Clinicians

The following clinicians will be presenting at the 2024 In-Service Workshop. Click on the thumbnails to view their bios and access hand-out files. Files may be accessed by registered ISW attendees who are logged in to My ISW.
Kimberly Dunn
Adams
Kimberly Dunn Adams
KMEA All-State Treble Choir Conductor

Kimberly Dunn Adams is the Director of Choral Activities at Western Michigan University, where she directs the University Chorale, Anima, Collegiate Singers, and Grand Chorus. She also directs the graduate program in choral conducting and teaches choral literature and choral conducting. Adams’ choirs have received top prizes in national and international competitions, invitations to perform at choral conventions, and recognition for their recordings. In 2015, Adams was named a Conducting Fellow in the International Conductors Exchange Program. She has presented at the World Choral Symposium, Nordic Choral Conference, National Collegiate Choral Organization Conference, Michigan Music Conference, and the MSMVA Summer Workshop.

Adams was previously the Director of Choral Ensembles at Mount Holyoke College. Adams holds a BA in religion from Oberlin College, a BM degree in vocal performance from Oberlin Conservatory, and the MM degree in choral conducting from the Yale School of Music. Adams earned the DMA in choral conducting with a minor in music theory at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Adams is highly praised for her energetic, positive, and insightful work as a guest conductor and is a sought-after clinician and adjudicator.
Michael
Alexander
Michael Alexander
KMEA All-State String Orchestra Conductor

Michael Alexander serves as Professor of String Music Education at Baylor University and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the Baylor School of Music. He joined the faculty in 2006 after 22 years of teaching orchestra at Stratford HS in Houston, Texas. He holds degrees from Southwestern University (BME), Sam Houston State University (MM), and the University of Houston (DMA). His duties at Baylor include overseeing the undergraduate academic curriculum, supervising string student teachers, instruction in classroom string pedagogy, and directing the Baylor String Project.

Dr. Alexander has served as President of the Texas Orchestra Directors Association, Vice-President of the Texas Music Educators Association, and President of the Texas Chapter of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). He currently serves as Immediate Past-Chair of the ASTA National Orchestra Festival. His work has been recognized with the Houston Symphony Award for Excellence in Teaching, ASTA Elizabeth A.H. Green Award, University of Houston Outstanding Music Alumnus, TODA Orchestra Director of the Year, and Baylor Outstanding Professor Award.

Dr. Alexander has presented his research on string sight-reading, tuning, and improvisation at state, national, and international symposia. He has co-authored Orchestra Expressions (Books 1 and 2), Expressive Techniques for Orchestra, and Expressive Sight-Reading for Orchestra (Books 1 and 2). His research is published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, UPDATE: Applications of Research in Music Education, the String Research Journal, Texas Music Education Research, the American String Teacher, the International Society of Assessment in Music Education, and the Southwestern Musician. Alexander has served as clinician/conductor for All-State and Honor groups across the United States, with several engagements in Europe.
Jennifer
Antonetti
Jennifer Antonetti

Jennifer J. Antonetti is the Director of Bands at Topeka High School, in Topeka, Kansas. She received her Master of Music Education (MME) and Bachelor of Music Education (BME) from the University of Kansas. Antonetti is also a regular performing member in several local community ensembles including Marshall's Civic Band, the North Topeka Community Band, and the Crossroads Wind Symphony, and she has been a presenter at district, state, and national conventions. Jennifer is passionate about music education. She is involved in mentoring pre-service and early-career music teachers, researching music education, and developing tools to help teachers to be more successful. She and her husband developed an inventory management application for music educators available at BatonSync.com.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Catherine
Bergman
Catherine Bergman

Catherine (Kate) Bergman earned a DMA in flute performance at KU, where she studied with Professor David Fedele and Dr. John Boulton, a MM from Wichita State University, where she studied with Dr. Frances Shelly, and a BFAE in music education from Wayne State College in Nebraska where she studied with Dr. Jay O’Leary. She plays in the Newton-MidKansas Symphony, the Mid-America Woodwind Quintet, and the Flint Hills Trio. Dr. Bergman has taught flute at Emporia State University since 2002. The ESU Flute Choir, under Dr. Bergman’s direction, has been selected by audition recording to perform at the National Flute Association conventions in 2008 and 2022, as well as the Kansas Music Educators Association convention in 2005, 2007, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2021 and 2024.
Ryan
Bogner
Ryan Bogner

Ryan Bogner is beginning his 13th year teaching in public education and has spent 12 of those years working with HS students. Mr. Bogner has worked in a variety of settings and three different states, has worked closely with three other master teachers, and now he is back in his hometown of Leavenworth, KS to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience to give back to his community. He has helped prepare choirs to perform at state and regional conventions multiple times, and has demonstrated many years of success at Large Group Contest and even earned superior ratings at the esteemed Madrigal Festival his first year teaching. Mr. Bogner holds a Masters in Music with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from Kansas State University having studied under Drs. Yu and Oppenheim, and a Bachelors in Music Education from the University of Kansas where he studied conducting with Dr. John Paul Johnson and voice with Dr. Hugo Vera, Lane Johnson, and Dr. Christian Elser.
Brandon
Boyd
Brandon Boyd
KMEA All-State Middle Level Choir Conductor

