D.M.A. Percussion Performance).

Kellen is an artist and clinician for Innovative Percussion, Black Swamp Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, and Remo Inc.

Michael Kobito

• Teach in the Peach: Why You Should Become a GA Music Educator Michael Kobito is an educator, musician, and speaker from Cartersville, GA. He currently serves as the Conductor and Musical Director of the Georgia Brass Band, Associate Conductor of Tara Winds, and works with the Bartow County School System supporting educators across the district.

Kobito has proudly been the recipient of five National Band Association Citations of Excellence and has been named an AP Teacher with Distinction after his AP Music Theory Class had a 100% participation and 100% pass rate. Additionally, Kobito was named the 2022 Teacher of the Year for Woodland High School and the Bartow County School System and is the 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year. As the 2023 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Kobito served on the State Board of Education, the Board for the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education, delivered keynote addresses across the state, and represented Georgia education all across the nation.

Bands under his direction have performed at multiple national and international events including the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade in Washington D.C., the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, the Southeastern United States Honor Band Festival, the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in NYC, UGA’s Janfest Honor Band Festival, and in the 2023 London New Year's Day Parade. Groups under his direction have also earned acclaim in performances in La Croix-Valmer in France, at the International Euphonium and Tuba Conference, at the Southeastern Brass Band Championships, in Carnegie Hall in New York City, and will be performing at the NBA/CBDNA Southeastern Conference in Tampa, Florida in February of 2026.

Kobito serves as a clinician and adjudicator across the state providing leadership clinics, judging events, and inspiring other educators to make the most of their outreach. Ensembles under his direction have commissioned and premiered multiple works, performed on stages all over the United States and in Europe, and have shared the stage with artists such as Phil Smith, Dr. Brandon Craswell, Julian Bliss, Dr. Adam Frey, Roland Szentpali, Joshua Williams, and more.

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PRESENTERS Nathan Kufchak

• Creating Backing Tracks for Chorus and Orchestra Performances Nathan Kufchak, cellist, is a graduate from Ohio Wesleyan University and has been teaching orchestra in Fayette County, GA for the past 14 years. He has built thriving orchestra programs at both Rising Starr Middle and Starr’s Mill High School.

Mr. Kufchak taught Music Technology for several years, is well versed in ProTools and Logic Pro and has been involved in recording projects for band, chorus, and orchestra throughout Rising Starr and Fayette County. He produced The Abnormal Gardens album for Hall Pass Entertainment in 2022 and is often featured as a guest producer. He is passionate about audio and visual engineering and runs tech (Lighting, Sound, Video) for many school shows and community events. He brings this knowledge to his orchestra concerts, creating shows with full lighting, video, and sound elements.

He lives in Fayetteville, Georgia with his wife Laurie and their two cats, Eva and Zazzy. Outside of school, he enjoys cooking, building Lego sets, and playing with technology.

Dana Lamb-Schaubroeck

• Listen to This! Effective Teaching Practices Using Sound Recording/Editing Software Dana Lamb-Schaubroeck is an award-winning music educator, Billboard charted songwriter, and author. She is currently the choral director at Whitewater High School, though she has taught Pre-K through 12 choral, music theater, orchestra, guitar, piano, nontraditional percussion, and music theory. Her accolades include Teacher of the Year, Grammy Semifnalist in Music Education, Top 25 Music Teachers in the U.S. by Music & Arts, and her music has been part of several PBS specials, for which one won an Emmy for music composition. She has also been recognized by the Georgia Department of Education for excellence in education as well as using music to improve middle school mental health. Her choruses are routinely scored superior at LGPE and her show choirs have won first place titles at Southern Star, Oak Mountain Invitational, and Heart of America in Nashville. She has spoken at numerous conferences including GMEA In-Service Conference, International Music Education Summit, and the Georgia Educational Technology Consortium. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Education from Western Governors University, a Master of Music Education degree from Boston University, and is currently ABD at American College of Education with a Ed.D. in Instructional Technology and Fine Arts.

Carolyn Landreau

• The Hiring Process: Best Practices for Resumes, Interviews, and Everything In-Between Carolyn Landreau currently serves as the K–12 Fine Arts Coordinator for Marietta City Schools, where she provides leadership and strategic direction for all district fine arts programs. In this role, she oversees curriculum development, budgeting, instructional practices, and the cultivation of community arts partnerships, while also serving as a liaison between schools, district leadership, and community stakeholders.

With more than two decades of experience in education, Carolyn has held numerous leadership positions, as well as serving as the Orchestra Fine Arts Support Teacher for Fulton County Schools. Her extensive background spans program design, instructional leadership, assessment development, and professional learning for educators across multiple content areas.

A passionate advocate for music education, Carolyn has contributed to state and national resources for orchestra instruction. She is the author of teacher resources for the Georgia Department of Education and a contributing author to Teaching Music Through Performance in Orchestra, Volume 4. She has presented at major conferences including the American String Teachers Association National Conference, the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, among others.

Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University, a Master of Music Education from the University of Colorado, and a Specialist in Curriculum and Instruction from Valdosta State University. Her career reflects a deep commitment to advancing arts education and supporting students, teachers, and communities through innovative leadership and collaboration.

Marsha Lane

• Managing Challenging Behaviors in the Elementary Music Classroom Marsha graduated from The University of South Carolina with a Bachelor’s & master’s degrees in education, and from Southern Methodist University with a master’s degree in music therapy. She loves outdoor adventure and has considerable experience working in psychiatric settings. Marsha has been working for the Fulton County School system for over 30 years.

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PRESENTERS Dave Lawson

• Woodwind repair: Save money, fix it yourself!

Dave Lawson has served as a repair clinician throughout the Southeast, presenting at AMEA, TNMEA, and GMEA. Dave's repair shop specializes in woodwind repair and teaching woodwind repair, offering courses online and in person throughout the summer for directors and students alike. Dave has taught as a woodwind clinician at the middle and high school level since 2005 and has conducted/performed at GMEA and Midwest conferences.

Jeremy Lumpkin

• Demystifying the All State Jazz Audition Jeremy L. Lumpkin is in his sixth year as Director of Bands at Hillgrove High School. Under his leadership, the Wind Symphony was invited to perform at the 2025 University of Georgia’s JanFest and the 2025 National Concert Band Festival. The jazz orchestra has been invited to prestigious events such as the 2025 Jazz Education Network Conference, the 2023 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the 2023 Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. The jazz ensemble performed at the 2023 Essentially Ellington Festival.

Previously, Jeremy served as Director of Bands at Collins Hill High School, where the wind symphony and jazz ensemble performed at the GMEA In-Service Conference and other notable events such as JanFest, the University of Alabama’s High School Band Clinic, and the Kennesaw State University Concert Band Invitational. Earlier in his career, as Director of Bands at West High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, his concert bands consistently earned superior ratings at the Tennessee Music Educators Association (TMEA) State Festival and the East Tennessee State Band and Orchestra Concert Festival.

He earned a Bachelor’s in Music Education from the University of Tennessee and Master’s in Saxophone Performance from the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Jeremy’s was awarded Da Capo Association’s 2014 Young Music Educator of the Year and the West High School Teacher of the Year. In 2021, he received the Star Teacher Award and he has earned the NBA Citation of Excellence seven times. He is a member of the Minority Band Director National Association, Phi Beta Mu, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, and Phi Sigma Theta Honors Fraternity.

Debbie Lyle

• Finessing the First Year: Elevating Beginning Strings Repertoire and Technique Debbie Lyle has directed school orchestras in grades five through twelve and regional youth orchestras for over 30 years. She was a violin and pedagogy student of Dr. George Bornoff, the founder of the Foundation for the Advancement of String Education (FASE, Inc.), and has carried on his mission and vision as FASE's Executive Director for more than ten years. Debbie has created new, accessible, and impactful resources for string teachers and their students, and she expanded the FASE grant program to support affordable professional development opportunities, commission culturally and musically varied teaching materials, and nurture diversity and inclusion through programs like the Diverse String Teachers Fellowship. She is the author of The Bornoff Approach – A Primer and has received recognition for her work in classical and jazz string education. Debbie given more than 150 peer-reviewed professional development sessions and presented student ensembles in performance at more than 75 colleges and string education conferences, most notably: the National American String Teachers Association (ASTA), NAfME national and state conferences, the Institute for Innovation in String Education, the International String Workshops, and the International Association of Jazz Educators Conference.

Andrew Markel

• The Music Doesn’t Stop! – Continuous Music Making (It’s called music class after all!)

Andrew Markel is a dynamic music educator, trombonist, and composer in Columbus, Georgia. Holding degrees in Music Education, Educational Leadership, and Advanced Educational Studies, Andrew blends pedagogical insight with a vision for impactful teaching.

In 2023, GMEA 0recognized him as an Emerging Leader.

Currently, Andrew teaches general music at Mathews Elementary, reaching over 700 students each week with a high-energy, culturally inclusive approach. His teaching incorporates creative expression with music literacy to spark musical inspiration and intuition. His classroom is a space where rhythm, movement, and critical thinking thrive. In addition to his core duties, Andrew leads extracurricular piano, ukulele, drumming, and chorus clubs, enriching the school’s musical community. He has also recently become the curriculum designer for KinderWinds Music, a method aimed at developing young wind musicians through discovery and play.

As a trombonist and composer, Andrew’s works have been performed by over 50 universities globally. He has composed for performers in top orchestras, including the New York Symphony, Dallas Symphony, Royal Concertgebouw, and Vienna Philharmonic— though his favorite ensemble to write for remains his elementary students and school chorus. Andrew also performs with Fountain City Brass Quintet and as a freelance trombonist in Columbus, infusing his performance experience into his teaching.

With a passion for igniting curiosity and making music come alive, Andrew Markel inspires both students and educators through vibrant, engaging musical experiences. In his downtime, he enjoys gardening and fostering young kittens with his wonderfully encouraging wife, Emma.

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PRESENTERS Freddy Martin

• Let’s Go Play Outside! Developing High Quality Winds Performance in the Marching Band Setting Freddy Martin is a highly respected music educator with over 50 years of experience. A native of Cobb County, Georgia, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Jacksonville State University and pursued graduate studies at Georgia State University. Mr. Martin’s teaching career includes positions at South Cobb High School, Buford City Schools, and The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, where he served as Band Director and Brass Specialist prior to retirement. He is the founding director of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps and continues to serve as Director Emeritus. His contributions to the drum corps activity also include leadership roles as Brass Coordinator for the two-time DCI World Champion Phantom Regiment and nine years as Brass Pedagogy Coordinator for the seven-time DCI World Champion Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. Mr. Martin is a member of the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame and Phi Beta Mu. In recognition of his exceptional impact on music education, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Music Education from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. A sought-after clinician and adjudicator for more than five decades, Mr. Martin has worked with ensembles and educators throughout the United States and England. His legacy is also carried on by his family: his son Chris Martin is Principal Trumpet of the New York Philharmonic, and his son Michael Martin is Third/Utility Trumpet with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Michael Martin

• Let’s Go Play Outside! Developing High Quality Winds Performance in the Marching Band Setting Michael Martin is a versatile trumpet player, composer, and educator whose career bridges the worlds of classical performance and the marching arts. A native of Marietta, Georgia, he joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops in 2010 at age 24, where he has since performed in over 1,000 concerts collaborating with renowned soloists and conductors such as Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, and John Williams.

Martin holds bachelor's and master's degrees in trumpet performance from Northwestern University, where he studied with Barbara Butler and Charles Geyer. He later pursued composition and orchestration at the University of Chicago with Cliff Colnot. His music has been commissioned by members of the Atlanta, Boston, and Chicago symphonies, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Boston Pops. His first symphony for wind ensemble, Lontano, was commissioned by the Northwestern University Wind Ensemble in honor of conductor Mallory Thompson.

In the drum corps activity, Martin has served as Brass Arranger and Caption Head for The Cavaliers and Spirit of Atlanta, and was a brass instructor for Phantom Regiment from 2009 to 2013. He is also the founder of PlayWriteMusic, a platform dedicated to music arranging and education.

Since 2012, Martin has taught at the New England Conservatory and Boston University, mentoring students at various stages of development. His broad experience and passion for excellence make him a dynamic presence in both professional and educational music circles.

Will Martin

• Computational Thinking in Music for 6th-8th: Where Coding & Music Collide Will Martin is a Music Technology teacher at Fayette County High School. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Technology from Georgia Tech and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Covenant College. In addition to his teaching role, Will is currently in his fourth season as an audio engineer for the Atlanta Braves. Most recently, he authored a supplemental unit for the State of Georgia titled ""Computational Thinking in Middle School Music."" This resource is available to all middle school music educators interested in integrating music standards with computer science concepts. Will believes that ""Music technology is not just about making music using technology, but also making technology using music.

Erik W. Mason

• Judging: A Parable in Chicken Tenders Erik Mason has served as the Director of Bands at Buford High School since 2020. In his time at BHS, enrollment in band classes has more than doubled and the marching band has grown from 52 members to 190. Since 2020, the Buford bands have been invited performers at the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia January Music Festival. In 2023, the Band of Wolves was named a Bands of America Regional Finalist for the first time in their 74year history.

Prior to his arrival at Buford, Mr. Mason was the Director of Bands at Mill Creek High School for 14 years. Under his leadership, the Mill Creek program grew to include four concert bands, three winter guards, two percussion ensembles, and a 200-member marching band that earned national recognition. The Wind Ensemble was a featured ensemble at the University of Georgia January Music Festival, the Music for All National Concert Band Festival, and the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference and many other events around the southeast.

Mr. Mason is an active clinician, adjudicator, and leadership consultant. He holds bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Georgia and an EdS from Auburn University. Erik and his wife Kathy live in Hoschton and have three children- Aria, Alie, and Clay.

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PRESENTERS April Mattson • Move it or Lose it!

April Mattson is a 15 year music specialist currently teaching in Savannah, GA. She holds a bachelor's degree from Armstrong Atlantic State University and received her Masters Degree from Georgia College and State University. She has also received her Orff Level I certification.

Ashleigh McDaniel-Spatz

• Cross Continental Collaborations Using YuStudio: Audio/Visual Projects in One Student Friendly DAW • Modern Band Tips, Tricks, & Resources for 2026 & Jam Session!

Ashleigh McDaniel Spatz teaches music technology and manages Hall Pass Entertainment at Rising Starr Middle School. Her goal as a music educator is to inspire a love of learning, a love of music, and to help every student shine in their own unique way. Throughout her successful career she has taught music technology, elementary general music, chorus, and steel band in Atlanta Public Schools and throughout metro Atlanta. She has a passion for teaching teachers and is a national teacher leader with Nafme in the Connected Arts Network where she leads national professional learning communities once a month on standards based music education. She is the GMEA Music Technology Co-Chair for all music technology teachers in the state of Georgia. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Mercer University and her Masters of Music Education from Texas Tech University. She was a top 25 semifinalist for the Grammy Music Educator Award in 2023, the 2020 recipient of the Give-A-Note Music Education Innovator Award, the 2019 CMA Music Teacher of Excellence Award, and the 2019 Teach On Project Award. She was the 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year at Burgess Peterson Academy. She served on committees to create resources and rewrite the Georgia Music Standards for the Georgia Department of Education, and was a teacher leader on the Fine Art Support Team for Atlanta Public Schools. She is also a proud mom to four rowdy and beautiful children.

Sabrina Mills

• Engaging Every Learner: Real-World Music Tech Projects for the Modern Classroom Sabrina Mills is an experienced and innovative music educator with 30 years of classroom success, including 11 in Georgia public schools. She currently serves as the Music Technology Teacher at Jones Middle School in Gwinnett County, where she built the fulltime program from the ground up and transformed it into a dynamic hub for student creativity and collaboration.

Her diverse teaching career spans elementary general music, middle school chorus, and now full-time music technology. Sabrina designs project-based lessons that center student voice and reach a wide spectrum of learners—including gifted, SPED, and ESOL students—through remixing, vocal editing, looping, and AI-enhanced tools like Soundtrap and Google Classroom.

She holds a Master’s degree in Music Education from Hampton University, as well as a Gifted Endorsement, which further supports her commitment to differentiated instruction and inclusive teaching practices. She brings industry-level insight to her teaching, having trained in ProTools under the instruction of a Grammy-winning producer in the early 2000s. She teaches in one of the nation’s few officially designated AI Clusters, helping lead the charge in creative AI integration in education.

Sabrina continues to tap into her choral roots by launching a student gospel chorus at her school, creating space for vocal expression, cultural connection, and spiritual joy. She also gives back to the school community by producing custom music mixes for the step team and dance performances, bringing professional-level polish to student-led productions.

She is passionate about equity in the arts, culturally responsive teaching, and preparing students for modern music careers.

Felipe Morales-Torres

• Finessing the First Year: Elevating Beginning Strings Repertoire and Technique Felipe Morales-Torres is an orchestra teacher, conductor, clinician, and researcher working to further liberation and healing in music education. He teaches string and symphony orchestras at Henry M. Gunn High School in Palo Alto, CA. Felipe also serves as the Assistant Director of the Bornoff Foundation and manager of the FASE Diverse String Teachers Fellowship, using his 15 years of experience leading public school and community-based orchestra programs to support fellow teachers. He was previously an instructor of instrumental music education at Northern Kentucky University and a conductor for the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestras, which earned various conference performances and national recognitions for his diverse and progressive programming.

He conducts students in region and state honors festivals across the US and Latin America, and serves on the ASTA national committees for Conducting and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.

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PRESENTERS Brittany Mori

• Survive and Thrive: Lessons from the First Five • Let’s Go Play Outside! Developing High Quality Winds Performance in the Marching Band Setting Brittany Mori is the Band Director at Lost Mountain Middle School in Kennesaw, GA within the Cobb County School District. The Lost Mountain Band serves nearly 500 students with 6 band classes and is a proud feeder of the nationally recognized Harrison High School and Hillgrove High School Band Programs.