Brandon A. Boyd enjoys a versatile career as a conductor, appearing regularly as a clinician, presenter, composer-in-residence, collaborative pianist, and presenter for conferences, conventions, collegiate choirs, church choirs, choral symposiums, and festivals. He is the Assistant Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at the University of Missouri, where he conducts the MU Glee Club and Concert Chorale. In addition to his conducting duties at the university, he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in choral conducting and choral music education.

As a proponent of choral singing to build community, his research interests include organizing choirs for the homeless, identifying the social and physical effects of choral singing on senior citizens, creating authentic field experiences for music therapy and choral music education students.

For three years, Dr. Boyd co-directed three choral community partnerships in Florida: The Tallahassee Senior Choir, RAA Middle School Partnership Choir (university students and middle school singers), and the MTC Women's Prison Glee Club (university students singing with women housed in a correctional facility).

As an active composer and arranger, his music is sung regularly by ensembles throughout the United States and abroad. He is also the curator and editor of the "Brandon A. Boyd Choral Series," a choral series with Hinshaw Music Publications helping promote exciting and innovative works composed by both established and new composers and arrangers. His music also appears in MorningStar, GIA, and Kjos Music Press catalogs. In addition, he is the Executive Editor of Gentry Publications.

In 2017, he was invited by the Santa Fe Desert Chorale to serve as Composer-in-Residence and Community Engagement Leader for their program Giving Voice to the Voiceless. The Chorale premiered a work commissioned by the SFDC, I Search, during their 35th Anniversary of the Summer Justice Concert Series. He served as assistant conductor, pre-concert lecturer, and guest pianist. He set to music a text written by "Poet V," a young participant in the Voces de Libertad program at the Santa Fe County Youth Development Center. His duties also included organizing and conducting the Interfaith Community Shelter Street Choir, thus creating a safe place for men, women, and children experiencing homelessness within the Santa Fe community. Other commissioning partners include Choirs of America Nationals for Top Choirs at Carnegie, Southwestern Adventist University, Florida State University/Tallahassee Community Chorus, New Mexico Music Educators Association, and the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

In 2020, he made his debut with the London Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Andre Thomas, as guest pianist for the Symphonic Gospel Spirit Concert. In that year, he also served as a guest clinician for the NAfME All-National Honor Choir.

He holds two degrees from Florida State University (Ph.D. in choral music education and M.M. in choral conducting) and earned a B.S. in music education (emphasis in piano) from Tennessee State University. He is a proud member of the American Choral Directors' Association (ACDA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), National Association of Negro Musicians (NANM), American Guild of Organists (AGO), and Chorus America. Dr. Boyd also serves as a member of the National ACDA Composition Initiative committee.
Jenna
Braaksma
Jenna Braaksma

Jenna Braaksma serves as Class Piano Coordinator and Instructor in the Piano Pedagogy Laboratory Program at the University of Michigan. Her responsibilities include overseeing the class piano program and curriculum for undergraduate music majors and non-majors, working with graduate student instructors, and teaching group classes and private lessons in the laboratory program. Dr. Braaksma previously served as piano faculty at Buena Vista University where she directed the piano program, taught private piano lessons, instructed group piano classes, and collaborated with choral ensembles. At Dordt University, Dr. Braaksma taught the Piano Pedagogy and Introduction to Music Literature courses.

In addition to her teaching, Dr. Braaksma is an active guest speaker, adjudicator, researcher, and collaborative pianist for vocalists, instrumentalists, and honor choirs. She is in high demand as a presenter at regional and state music education conferences, having recently presented in Connecticut, Florida, Iowa, Nebraska, Indiana, Missouri, Arizona, Arkansas, Michigan, South Carolina, Minnesota, and Kansas, as well as national and international conferences such as Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), National Center for Keyboard Pedagogy (NCKP), and the International Keyboard Collaborative Arts Society (IKCAS). Her primary research interests combine the fields of collaborative piano and piano pedagogy by developing teaching strategies to introduce accompanying skills to beginner collaborative pianists and creating instructional resources by designing a curriculum with pedagogical collaborative repertoire. Dr. Braaksma frequently gives presentations to preservice and current classroom teachers on how to use functional piano skills to support and elevate their instruction. Her most recent publications can be found in American Music Teacher, Music Teachers National Association e-Journal, the National Center for Keyboard Pedagogy through the Francis Clark Center, and the ArkMEA e-journal.

Dr. Braaksma holds a PhD in Music Education with an emphasis in Piano Pedagogy from Florida State University, Master’s degrees in Collaborative Piano and Piano Pedagogy from the University of Missouri, and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Iowa State University.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Abigail
Bryant
Abigail Bryant

Abigail Bryant is teaching Elementary Music Education for Wichita Public Schools. She’s been teaching private lessons for the past 17 years. She is the Family Engagement Coordinator and Equity Leader for her school. She also teaches Professional Development and In-services within her district. She has a reputation for coordinating teams to create a diverse experience and challenge traditional stereotypes. Abigail earned her Bachelors Degree in Instrumental Music at Wichita State University and Masters Degree in Special Music Education. Abigail's passion for leadership and teaching is seen in her ability to help others discover, develop, and mature in their given gifts.
Bryce
Call
Bryce Call

A versatile trumpet player, Bryce Call has performed in a wide variety of musical settings from big bands and jazz combos to chamber ensembles and orchestras. He has been fortunate enough to perform with Aretha Franklin, The Four Tops, the Bob Curnow Big Band, the New London Big Band, the Marcus Lewis Big Band, and Joe McCarthy's Afro Bop Alliance among others. He has also shared the stage and recording studio with trumpet greats Jon Faddis, Allen Vizzutti, Wynton Marsalis, Dave Douglas, and Rick Baptist. from 2016 to 2022 Bryce served as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Band playing lead trumpet with the Guardians Big Band and section trumpet in the Concert and Ceremonial bands.

Bryce is currently the Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Brass Division Coordinator at Washburn University in Topeka, KS. Prior to his appointment at Washburn, he taught at Eastern Connecticut State University. He also runs an active private trumpet studio.

An active composer and arranger, Bryce has produced works for ensembles of various sizes and styles including big band, brass quintet, brass ensemble, solo trumpet, and woodwind trios.

Originally from Brier, WA, Bryce holds a DMA in Trumpet Performance from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, a MM in Trumpet Performance from the University of Idaho, and a BM in Jazz Studies from Brigham Young University. His teachers include Phil Snedecor, Vern Sielert, Sean Butterfield, David Brown, and Greg Lyons
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Julissa
Chapa
Julissa Chapa

Julissa Y. Chapa taught general elementary music in the Houston area for 20 years. She earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Music Education and is currently pursuing her doctorate from the University of Houston. Her intended areas of research are Emergent Bilinguals in the music classroom and music education accessibility in under-resourced areas. Other interests include classroom management and elementary classroom repertoire selection. She received her Kodály Certification from the Kodály Institute of Houston and is a member of OAKE, KET, TCDA and the CEDFA Training Cadre. She has presented staff development sessions for multiple districts and presented in conferences in Texas, Oklahoma, and at OAKE. She teaches summer courses at the Fort Bend Kodály Institute and is currently an adjunct instructor at the University of Houston. Her ultimate goal is to promote quality music education for all children, upholding Kodály's belief that music is the birthright of every child.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Kristin
Chisham
Kristin Chisham

Kristin Chisham is the Middle School/High School Vocal and Musical Director at Douglass High School. For the past 21 years she has also taught in Oklahoma, Missouri and Kansas. Over the years, choirs under Kristin's direction have earned superior and excellent ratings in performance District and State Music Festivals and various festivals. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance degree from Wichita State University in which she was an Olive Beech Scholar. She also has her Master of Music Education from Central Methodist University. In the summer of 2017, Kristin was nominated as a Missouri Choral Directors Association Central District Outstanding Director Nominee. She is also the Director of the Delano Chamber Choir as well as the Director of Music at Hillside Christian Church. Last spring, she was the Music Director for MTW/MTYP's "Seussical".

Kristin has been a private voice teacher for the past 27 years in which she has also had many students in various State, Regional and State Honor Groups. She has also had private voice students participate and place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing organization.

Kristin is an avid performer and debuted her very own Jazz/Cabaret Show "Cabaret with Kristin" in the fall of 2021 at Mosley Street Melodrama. She has also performed with the Wichita Symphony Chorus and Opera Kansas, in which she the Board President. While in Jefferson City, MO she was a member of the MOstly Opera organization, the Jefferson City Symphony and the Southside Philharmonic. She has also performed in various collegiate, community and professional choirs, musicals, operas and orchestras.
Haley
Conway
Haley Conway

Haley Conway is a K-5 Music Teacher at Theodore Roosevelt and Ogden Elementary Schools in USD 383 Manhattan-Ogden District. She is in her 10th year of teaching elementary music and has taught in a variety of ways such as in a regular music classroom, cart teaching for 4 years and traveling up to 4 buildings. Haley received her Master's in Music from Kansas State University and is certified in Kodály and Orff-Schulwerk teaching approaches. She also leads an after-school choir and Orff ensemble with her 4th and 5th graders.
Keith
Dodson
Keith Dodson

Keith Dodson is currently an Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Studies at Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas. Additionally, he is the Music Director and Conductor of the Chamber Orchestra of the Smoky Valley, a professional orchestra also based in Lindsborg. Dr. Dodson completed the PhD in Music Education with an emphasis in Orchestral Conducting at the Florida State University College of Music, where he concurrently completed the Specialized Study in Music Theory Pedagogy program.