Under Ms. Mori’s direction, the Lost Mountain Middle School Bands have been invited to perform at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference (2026), the Reinhardt University Middle School Honor Band Clinic (2025), and the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival (2024). The Lost Mountain Middle School Bands earn consistent superior ratings at GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations, and have students consistently earn spots in the District XII Middle School Honor Bands and the Georgia All-State Band. In 2024, the Lost Mountain Bands were part of a consortium project with composer Tyler S. Grant to commission his new piece, titled “A New Light”. In 2025, the Lost Mountain Bands were named a national “Advocacy in Action” Award Recipient in the category of “Community Involvement” from Music for All. Ms. Mori is an active concert band clinician and adjudicator throughout the United States. She has presented clinics on woodwind pedagogy and teaching at The Midwest Clinic and the GMEA In-Service Conference. She has been a Faculty member with the Marching Band Division of the Bands Of America Summer Camp since 2010, and serves on staff with the Harrison High School Marching Band. Ms. Mori will be serving as the Clarinet Instructor for the Bands Of America Honor Band in the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day in Pasadena, California.

Ms. Mori holds degrees from James Madison University (B.M.) and The University of Georgia (M.M.Ed.). Ms. Mori’s family includes Koji Mori, Director of Orchestras at Harrison High School, and their two children.

Dr. Marcus Morris

• The Road To Recovery: Managing Music Educator Burnout Dr. Marcus Morris serves as Assistant Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Georgia. Originally from Spartanburg, South Carolina, he earned both his BME and MME from Winthrop University, followed by an Ed.S in Administration and Supervision and a Doctorate in Professional Leadership with emphasis in Music Education from Converse University. During his time at Winthrop, Dr. Morris had the privilege of studying under distinguished conductors and clinicians including Dr. William F. Malambri, Dr. Stan Michalski, Dr. Lorrie Crochet, and Dr. B. Michael Williams.

As a Conn Selmer Educational Clinician, Dr. Morris maintains an active presence nationwide as an adjudicator, presenter, and performer.

His professional development contributions span numerous school district conferences, and he has led sessions at prestigious events including the NAfME Conference and the Midwest Conference. His expertise has been shared at music education conferences throughout Connecticut, Virginia, the Carolinas, and across the Southeast. Dr. Morris has been invited to conduct honor bands in multiple states, including North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.

His professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society, National Association for Music Educators, Servant Leadership Association for Music, Georgia Music Educators Association, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity.

Dr. Morris proudly holds endorsements from Vic Firth Percussion and Zildjian Inc.

Jennifer Myles

• SOS I’m Sick! Creating More Meaningful & Musical Substitute Plans for the Elementary Music Classroom • Old Songs, New Tricks - Nursery Rhymes With a Twist Jennifer Myles is a 11-year music specialist currently teaching at Harbins Elementary in Gwinnett County, Georgia. She previously taught in Fayette County, Georgia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia and she also holds a Level-III Orff Schulwerk certification and is currently serving on the board of the Atlanta Area Orff Chapter. She has presented at GMEA, local Orff chapter shares, and Orff Levels Courses throughout the southeast.

Dr. Dawn Neely

• Musical Theatre Singing vs. Choral Singing: Communicating With Your Students Soprano and Director Dr. Dawn Neely is Professor of Voice and Director of Opera Workshop at the University of West Georgia (UWG).

Dr. Neely received her Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Alabama and her Masters in Arts Administration from Florida State University. Dr. Neely has sung in opera and oratorio throughout the United States and has performed solo and chamber recitals at numerous universities and conferences. Her most recent credentials at UWG include musical direction for The Sound of Music and The Toxic Avenger, collaborations with the UWG Theatre Program. Her recent music and stage direction for opera productions include 24, or The Cure for Love (world premier of piano production), Speed Dating Tonight, Die Fledermaus, An Embarrassing Position, and The Marriage of Figaro. Dr. Neely has directed with the Druid City Opera Workshop, Harrower Opera Workshop and was an Assistant Director with the Pittsburgh Festival Opera. Dawn Neely’s research on body awareness/alignment and yoga have been published in the Journal of Singing. Dr. Neely is an active member of National Opera Association serving as the current Regional Governor for the Southeast, and she is the current Vice-President for the Georgia NATS Chapter.

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PRESENTERS Lee Newman

• Finding Success at a Title I School: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities Mr. Lee Newman has served as the Director of Bands at Norcross High School since 2011. His responsibilities include directing the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band II, Jazz Band I, Blue Devil Marching Band, Brass studies, Leadership, and teaching International Baccalaureate music classes. Under his leadership, Norcross High School’s music program has maintained a tradition of excellence.

Mr. Newman’s ensembles have performed at prestigious events such as the Georgia State Honor Bands of Distinction, University of Georgia January Music Festival, Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival, Yamaha National Concert Festival, and the Georgia Music Educators In-Service Conference.

Before joining Norcross, Mr. Newman was the Director of Bands at Elbert County Comprehensive High School in Elberton, Georgia.

He holds two degrees in music education from the University of Georgia and has studied conducting and trumpet with renowned professors. Mr. Newman is an active performer, clinician, and leadership consultant. His professional affiliations include the National Band Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education. In his free time, he enjoys running and spending time with his family.

Sally Ann Nichols

• Exploring Music Therapy: A Meaningful Career Option for Music Students Sally Ann Nichols, MM, MT-BC is an Academic Professional / Clinical Supervisor in Music Therapy. She received her M.M. from Florida State University (2018) and B.M. from Belmont University (2016). She has advanced training in neurologic music therapy (NMT-F) and neonatal intensive care unit music therapy (NICU-MT).

Before joining UGA, Sally Ann was a medical music therapist at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, AL working with a variety of patients across the hospital, including neurologic, level 1 trauma, cardiology, oncology, palliative, psychiatric, neonatal, and other general medical populations. Prior to this, she developed the music therapy program at the Intrepid Spirit Center of Eglin Air Force Base, FL, serving military service members with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. She also advanced music therapy clinical programming while working in private practice in and around Tallahassee, FL.

Fred Norton

• "How Does This Go?" Sequencing to Build Strong Rhythmic Readers Fred Norton is in his 24th year of teaching middle school bands, currently at North Gwinnett Middle School. Prior to North Gwinnett, he taught at Hightower Trail Middle School and Griffin Middle School. During his time at Hightower Trail, the 8th Grade Symphonic Band performed at UGA MidFest (2006, 2010, 2013), the University of Alabama Middle School Honor Band Festival (2014), the Music For All Southeastern Regional at GSU (2015, 2017, 2023), the GMEA In-Service Conference (2008, 2012, 2018), and the Music For All National Festival in Indianapolis (2010). The HTMS Band program received the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award twice (2011, 2022) and the GMEA Music Program of the Year Award (2019). Mr. Norton has received five Citations of Excellence from the National Band Association. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from the University of Georgia, Master of Music Education degree from Indiana University, and Education Specialist degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia. A saxophonist, Mr. Norton has studied with Sam Skelton, Kenneth Fischer, Otis Murphy, and Tom Walsh. He has worked with numerous band programs including Lassiter High School, his alma mater. Guest conducting invitations include the UGA Summer Music Camp, UAB Honor Band Festival, and several District Honor Bands. He is a certified LGPE adjudicator. Mr. Norton serves on the Executive Board of the Cobb Wind Symphony and is a member of NAfME, GMEA, NBA, JEN, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He resides on the Upper Westside of Atlanta with his wife, Darby.

Shannon O'Donnell

• Managing Challenging Behaviors in the Elementary Music Classroom Shannon O'Donnell earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy from the University of Georgia and completed her internship with Fulton County Schools during the 2021–2022 school year. In addition to her work in school-based music therapy, she has experience in private practice, where she provided one-on-one music therapy to support mental health and serve children with disabilities. She is currently in her third year with Fulton County Schools

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PRESENTERS Dr. Joshua Palkki

• Sound Before Sight: Music Learning Theory-Informed Choral Practice Joshua Palkki (he/him) is Associate Professor of Music at the Georgia Institute of Technology and co-author of Honoring Trans and Gender-Expansive Students in Music Education (Oxford University Press, 2021). He holds degrees from Michigan State University (Ph.D. music education), Northern Arizona University (M.M. choral conducting), and Ball State University (B.S. music education). Dr. Palkki has presented at national and international events including the National ACDA Conference, NAfME National Conference, and the Society for Music Teacher Education Symposium and is a sought-after guest conductor and scholar on equity and justice topics.

Joshua’s writing appears in several choral and music education publications including Choral Journal, Journal of Music Teacher Education, Journal of Research in Music Education, Engaging Musical Practices: A Sourcebook for Middle School General Music (2nd edition), Routledge Companion of Jazz and Gender, and the Handbook of Music and Art (Bloomsbury).

Jim Palmer

• Warm Up to Wrap Up: A Complete Creative Approach to Achieving Excellence in Orchestra Recipient of the ASTA Elizabeth A. H. Green Award for a distinguished career in string teaching, James Palmer is an editor, arranger, and featured clinician for Alfred Music. He is also the Orchestra Director and Fine Arts Department Chairman at Allatoona High School in Acworth, Georgia; the Music Director for the Youth Orchestras of Greater Columbus in Columbus, Georgia; and the Senior Conductor at the Florida State University Summer Music Camps, a post he has held since 1996. Mr. Palmer’s orchestras have performed at several conferences including the National ASTA Conference and Midwest Clinic.

Jim Palmer has received the Teacher of the Year Award in three separate high schools and has been inducted into the Florida Collegiate Music Educators Hall of Fame. He is a frequent clinician having conducted All State and honors orchestras throughout the U.S. Mr. Palmer has also maintained a career as a professional violist, including serving as Principal Violist for the Sarasota Pops Orchestra. Mr. Palmer is a member of GMEA, Past President of Georgia ASTA, Past Chairman of the ASTA National Orchestra Festival, and is a graduate of Florida State University. He lives in Kennesaw with his wife Lydia, son Curtis, and daughter Ericka.

Claire Pappas

• Vertical Alignment: No Chiropractor Necessary!

Claire Pappas is the Director of Choirs and Musical Theatre at West Forsyth High School’s Studio West. Before joining Studio West, she served as the choir director at Liberty Middle School and later founded the chorus and drama programs at Hendricks Middle School. Claire has had the opportunity to present at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, the National Council for Undergraduate Research Conference, and was selected as a student conductor at the Southern Division American Choral Directors Association Conference.

Outside of her teaching role, Claire is an active freelance soprano in the metro-Atlanta area and performs with the professional chamber choir Coro Vocati, the Atlanta Master Chorale and Lux Treble Ensemble. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Kennesaw State University in 2019 and is currently working toward a Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Michigan State University.

Will Parker

• Yes, They are Just as Capable Mr. Will Parker serves as Associate Band Director where he serves as conductor the Bainbridge High School Concert Band, BHS Jazz Band II, and Associate Director of the Bainbridge High School Marching, and all other aspects of the Bainbridge High School Band Program.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in music education at Troy University, where he studied Trumpet with Dr. James Zingara, Mike Huff, and conducting with Dr. Mark Walker. Mr. Parker received his Master's Degree in 2015 from Auburn University. Parker is also the recipient of the Edward H. Clieno Young Outstanding Music Educator Award.

Bands and students under Mr. Parker's direction have received many honors at the regional and state level in Alabama and Georgia, where he has taught middle school and high school band. Mr. Parker is married to Catie Parker, who teaches 3rd/4th grade music and 5th grade beginner band at Hutto Elementary School. Mr. Parker and his wife are blessed with two beautiful girls named Ellie and Emma-Cait, and their dog, Sugar

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PRESENTERS Dr. Brett Penshom

• BYOB: Bring Your Own Baton Brett Penshorn is the Director of Bands at California State University, Los Angeles, where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in music education. He most recently served as Visiting Assistant Professor of Music at the University of New Mexico, where he conducted the UNM Symphonic Band, co-directed the Spirit Marching Band and Soundpack Basketball Band, and taught undergraduate courses in music appreciation. While there, he also conducted the Albuquerque Concert Band, a year-round community ensemble that presents about 15 concerts annually throughout the region. Prior to his time in New Mexico, Penshorn was the Visiting Director of Bands at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Dr. Penshorn holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting from the University of North Texas, where he studied with Eugene Migliaro Corporon. He also earned a Master of Music degree in Band and Wind Ensemble Conducting from The Pennsylvania State University and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas.

A former Texas public school band director, Penshorn has taught instrumental music at every level and remains a dedicated advocate for music education and community outreach. His work emphasizes collaboration, artistic depth, and meaningful experiences for students and audiences alike.

DJ Hapa Brandon Perdue

• Kickstart the Beat: Launching a DJ Program in the Modern Music Classroom Recently dubbed “The DJ Coach”, HAPA has found a way to blend his 20+ years of experience as a DJ with his passion for teaching, to deliver informative and digestible concepts in the classroom. His degree in Sociology (UCLA) and his ever-growing diverse list of accolades makes him a tremendous asset as a mentor and coach. HAPA prides himself on being at the cutting edge of music, education and technology and is well versed and certified in practically every major hardware or software brand that is in the DJ space. Since 2004, HAPA has helped build Scratch DJ Academy and their various locations throughout the US into the world's leader in DJ education that it is today and has a new project, The DJ Coach, intended to bring valuable mentorship to DJs and aspiring DJs across the world.

Dr. Chantae Pittman

• The Art of 2-Part: Choral Rep for Any Age • Smart Choices for High School Voices: Repertoire That Builds Success Dr. Chantae D. Pittman is the Director of Choral Activities at Campbell High School in Smyrna, GA in the Cobb County School District, and adjunct professor at Georgia College and State University. She is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University (Bachelor's - 2010), VanderCook College (Master’s - 2013). In May 2021, Dr. Pittman graduated from the University of Georgia, where she completed her Doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Choral Music Education. During her 15-year career in choral music education, she has taught students from elementary through high school. Due to that experience, and her demonstrated commitment to excellence in performance, she is highly respected as a choral conductor, clinician, music education consultant, instructor, grant writer, and adjudicator. She is very active as a soprano soloist and choral musician as a member of the Grammy award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus since 2011, and the Atlanta Women’s Chorus since 2020. Having performed with orchestras, choirs, and small vocal ensembles throughout her career as a musician, Dr. Pittman proudly continues to learn, grow, and develop as a musician and pedagogue. She is a proud and active member of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), National Educators Association (NEA), Georgia Association of Educators (GAE), Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity, Inc., Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, Inc.

Penelope Pitts

• There are How Many Percussion Parts???

A creative and dedicated educator, Penelope is most excited when her students are excited! She believes that middle and high school students are willing to work hard and give their best effort when they know someone truly cares about them. Students frequently say her class is the best part of their day! She combines the right combination of compassion and expectation through high standards and culture building. Her classroom is a beautiful example of enjoyable structure and commitment.

As a percussionist, Penelope holds a bachelors in music education from Central Michigan University and a masters of arts degree in counseling from Cornerstone University. Penelope currently teaches middle school band and high school percussion at Sycamore Middle School and High School. Her bands regularly receive Superior ratings at Concert Performance Festivals and her marching percussion sections consistently place in the top three at regional competitions.

Penelope is an active clinician throughout the region. She has presented on topics such as classroom management, program preparation, and percussion involvement at the state music education conferences in Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

She has been published in the Iowa Journal for Music Education and is twice listed in Who’s Who among American Teachers.

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PRESENTERS Allison Powell

• Old Songs, New Tricks - Nursery Rhymes With a Twist Allison Powell is an 11-year music specialist in Gwinnett County, Georgia. She currently teaches at Harbins Elementary and previously taught Jackson Elementary. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia and she also holds a Level-III Orff Schulwerk certification and is currently a member of the American Orff-Schulwerk Association and the Atlanta Area Orff Chapter. She has presented at GMEA and local Orff chapter share workshops.

Jennifer K. Prestridge

• Weaving Joyful Recorder Experiences into the Music Room • Playing Together: Adding Recorder to the Mix Jennifer K. Prestridge has taught music to Kindergarten through 5th grade students in Las Vegas, Nevada for the past 28 years and is currently the Music Specialist at Gilbert Academy of Creative Arts. Gilbert’s musical ensembles were featured performers at the AOSA National Conference in 2019. Jennifer is a certified Teacher-Educator in movement and recorder for AOSA and teaches at several courses across the country. She regularly presents sessions on arts integration, music and movement at conferences and workshops at the district and national levels. Jennifer recently presented at the AOSA national conference in Des Moines, Iowa and served as a conductor for the FMEA All-State Orff Ensemble in Tampa, Florida. She is a past chair of the Clark County Orff Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada and her arrangements, compositions, and choreography have been featured in multiple festivals.

Sherry Puryear

• “I Got You: The Soul of Orff – Syncopation, Soul, and the Sound of Georgia” She is a member of the Atlanta Master Chorale and the Treble Chorus, Lux. When she is not teaching or singing, Mrs. Katie Dial can be found reading, petting her cat, or harmonizing poorly with her husband.

Ben Rice

• Thriving in Chaos: Strategies for Surviving and Succeeding Through an Organized Workspace Mr. Rice holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Kennesaw State University and has his Master’s Degree In Music Education from Mississippi State University.

He currently teaches at Mill Creek Middle School in Woodstock, Georgia where he is the director of chorus and orchestra. Both programs consistently earn superior ratings at the state level annual evaluations as well as other music festivals they attend. Prior to Mill Creek, Mr. Rice has worked with band programs at River Ridge High School, Harrison High School, and Pope High School. Mr. Rice also serves as the Music Associate at Cartersville First Baptist Church.

When Mr. Rice is not teaching, he enjoys spending as much time as possible with his wife Nichole, and three beautiful daughters, Keidi, Vera, and Haleigh at their home in Cartersville, Georgia.