Since the summer of 2021, Dr. Dodson has served on the orchestral conducting faculty at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan. Dr. Dodson earned Bachelor's degrees in Music Performance and Music Education from the University of Central Florida, Orlando. He completed a Master's degree in Music Education from the Florida State University, Tallahassee. Dr. Dodson is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), KMEA, the College Orchestra Directors Association (CODA), the American String Teachers Association (ASTA), and Pi Kappa Lambda.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Julie
Duty
Julie Duty

Julie Duty completed her undergraduate degree at Arizona State University in 1998, earning a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. She then taught high school and middle school band and served as a mentor teacher for nine years in Arizona.

Julie founded United Sound, Inc. (www.unitedsound.org) in 2014 and currently serves as the Executive Director, working with teachers, parents, and administrators to bring meaningful participation and inclusivity to the instrumental music classroom. United Sound was created with the goal of developing relationships between students with and without disabilities and providing them with the opportunity to build self-esteem, self-confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging through music. In its first eight years, over 12,000 students in 31 states have participated in United Sound and they have logged over 250,000 relationship-building, music-making hours together.

Julie holds an executive scholar certificate in nonprofit management from the Kellogg Executive Education program at Northwestern University. She is also a highly sought after speaker and guest lecturer and has presented over 100 clinics and keynote addresses at universities, state and national music education conferences, and school district-wide professional development events. Julie is still an active musician, performing as a member of the Tempe Winds for the last 25 years. She is honored to serve as a Board Member for the National Music Council, El Sistema USA, as a member of The Midwest Clinic Advisory Board, as a part of Music for All’s Advocacy in Action Committee, and The Institute for Composer Diversity Advisory Council.
Kelsey
Emmanuel
Kelsey Emmanuel

Kelsey Emmanuel is a sixth-year elementary music educator, currently teaching at Crestview Elementary, a Title I, extended calendar (year-round) school in Kansas City, Missouri in the North Kansas City School District. Kelsey previously taught four years in elementary music education with the Knob Noster School District at Whiteman Elementary at Whiteman Air Force Base. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Central Missouri and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Missouri State University. Kelsey directs the 5th and 6th grade North Kansas City Schools District Honor Choir, a newly formed ensemble in fall of 2023. In her spare time, Kelsey is an active member in the William Baker Festival Singers and is the current Choral Intern with the Institute of Healthy Singing and Research. Outside of music education, Kelsey serves as a facilitator for the Girl Scouts of NE Kansas and NW Missouri where she provides musical and outdoor experiences to young females in the Kansas City area.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Judy
Erpelding
Judy Erpelding

Judy Erpelding is a violinist, violist, and conductor in her 13th year as an educator and Director of Orchestras at the High School level. Currently, she is the Director of Orchestras at Blue Valley North High School, and also teaches 5th grade strings at Overland Trail and Valley Park Elementary Schools in Overland Park, KS. Previously, Mrs. Erpelding was the Director of Orchestras at Free State High School in Lawrence, KS from 2012-2023. There she grew the program from three orchestras to five, nearly doubling the number of students participating in the program.

Mrs. Erpelding has also been recognized as the NEKMEA 2016-17 Outstanding Young Orchestra Director, she served as the KMEA All-State Full Orchestra Chairperson in 2019 and 2020, and as the Assistant Chairperson in 2017 and 2018. Then, in 2020-21 Mrs. Erpelding was named the NEKMEA Outstanding High School Level Orchestra Director. In 2022, Mrs. Erpelding was selected as a Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction by the National Society of High School Scholars, and she was voted as the President Elect of the NEKMEA. Then in 2023, her orchestras from Free State were selected to perform at the Kauffman Center in the KC Classic Festival presented by the Youth Symphony of Kansas City, in addition to being featured in a commercial advocating for music in our schools by KMEA that was aired statewide.