Ariel Robins

• Song & Story (& Standards!)

Ariel Robins has served as a K-5 General Music Specialist and Chorus Director for Fulton County Schools since 2008. Since 2009, she has filled that role at Findley Oaks Elementary in Johns Creek, Georgia, where she has twice been honored as Teacher of the Year. She has also served on Fulton County’s Fine Arts Support Team (FAST) since 2010. She has previously written and created several resources for the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Fine Arts program, such as working on the standards writing team for the Georgia Standards of Excellence in K-5 general music, authoring the Introduction to K-5 General Music Education module on the Georgia Learns PD Hub, created sample curriculum for general music (currently housed on the GaDOE Inspire website), and served as General Music PLC Lead for the GaDOE Community. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia (2008) and a master’s degree in Instructional Technology from Kennesaw State University (2015). She currently lives in Sugar Hill with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

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PRESENTERS Tyler Roquemore

• Panic! At The Mixer - Marching Electronics Without Fail Tyler Roquemore will be in his 4th year as the Director of Percussion and Music Technology at Norcross High School. He is a graduate of the Gretsch School of Music at Georgia Southern University where he earned a double B.M. in music performance and music education, as well as a M.M. in music technology. He has performed with many prestigious world class performing groups such as Carolina Crown, Spirit of Atlanta and Atlanta Quest. Outside of work, he teaches with Atlanta Quest as a front ensemble technician, and plays professionally with the Atlanta percussion ensemble.

Professional affiliations include Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Pi Kappa Lambda honor society, GMEA. NAfME, and PAS.

Dr. David Roush

• What to Know Before You Go: Preparing Prospective Music Majors for Success David Roush is currently serving as Assistant Director of Bands and Lecturer of Bands at Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia. In this capacity he acts as conductor of the Wind Symphony and University Band, assists in the direction of the Marching Owls, and teaches courses in the music education curriculum.

Prior to completing his graduate studies and arriving at Kennesaw State, David was an active music educator in the public schools of Illinois, serving from 2013-2019 as Band Director for the North Clay and Neoga School Districts. In these roles, David taught band for grades 4-12, guiding his students from their first sounds until their high school graduation. During this time, the bands under his direction consistently sent students to Illinois All-District and All-State festivals, received high marks from adjudicators, and were selected multiple times to perform at state-level athletic competitions.

David holds a bachelor of music degree in Music Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a master of music degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities, and a doctor of musical arts degree in Wind Conducting from Northwestern University. He has studied conducting with Dr. Mallory Thompson, Dr. Emily Threinen, and Dr. Linda Moorhouse, and in 2019 he was chosen as one of 12 Conducting Fellows at the Midwest Clinic’s Reynolds Conducting Institute.

David currently maintains active memberships in the College Band Director’s National Association, National Band Association, the National Association for Music Education, and the Georgia Music Educators Association.

Matthew Rubenstein

• The Seven Year Itch: Surviving the beginning years as an “Educator in Title 1 School” Matthew Rubenstein is the Director of String Programs at Burney Harris Lyons Middle School in Athens, GA. He earned his Bachelors in Music Education from Georgia Southern University, Master’s Degree in Music Education from Georgia College and State University, and his Specialists Degree in Music Education from Piedmont University.

Neil Ruby

• Panel Discussion: The Power of WE Neil Ruby currently serves as the Fine Arts Coordinator for the Carroll County School System in Carrollton, Georgia. He spent his entire 30-year teaching career as a high school Band Director in Carroll County, concluding with 24 years at Central-Carroll High School.

Mr. Ruby is the Immediate Past-President of the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), having also previously served as the GMEA State Band Chair, District Seven Chairman, and on numerous district and state committees. He is a GMEA-Certified Head Adjudicator for Large Group Performance Evaluations and has served as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the Southeastern United States.

Mr. Ruby’s bands at Central-Carroll earned all superior ratings, over 500 Class and Division Placement Awards, and 54 Grand Championships. His marching bands performed twice in the prestigious Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, and his Symphonic Bands performed at the GMEA In-Service Conference, the Southeastern United States Honor Band Clinic, and Janfest at the University of Georgia.

He has been recognized with the National Band Association Citation of Excellence six times. He was named STAR Teacher five times and is a two-time “Teacher of the Year” recipient in Carroll County. He was also selected as "Teacher of the Year" by the Wal-Mart Foundation and the STAR 94 "Teachers Make a Difference" recipient as a "Georgia Teacher of the Year."

Mr. Ruby also serves as the Instrumental Director at Roopville Road Baptist Church.

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PRESENTERS Jeff Schaefer

• Get a Guitar Lesson. Yes, For Real.

• Guitar Repertoire Reading Session • What Does That Mean: Working with Guitar Notation Systems Jeffrey Schaefer is the Director of Guitar at Trickum Middle School. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Georgia Southern University and a Masters of Arts from the University of Georgia. Schaefer has been teaching in Gwinnett County since 1999. For twelve years he taught with an emphasis in Orchestra interspersed with Guitar and General Music. Since 2011, he has primarily taught Guitar. Schaefer enjoys spending time with his wife, Kelly, and two sons, Jason and Bryan and dog, Freddy.

Daniel Scott

• Demystifying the All State Jazz Audition • Tiers over Tears: A Multitiered System of Assessment Daniel Scott is the Director of Bands at Cambridge High School. He is a graduate of Western Carolina University where he received a BM in Trombone Performance and a minor in Bassoon, a master’s from the University of Georgia in Educational Psychology and is currently pursuing his D.M.A. in Music Education at Boston University.

In his four years at Cambridge High School the ensemble has garnered statewide and national recognition. The robust jazz program has performed at national events such as the Mingus Big Band Festival and the Essentially Ellington Regional Festival in Cincinnati, OH, and Newark, NJ. The Cambridge High School Marching was named a Bands of America Regional Finalist at the 2023 BOA Maryland Regional in the bands second ever appearance at a BOA event. Recently, the Cambridge Band Program was recognized by the Georgia Music Educators Association as an Exemplary Performance Award Winner for the program’s comprehensive success and the Cambridge Wind Ensemble was invited to perform as a featured ensemble at the 2024 In-Service State Conference.

Prior to Cambridge, Mr. Scott was the Director of Bands at Swansboro High School. Under his direction, the Swansboro Concert and Jazz Programs received consistent superior ratings at music performance adjudications and state festivals. In 2019 Daniel was named the Swansboro High School Teacher of the Year, the 2019-20 Onslow County Teacher of the Year, and most recently the 2020 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year.

Allison Scull Nyberg

• Emergency Repair for Band Directors Allison Scull Nyberg has been repairing band instruments since her graduation from the Band Instrument Repair program at Western Iowa Technical Community College in 2010. After graduating, she moved from Sioux City, IA to Lake Charles, LA to work at Swicegood Music Co. of LA where she became the repair shop manager in 2013. At the end of 2019, she moved to Atlanta and began working as the repair center manager for The Gift of Music in 2021. Allison has been involved in the National Association of Band Instrument Repair Technicians as a regional director, regional clinician, and national clinician, most recently in Baltimore in 2022.

She serves on the Western Iowa Tech. advisory committee for the instrument repair program and continues to help guide the repair program towards the future of the industry.

Christopher Selby

• Best Practices for Making Book Two Your Best Book Dr. Christopher Selby is the author of Habits of a Successful Orchestra Director, Music Theory for the Successful String Musician, and the lead string author of the Habits of a Successful String Musician method book series published by GIA. He is an active clinician and conductor, and has presented sessions at numerous Midwest Clinics, American String Teacher Association (ASTA) National Conferences, and state conferences across America. Dr. Selby currently directs the high school orchestras at the School of the Arts in Charleston, SC. His orchestras have performed at the Midwest Clinic and have twice won the top award of Grand Champion at ASTA’s National Orchestra Festival.

A recipient of ASTA’s Elizabeth A. H. Green Award, Dr. Selby guest conducts Regional and All-State Orchestras across America. He earned a music education degree from the Hartt School of Music, and a Masters and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in Orchestral Conducting from the University of South Carolina. He is proudly married to Margaret Selby, who is herself a rock-star string teacher, conductor and clinician. Their latest project with Sarah Ball and Scott Rush is the new beginning string method published by GIA: Habits of a Successful Young String Musician.

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PRESENTERS Adria Smith

• Beyond the Notes: Building Confident, Independent Singers in the Choral Classroom Adria Smith is the dedicated and proud choral director at Bear Creek Middle School in Fairburn, GA. With over 10 years of classroom experience, she specializes in vocal pedagogy, culturally responsive instruction, and student empowerment in the choral setting.

Known for her energetic and inclusive approach to teaching, she supports music educators in creating rehearsal spaces where students not only sing well—but sing with confidence and purpose.

Sheila A. Smith

• Transforming the Music Classroom Through Technology: Communicate • Advocate • Celebrate • "From Can't to Can:Positive Classroom Management in the Music Classroom" Empowering Every Student to Succeed Sheila Smith is a dedicated and passionate elementary music educator with 24 years of experience teaching both instrumental and general music. She currently serves as the General Music Specialist at Avondale Elementary School, an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB-PYP) and Cognia STEM-certified school in the DeKalb County School District.

Sheila is widely recognized for her creative, student-centered approach to music education, blending traditional pedagogy with innovative strategies to engage and inspire young learners. She has a strong passion for integrating technology into her music classroom to enhance instruction, increase student engagement, and expand access to musical experiences.

In addition to her classroom work, she serves as a Teacher Leader and mentor, actively supporting music educators through professional learning communities (PLCs), curriculum development, and conference trainings. Her work reflects a deep commitment to empowering both students and teachers, fostering inclusive learning environments, and advocating for the value of music education in every child’s life.

Sheila is honored to share her experience and ideas with fellow educators at this year’s state music education conference

Vincent Sneed

• Classical Music is Not European: Rethinking Music Education Through a Global Lens Vincent Sneed has been a music educator in public schools in Georgia for the past 21 years. He has taught both high and middle school which included teaching band, chorus, music history, music theory, music appreciation, and piano. Sneed also has provided music for churches across the state for the last 25 years. He is currently a music educator at Central Gwinnett High School. He has also taught in Social Circle, Forsyth County, Rockdale County, Muscogee County, and Dougherty County. In 2012, he was selected as the Teacher of the Year for the Muscogee County School District in Columbus, Georgia, Star Teacher in 2013 as well as Teacher of the Month on numerous occasions. Sneed was a featured TEDx talk speaker in April of 2024 and has spoken or been invited to speak on education, music, and culture across the world including in Germany, France, Cyprus, Canada, Hawaii, North Carolina, Ohio, Louisiana, Virginia, California, Massachusetts, and Tennessee. Sneed published an article in 2025 in the Massachusetts Music Educators Journal on Rethinking Music Education Through a Global Lens.

Dr. Rachel Sorenson

• Two Batons, One Podium: Collaborating for a Successful Music Student Teaching Experience Rachel Sorenson, PhD, is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. A former band director in the state of Florida, she received her BME from Stetson University and her MME and PhD from Florida State University. In her role at KSU, she teaches various music education courses, supervises student teachers in the metro Atlanta area, and conducts one of the university bands. Dr. Sorenson’s research interests include pre-service music teacher preparation, support for beginning teachers, and Impostor Phenomenon. An active scholar, her research has been published in the Journal of Music Teacher Education, Psychology of Music, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Contributions to Music Education, and in Research Perspectives in Music Education.

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PRESENTERS Ruth Springer

• They Can Go Beyond: Autonomy in Middle School Choir Originally from Topeka, Kansas, Ruth Springer is a music educator passionate about developing musical excellence and community.

She recently earned an M. M. in Choral Conducting from Florida State University after serving as the Vocal Music Director in Marion, Kansas where she taught 6-12 grade choir. Students in Marion choirs achieved positions in the SCKMEA Honor Choir, KMEA Honor Choirs, and student ensemble positions in the school outreach program hosted by Music On Site Inc. in their production of Suar Angelica (2022). After obtaining a BAME from Tabor College, Ruth acted as the Children’s Choir Director for Tabor College Opera and Assistant Director for Wichita Community Children’s Choir, Ruth believes in the power of growing through collaboration and community, actively participating in state, regional, and national conferences as a presenter and participant.

David Starnes

• "Survive and Thrive: Lessons from the First Five" Mr. David Starnes served as the Director of Orchestras at Kennesaw Mountain High School in Kennesaw, Georgia from 2020-2023, prior to his retirement from a 34-year career as a music educator. From 2011-2020, he served as Assistant Professor and Director of Athletic Bands in the School of Music at Western Carolina University and led the 500+ member “Pride of the Mountains” Marching Band that performed at Bands of America Regional and Grand National Championships and twice in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. From 2000-2011, he served as the founding Director of Bands at Kennesaw Mountain High School during which time they were a six-time national finalist at the Bands of America Grand National Championships and named the 2004 “AAA National Champion” and a four-time Regional Champion. They appeared in the 2005 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Kennesaw Mountain Wind Symphony performed at the 2006 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic. He currently serves as the Scholastic Partnerships Development Specialist at the Gift of Music in Marietta, Georgia where he oversees the education department. Mr. Starnes is active as an adjudicator, clinician, guest conductor, and creative designer for high schools across the United States. He also served as a design consultant and program coordinator at Spirit of Atlanta, Carolina Crown, and The Cavaliers. He was an Education Consultant at Music for All from 1995-2021 and the Program Director for The Honor Band of America, who was a 5-time participant in the Tournament of Roses Parade. Mr. Starnes was inducted into the Bands of America Hall of Fame in 2019.

Dr. Scott A. Stewart

• The Art and Craft of Musical Leadership: Conducting with Confidence Dr. Scott Stewart is Music Director and Conductor of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, a position he has held since 1999. He holds Bachelor and Doctoral degrees from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and a Masters from the University of Texas at Austin. He has taught in the Austin Independent School District, at Emory University, and the Westminster Schools in Atlanta. He specializes in wind band/ensemble, orchestra, chamber music, saxophone, conducting, wind band history and repertoire, and film music.

Dr. Stewart is an active guest conductor, teacher, clinician, author, speaker, and saxophonist. Stewart is the founder and on-air host of Atlanta National Public Radio affiliate 90.1 WABE’s “Strike Up the Band” radio program.

Dr. Tobin Stewart

• The Attuned Conductor: Knowing Yourself, Empowering Others Tobin Stewart is a Professor of Music at Montana State University where he conducts the Symphony Orchestra and teaches conducting and music education courses. His teaching experience includes positions ranging from middle school to college in Florida, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Montana. Along with guest conducting groups from middle school to professional and presenting in the areas of conducting and music education, Tobin’s passion is empowering student leaders. Facilitating leadership workshops with select leaders or whole classes, Tobin encourages students to lead from their unique strengths within the context of a team. His book, Leading as a Conductor: With Integrity of Heart and Skillful Hands, is published by GIA Publications.

Tobin’s education includes a D.M.A. in orchestral conducting and a M.M. in music education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a B.A. in music education from St. Olaf College. His love for music and music education began as a student growing up in Montana, and he now thoroughly enjoys encouraging new music educators on their journey. Outside of the music world, Tobin devotes his time to his wife and three kids. He also loves a good book, hiking, skiing, mountain biking, and a predictable routine.

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PRESENTERS Tiffani Stricklin

• Back to Basics: Kodály’s 3 Ps Tiffani Stricklin (she/her), National Board Certified Teacher, is in her 23rd year teaching elementary general music. Currently, she teaches Pre-K through fifth grade at McAdory Elementary School in Jefferson County, Alabama. Mrs. Stricklin earned a B.M. of Music Education from University of Montevallo and MAEd in English as a Second Language from University of Alabama at Birmingham. She holds Kodály certification through the University of Montevallo and Orff-Schulwerk certification through Samford University. Stricklin has participated in Resource Development Summits with the Alabama Learning Exchange (ALEX) and presented at local and state conferences.

John Sweat

• Around the Guitar in 90 Days!

Currently in his 28th year of teaching, John Sweat is the Orchestra and Guitar Ensemble Director at Locust Grove High School. He holds degrees in Violin Performance from the University of Georgia and Georgia State University. In addition to classroom teaching, he has served as adjunct faculty for Wesleyan College and Mercer University. In 2013, John received the inaugural Robert McDuffie Center for Strings Award at Mercer University. John has served as Vice Chair and District Orchestra Chair in GMEA District XI. He is active as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the state. He has presented sessions at the Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina Music Educators Conferences and the American String Teachers National Conferences. John served as the Fine Arts Department Chair at Howard High School in Macon, GA, for over a decade and was the 2019-2020 Howard High Teacher of the Year. In 2024, John was named the GMEA District 11 Teacher of the Year and the 2024 GMEA Music Educator of the Year. John resides in Forsyth and is the organist at Grace United Methodist Church and Forsyth Presbyterian. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three beautiful adult children - Brian, Amber, and John Mark- and four fur babies.

Joe Sweet

• Introducing Blues & Improvisation to your Beginning Guitar class • Help! I Have to Teach Guitar: Simple Solutions for Teaching Beginning Guitar Class Joe Sweet is a dedicated music educator and the founder of the Guitar program at Lane Tech College Preparatory High School in Chicago. For over 20 years, he has helped build a program that now serves more than 400 students annually, offering 11 Honorslevel classes in Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Guitar.

A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Mr. Sweet holds a Master’s degree in Education from Northern Arizona University and has taught graduate courses at VanderCook College of Music on his guitar method.

With more than 30 years of experience as a public school music educator, he has taught a wide range of courses, including A.P. MusicTheory, Jazz Band, Music Appreciation, Orchestra, and all levels of Guitar. His work continues to support students in developing both technical skills and a deeper appreciation for music.

David Thomas

• Music Theory for the Hip-Hop Generation David Thomas is a seasoned music educator and conductor with a passion for fostering musical talent. With over four decades of experience in music education and performance, he has honed his skills directing choirs, orchestras, and bands, as well as teaching piano, saxophone (his primary instrument), and voice. David holds a Master of Music in Music Education from The University of Florida. In 2018 he joined the Gwinnett County Public School system, Georgia’s largest school district. He taught Music Technology and Piano at Discovery High School (Lawrenceville), where he consistently had over 300 students requesting his courses each year.

In 2023, he transferred within district to Grayson High School (Loganville), where he continues to teach Music Technology, Piano, and is also the Jazz Band Director. He is also woodwind coordinator for the GHS Marching Rams, a position he has held for ten years, underscoring his versatility in marching arts and comprehensive music education. David is a sought-after clinician, his dedication to music education evident through numerous presentations at conferences both nationally and internationally, including the NAfME National Conference and the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. His work as arranger, conductor, and producer (including weekly live television broadcasts) in rural, urban, and inner-city environments, has uniquely prepared him for his current teaching responsibilities, where he is known for building bridges in diverse student populations.

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PRESENTERS Whitney Tinley

• PBIS in the Music Classroom Whitney Tinley has a Bachelor’s in Music Education from DePauw University in Indiana, a Master's Degree in Music Education from UGA, and a Specialists degree from Augusta University. She has taught middle school orchestra in Gwinnett County Public Schools for 23 years. She has taught in Gwinnett County for 25 years, the last 12 years being at Trickum Middle School. Ms. Tinley has served as one of the conductors for Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras (GYSO) for the past 15 years.

Ms. Tinley has been a LGPE and Solo and Ensemble adjudicator throughout the state of Georgia. She has also served as a clinician for multiple GMEA District Honor Orchestra events. She was a long time staff member at the Summer Encore Music Camp. Ms. Tinley has served as PBIS coach at Trickum Middle School for the past 10 years and has a PBIS certification from Augusta University. When not teaching, Ms. Tinley’s hobbies include playing jazz bass and traveling around the world climbing mountains. She lives in Lilburn Georgia with her husband and 5 cats.

Christy Todd

• Teach in the Peach: Why You Should Become a GA Music Educator • Panel Discussion: The Power of WE Christy Todd, a 2024 National Teacher of the Year Finalist, believes that every child has a creative superpower. She currently serves as Chief of Staff at the Georgia Department of Education, where she supports State School Superintendent Richard Woods by overseeing operations and coordinating efforts across departments in a statewide agency serving more than 1.7 million students.

As the 2024 Georgia Teacher of the Year, Todd traveled thousands of miles and delivered more than 170 keynotes to teachers, education leaders, elected officials, and community stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of building connections to support public education. She draws on stories from her time as a middle school music technology teacher in Fayette County Public Schools, where she launched Hall Pass Entertainment—a student-run record label that distributes original songs, podcasts, video games, short films, audiobooks, and more on major streaming platforms. Passionate about expanding opportunities for all students, Todd also founded an ongoing music collaboration between fine arts and special education classrooms, which has reached more than 10,000 students over the past 17 years.

Before entering the classroom, Todd worked in business development in the nonprofit sector—experience that continues to shape her ability to connect with a broad range of education stakeholders. She began her teaching career as a chorus director and remains active in the field by conducting honor choirs, assisting with the children’s music ministry at her church, and contributing to state, national, and international education publications.

In addition to her current leadership role, Todd continues to stay connected to the classroom. She teaches as an adjunct music instructor at Southern Crescent Technical College and serves in an advisory role with Hall Pass Entertainment. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Shorter College and a Master of Music Education in Choral Conducting from Florida State University.

Dr. Susan Tomkiewicz

• Demystifying Double Reeds Part 2: Addressing Common Concerns Professor of Oboe at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University and Co-Director of the Schwob Summer Music Festival, Susan Tomkiewicz is dedicated to advancing the repertoire of her instruments and committed to promoting musicians' health and wellness.

Susan is a Fox Artist and celebrated for her outstanding contributions to both performance and education in the world of music.

With her deep-rooted passion for the oboe and English horn, Susan’s artistry has graced prestigious stages both nationally and internationally. As an artist, she embodies a commitment to excellence and innovation while consistently pushing the boundaries of her craft. Her captivating performances and visionary teaching approach exemplify the essence of a Fox Artist, leaving a profound impact on the double reed world.

Susan’s reputation as a performer extends to esteemed musical events and venues including the International Double Reed Society and she currently serves as Acting English Hornist and Assistant Principal Oboist of the Columbus Symphony. As an avid commissioner, Susan has commissioned, premiered and recorded innovative solo, electronic and chamber compositions for oboe and English horn by renowned composers such as Brian Cherney, Nancy Galbraith, Brooke Joyce, John Lato, Matt McCabe, Nathan Hudson, Alyssa Morris, James Ogburn, and Bruce Pennycook, among others.

As a registered yoga teacher, Susan is dedicated to promoting the health and wellness of musicians and teaches ‘Yoga for Performers’ at the Schwob School. In her ‘spare’ time, she is active as a swimmer, hiker, dog walker, and keeper of chicken and bees.

Check out Susan’s personal website www.susantomkiewicz.com to find out more.

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PRESENTERS Dr. Brian M. Toney

• Beyond the Ratings: A Holistic Assessment of Your Program Dr. Brian M. Toney is the Head Band Director at Greenbrier High School in Georgia, bringing over 25 years of experience as a music educator and band director in Georgia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. Since taking the helm at Greenbrier in 2018, he has led the program to consistent Superior Ratings at ensemble adjudications and has helped place numerous students in District and All-State Bands. A passionate advocate for new music, Dr. Toney has conducted seven world premieres with ensembles under his direction.

He is a two-time recipient of Greenbrier High School’s Lifetime Impact in Education Award and honored as a STAR Teacher at Grovetown High School. Dr. Toney is actively involved in the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), where he has served on the Literature Review Committee, the Georgia Marching Band Leadership Committee, and is the host of District 10 first-round AllState Auditions. He has also served on the GACE development team, contributing to both the Fairness Review Committee and the Standard Setting Panel.

Sought after as a clinician, consultant, and adjudicator across the Southeast, Dr. Toney has presented at conferences for the National Association for Music Education and GMEA. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Grove City College, a Master’s degree from Lebanon Valley College, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Georgia, where he focused on music education philosophy and the assessment of student performance.

Dr. Cliff Towner

• Conducting Without the Ensemble: A Student-Led Concert Model for Small Undergraduate Conducting Classes Dr. Cliff N. Towner is Director of Band Activities and Professor of Music at Georgia College and State University. His responsibilities include conducting the Wind Symphony and Jazz Band, as well as teaching classes in conducting and music education. Dr. Towner holds a D.M.A. degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Masters of Music degree in Music Education from Wright State University, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Dr. Towner has also taught in the public schools for ten years in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He has several scholarly pursuits including wind repertoire, concert programming, and active learning in the large ensemble. He has presented at many conferences including the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), and the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE). He has been published in the Association of Concert Bands Journal, the Journal of Band Research and the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series. His dissertation An Evaluation of Compositions for Wind Band According to Specific Criteria of Serious Artistic Merit: A Second Update has been downloaded thousands of times and is utilized at universities around the country.

Dr. Towner maintains an active schedule as a popular guest conductor and clinician. He holds membership in CBDNA, WASBE, GMEA, NAfME, JEN, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Cliff resides in the Milledgeville, GA with his wife Gina, and their daughter Laura and son Nathan.

Lamar Turner

• Production Techniques for Recording Vocals and Instruments Lamar Turner is a multi-talented songwriter, producer, session musician, artist and educator with a dynamic career that bridges the professional music industry and the classroom. His work spans collaborations with acclaimed artists such as Lecrae, Limoblaze, Hulvey, Jidenna, and J. Holiday. Throughout his journey, Lamar has had the privilege of working alongside Grammy Award-winning producers, engineers, and songwriters, shaping a versatile and impactful sound.

He began his industry career with an internship at BNDWTH Studios in Atlanta, Georgia—a role that evolved into a position as a producer and songwriter with the studio’s label. His diverse experience also includes serving as a music director for Zac Brown’s Camp Southern Ground, further showcasing his leadership and musical direction skills.

Currently, Lamar brings his industry knowledge to the classroom as a music technology and guitar instructor at Peachtree Ridge High School, where he’s been teaching for the past two years. In addition to his educational work, he continues to pursue his artistry, having released a solo project available on all major streaming platforms.

Passionate about mentoring the next generation of musicians, Lamar is committed to using his experience to inspire and equip young artists as he continues to grow in his own career.

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PRESENTERS Jody Underwood

• In the Middle: Maximize General Music for Grades 5-8 • I’m not a studio musician, but I can teach like one!

• Level Up Theory and Ear Training with These Top Apps • Get to the ‘Good Stuff’ Faster with Tech Tools Jody has dedicated more than 20 years to the field of educational technology, driven by his passion for "Educating the Educators."

Throughout his career, he has designed more than 400 cutting-edge audio, video, music technology, and recording systems, showcasing his expertise and creativity.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Jody is deeply committed to his love of music, spending countless hours sharing his talents at church. He not only leads the church band from the piano during weekly services but also sings and plays keyboards and keytar for his vibrant '80s tribute band, MIXTAPE. Residing in Middle Tennessee with his wife and three children, Jody holds a BA in Commercial Keyboard Performance with a Technology Emphasis from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. His unique blend of technical skill and musical passion makes him a true asset in both education and the arts.

Dr. David W. Vandewalker

• Turning Your Booster Mess into a Thriving Success!

David W. Vandewalker serves as the conductor of the Georgia Wind Symphony, executive director for the Servant Leadership Association for Music, and Founder of the Strategic Boosters Academy. Additionally, he served as the Coordinator of Performing Arts for the Fulton County Schools (2016-2020), associate conductor for Tara Winds (2017-2019), assistant director of bands at Georgia State University (2012-2016) and Director of Bands at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia (2000-2012). Dr. Vandewalker earned degrees at Baylor University, Central Michigan University, and Boston University.

Dr. Vandewalker has led concerts before esteemed audiences such as the CBDNA/NBA, Music for All National Concert Festival, and the Midwest Clinic. Marching Bands under his instruction received honors including participation in the 57th Presidential Inaugural Parade, 2009 & 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, ranked top-ten nationally by the 2013 College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), and Bands of America Grand National Finalist. Additionally, Dr. Vandewalker serves as an evaluator for the Music for All National Festival, Executive Director for Conn Selmer Parent Booster Community, and as an educational clinician for Conn Selmer Division of Education. He has shared professional development in North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa and authored multiple music education resources with GIA Publications including Crafting Culture: Becoming a Music Teacher Leader.

Dr. Vandewalker is a recipient of the Sudler Flag of Honor, ten-NBA Citation of Excellence Awards, three National Wind Band Honors Awards, and is an elected member of the American Bandmasters Association. David and Pamela reside in Marietta, GA where she serves over 800 children in music each week.

Dr. Kenna Veronee

• Beginning at the End: Planning for Your Program in Reverse Kenna Veronee is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at Georgia Southern University. Previously, Dr. Veronee served as an Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at the University of Louisiana Monroe. While there she taught courses in instrumental music education, classroom management, music for diverse populations, and supervised student teachers and graduate research projects. She also previously served as the Director of Bands and Orchestra at Bayside High School in Palm Bay, Florida. Dr. Veronee’s research has been presented at state, national, and international music education conferences including the International Society for Music Education, the National Association for Music Education, and the Desert Skies Symposium on Research in Music Learning and Teaching. Dr. Veronee received her Ph.D. in Music Education, Master of Music Education, and Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University.

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PRESENTERS Dr. Jett M. Walker

• Slide Whisperer: Helping Directors Diagnose and Fix Trombone Intonation Through Sound Pedagogy and Smart Fundamentals Dr. Jett M. Walker currently serves as Assistant Professor of Trombone at Western Illinois University, where he teaches trombone, conducting, and performs with the resident faculty brass quintet. He is also the author of The Quintet Playbook (Cherry Classics Music), a newly published resource for student and pre-professional brass quintets.

Prior to his career in academia, Dr. Walker taught middle school band in central Texas for five years, where his students consistently earned top ratings at UIL and other events. His time in the classroom continues to shape his approach to teaching and music-making at the collegiate level.

As a freelance trombonist, he has performed with the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops, Illinois Symphony, Quad City Symphony, Peoria Symphony, Battle Creek Symphony, and others. He has also played with the Cincinnati Opera, Dayton Philharmonic, Richmond Symphony, and Lexington Philharmonic. A versatile musician, he regularly performs jazz and commercial music with groups such as the Cincy Brass and Blue Wisp Big Band, and has appeared alongside artists including Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., and The Who. Dr. Walker is a strong advocate for new music. He recently commissioned and premiered Jett Stream Blue by David Wilborn and Sonata for Trombone and Brass Quartet by Jack Wilds, performing these works at both the Big 12 Trombone Conference and the International Trombone Festival.

Walker holds a DMA in Trombone Performance from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and degrees in Music Education and Trombone Performance from Texas State University. Dr. Walker is an S.E. Shires Performing Artist.

Jeremiah Ward

• Slide Whisperer: Helping Directors Diagnose and Fix Trombone Intonation Through Sound Pedagogy and Smart Fundamentals Jeremiah Ward is an Assistant Band Director at Leander Middle School, and is in his ninth year as a Band Director. Mr. Ward teaches beginner french horn, trumpet, trombone, and Symphonic Band. Jeremiah began his teaching career in Fredericksburg, where he was raised, and was given the opportunity to learn from many great directors. During the five years teaching there, Ward was able to assist many students who were selected for Region Bands, All-State Bands, and other individual honors. With several sweepstakes over the years, the highest honor was in 2019 the Honor Band was selected as a performing ensemble for the Youth Orchestra of San Antonio Invitational, a performance they were able to give in May 2021 at the Tobin Center in San Antonio, Texas. In the 20202021 season, Ward's ensembles also ranked in the top 6 in both categories of the ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series, as well as being named a Commended Winner of the Class A Mark of Excellence.

Jeremiah also works with the International Trombone Festival as the Director of the Youth Workshop. This program is for trombonists aged 12-17 to come to the ITF and have an experience that is curated for trombone instruction from world class teachers, live concerts every night, and exclusive access to some of the world’s most foremost trombone performers of our time.

Jeremiah lives in Central Texas with his wife, Michelle and his son Harrison. In his free time, he enjoys Taekwondo, collecting Jordan’s, and spending time with his family.

Dr. Victoria Warnet

• Swing into Action: A Practical Jazz Toolkit for Music Educators • Level Up the Basics: Gamifying Music Fundamentals for Kids • From Squeaks to Success: Real-World Strategies for Teaching and Troubleshooting Woodwinds Victoria Warnet, PhD is an assistant professor of music education at Columbus State University. She received her PhD in music education from Florida State University. Prior to her appointment at Columbus State University, she taught band at Tavares Middle and High Schools in the Central Florida area. Dr. Warnet has conducted research in effective teaching, jazz pedagogy, teacher training, and teaching students with exceptionalities. She has presented both research and educational sessions at regional, national, and international venues and published the results of her research in many music journals. In addition to her roles as a researcher and educator, Dr. Warnet maintains an active agenda as a drill writer, guest clinician, honor band conductor, and adjudicator.

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PRESENTERS Tyler Watts

• "Survive and Thrive: Lessons from the First Five" Taylor Watts has served as the Associate Director of Bands at Kell High School since 2013. During his tenure at Kell, the program has performed at the Midwest Clinic, Music For All Southeastern Concert Band Festival, Georgia Music Educators Association conference, University of Georgia Janfest, Troy University Southeastern Clinic, and has won multiple Bands of America regional class championships. In 2018, he founded Powered By Watts Leadership to share his passion for, experiences in, and insight on character development, conflict resolution, and leadership with students and teachers. He now actively works with high school, collegiate, and professional programs across the country as a clinician, speaker, consultant, and curriculum developer focusing on widening students’ situational perspective while helping them develop communication and interpretation skills to positively inspire change in others. His presentations have received strong acclaim from attendees at the Midwest Clinic and several Music Educators’ Association conferences, and he serves on the board of SLAM, the Servant Leadership Association for Music, developing curriculum for its teacher certification program.

Mr. Watts earned his Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology and Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia and currently resides in Kennesaw, Georgia with his loving wife, Caitlin, their two beautiful children, Emma and Caleb, and an adorable troupe of animal companions.

Amber Weldon-Stephens

• Managing Challenging Behaviors in the Elementary Music Classroom • United Arts: An Adapted Music Appreciation Curriculum for Students with Disabilities in High School Amber graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music therapy from The University of Georgia, a master’s degree in multiple and sensory disabilities from Georgia State University and a Specialist degree in special education administration from State University of West Georgia. She began the Music Therapy program in Fulton County thirty-six years ago. Weldon-Stephens has served as the President of the Music Therapy Association of Georgia; President of the American Music Therapy Association. She is also adjunct faculty at Kennesaw State University, the Southeastern Drum Major Clinic and the UGA Redcoat Band Summer Camp.

Stacy Werner

• Music Theory Playtime: Where Learning Meets Fun Stacy Werner is a music specialist with over 15 years of experience teaching choir, instrumental ensembles, piano, and classroom music. She currently teaches kindergarten to Grade 6music in Alberta, Canada. In addition to her teaching role, Stacy serves as the Education Director for Musicplay Online, a platform dedicated to supporting music educators in enhancing their teaching practices.