Mrs. Erpelding holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Baker University. She completed her internship/student teaching semester under the tutelage of Dr. Rachel Dirks, and Mrs. Jennifer Mitchell. A Kansas native, Mrs. Erpelding started her journey in music education in Fort Scott, Kansas, where she studied violin in the orchestra program under the instruction of Mrs. Jane Williams. As a violinist, Mrs. Erpelding studied with Carol Cook, Kirt Duffy, Karen Salisbury, Dr. Ralph Carlson, and Lori McKinney. Mrs. Erpelding has also performed as a section violinist with the Lawrence Community Orchestra, the Overland Park Civic Symphony, JCCC Chamber Strings, the Southeast Kansas Symphony, and the Fort Scott and Iola, Kansas Civic Symphonies.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Laura
Farnell
Laura Farnell

Laura Farnell has a passion for making music with singers, working with educators, and creating accessible and artistic choral compositions. After receiving her BME in Choral Music (piano emphasis) from Baylor University in Waco, Texas, Laura taught elementary music for two years in Mansfield ISD, followed by eight years of junior high choir in Arlington ISD. She was honored by her schools with Teacher of the Year awards in 2000 and 2003, and she received an Excellence in Education Award in 2004 as the Arlington ISD's outstanding junior high teacher of the year. Laura presently lives in Arlington, Texas, and serves as a choral adjudicator and an invited music conference presenter/clinician for district, region, and state honor choirs across the country. As a composer, she especially enjoys writing and arranging music for developing choirs and has more than one hundred choral compositions in publication, including many commissioned pieces.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Jason Max
Ferdinand
Jason Max Ferdinand
KMEA All-State Mixed Choir Conductor

Jason Max Ferdinand, Professor – Conductor – Composer – Speaker, is the founding artistic director of The Jason Max Ferdinand Singers: An Ensemble of Exceptional Talents, and was the director of choral activities, chair of the music department, and a full professor at Oakwood University, where he conducted the Aeolians of Oakwood University. He is a published author and composer with GIA Publications, featuring the book, Teaching with Heart: Tools for Addressing Societal Challenges Through Music, and The Jason Max Ferdinand Choral Series (Walton Music).

A native of Trinidad & Tobago, Ferdinand received his Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from Oakwood College (now Oakwood University), his Master of Arts in Choral Conducting from Morgan State University, and his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Maryland. He attributes a lot of his success to the many influential people and experiences that helped shape him into who he is today.

In February 2019, the Aeolians performed at the National Conference of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA). The performance garnered a lot of attention and some even commented, "They broke the ACDA." The ensemble was also selected to be the feature choir at the National Collegiate Choral Organization conference, which was held at the University of Maryland, College Park. In 2023, the Jason Max Ferdinand Singers, will perform at the national conference of the American Choral Directors Association.

He maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and lecturer at schools, universities, churches, and choral festivals and conferences, domestic and international. He is energized when he gets the chance to make music with All-State and festival choirs.

His ensembles have most recently released recordings, The Aeolians (2019) and Solace, The Jason Max Ferdinand Singers (2021). He has enjoyed collaborations with Jacob Collier, Donald Lawrence, Coldplay, Take 6 and others in recent years.

Cultural maladies presented during the year of the pandemic inspired the compilation of Teaching with Heart: Tools for Addressing Societal Challenges Through Music to provide support and encouragement for music educators. The unique circumstances of 2021 also opened a creative opportunity to birth The Jason Max Ferdinand Singers in a virtual concert Live from London - Spring! The ensemble began its unifying journey to breathe life into choral works of underrepresented composers and positively affect the cultural health of our world.
Karla
Funk
Karla Funk

Karla Funk is in her eighth year in the music classroom, and eleventh year in education. Karla is a Certified Orff-Schulwerk teacher, attaining her certification in 2023. Karla has a Master's in Music Education from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Arts from Bluffton University. Karla began her teaching career as a band teacher, but after a couple years, she moved to elementary where she fell in love with the freedom to be creative with her students through singing, dancing, and playing.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Peter
Gipson
Peter Gipson

Peter Gipson is the K-5 Music/Choir & Rock Band Director at Sunflower Elementary School in Lawrence, KS. He is currently in his 19th year as an elementary music educator. Mr. Gipson holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education (2004) from Kansas State University. He also holds a Masters Degree in Instructional Design & Technology from Emporia State University. (2012)

Mr. Gipson has directed the Sunflower Elementary Choir since the fall of 2010, and also facilitates the school's Modern Band program, which enables students to explore music through contemporary music and instruction in guitar, ukulele, bass, keyboards, vocals, and drum set. Sunflower 5th Grade students have the opportunity to participate in both class-based and before-school rock band programs. In 2014, he was named "Elementary Educator of The Year" by the Lawrence Schools Foundation. He was also named the 2018 Northeast KMEA Elementary Vocal Teacher of the Year, and in 2019 was recognized as Lawrence Public Schools' Elementary Teacher of the Year. In 2020, he received the Impact Award from the Lied Center of the University of Kansas.

The Sunflower Elementary School Choir has been recognized statewide for their excellent performances, having been selected to perform at the annual Kansas Music Educators Association In-Service Workshop in Wichita, KS on three occasions, (2015, 2018, 2021). 30 Sunflower Choir members have been selected to perform in the KMEA All-State Elementary Honor Choir since its inception in 2016.
Julie
Giroux
Julie Giroux
KMEA All-State 56A Band Conductor

Julie Ann Giroux was born in Fairhaven, Massachusetts on December 12, 1961. She graduated from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge LA in 1984. She started playing piano at 3 years of age and began composing at the age of 8 and has been composing ever since. Her first published work for concert band, published by Southern Music Company was composed at the age of 13.