With a deep passion for music education, Stacy has delivered sessions across North America, equipping educators with practical tools and strategies to engage students in music learning. She is also the author of the “Super Simple Music Centers” series, published

by Themes and Variations. Stacy has completed training in both Orff and Kodály pedagogy at the University of Kentucky and the University of Alberta. Through close collaboration with her mentor and mother, Denise Gagne, Stacy remains committed to ongoing growth as an educator, fostering a dynamic and engaging musical learning environment for her students. Outside of teaching, Stacy enjoys cheering on her son and daughter at their hockey games. In her free time, she loves skiing, hiking, and practicing yoga.

Max Wheeler

• Cross Continental Collaborations Using YuStudio: Audio/Visual Projects in One Student Friendly DAW Max Wheeler is Head of Music Technology at Charanga and Product Manager for online DAW YuStudio. Starting out with Youth Clubs in West Yorkshire and Lancashire he has worked as a music educator for over 20 years and his background as both signed recording artist and SEND & Inclusion expert both fed into the DAW’s design, features and philosophy.

In 2023/4 Max has spoken on inclusive DAW design at conferences Including GaTec in Atlanta, GMEA in Athens, Georgia, TMEA in San Antonio,Texas and UK Hub conferences for Essex Music Hub, Surrey Music Hub, Create and many more.

Winner of the Music Teacher Award for Best Digital Resource in 2018, Max worked during the pandemic with a small team developing a new accessible online DAW ‘YuStudio’ which is available free of charge for all Youth Music Projects and to all Charanga students (currently over 11,000 schools) with over 150k active users and growing daily.

Working extensively with young people with special educational needs and those unable to engage in mainstream education Max has recently led three successful Inclusion and workforce development projects in collaboration with celebrated community project Audioactive as well as Music Services in West Yorkshire (the Integrate project), Devon (the Daisi project), and Waltham Forest, Hackney and Newham Music Services - all drawing on music technology’s ability to engage and support those with SEND and in alternative provision.

Max also delivers CPD, training and workforce development on Music Technology, Engagement and Inclusion to a number of Music Hubs and Community organisations around the UK.

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PRESENTERS Candy White

• Untangling the Horn: What Young Players Need from You Candy White is enjoying retirement following a thirty-year career teaching band in Georgia public schools. Her career includes teaching band in Columbia County (Evans Middle School), Jackson County, Rockdale County and Cobb County Public Schools in grades 5-12.

Bands under Mrs. White’s direction received consistent Superior ratings at evaluated band festivals, and the “Sweepstakes” trophy at the Southern Star Music Festival. Mrs. White received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Kennesaw State University and her Master of Music Education degree from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago. Her professional affiliations include Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), National Association for Music Educators (NafME), and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. As a member of these professional organizations, she served in several leadership positions including secretary-treasurer, all-state organizer, district honor band organizer, solo and ensemble organizer, and large group performance evaluation organizer.

She has been included in Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers and Who’s Who Among American Women. In 2011, she was chosen as “Teacher of the Year” for Evans Middle School in Evans, Georgia, and was honored as the 2018 GMEA Volunteer of the Year. She is active as an adjudicator, conductor, and clinician. Additionally, she enjoys playing French horn in two adult community bands, Savannah River Winds and the Columbia County Wind Symphony, and teaching private horn lessons in the Augusta area. Other hobbies include running, biking, water-skiing, reading, and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband, Randy, reside in Grovetown, Georgia.

Colby White

• They Can Go Beyond: Autonomy in Middle School Choir As a rising professional, seasoned vocalist, and educator, Colby White inspires lifelong lovers of music by cultivating lively communities and environments of success. His personality and energetic presence permeate the room. White is currently an MM student in Choral Conducting at Florida State University, learning under Dr. Michael Hanawalt, Dr. McKenna Stenson, and Dr. Kevin Fenton. At FSU, Colby has been Music Director at Christ Presbyterian. Previously, he was Director of Choirs and Music Production at Brentwood Middle School in Nashville, TN, pioneering a general music curriculum geared towards songwriting and music production. After earning a BM in Music Education and a BM in Commercial Performance from Belmont University, he taught high school in Fuenlabrada, Spain, at IES La Serna. Colby’s philosophy is person-first, finding success through community building and musical excellence.

Dr. William R. Whitehead

• Pedagogical Touch in the Orchestra Classroom and String Studio William R. Whitehead is a string music educator, orchestral conductor, and violist. He is currently the Director of Orchestras at Daniell Middle School in Cobb County, Georgia, director of the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestras' Camerata Orchestra, and a conductor of the Florida State University (FSU) String Orchestra Camp Symphony Orchestra. He has enjoyed previous engagements as Assistant Music Director of the Tallahassee Youth Orchestras and Music Director of the FSU Sinfonia, where he collaborated with internationally acclaimed artists such as the London-based pianist Antonio Oyarzábal, 12th U.S. International Harp Competition winner Noël Wan, and film composer David Wakefield. An experienced music educator, Dr. Whitehead has taught orchestra, guitar, and music theory to all ages from elementary school through high school. Several of Dr. Whitehead’s former students have successfully auditioned into honor orchestras and pre-college programs, pursued degrees in music performance and music education, and are now beginning their own careers in music.

Dr. Whitehead holds the Ph.D. in Music Education and Orchestral Conducting from FSU, as well as the M.M. in Music Education from Kent State University, and the B.M.E. in Instrumental Music Education and B.M. in Viola Performance from FSU.

Lisa Wiggins

• Reinventing Tradition: Remixing Folk Dance with Student Creativity Lisa Wiggins is a dedicated and dynamic elementary music educator with over 17 years of teaching experience. Based in Columbia County, she holds dual degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Georgia College & State University, a Master of Music Education from Florida State University, and an Educational Specialist degree from Augusta University. Currently, Lisa teaches Pre-K through 5th-grade students at North Columbia Elementary School in Appling, Georgia, where she was recently named Teacher of the Year. Previously, she was honored as the District Teacher of the Year for Burke County, reflecting her exceptional commitment to student learning and engagement. A certified Orff-Schulwerk educator (Level 1), Lisa is also a founding member of the Greater Augusta Area Orff Chapter, where she collaborates with fellow educators to foster creativity, music literacy, and joyful learning in the classroom. Outside of teaching, Lisa and her husband, Clint, share a love of scuba diving and enjoy spending time with their son.

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PRESENTERS Mystee Wilcox

• Positive All-State Chorus Auditions: Procedures, Preparation, and Practices Mystee Wilcox is in her 2nd year as director of the Veterans High School Choirs and her 29th year as a music educator. Mrs. Wilcox has directed junior high, middle, and high school choral programs (and orchestra!) in Arizona and Georgia. Ensembles under her direction have consistently received Superior ratings at assessments and competitions. In addition to being a music educator, Mystee has also been an active worship leader for more than 25 years, music director for a children’s musical theatre company for 9 years, and directed jr. high/middle school musical theatre productions for 15 years. She has served as an adjudicator for Elementary LGPE, State Literary, and Solo & Ensemble events and was a member of the All-State Chorus Committee for five years. She is the proud mom of Melodee and Matthew, who were both musicians and are now singing in the heavenly choir. Mystee lives in Kathleen with her husband, Dean, and two golden retrievers, Brady and Rusty.

Melissa Willingham

• Thriving in Chaos: Strategies for Surviving and Succeeding Through an Organized Workspace Melissa Willingham_is an accomplished music educator who has been the Director of Bands and Orchestras at Woodstock Middle School since 2023. She graduated from Florida State University with a bachelor's degree in music education in 2013 and has since dedicated her career to nurturing young musicians.

Melissa has also taught at Teasley Middle School in Canton, GA, and Monroe County Middle School in Forsyth, GA, where she has made significant contributions to the music programs. In addition to her teaching, Melissa is an active performer, playing the saxophone in the Cobb Wind Symphony. When she is not directing bands, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband, Lawton Willingham, and their two children, Calder and Robin.

Ann Wilson

• Demystifying the All State Jazz Audition Ann M. Wilson currently serves as the Associate Director of Bands at Villa Rica High School in Villa Rica. She conducts the VRHS Symphonic Band, directs the Midnight Jazz Cats, and co-sponsors the VRHS chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. Her ensembles consistently earn Superior ratings. She led the VRHS Trombone Sextet in a lobby performance at the 2023 GMEA In-Service Conference and assisted with the VRHS Symphonic Band’s appearance at the 2024 GMEA In-Service Conference. Ms. Wilson also assists with the VRHS Marching Band, contributes to the development of chamber ensembles, and plays a collaborative role in shaping the overall curriculum of the VRHS Band program. Her students have earned placement in District Honor Bands, the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program, and various regional honor jazz ensembles. Many have continued their studies at the collegiate level, pursuing music and other fields with confidence. Ms. Wilson earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of West Georgia, where she performed with the Marching Wolves, Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Jazz Combo, Brass Ensemble, Trombone Ensemble, and Wind Ensemble. Ms. Wilson is a member of the Cobb Wind Symphony. She serves as a trombone instructor, drum major clinician and adjudicator, and collaborates with composer Katahj Copley as a program annotator. She serves as the Georgia State Chair for Women Band Directors International, advocating for women in the band profession. Her professional affiliations include the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Jazz Education Network, and Kappa Kappa Psi. Ms. Wilson resides in Villa Rica, Georgia, with her dog, Maisie.

Katy Wilson-Fields

• Teaching On Empty: The Myth of Work-Life Balance Katy Wilson-Fields is beginning her first year as Director of Bands at Lanier High School in Sugar Hill, GA in 2025. Mrs. Wilson-Fields served nine years as Director of Bands at West Hall High School in Oakwood, Georgia. She taught grades 9-12 concert band, jazz band, percussion ensemble, marching band, chamber music, theory, and symphonic band. The West Hall band program consistently received superior ratings at GMEA evaluations and marching competitions. West Hall students were consistently represented in District 14 Honor Band and the Georgia All-State Band. Mrs. Wilson-Fields had the privilege to serve as the 2022-2023 West Hall Teacher of the Year.

Mrs. Wilson-Fields served as the Director of Bands at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Ga. from 2010 until 2016. Under her direction, the band grew from 20 students to more than 100 and the program expanded to include three concert bands, military marching band, pep band, jazz band, percussion ensembles, battalion bugle corps, and various chamber ensembles. In 2014, the Riverside Military Marching Band represented Georgia in the Pearl Harbor Memorial Parade in Hawaii.

Mrs. Wilson-Fields holds a Master of Arts in Band Conducting from Sam Houston State University and Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Georgia. While at UGA, Mrs. Wilson-Fields studied trumpet with Fred Mills, former and founding member of the Canadian Brass. Her conducting teachers include Dr. John Lynch, Mr. Mark Cedel, Dr. Mitos Andaya, and Dr. Michael Robinson. While at the University of Georgia she served as Battle Hymn Soloist, Trumpet Section Leader, and Drum Major for the Redcoat Marching Band. She also performed as a member of the UGA Wind Ensemble, UGA Symphony Orchestra, and the Georgia Brass Ensemble.

Mrs. Wilson-Fields graduated from Leadership Hall County in 2014 through the Hall County Chamber of Commerce. Her professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, and Women Band Directors International. She resides in Gainesville, GA with her wife, Lydia, who owns a small business called Pipe Dream Prints, along with their two sons, Parker (5) and Miles (2).

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PRESENTERS Richard Woods

• Panel Discussion: The Power of WE

Harold C. Wright

• Warm-Up with Purpose: A Structured Sequence for Choral Success Harold Wright is a Ph.D. candidate at The Florida State University studying music education: choral conducting. Mr. Wright taught twelve years and has served as coordinator and clinician for multiple All-County Chorus Festivals in Central Florida. He was awarded Teacher of the Year at Davenport School of the Arts in 2015.

Currently, Mr. Wright is the Artistic Director for the Orlando Gay Chorus, which is proudly one of the largest LGBTQIA+ mixed voice choruses in the United States. They have performed around the state of Florida including annually in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center in Orlando.

Mr. Wright earned a MME from Florida State University and a BME from Baldwin-Wallace Conservatory of Music. A certified adjudicator for the Florida Vocal Association, Mr. Wright is also an active member of the following professional organizations: ACDA, FLACDA, FMEA, FVA, GALA Choruses, and NAfME.

Jay Wucher

• YES, This applies to You Jay R. Wucher the Fine Arts Consultant for the Baldwin County Schools. He held a similar position in Clarke County before coming to Baldwin County. Under his leadership the Baldwin County Department of Music was named as one of the top 100 Communities for Music Education for seven consecutive years in a survey conducted by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation.

He holds Bachelors and Masters of Music Education degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Specialist degree in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Curriculum from State University of West Georgia. While employed with Fulton County, Mr. Wucher provided leadership for a staff of over two hundred music teachers in the areas of General Music, Choral Music, Instrumental Music and Music Therapy. During his thirty-two years in Fulton County, he also served as an elementary, middle and high school band director, Coordinator of Music Education, Department Chair in Music Education, and Acting Executive Director of Secondary Curriculum.

Mr. Wucher was selected as Georgia Music Educator of the Year in 1995, and The American Music Therapy Association’s Advocate of the Year in 2002. In 2020, Mr. Wucher was the recipient of the Distinguished Career Award from the Georgia Music Educators Association.

Bill Wynn

• Demystifying the All State Jazz Audition Bill Wynn has been the band director at Heritage High School since 2020. Mr. Wynn came to Heritage High after 15 years at Heritage Middle School and four years at Tyner Academy in Chattanooga, TN. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, his Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting degree from the American Band College of Sam Houston State University, and has completed all coursework toward a Doctorate in Music Education from the University of Georgia. Mr. Wynn was the 2012-2013 Heritage Middle School Teacher of the Year. Before moving to Chattanooga, Mr. Wynn was an active musician in the Chicago area, performing as a bass trombonist with the Ravinia Festival Orchestra, the Elmhurst Symphony, the DuPage Symphony, the Southwest Suburban Symphony and the Chicago Brass Choir and as a baritone vocalist with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, His Majesty's Clerkes, and the Ravinia Festival Chorus. In Chicago, Mr. Wynn also taught brass lessons, master classes, and music theory at the MERIT School of Music. In Chattanooga, Mr. Wynn has served as the low brass instructor at Cadek Conservatory of Music in Chattanooga, TN, and performed with the Chattanooga Symphony, Enigma Tuba Quartet, and the Chattanooga Trombone Quartet. Members of Mr. Wynn's brass studio have been top All-State members in six states, principal players in the Chicago, Chattanooga, and St. Louis Youth Symphonies, and members of the Governor's Honors Programs in Georgia, Tennessee, and Illinois. Mr. Wynn and his wife Jill reside in Ringgold.

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PRESENTERS Dr. Wes York

• Untangling the Horn: What Young Players Need from You Wes York has taught middle and high school band in the state of Georgia for 23 years, including positions in Burke County, Cobb County, and Greater Atlanta Christian School before arriving at Malcom Bridge Middle School in 2016. Bands under his direction have performed at the University of Georgia MidFest and JanFest clinics, the London New Year’s Day Parade, Walt Disney World, the Outback Bowl, and many community events in the greater Atlanta area. Under his direction, the Malcom Bridge band earned the GMEA Exemplary Performance Award in 2018. His students have earned placement in the GMEA District Honor Band, Georgia All State Band, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Athens Youth Symphony, the Governor’s Honors Program, and numerous other ensembles.

Dr. York is a two time recipient of the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association and in 2019 was inducted into Phi Beta Mu, an International Bandmasters Fraternity. He was named an Educator Hero in 2021 by the Oconee County Chamber of Commerce and was named Malcom Bridge Middle School Teacher of the Year in 2022. He has presented clinics on bassoon pedagogy twice at the GMEA inservice conference as well as the 2022 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago.

Dr. York has served as a GMEA volunteer through hosting Jazz Performance Evaluations, Solo and Ensemble Festivals, and serving on the LGPE music list revision committee. He is a proud “Triple Dawg” with Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral degrees in Music Education all from the University of Georgia.

Mike Zarem

• TRS Pre-Retirement Show Mike Zarem is the Outreach Coordinator for the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia (TRS). He works directly with educators and retirees through outreach programs to provide information and support. His role includes presenting at meetings for retired educators, explaining retirement benefits, and offering resources on topics like fraud awareness.

The Online Community Exclusively for NAfME Members

NAfME Connect is the place to ask a question, share a story, find a mentor, and connect with your fellow NAfME members—music educators across the globe!

Introduce yourself to your fellow members Ask for ideas on a teaching challenge Share a goal you have each year Post a tip that’s worked for you Respond to your colleagues’ posts

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WELCOMING PROF. RANDALL COLEMAN AS

DEPARTMENT HEAD GRADUATE PROGRAM

UTC

Earn your M.M. in Music Education at UTC, a flexible, 31-hour program designed for working music educators that blends online coursework with summer study on campus through our Pedagogy and Conducting Institutes.

2026 PEDAGOGY & CONDUCTING INSTITUTE Required for MM students, but open to anyone seeking professional development.

Dr. Joe Miller University of Cincinnati June 1-5, 2026

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Dr. Lynn Gackle Baylor University June 8-12, 2026

Prof. Steve Davis University of Missouri-Kansas City June 1-5, 2026

Undergraduate Audition Days: Feb. 28 & March 28, 2026 utc.edu/music @utchattanoogamusic

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Dr. Rebecca Phillips Colorado State University June 8-12, 2026

Research Sessions & Posters

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Sessions & Posters Dr. Rebecca L. Atkins

• Effects of Focus of Attention (Internal/External) on Muscle Activity of Singers Rebecca L. Atkins is Associate Professor of Music Education (Vocal) at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, University of Georgia.

Dr. Atkins teaches Choral Methods, Elementary Methods, voice classes, pedagogy, and research classes, and supervises the vocal student teachers and dissertations. She received her Ph.D. in Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin (2013), an M.M. in Choral Conducting at Missouri State University (2008), and a B.M. in Music Studies at The University of Texas at Austin (1994). Dr. Atkins is an active clinician, adjudicator, performer, and music education researcher.

Natalie Bazemore

• Undergraduate Voice Students’ Understanding of the Vocalize and its Purpose Natalie Bazemore is originally from Forsyth County, GA and is in her fourth year studying as a Voice Performance major and Honors College student at Georgia Southern University. She is honored to receive the Carol A. Carter Music, Carnes Music College of Arts and Humanities, and Honors College Continuing Student scholarships. She sang soprano in the award winning Southern Chorale for 3 years, led by Dr. Shannon Jeffreys. She is an avid Georgia Southern Opera ensemble member, with some of her most exciting roles being Margaret Johnson in The Light in the Piazza (2025), Musetta in La bohème (2024), and First Lady in The Magic Flute (2024). She has been a finalist at both Georgia and Southeast Region NATS and won the 1st Place award from the Atlanta Music Club Scholarship Competition in 2022. She recently competed with Southern Chorale at CantaRode in Kerkrade, The Netherlands and attended Sewanee OperaFest under the direction of Laura Brooks Rice.

Erin Collins

• Co-Designing for Access: Supporting Music Literacy through Scaffolded Notation in the Elementary Music Education Classroom Erin Collins holds a B.M. in Music Education, a M.Ed. in Secondary Education, and an Ed.S. in Instructional Technology. She is a current K-5 Music Educator in Cobb County Schools. She is a certified Special Education teacher with over 20 years of teaching experience.

Collins was a Teacher of the Year finalist and is an Ed.D. candidate in the School of Instructional Technology and Innovation (SITI) at Kennesaw State University. Her areas of expertise include Music Education, Instructional Technology, and Elementary Education.

Amber Daniel

• Current Issues: A Content Analysis of State MEA Publications, 2024-2025 Amber Daniel (she/her) is a multi-faceted musician and teacher based in Atlanta, GA. She currently serves as the Director of Secondary Orchestras and IB Diploma Program Instructor for the Atlanta International School. Amber previously directed orchestra and choir at Charles Drew High School in Riverdale, GA, where she was also the Fine Arts Department Chair.

Amber is motivated by being the teacher she herself needed in school, which is someone who values both equity and excellence.

Connection is a major focus of her teaching and she fosters it by making space for personal identities, wellness check-ins, and personalized opportunities for students. She understands that not every student will pursue strings as a career, but they can still be lifelong learners and musicians.

Amber models that mindset as a performer, freelancing both on the viola and the electric bass in a variety of ensembles, including an alternative rock band. The group performed throughout the southeastern United States, including a feature performance at the Charlotte Pride festival. Amber’s background as a songwriter and arranger has helped her engage students in their own creative explorations, including songwriting and jazz improvisation.

Amber earned her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of North Carolina Charlotte and is currently pursuing a Masters in Music Education as a Graduate Research Assistant at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia. She plans to become a teacher-educator, with an exciting vision of rebuilding string and orchestra programs in America’s historically black colleges and universities.

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Sessions & Posters Samuel Davis

• The Changing Baton: Music Supervisors’ Leadership Across a Century of Reform Samuel Davis is an innovative educator and dedicated leader committed to advancing student learning, equity, and the arts. He recently became an Assistant Principal at Southwest DeKalb High School, where he supports instruction, operations, and schoolwide culture. Previously, he founded the first music technology program in Atlanta Public Schools, a nationally recognized initiative highlighted by the Save the Music Foundation and the Associated Press. His leadership has been honored with the APS Excellence in Arts Education Award, the APS Equity Champion Award, and recognition as the SY26 School-Based Teacher of the Year. A frequent presenter, including at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference, Samuel shares strategies on building community and industry partnerships to expand music education. Known for mentorship, collaboration, and ethical leadership, he continues to empower students, families, and educators while advancing a culture of excellence, equity, and innovation.

Olivia Durrence

• Effect of Music on Second Language Acquisition Olivia Durrence is a fourth-year Music Education major at the University of Georgia with a minor in Educational Psychology and an ESOL endorsement. Olivia’s primary instrument is cello; however, she also studied violin and piano at UGA. She has performed both violin and cello in the UGA Symphony Orchestra along with bass in the UGA Philharmonia. Throughout the last 4 years, Olivia has been a lead teacher for the UGA String Project and led the students in a performance at the GMEA In-Service Conference in 2025.

She reinstated the ASTA chapter in 2023 at UGA and has served as the chapter president for the past 3 years. Olivia has also been a substitute teacher for orchestra at Brookwood High School in Gwinnett County during the Fall 2025 semester, and will graduate summa cum laude from UGA following student teaching in Spring 2026. In her free time, Olivia enjoys running, reading books, and cooking.

Memphis Embrick

• Wine-Dark Sea: Not Your Average Boat Ride Memphis Embrick is a senior Music Education major at Berry College. During his time at Berry, he has performed under the baton of Dr. Alyssa Grey as a flute major in the Wind Ensemble and Berry Winds, the top concert band. He performed in 2023 at the GMEA state conference. Memphis has also performed with the Berry College Flute Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Berry Singers and the TenorBass Choir. Memphis serves as the President for his chapter of CNAfME and the Kappa Gamma chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Memphis intends to teach secondary band and pursue a graduate degree in Music Education and Conducting.

Alison Farley

• Exploring Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Mid-Degree Music Education Majors: Implications for Program Assessment Dr. Alison Farley is an Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Georgia where she teaches courses in instrumental music education, psychology of music, music curriculum development, world music pedagogy, music for exceptional children, and advises graduate students. She also serves as the Field Coordinator for Music Education to the Mary Frances Early College of Education. Her research interests include the perception, cognition and performance of written notation, self-compassion and mental health literacy in music majors, and music teacher identity development. Dr. Farley is published in Psychology of Music, Frontiers of Psychology, and Contributions to Music Education and has presented research at international, national, and state conferences.

Victoria Rose Fitzgerald

• Effects of Focus of Attention (Internal/External) on Muscle Activity of Singers Victoria Rose Fitzgerald is a 3rd year undergraduate student at the University of Georgia from Warner Robins, Georgia. She is studying Music with a minor in Political Science and a certificate in Film and Media Scoring. She is the philanthropy chair of the Iota Zeta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota and a member of the Redcoat Marching Band.

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Sessions & Posters Dr. Patrick K. Freer

• Current Issues: A Content Analysis of State MEA Publications, 2024-2025 Patrick K. Freer is Professor of Music at Georgia State University where he conducts the Tenor-Bass Choir and directs the doctoral programs in music education. The GSU Tenor-Bass Choir was one of four national finalists for the 2023 American Prize in Choral Performance (large university division), with multiple performances for state, national, and international conferences. He has served as Visiting Professor at the Universität Mozarteum Salzburg (Austria) and at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain). His degrees are from Westminster Choir College and Teachers College-Columbia University. Dr. Freer has conducted or presented in 40 states and 30 countries. Dr. Freer is the immediate past Editor of the International Journal of Research in Choral Singing, past editor of Music Educators Journal, and member of the ACDA National Standing Committee for Research & Publications. Dr. Freer’s research and pedagogical expertise centers on working with boys and their changing voices, from prepubescence to young adulthood. He is the author of Getting Started with Middle School Chorus, with an expanded third edition published in 2025. Dr. Freer is a recipient of the Outstanding Senior Faculty Award for Research & Creative Activity in GSU’s College of the Arts. Dr. Freer is a member of the Executive Board of the IMC: TenorBass Consortium (Intercollegiate Men’s Choruses). He is currently chair of the Executive Committee for the GSU University Senate and serves as GSU’s representative to the Faculty Council of the University System of Georgia. He is a finalist candidate in the 2026 election for NAfME President-Elect.

Dr. Alyssa Grey

• Wine-Dark Sea: Not Your Average Boat Ride Dr. Alyssa Grey is an active musician, educator, and conductor. She completed undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Music Theory & Composition from the University of Miami where she studied with GRAMMY-Award Winning composer Lansing McLoskey.

She received a Masters degree in Music Education from the Eastman School of Music and a PhD from the University of North Texas where she studied wind band conducting with Eugene Migliaro Corporon. Alyssa has presented sessions and research with the National Association for Music Education, Society for Music Teacher Education, College Music Society, NJMEA, FMEA, OKMEA, ArkMEA, TMEA, the Texas Bandmasters Association, and the Midwest Clinic. She is an active conductor and scholar and has been published in scholarly journals including Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, the Music Educators Journal, Teaching Music, the Instrumentalist, and is a contributor to the Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series. Dr. Grey currently serves on the Editorial Committee for the Music Educators Journal.

Allison Hunger

• Cross-Age Music Mentoring: Effects on Adolescent Self-Efficacy, Levels of Connectedness, and Prosocial Behavior Born and raised in Savannah, Allison is a passionate music educator and a dedicated advocate for the arts. She completed her Master of Music in Music Education from the University of Georgia in 2025 and earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Georgia Southern University in 2022.

While at Georgia Southern, Allison served as a choral assistant, was President of the Gamma Theta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, and performed with Southern Chorale in their winning performance at Sing Berlin! in Berlin, Germany.

Allison is in her fourth year as the Director of Choirs and General Music at Pulaski K-8. She serves as the alto section leader at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, and currently serves as the GMEA District 1 Elementary Chair.

In addition to teaching, she enjoys yoga, pilates, and running. She is passionate about sharing the powerful connection between the arts and physical health with her students.

Kelsey Armstrong

• Perceptions of Georgia Choir Teachers on the GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation Process Kelsey Armstrong is in her tenth year of teaching. She is currently the choir director at Blake Bass Middle School in Coweta County, where her choirs have performed at the 2022 GMEA Inservice Conference and, most recently, the 2025 Georgia ACDA Inservice Conference. Ms. Armstrong's choirs consistently receive superior ratings at GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation, and participate yearly in District, All-State, and 6th Grade Statewide Honor Choir events. In addition to her duties as a choral director, Ms. Armstrong is the color guard director at Northgate High School. Ms. Armstrong received a Bachelor's degree in Choral Music Education from Columbus State University in 2016, a Master's degree in Choral Music Education from the University of North Texas in 2022, an Educational Specialist degree in Music Education from Auburn University in 2024, and is currently a PhD student at Auburn. She resides in Sharpsburg, Georgia and enjoys spending time with her family and dog Kaity!

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Sessions & Posters Anastasia Klukowski

• The Impact of a Music-Based Rhythm & Movement Intervention on the Emotional Self-Regulation of Elementary Children Anastasia Klukowski is in her fourth year teaching elementary general music at Gaines Elementary School in Athens, GA. She holds a Master's in Music Education from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Kristen Kuder Lynch

• Exploring Pedagogical Content Knowledge in Mid-Degree Music Education Majors: Implications for Program Assessment • Effect of Music on Second Language Acquisition Kristen Kuder Lynch is a dedicated music educator and researcher with a deep love for teaching music. With a wealth of experience in the field, Kristen spent 20 years teaching elementary music in public schools in Kansas, Missouri, and Georgia. She enjoys creating engaging and interactive music lessons that inspire young minds to explore the world of melody, rhythm, and harmony. She believes that early exposure to music can have a profound impact on a child’s development, fostering creativity, cognitive skills, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts.

Dr. Lynch‘s research interests center around culturally responsive pedagogy and music teacher identity development. Her research endeavors to cultivate the understanding of the intricate connections between culture, identity, and musical instruction in order to foster inclusive and equitable music education practices. Her research has been presented at both state and national levels, including the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference and the National Association for Music Education national conference.

Dr. Lynch holds both a master’s and a Ph.D. in music education from the University of Georgia. She currently teaches music education courses and supervises student teachers in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Dr. Lynch has completed Level II Orff training and holds certificates for Conversational Solfège Levels 1 and 2. She is a member of GMEA, AOSA, Feierabend Association of Music Education, and OAKE. When not teaching, Kristen enjoys reading, hiking, and exploring new things! She resides in Athens with her loving husband, Michael, their two sons, Parker and Zachary, and their three beloved dogs, Charlie, Ella, and JJ.

Dr. Marti Parker

• Student and Teacher Perspectives on Blending Popular Music Pedagogies into Kodály-Based Elementary Music Classes Dr. Marti Parker is a music educator with over three decades of experience in Florida and Georgia public schools where she has taught at the elementary level and at the middle school level as a choral director. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Stetson University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from the University of South Florida, a Specialist in Education in Instructional Technology, Media and Design from the University of West Georgia, and a Doctorate in Music Education from Liberty University. She has been an active presenter in her state music education associations, as well as in Kodály and Orff chapters. She is a certified teacher in both Kodály and Orff processes, and she enjoys blending the two in which student learning through formal strategies easily leads to creativity and joyful experiences in making music. Her classroom teaching at Suwanee Elementary in Gwinnett County Public Schools focuses on how popular music and informal music learning practices can further engage students using the music they prefer and enjoy while learning the music concepts within the Kodály sequence.

Victoria Warnet Richter

• Gateway Procedures for Upper Division Music Education Curriculum Victoria Warnet Richter is Assistant Professor of Music Education at Columbus State University. Dr. Richter received her Ph.D. in music education from Florida State University. Prior to her appointment at Columbus State University, Dr. Richter served as an Adjunct Professor of Music Education at Indiana State University and taught band at Tavares Middle and High Schools in the central Florida area. Dr. Richter has conducted research in effective teaching, jazz pedagogy, teacher training, and teaching students with exceptionalities. She has presented educational and research sessions at regional, national, and international venues. The results of her research are published in many refereed journals, including Journal of Research in Music Education, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, and Research Perspectives in Music Education.

In addition to her roles as a researcher and educator, Dr. Richter maintains an active agenda as a drill writer, clinician, adjudicator, and guest clinician across the region.

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Sessions & Posters Dr. Tiffany Roman

• Co-Designing for Access: Supporting Music Literacy through Scaffolded Notation in the Elementary Music Education Classroom Dr. Tiffany Roman is an Associate Professor in the School of Instructional Technology and Innovation at Kennesaw State University.

Roman holds a Ph.D. in Instructional Systems Technology from Indiana University and her M.Ed. and BFA are from the University of Notre Dame. Her scholarship examines how the design and development of learning technologies, technology-enhanced instructional practices, and active learning environments support student engagement, improve student learning outcomes, and advance design education practices.

Evan Szypulski

• New Insights from the Developing Jazz Improvisers Database (DJID): Comparing Developing and Advanced Jazz Improvisers Evan Szypulski is a junior at Georgia State University majoring in applied physics and music production. He is a Presidential Scholar and a member of the Music Cognition and Creativity Lab, where he conducts research under the mentorship of Dr. Martin Norgaard.

He is interested in enhancing music perception and enjoyment for cochlear implant users through interdisciplinary research in auditory neuroscience and signal processing. Evan plans to pursue a doctorate in electrical engineering and ultimately aims to broaden access to rich auditory experiences for individuals with hearing loss by developing perception-driven audio technologies.

Alex Ubiera

• A Comparison of Male Retention Rates in Georgia Tenor-Bass Choirs and Mixed Choirs Dr. Alex Ubiera is one of the choral directors at Seckinger High School, where he co-directs all choirs and teaches AP Music Theory.

He previously led the choral program at Jones Middle School, growing the program to over 500 students as well as directing an invited tenor-bass choir at the Georgia Music Educators' Association conference. His choirs consistently receive Superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation in both performance and sight reading. He is a sought-after clinician throughout the state of Georgia and leads sessions on the topics of tenor-bass choirs and middle school choral pedagogy. He recently received his doctorate in Music Education and completed his doctoral thesis on the topic of male retention in choral ensembles. Outside of the rehearsal room, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Ashley, his three-year-old daughter, Elina, and his one-year-old son, Jonathan.

Dr. Kenna Veronee

• Gateway Procedures for Upper Division Music Education Curriculum Kenna Veronee is an Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at Georgia Southern University where she teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses. Previously, Dr. Veronee served as Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at the University of Louisiana Monroe where she taught courses in instrumental music education, classroom management, music for diverse populations, and supervised student teachers. Her research has been presented at regional, national, and international conferences. Dr. Veronee received her Ph.D. in Music Education, Master of Music Education, and Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University.

Zilu Wang

• The Evolution of Integrated Music Education: A Historical Analysis of the Music Educators Journal, 1918-2025 Zilu Wang is a PhD student in Teaching and Learning with a concentration in Music Education at Georgia State University. Her research interests focus on critically examining the intersections of music teaching pedagogy and practice within interdisciplinary frameworks. This scholarly focus is informed by a decade of experience in Atlanta-area public and charter schools, where she developed a practical understanding of student engagement as a certified instructor in both Music Education and Mandarin Chinese, with additional endorsements in Gifted and ESOL education.

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Sessions & Posters Donna Williams

• Trauma in the Music Classroom: A Content Analysis Donna E. Williams is a PhD candidate in Music Education and a Brains and Behavior Fellow at Georgia State University - Atlanta.

She holds degrees in instrumental music education and special education from The College of New Jersey and received her Master of Music degree from Texas A&M University - Commerce in 2019. She holds Level 3 Kodály Teaching Certification and serves on the education committee of the Jazz Education Network, as well as serving as managing editor of the JEN journal, Jazz Education in Research and Practice. Her research focus is music education and trauma, with emphasis on social-emotional learning.

Take advantage of your noteworthy discount with Bloomsbury Books NAfME members enjoy a 30% discount on any co-published title when ordering directly from Bloomsbury Books (including ebooks when available).

Sample titles: • Music Learning and Development: A Guide to Educational Psychology for Music Teachers by Robert H. Woody • Knowing the Children We Teach: Essays on Music Learning by Danette Littleton and Meryl Sole • And many more Contact Customer Service at bloomsbury.com/us/help/. Learn more at bit.ly/NAfMEBooks.

For proposal submissions and inquiries, please email editor Amy Bradley (amyb@nafme.org).