Julie began composing commercially in 1984. She was hired by Oscar winning composer Bill Conti as an orchestrator, her first project with Conti being "North & South" the mini-series. With over 100 film, television and video game credits, Giroux collaborated with dozens of film composers, producers, and celebrities including Samuel Goldwyn, Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Madonna, Liza Minnelli, Celene Dion, Paula Abdul, Michael Jackson, Paul Newman, Harry Connick Jr. and many others. Projects she has worked on have been nominated for Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Golden Globe awards. She has won individual Emmy Awards in the field of "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Direction". When She won her first Emmy Award, she was the first woman and the youngest person to ever win that award. She has won it three times.

Giroux has also published a large category of classical works with emphasis on original compositions for Wind Band which are published by Musica Propria and distributed internationally. She is greatly sought after as a composer and recently completing her 5th Symphony "Sun, Rain & Wind" which premiered in June, 2018. Her music has been recorded and reviewed internationally receiving top reviews and her music has been performed at major music festivals the world over.

Giroux has been a true force in a male dominated field and has accrued many previously male only awards. She is a member of ASCAP, The Film Musicians Fund, Kappa Kappa PSI, Tau Beta Sigma and a member of the American Bandmasters Association. She is a recipient of the Distinguished Service to Music Medal Award, Emmy Awards and was the first female composer inducted into the American Bandmasters Association in 2009.
Rob
Grice
Rob Grice
KMEA 12A Honor Band Conductor

Rob Grice's compositions have been performed widely within the United States as well as internationally, including Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East. His Compositions have gained much popularity among music educators and students alike and have been selected for numerous state, national and international contest music list. He has over 160 publications with major music publishers such as Alfred, Wingert-Jones Publications, FJH Music Publisher, C L Barnhouse, Grand Mesa Music, Daehn Publications and others. Recently Mr. Grice created his own label, Composers' Planet, to publish his new concert works. His music was featured on Japan's JVC Victor Entertainment BRN Compact Disc Series, a standard interpretive reference source for Japan's school music program. His commissions include the Iowa Bandmasters Association, Connecticut Music Educators Association, North Dakota Bandmasters, Concordia International School (Shanghai, China), Association of Music in International Schools (United Kingdom), Menominee River High School Honors Band (WI) and Lyndonville Central School District (New York).

Mr. Grice's career as a music educator spans over 30 years and includes teaching in Alabama Public schools, American and British International Schools in China as well as adjunct faculty of Troy University. Mr. Grice has served as conductor and clinician throughout much of the United States as well as China, Canada, Singapore and Oman. His ability to write pedagogically effective music for educational music ensembles can be attributed to his vast experience as an educator. In 2010, Mr. Grice traveled to Oman to conduct the American International School of Muscat High School Symphonic Band in the premiere performance of "Mountain of the Sun". After retirement from Alabama Public schools, Mr. Grice had the opportunity to teach students from all over the world at Shanghai Community International School (Hangzhou Campus) and Dulwich College Suzhou. An experience that opened the door to gaining a broader understanding of the world.
Amy
Hoffman
Amy Hoffman

Amy Hoffman has been on the faculty at Friends University since 1995 where she is adjunct flute professor and flute choir director. She is a member of the faculty quintet (Tower Wind Quintet) and the pit orchestra for Music Theatre of Wichita. She frequently performs in the Wichita area and has played with the Wichita Symphony Orchestra.

Amy maintains a large private flute studio for students of all ages and is regularly an adjudicator for district and state solo and ensemble festivals. She has also served as chairman of the Tack Flute Foundation for the last 15 years. The Foundation administers the use of professional flutes to young students who have need of a better instrument, and sponsors a flute festival in the fall and flute competition in the spring.

She graduated from Butler University in Indianapolis and has studied flute with Ruth Condon, Mary Karen Clardy, George Pope, Alexa Still, Goran Marcusson, William Bennett, and piccolo with Nicola Mazzanti and Lois Herbine.
Jeff
Jarvis
Jeff Jarvis
KMEA All-State Jazz Band Conductor

Jeff Jarvis comes from a family of music educators and has distinguished himself as a trumpeter, composer, professor and music publisher. Jeff is an S.E. Shires trumpet artist and has served as Director of Jazz Studies at the Bob Cole Conservatory at California State University Long Beach since 2005. As a trumpet soloist, adjudicator and clinician, Jeff makes frequent appearances at educational jazz festivals, jazz camps, and music education conferences. Jeff Jarvis composes commissions for school, military, and professional big bands and pops orchestras. He has composed and/or arranged over 175 published works for Kendor Music, Belwin Jazz, iJazzMusic, and UNC Jazz Press. He co-authored The Jazz Educators Handbook with Doug Beach (which is also translated in Japanese), The Chord Voicing Handbook with Matt Harris, and Effective Etudes For Jazz, Volumes 1 & 2 with Mike Carubia. As a conductor, Jeff has led honors jazz ensembles in 39 states and 4 Canadian provinces. He is a Past President of the California Alliance for Jazz, served as Vice-President of the International Association for Jazz Education, Music Director of the Central New York Jazz Orchestra from 1998-2005, and was co-owner of Kendor Music Publishing from 1985-2015. Jarvis is a member of the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers and is a Gold Medal winner in the Global Music Awards, an international arts organization that recognized him in 2019 with a special award for "Lifetime Contributions to Jazz and Jazz Education."