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Performing Groups Barber Middle School Honors Band Barber Middle School is located in Acworth, Georgia, approximately 40 minutes north of Atlanta. It is a school in the Cobb County Public School District and is the primary feeder of North Cobb High School. Barber Middle School is a Title 1 school with a population of approximately 750, with over 400 students enrolled in the band program. The 6th-grade Beginning Band is taught in homogeneous instrumental classes, while the 7th and 8th-grade bands are split into ability-based performing ensembles. The band has a proud history of outstanding musical performances. Ensembles at Barber consistently earn superior ratings, with the top ensemble performing GMEA grades 4 and 5 music. In 2022, the Barber MS Band was recognized as a national winner of the William P. Foster Award for Excellence. In 2024, the Honors Band performed at the UGA MidFest. In 2020, the ensemble was invited to perform at the prestigious Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis, IN. The band received four invitations to perform at the MFA Regional Concert Band Festival in 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2025. Additionally, in 2017, the band was a guest honor ensemble for the University of Alabama Middle School Honor Band Clinic, where it premiered the original commission, “Soliloquy” by James Colonna.

Barber Middle School Chamber Orchestra The Barber Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Adam Gresham, is in its third year of existence and serves as the premiere performing ensemble of the Barber Middle School Orchestra program located in Acworth, GA. The ensemble is a vibrant and evolving string orchestra of roughly 45 students who perform a wide variety of repertoire in more than seven different concerts annually. The ensemble recently performed at the 2025 ASTA National Conference in Atlanta, GA. The ensemble consistently receive superior ratings at state-wide performance evaluations and its students are regular participants in the GMEA District XII Honor Orchestras.

Blue Ridge Elementary School Bobcat Chorus and Orff Ensemble The BRE Chorus and Orff ensembles are comprised of two, before school groups, The Bobcat Chorus and The BRE Orff Ensemble. The ensembles have been under the direction of Brittany Swann for three years and had many opportunities to showcase their talents within their school, communities, and other venues. Most recently, The Bobcat Chorus received first place, superior ratings are the Music in the Parks Festival and the BRE Orff Ensemble has been featured at the Arts in the Plaza event for their county.

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Performing Groups Cambridge High School Jazz 1 Since its establishment in 2012, Cambridge Bands has proudly developed and maintained lasting traditions and spirit throughout the school and in our community which is so supportive of the arts. With our extraordinary feeder programs at Hopewell and Northwestern Middle Schools, we have built a strong foundation for future Cambridge Bands. Each year, we have the incredible opportunity to push our level of excellence and expectations even further.

Our Jazz ensembles are the heart of our band program and are the most active ensembles within the greater Atlanta Community. The Cambridge High School Jazz Ensemble has performed with renowned performance, such as Joe Grandson, Jordan VanHemert, and trumpeter, Vincent DiMartino. The ensemble performs locally, regionally, and has been a consistent participate in the Essentially Ellington Regional Jazz Festivals in North Carolina, Orlando, Newark, New Jersey, and Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to festival performances, the Cambridge Jazz Ensembles has earned consistent superior ratings at state level Jazz large group performance evaluations.

Cartersville Elementary School Purple Rain Singers The Purple Rain Singers is an after-school auditioned chorus that works together as a collaborative group to explore, analyze, and perform music from all walks of life (all while having a bit of fun). As the name signifies, the elementary chorus is just the beginning of a long, storm-brewing process that, over time, will eventually turn these young musicians (Purple Rain) into a force to be reckoned with (Cartersville Purple Hurricanes). The chorus participates regularly in local and state honor choruses, performs for the Board of Education, and takes a yearly trip to experience a professional-level performance at Spivey Hall, and presents two concerts each year for the public.

Cooper Middle School 8th Grade Orchestra The Cooper Middle School Orchestra is a vibrant and accomplished ensemble known for its musical excellence, dedication, and community spirit. Year after year, Cooper musicians shine both on and off the stage, earning widespread recognition for their exceptional performances and musical maturity.

One of the hallmarks of the program is its consistent success at the Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE), where the orchestra has maintained all-superior ratings for over a decade.

This reflects the high level of artistry, discipline, and passion fostered within the ensemble.

Many Cooper students are selected each year for prestigious honors such as district honor orchestras, showcasing their individual talent and commitment to their craft. These achievements reflect not only personal dedication but also the strength of the program and the guidance of its leadership.

The Cooper Orchestra extends its reach beyond the school walls, actively performing throughout the community and enriching the cultural life of the area. Whether playing for local events, collaborating with other musical groups, or inspiring younger students, the orchestra remains a vital part of the community’s artistic landscape.

With tremendous concerts throughout the year, Cooper’s ensembles deliver performances that captivate audiences with their rich, mature sound—well beyond their years. Their blend of musical precision, expressive playing, and heartfelt connection to the music creates unforgettable experiences for listeners and players alike.

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Performing Groups Dacula High School Gold Women's Chorus Dacula High School’s Gold Women’s Chorus is the top curricular choral ensemble in the program and has a reputation for excellence in choral music in the community. This audition-only chorus is frequently asked to perform at local and school board sponsored events. The Gold Women’s Chorus consistently earns Superior ratings at LGPE and many of its members participate in District Honors Chorus, All-State chorus, All-State Reading Chorus and the GHP program. Singers in this ensemble are actively involved in Dacula’s student body as student government leaders, club members, All-Region athletes, honor graduates, and AP scholars. Many from this ensemble are also key leaders among Dacula’s Chorus Council leadership team. Gold Women’s Chorus enjoys collaborating with cluster schools as well as neighboring high schools for large-scale performances and masterworks.

Past collaborations have included the Mozart Requiem, Britten’s Ceremony of Carols, the Vivaldi Gloria, Schubert’s Mass in G, and Arnesen’s Requiem for Solace. They are proud to have placed First in their division at the Georgia Southern Invitational in the Fall of 2024 and tied for Third at the 2025 event. The Gold Women’s Chorus is proud to have been a featured choir at the 2019 GMEA Conference and is so excited to once again be a performing choir at the 2026 GMEA In-Service Conference.

Dekalb School of the Arts Sinfonia The Dekalb School of the Arts Sinfonia is composed of the top string players in the orchestra program. Along with their dedication to the orchestra program, Sinfonia students also participate in the myriad of arts offerings DSA has to offer, contributing to the success and culture of the top ranked high schools in the state of Georgia. Throughout the year, students perform everything from classical to hip-hop and the ensemble is in the process of commissioning several new works for string orchestra to be debuted next year. These students perform frequently and highlights include side-by-side concerts with Agnes-Scott College, Georgia College, and the Dekalb Symphony Orchestra. They also performed at the 2025 ASTA National Conference. This ensemble consistently earns superior ratings at performance evaluation and students participate in youth orchestras, district honor orchestra, and all-state.

DeKalb School of the Arts Tenor Bass Choir The Tenor-Bass Choir is the newest formed choir at DSA. This is a non-auditioned choir made up of 9th-12th graders. This choir is an extra-curricular group that rehearses once a week after school. In 2025, the choir went to LGPE for the first time and received straight superior ratings in performance and sight-reading.

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Performing Groups Dickerson Middle School Percussion Ensemble The Dickerson Middle School Percussion Ensemble has performed for numerous festivals and conventions including the National Middle School Association Conference (2003), the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference (2004, 2018, 2026), and the National Band Association Southern Div. Conference (2005). Dickerson is the only middle school percussion ensemble to have received multiple invitations to perform for each of the three most prestigious music events for scholastic ensembles in the United States: The Midwest Clinic (2014, 2023), the Music For All Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival (2010, 2014, 2018, 2026) the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (2019, 2022) and was named a National Winner in the 2023 Mark of Excellence/National Percussion Ensemble Honors Project. In addition, Mr. Brown and the Dickerson Percussion Ensemble presented a clinic/performance, "Developing a Successful Middle School Percussion Ensemble", for the GMEA Conference (2005), PASIC (2006), and The Midwest Clinic (2008). The Dickerson Percussion Ensemble has presented “world premier” performances of Meanwhile in a Parallel Universe Redoux by Jim Casella at the Midwest Clinic in 2014 and Luminous by Tim Ferchen at the 2022 Percussive Arts Society International Convention, both with Professor She-e Wu as guest soloist as well as the world premier of the percussion ensemble version of Someday by Perry Holbrook at the Midwest Clinic in 2023. This year the ensemble will present world premier performances of D.M.S. by She-e Wu and the percussion ensemble arrangement of Summer by Perry Holbrook.

Duluth Middle School 8th Grade Guitar Ensemble Duluth Middle School, located in Duluth, Georgia, northeast of Atlanta in Gwinnett County, serves approximately 1,300 students, with more than 800 participating in orchestra, chorus, band, or guitar. The guitar program currently enrolls over 300 students in grades 6–8 under the direction of Anthony Baglio. Originating as a general music class in 2008, the Duluth Middle School Guitar Program became one of the first in Gwinnett County to offer a performing guitar ensemble. Year-long guitar ensembles were established in 2012, and today, guitar is a fully recognized fine art with six year-long classes and an honors ensemble.

The Duluth Guitar Ensemble was featured on GCPS TV’s ArtStage: Sounds of the Season in both 2014 and 2024. In 2018, 2020, and 2022, the ensemble performed at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference. Continuing its mission to expand community engagement, the Duluth Guitar Ensemble has performed multiple times at Eddie Owen Presents: Red Clay Music Foundry, located in the heart of downtown Duluth.

The DMS Guitar Program continues to thrive thanks to the growth of guitar programs in our elementary feeder schools and the ongoing support of the Duluth Middle School faculty, staff, and administration. The mission of Duluth Middle School is to inspire all students to achieve academic excellence and to embrace the rigor required to thrive in a global society.

Durham Middle School Advanced Chorus The Durham Middle School Advanced Chorus is more than just a group of 8th grade singers—it’s a family of young musicians who share a love for music and a commitment to supporting one another. Under the direction of Susan Campbell, these students work together to create beautiful harmonies while building friendships that last beyond the classroom. Their performances reflect not only their talent but also the spirit of teamwork and pride in their school community.

Since 2018, this group has earned superior ratings in both performance and sight reading.

This year, the chorus is honored to be selected to perform for the GMEA In Service Conference, a recognition that celebrates their hard work, dedication, and passion for music. This achievement is a testament to the encouragement of their families, teachers, and the entire [School Name] community, who cheer them on every step of the way.

The Durham Middle School Advanced Chorus continues to inspire audiences and remind us all that music has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories.

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Performing Groups Georgia Southern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble Membership limited to 50-55 of the most accomplished woodwind, brass, and percussion performers on the Statesboro campus. Members of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble perform repertoire of the highest caliber, representing all musical style periods from the Renaissance through modern day, featuring works created by the finest composers for the historical and modern wind band.

The Symphonic Wind Ensemble typically performs two to three concerts each semester oncampus or regionally and regularly tours Georgia and the Southeast. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has appeared in London, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Florence, and Munich.

Georgia State University Jazz Band "The Georgia State University Jazz Band, directed by Dr. Gordon Vernick, is one of the premier ensembles within the GSU School of Music. The group has performed extensively throughout metro Atlanta and the Southeastern United States, earning national recognition with invitations to perform at both the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) Conference and the Jazz Education Network (JEN) Conference.

With a focus on high artistic standards, the GSU Jazz Band cultivates musicianship, creativity, and a deep appreciation for jazz. Students in the ensemble develop musical and performance attitudes that shape their professional careers and broader cultural and artistic perspectives.

GSU jazz ensembles serve as a vital part of the university’s cultural and educational mission, supporting the artistic and career goals of a diverse student body.

Each performance draws enthusiastic audiences and reflects the ensemble's commitment to musical excellence. The Jazz Studies Program at Georgia State has also established a tradition of hosting internationally acclaimed jazz artists for concerts, master classes, and clinics. Guest artists who have performed with the GSU Jazz Band include: Kenny Garrett, Randy Brecker, David Sánchez, Slide Hampton, Nicholas Payton, Kenny Werner, Dave Douglas, Chris Potter, Jerry Bergonzi, Tim Hagans, Dick Oatts, Bobby Shew, Jimmy Heath, Vincent Gardner, Donny McCaslin, Eddie Daniels, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Miguel Zenón, Sean Jones, Anat Cohen, Mike Abene, Joe Lovano, Joey DeFrancesco, and many more.

Through these experiences, students are offered invaluable opportunities to learn from and perform alongside some of the most respected names in jazz today."

Grovetown Middle School Eighth Grade Choir The Grovetown Middle School Eighth Grade Choir is a non-auditioned ensemble of approximately 60 singers from the Columbia County School District, located outside of Augusta, Georgia. Each student performs with an innate drive to exemplify the program’s vision: “Strong alone. Unstoppable together.” Members are involved in a variety of extracurricular activities to include cyber team, cheer, basketball, track, football, baseball, soccer, and Beta Club. They come together each day—split across two class periods—to find their commonality through singing. The GTMS choral program currently supports over 200 singers across three grade levels.

The Grovetown Middle School Choir emphasizes community service through performance and showcases a diverse repertoire at annual concerts, fine arts festivals, school athletic events, and local collegiate athletic events. In 2024, they performed at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Grovetown Middle School Choirs have regularly received Superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation. The GTMS 8th Grade Choir performed at the 2025 GA-ACDA State Conference in Kennesaw, GA. Members of the ensemble are active participants in GMEA All-State Chorus, District Honor Choir, and Sixth Grade Statewide Honor Chorus.

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Performing Groups Johns Creek High School Camerata The Camerata Chorus is the premier treble ensemble of Johns Creek High School under the direction of Michael Snyder. Comprised of advanced singers in grades 10–12, Camerata is recognized for its refined tone, musical discipline, and expressive artistry. The ensemble consistently earns Superior ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation and has been featured at state conferences and special events.

Members are frequently selected for GHP, All-State Chorus, and All-State Reading Chorus, and achieve top placements in the Georgia Southern Choral Competition.

Beyond performance, Camerata singers serve as leaders within the Johns Creek Choral Program—mentoring younger musicians, organizing service projects, and representing the program across the school and community. Students are also active in theatre, athletics, and academic organizations, reflecting a spirit of collaboration and excellence in all pursuits.

Through artistry, scholarship, and shared purpose, the Camerata Chorus seeks to uplift audiences and exemplify the power of hope through choral music.

Kell High School Chamber Orchestra The Kell Chamber Orchestra, composed of 10th-12th grade students, represents the highest level of performance within the string program at Kell High School. This select ensemble, typically consisting of 24-30 students, operates as a true Chamber Orchestra, with membership determined through auditions. The orchestra participates in GMEAsponsored events at both the district and state levels, including the Solo and Ensemble Festival, Honor Orchestra, and All-State Orchestra. Several members are also involved in notable regional youth orchestras such as the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.

Since the school’s inception in 2002, the Kell Chamber Orchestra has consistently earned superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation. Additionally, the ensemble remains an active presence in the community, regularly performing at various local events.

Kell High School Wind Ensemble Since opening in 2002, the Kell High School band program has quickly established a reputation for musical excellence. The 60-member Wind Ensemble is the top-performing ensemble within a three-tiered concert band program, which includes the Symphonic Band and the Concert Band. Each of these ensembles meets for 90 minutes a day on a block schedule. Students in the Kell band program are consistently members in the District 12 Honor Band, Georgia All-State Band, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, and the Georgia Governors Honors Program.

With the concert bands at the core of the music curriculum, students also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extracurricular ensembles. These include the 170-member marching band, full symphony orchestra, pit orchestra for the spring musical, numerous chamber ensembles, jazz band, percussion ensemble, and winter guard. Since its opening in 2002, the Kell Band program has grown to over 240 total students in grades 9-12.

The Kell Wind Ensemble has achieved a reputation for national excellence, having performed at the Midwest Clinic, the GMEA State Convention, MFA National and Regional Concert Band Festivals, JanFest, and Troy University.

Two middle schools feed into Kell High School—McCleskey Middle School (directors Andrew Paller and Patrick Clark) and Palmer Middle School (directors Sue Bulock and Rick Dietrich). We are fortunate to have two strong band programs feed into our high school, where great teachers combine with great students and great parents. The Kell Cluster is characterized by a collegiality and camaraderie that is truly unique.

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Performing Groups Kennesaw Mountain Wind Symphony Founded in 2000, Kennesaw Mountain High School Bands have established a reputation for artistic excellence and innovation over the past two decades. Kennesaw Mountain’s band program serves over 200 students in three concert ensembles (Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band), an award-winning Marching Band, Jazz Band, Percussion Ensemble, chamber ensembles, pit orchestra, colorguard, and winterguard. Performing at multiple concerts, festivals, and competitions each year, the band curriculum focuses on developing students’ musicianship, instrumental skills, and leadership.

Presenting performances at national and statewide events, Kennesaw Mountain’s concert ensembles have performed at the Midwest Clinic, Georgia Music Educators Association InService Conference, “JanFest” at the University of Georgia, the Music for All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival, and the Tri-States Honor Band Festival at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga. The National Band Association named the band program a National Blue-Ribbon Program of Excellence. The Marching Band is a three-time AAA National Champion competing at the Bands of America Grand National Championships, a twelve-time Bands of America Regional Champion, and appeared in the seventy-ninth Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Kennesaw Mountain’s Pit Orchestra was awarded a Best Orchestra Shuler Award. Kennesaw Mountain’s Winterguard has been named a national champion and finalist at the Winterguard International Championships. The Kennesaw Mountain Band program is led by Michael Huebner and Michael Long.

Kennesaw State University Chamber Singers The Kennesaw State University Chamber Singers is the flagship mixed choral ensemble at KSU, open to all students regardless of major. Representing a broad range of academic disciplines and musical backgrounds, the ensemble draws singers from across the campus community. The Chamber Singers have performed major works by Bach, Haydn, Duruflé, Mozart, Britten, and Brahms, and collaborated with the KSU Chorale and Symphony Orchestra in a 2012 performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, broadcast on Atlanta’s WABE 90.1. The ensemble has earned distinction on state, regional, and national stages, including featured performances at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conferences in 2002, 2006, 2008, 2011, and 2018. In 2010, they presented a program of South American music at the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Southern Division Conference in Memphis. In 2013, they performed David Maslanka’s A Litany for Courage and the Seasons at the National Collegiate Choral Organization’s 5th National Conference.

Most recently, they represented KSU at the 2020 ACDA Southern Division Conference.

Kennesaw State University Wind Ensemble The Kennesaw State University Wind Ensemble performs a diverse repertoire encompassing large works for band, wind ensemble, and chamber music. The ensemble continues to lead in creating consortiums for new music, which have included the creation of new works by over two-dozen leading composers including several Pulitzer Prize winners. In addition, leading composers come to KSU in on-campus residencies working directly with the Ensemble and its students.

The KSU Wind Ensemble continues to engage in significant performances which have included featured appearances at the College Band Directors National Association Southern Division Conferences in 2012 and 2016, and at the Georgia Music Educators Association Conference in 2017 and again in 2026. In addition, the band released its first professional recording under the Centaur recording label featuring the music of Chen Yi and can be heard on several prominent composer’s websites as the reference recording performing their music. The KSU Wind Ensemble continues to serve as an important musical voice in the Atlanta Metropolitan area and has been featured frequently on 90.1 FM (WABE- Atlanta public radio).

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Performing Groups Lambert High School Percussion Studio The Lambert High School Percussion Studio, comprised of nearly 40 dedicated student musicians, is a dynamic and accomplished ensemble located in Suwanee, Georgia. Under the direction of Dr. Jon Buchholz and Mr. Kevin Morrison, the studio is an integral part of the award-winning Lambert High School Band Program and represents the school’s strong commitment to both academic and artistic excellence.

and educational innovation.

Lambert High School has earned a reputation for high achievement in academics, consistently ranking among the top high schools in Georgia. This same standard of excellence is reflected in its music program, which has garnered regional and national recognition for its artistry

The Lambert Band Program has been honored with multiple prestigious invitations, including a featured performance at the 2023 Midwest Clinic in Chicago, one of the world’s most respected stages for music education. In 2025, the program also performed at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference and the Music for All National Festival in Indianapolis, further cementing its national profile.

The percussion studio performs a wide range of repertoire, from contemporary chamber works to large ensemble compositions, fostering musical growth, collaboration, and technical mastery. With a focus on cultivating musicianship and leadership, the Lambert High School Percussion Studio continues to set a high standard for scholastic education across the country.

Lindley Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Choir The Lindley Middle School Choir, under the direction of Mr. Cedrick Hayward, is a vibrant and growing program dedicated to building confident, expressive, and skilled young musicians. Lindley has earned a strong reputation throughout the community with students that regularly showcase their talents at school concerts, district festivals, and high-profile events—including featured performances for the Atlanta Hawks. The program is also proud to celebrate the yearly selection of students into the prestigious Georgia All-State Chorus, reflecting our commitment to excellence. The Lindley Middle School Choir continues to inspire pride in the school and the wider community and are honored to be selected to perform at this year’s 2026 GMEA In-Service Conference.

Lost Mountain Middle School 8th Grade Symphonic Band Lost Mountain Middle School is located in Kennesaw, Georgia within the Cobb County School District, and serves sixth through eighth grades. The Lost Mountain Band is the largest student organization on campus, consisting of nearly 500 of the school’s 1,000 students.

The ensembles include two sixth grade beginning bands, 7th grade concert and symphonic bands, 8th grade concert and symphonic bands, and an extracurricular jazz band and pep band.

The Lost Mountain Middle School Bands have recently been invited to perform at the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference (2026), the Reinhardt University Middle School Honor Band (2025), and the Music For All Southeastern Regional Concert Festival (2024). The Lost Mountain Bands consistently earn superior ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluations, and have students consistently earn spots in Metro Atlanta regional honor ensembles as well as the District XII Middle School Honor Band and the Georgia All-State Band. In 2024, the Lost Mountain Bands were part of a consortium project with Atlanta composer Tyler S. Grant to commission his new work, “A New Light”, and in 2025 the Lost Mountain Bands were named a national Advocacy In Action Award Recipient in the category of Community Involvement from Music For All. Lost Mountain Middle School Band is a proud feeder of the nationally recognized Harrison High School and Hillgrove High School Band Programs: www.harrisonbands.org, www.hillgroveband.com W I N T E R 2025 | G E O R G I A M U S I C N E W S

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Performing Groups Lux Lux, derived from the Latin word for "light," is a professional treble choir based in Northeast Georgia. Born out of a collective desire to infuse beauty and illumination into a world fraught with darkness, Lux specializes in delivering exquisite treble music that uplifts the soul. Our diverse ensemble comprises both full-time musicians and members from a variety of professions, united by our shared passion for creating musical experiences that resonate deeply with audiences.

Under the direction of Dr. Ashley Conway and Emily Allison, alongside Dr. Benji Stenger, collaborative pianist, Lux is in its fourth season. Meeting for a two day retreat each summer, Lux offers a distinctive approach to a professional-level ensemble tailored to meet the demands of busy musicians who cannot rehearse weekly. To find out more, visit us at www.luxsings.org.

Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts Advanced Choir The Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts Advanced Choir, led by Ms. Lauren Covington, part of the Clayton County Public Schools system, is a prestigious ensemble known for its exceptional talent and dedication to musical excellence. Comprised of highly skilled vocalists, the choir offers students the opportunity to perform a wide variety of musical genres, from classical to contemporary, in both solo and group settings. The choir's rigorous training and performance schedule help foster discipline, teamwork, and artistry. With a focus on both technical mastery and emotional expression, the Advanced Choir consistently impresses audiences and represents the high standard of artistic achievement at Stilwell School of the Arts.

The Stilwell SOTA Advanced Choir is a highly accomplished ensemble known for its exceptional talent and dedication to musical excellence.With performances at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, the choir has proven itself on the world stage. Their accomplishments include performances at esteemed events like the GMEA Conference and ACDA Conference, and they have consistently earned superior ratings at the Large Group Performance Evaluation. Additionally, the choir had the honor of singing for former President Jimmy Carter at the Jimmy Carter Center, showcasing their artistry for influential figures. Their reputation for excellence continues to grow, making them a standout group in the choral community.

Medlock Bridge ES Steel Drum Band The Medlock Bridge Steel Drum Band is made up of 4th and 5th grade students that are chosen through an audition process. The ensemble meets once a week after school. The students learn to play steel pans, xylophones, and djembes. The students rotate through the different instruments from song to song.

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Performing Groups Mercer Singers The Mercer Singers, an auditioned ensemble of 45 voices, is the primary touring choral ensemble of Mercer University. The choir includes undergraduate & graduate students and performs a wide range of choral music spanning from the Renaissance to works written by composers of our time. The Mercer Singers have sung on programs for the Georgia Music Educators Association, the Southern Division of NAfME, and the Southern Region of American Choral Directors Association. The choir and their director tour extensively and have performed throughout the United States and Europe. Since 2000, the Mercer Singers have experienced eight highly successful international tours of England and Wales (May 2000), Italy (2002), Austria & Czech Republic (2004), Germany, Poland, Slovakia, & Hungary (2006), Japan (2007), Russia (2011), England (2019), and France (2024) In 2012, they joined with the McDuffie Center for Strings to film "A Grand Mercer Christmas" that was distributed to Public Broadcast Stations throughout America. They choir and orchestra made their Carnegie Hall debut under the baton of Dr. Roberts in 2017 and returned in February 2025. Additionally, the choir has gained a regional following with its annual performances of A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols held each December. The choir is widely acclaimed for its spirited performances, breadth of repertoire, and dedication to singing repertoire of the a cappella idiom.

North Georgia Youth Wind Symphony The North Georgia Youth Wind Symphony is in its second year of existence as a performing ensemble. Musical director and conductor Dennis Naughton had a vision that there was a need to serve the students of the north Georgia region with an honor band that had specific goals as its mission. That mission was simply to build relationships through world class musical experiences. The ensemble is made up of approximately 75 students representing around 25 schools from the North Georgia region. The students have participated with the desire to enhance their overall musical experience. Their hope is to use these musical experiences to help them with local auditions and eventually college auditions. The North Georgia Youth Wind Symphony gives three performances a year. I during the first semester and two during the winter semester. The goal is to increase performance opportunities for the students on a local, state and regional level. During its first two years, the NGYWS has already achieved a prominent status within the music community which will no doubt increase the talent level of the group in the very near future. We had over 30 students participate in their district honor bands and 18 participated in the GMEA All-State band in Athens, Georgia.

Northview High School Cecilian Singers The Northview High School Cecilian Singers is an auditioned treble ensemble dedicated to musical excellence, leadership, and community. Comprised of students from diverse backgrounds, interests, and grade levels, this talented group of vocalists comes together to create an environment of support, camaraderie, and artistic growth.

Known for their precision, passion, and professionalism, the Cecilian Singers consistently earn superior ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association’s Large Group Performance Evaluation. Their performances reflect a deep commitment to refining their craft, embracing musical challenges, and working as a unified ensemble.

Beyond the stage, the choir cultivates leadership and connection. Members not only develop advanced vocal technique and musicianship, but also learn the value of mentorship, collaboration, and shared purpose. The ensemble serves as a space where students grow not only as artists, but as confident, compassionate individuals.

Whether performing classical repertoire, contemporary works, or pieces that celebrate global musical traditions, the Northview Cecilian Singers strive to uplift and inspire. Their presence at GMEA is a testament to their dedication, artistry, and the vibrant musical community they represent.

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Performing Groups Norton Elementary School Orff Ensemble The Norton Orff Ensemble was founded in the 2024–2025 school year under the direction of Mr. Andrew Barber. As the first instrumental ensemble of its kind at Norton Elementary, the group has made a powerful impact on the school community through its vibrant, expressive performances and commitment to musical excellence.

Comprised of 30 dedicated and skilled 4th and 5th grade students, the ensemble explores music through the Orff-Schulwerk approach; integrating movement, improvisation, and ensemble playing to create dynamic and engaging musical experiences. In their debut year, the Norton Orff Ensemble has performed for both school and community events, earning praise for their artistry, teamwork, and joyful sound.

Driven by a love for music and a desire to connect with others, the Norton Orff Ensemble is excited to share their work with wider audiences as they continue to grow and inspire through performance.

Riverwatch Middle School Symphonic Band The Riverwatch Band serves nearly 700 students - almost 50% of the total school population. The Riverwatch Symphonic Band is the top ensemble in the program; it comprises 7th and 8th grade students and is by audition-only. The Symphonic Band has performed at the Reinhardt University Middle School Honor Band Clinic, Music for All UCF-Orlando Invitational, Music for All Southeastern Concert Band Festival, Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, and The Midwest Clinic. The ensemble also appeared in Carnegie Hall in 2023, alongside the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony and Brooklyn Wind Symphony with guest artist Joe Alessi.

In the Riverwatch Band, all students perform in several concerts throughout the year. 7th and 8th grade students participate in GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluations. Riverwatch students consistently participate in the GMEA AllState Band, District IX Honor Band, and District IX Solo & Ensemble. Riverwatch hosts the annual District IX Solo & Ensemble event in April.

Riverwatch is proud to provide a robust chamber music program, with Lobby Group representation at GMEA every year since our last large ensemble appearance.

Riverwatch Trumpet Choir - 2023 Riverwatch Horn Choir - 2024 Riverwatch Clarinet Choir - 2025 The Riverwatch Horn Choir has also performed at the 2024 Southeastern Horn Workshop hosted at the University of Georgia, the 2025 Kennesaw State University Brass Blast Day, and on the 2025 Columbus State University Horn Studio Recital.

Southwest Dekalb High School Wind Symphony The Southwest Dekalb High School Wind Symphony is the top concert performing ensemble in our band program. Students in the ensemble are regularly selected to perform with district honor band, GMEA All State Band, UGA Janfest Honor Bands, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra and ASO Talent Development Program.

The Wind Symphony has performed at the GMEA Inservice Conference, Music For All National and Regional Festivals, Troy University Southeastern United States Concert Band Festival, Kennesaw University Invitational Concert Festival, University of Georgia Janfest and HBCU Band Directors Consortium.

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Performing Groups Spivey Hall Children's Choir The Spivey Hall Children’s Choir Program was established in 1994 by founding director Dr. Martha Shaw. Located on the campus of Clayton State University and dedicated to excellence, the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir Program offers professional-level instruction in vocal technique, music theory, sight singing, ear training, and presentation as well as exposure to a variety of choral styles. Involvement also enhances young people’s lives, helping them to develop self-reliance, personal integrity, responsibility, compassion, teamwork, and confidence in their abilities.

The program features three choirs: Young Artists, Children’s Choir, and Tour Choir. Founded in 2002, the Spivey Hall Young Artists includes students aged 10 to 13. This preparatory choir equips young singers with the foundational skills needed to join the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir.

The Children’s Choir, comprised of 70 singers aged 10 to 18, regularly perform with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Chorus. The Spivey Hall Tour Choir, a select group within the Children’s Choir, represents Georgia as cultural ambassadors. This group has produced four professional CDs and has received recognition throughout the United States and internationally, including performances in Canada, Sweden, Norway, England, Austria, the Czech Republic, China, Scotland, Spain, Italy, Ireland, and France. The Tour Choir has performed for six ACDA Conferences, including three National Conferences.

The formation of the Spivey Hall Children’s Choir Program is a joint effort between the Walter and Emilie Spivey Foundation, the Spivey Hall Education Committee, and Clayton State University to provide supplementary music education programs to metro-Atlanta youth from 17 different counties.

St. Pius X Advanced Guitar Ensemble St. Pius X Catholic High school was founded in 1958 in Atlanta. There are currently 1050 students enrolled in grades 9-12. The guitar program began in 1996, established by Bryant Poole. The program continued to be led by Peter Fletcher, Kyle Dawkins, Esteban Anastasio, Brion Kennedy, and Howell Buott. St. Pius X offers a 4-year guitar curriculum, with Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced levels. The Advanced Guitar Ensemble has performed at GMEA Conferences, Georgia universities, and has debuted original compositions. SPX hosts guitar clinicians on their campus each year.

The Harrison Chamber Singers The Harrison Chamber Singers are the most advanced vocal musicians at Harrison High School in Kennesaw, Georgia. The ensemble is comprised of primarily upperclassmen who have dedicated their time, passion, & voices to the choral arts. The Chamber Singers have consistently earned superior ratings at GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation, & are frequently invited to perform at festivals & invitationals across Georgia & the Southeast.

Recently, they have performed at multiple state conferences and many community events and competitions. Members of this ensemble participate in District Honor Chorus, All State Chorus, All State Reading Chorus, GHSA Literary Meet, & the Georgia Governor's Honors Program.

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Performing Groups Trickum Middle School Honor Orchestra The Trickum Honor Orchestra was created in the 2018-2019 school year to provide an ensemble for advanced and motivated 6th, 7th, and 8th grade orchestra students. The group rehearses once a week, on Wednesday mornings. It performs for LGPE, various TMS events, and events in the community. The ensemble consistently receives superior ratings at LGPE.

VR Midnight Jazz Cats The Villa Rica High School Jazz Band, known as the Midnight Jazz Cats, is an innovative ensemble within the Villa Rica High School Band Program. Under the direction of Ann Wilson and R. Kevin Brown, the group is grounded in a culture of joy, discipline, and deep appreciation for the values of the jazz tradition—creativity, expression, and community.

Students are recognized for their dedication to the craft and for their commitment to performing this genre at the highest level.

The Midnight Jazz Cats comprise 24 student musicians who maintain a strong record of achievement, consistently earning Superior ratings at the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) Jazz Performance Evaluation. The ensemble presents multiple formal concerts each year and performs repertoire across a wide range of styles, including swing, Latin, funk, pop, blues, rock, and contemporary jazz. The group also collaborates with professional jazz artists from the Atlanta area. Most recently, the Midnight Jazz Cats were selected to perform at both the 2026 GMEA In-Service Conference and the 2026 Minority Band Directors National Association (MBDNA) Concert and Jazz Band Invitational.

Students distinguish themselves as performers, composers, and arrangers, frequently contributing original works and custom arrangements to the ensemble’s repertoire. Many have earned placements in the GMEA District 7 Honor Jazz Band, the Rialto Youth Jazz Orchestra, and the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. Graduates of the ensemble have continued their musical studies at the collegiate level, with several pursuing jazz performance.

The Villa Rica High School Band Program is characterized by strong student leadership, high artistic expectations, and comprehensive musical experiences across all ensembles. The program is supported by a robust Private Lesson Institute staffed by professional teaching artists and made possible through the generosity of the Villa Rica Band Boosters. The Midnight Jazz Cats and all VRHS ensembles benefit from the exceptional support of the Carroll County School System, which remains deeply committed to expanding opportunities for all students to succeed.

Walton High School Chamber Orchestra Walton’s Orchestra has over 300 students enrolled in six orchestra class and is the largest program in Cobb County and one of the largest in the country. The orchestras have been invited to the the prestigious, international Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic seven times: 2000 (string orchestra), 2005 (string orchestra), 2009 (first high school chamber music performance), 2012 (symphony orchestra), 2016 (chamber music), 2020/2021 (chamber orchestra), and 2022 (chamber orchestra). In 2014 and 2015, the orchestra program won the National Championship in the Mark of Excellence competition and was a Commended Winner in 2020. The Walton Orchestra program has been invited to perform at the national ASTA conference three times and state GMEA Conference ten times. The Walton orchestras have completed six European tours. Learn more about our orchestra program: www. waltonorchestra.org.

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See you in Athens!