Jeff's solo recordings as a jazz trumpeter and composer have won critical acclaim and placed high on national air play charts. His early career as a studio trumpeter encompasses over 100 R&B and disco recordings for such names as Lou Rawls, Michael Jackson, Melba Moore, The O'Jays and more. Live performance credits include Gladys Knight, Van Morrison, Dizzy Gillespie, Louie Bellson, Joe Williams, Benny Golson, Jon Hendricks, Jimmy Heath, Joe Lovano, Henry Mancini, Slide Hampton, Kevin Mahogany, Grady Tate, Eddie Daniels, Rob McConnell, and Doc Severinsen.

Jeff has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia and Indonesia. He has been a featured guest soloist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Denver Symphony Orchestra, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, USAF Airmen of Note, US Army Jazz Ambassadors, US Army Blues, Jazz Knights of the United States Military Academy Band at West Point, USAF Commanders Jazz Band, USAF Shades of Blue, Riverside Jazz Orchestra, Dallas Jazz Orchestra, Oslo Big Band (Norway), Frank Mantooth Jazz Orchestra, Tom Kubis Big Band and more.
Eric
Jimenez
Eric Jimenez

Eric Jimenez is a music education consultant, podcaster, and Educational Support Manager for Conn Selmer, Inc. in the Southwest United States and Mexico. With over 14 years of experience, Eric has transformed band programs in Houston, achieving Division I and "Best in Class" ratings at UIL and other festivals while increasing student participation and morale.

Recognized for his exceptional contributions, Eric has received notable awards, including Teacher of the Year at Hamilton Middle School in 2012, LULAC-Educator of the Year in 2015, and a Grammy Educational Award in 2015 for his work at Davis HS. He was named one of Prairie View A&M University's top 40 under 40 in 2016 and recognized as one of Yamaha's top 40 under 40 in 2021.

As an active clinician, mentor, and speaker, Eric shares his expertise with arts education programs throughout the United States. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Prairie View A&M University and a Master of Education in Educational Leadership from Lamar University.

Eric is an influential figure in the music education community, serving as a CMA Foundation board member and Advisory Board Member for the Mexican Repertoire Initiative. He is also affiliated with several professional organizations, including the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Texas Bandmasters Association (TBA), Texas Jazz Educators Association (TJEA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), and Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity Inc. He is also an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Corbin
Jones
Corbin Jones

California-born, Colorado-raised arranger and multi-instrumentalist Corbin Jones has credits with such artists as Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Lizzo, Lucky Daye, Lupe Fiasco, Gwen Stefani, and Kendrick Lamar. He's performed at Coachella, Walt Disney Concert Hall, Newport Jazz Festival, Jazz @ Lincoln Center, and on NPR's Tiny Desk Concert Series. A Los Angeles-based graduate of the USC Thornton School's Jazz Studies program, Jones' love of groove has led him to a career on not only double bass, but bass guitar, synth bass, sousaphone, baritone saxophone, and leading his own group, The Corbin Jones Big Band.
Jeremy
Kirk
Jeremy Kirk

Percussionist, educator, composer, and ethnomusicologist Jeremy Kirk is Director of Bands, Percussion, and World Music and Associate Professor of Music at Southwestern College (Winfield, KS). Recipient of the Southwestern College Exemplary Professor of the Year Award, Kirk is deeply committed to providing students the skills necessary to excel in today's world as an educator and/or performer. He combines his traditional training in Western percussion with his extensive knowledge in world music to create a unique global perspective in his teaching and performing. Kirk is an artist and clinician with Majestic Percussion, Mapex Drums, Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets, Sabian Cymbals, Remo Drumheads & World Percussion, and Black Swamp Percussion.
Tim
Lautzenheiser
Tim Lautzenheiser

Tim Lautzenheiser is a well-known name in the music education world as a teacher, clinician, author, composer, consultant, adjudicator, and, above all, a trusted friend to anyone interested in working with young people in developing a desire for excellence. Dr. Lautzenheiser has been a part of the Bands of America family for over 25 years. He served as Executive Director in 1980-82 and has since worked directly with tens of thousands of Bands of America students and directors in leadership and motivational training. His career involves ten years of successful college band directing at Northern Michigan University, the University of Missouri, and New Mexico State University. During this time Tim developed highly acclaimed groups in all areas of the instrumental and vocal field. Following his three years with Bands of America, he created Attitude Concepts for Today, an organization designed to manage the many requests for workshops, seminars, and convention speaking engagements focusing on the area of positive attitude and effective leadership training. He presently holds the Earl Dunn Distinguished Lecturer position at Ball State University. Tim also is the Director of Education for Conn-Selmer, and he serves as the national spokesperson for NAfME's "Make A Difference with Music" program.

Tim's books, produced by G.I.A. Publications, The Art of Successful Teaching and The Joy of Inspired Teaching, are best-sellers in the music profession. He is also co-author of Hal Leonard's popular band method, Essential Elements, as well as the creator of the highly-acclaimed Director's Communication Kits.

Tim is a graduate of Ball State University and the University of Alabama. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Degree from VanderCook College of Music. Additional awards include the distinguished Sudler Order of Merit from the John Philip Sousa Foundation, Mr. Holland's Opus Award and the Music Industry Award from the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors.
Pamela
Lawson
Pamela Lawson

Prior to teaching in Goddard, Pam Lawson successfully taught and directed award winning orchestras in both North and South Carolina, and holds degrees in Music Education, Curriculum and Instruction, Special Education, and is National Board Certified. While in the Carolinas, Pam played professionally, holding the position of Principal 2nd violinist with the Long Bay Symphony Orchestra in Myrtle Beach and with Strand Strings. Other performances include playing with the Downtown String Ensemble in Raleigh, NC, Strand Strings in Myrtle Beach, an appearance in concert with the legendary country singer Ray Price, Wayne Newton, and R & B group Russell Thompkins and the New Stylistics. Pam was featured with the Downtown String Ensemble that included a performance of "Lyric for Strings," written by and in the company of George Walker; first African American to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 1996.

Pam has received numerous awards for the orchestras she's directed for festivals and competitions across the country, earning Superior ratings at both the middle and high school levels. Her passion is for inclusiveness in the classroom, and pushing students to their full potential. Pam continues to perform as a concert violinist and maintains a private lesson studio. She is a member of the National Association for Music Education and was listed as "50 Directors Who Make A Difference" in the School Band and Orchestra Magazine in 2010. She has been awarded Walmart Teacher of the Year, Music Directors Award of Distinction the Wichita Arts Council Award and SCKMEA Music Educator of the Year in 2017.

Pam spends her summers serving as Director for the Northeast Area Strings Academy of Wichita (NASAW), an outreach strings program for underserved students in the Greater Wichita Area. Pam currently serves as the Director of String Orchestras for Discovery Intermediate, Eisenhower Middle, and Eisenhower High School in Goddard, Kansas.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Amber
Litteken
Amber Litteken

Amber Litteken is in her third year of teaching K-5 general music at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School in Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools. She graduated with honors from the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory with a Bachelor of Music Education (instrumental emphasis) and a Bachelor of Spanish Language and Literature. Ms. Litteken has completed all three levels of Orff-Schulwerk training at Baker University and utilizes the Feierabend First Steps and Conversational Solfege curriculum. She earned her certification in teaching English as a Second Language after completing graduate coursework at Kansas State University.
Scott
Lubaroff
Scott Lubaroff
KMEA All-State 1234A Band Conductor

Scott Lubaroff is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Central Florida, where he conducts the UCF Wind Ensemble and oversees all areas of the university's comprehensive bands program, which includes three directors, three graduate assistants, four concert bands, chamber winds, the 385+ member Marching Knights, and the Jammin' Knights Pep Band. Dr. Lubaroff guides the graduate program in instrumental conducting and teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting and music education. Under his leadership the UCF Wind Ensemble was selected to perform for the 2020 College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Southern Division Conference, is in the process of releasing their second commercial recording, Zodiac Concerto II, via Flying Horse Records, and commissioned and performed several world premieres of works by composers including Jim Stephenson, John Frantzen, Alex Burtzos, and Scott McAllister. They remain actively engaged in bringing new works into the repertoire for wind band and chamber winds, composer and artist residencies, and special events, now including the annual UCF Conductors Symposium, Knights Rising High School Honor Band, and Music for All Orlando-UCF Concert Band Invitational, presented by Excelcia Music Publishers. Members of the UCF Wind Ensemble also performed under Dr. Lubaroff's direction at the 2019 Florida Music Educators Association Conference in support of his special topic session.

Prior to his appointment at UCF, Dr. Lubaroff served as Director of Bands (2005-2017) and Chair of the Department of Music (2014-2017) at the University of Central Missouri, in Warrensburg. Under his direction, the UCM Wind Ensemble performed twice in Carnegie Hall (2016, 2010), made three appearances in seven years as a featured ensemble at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference (2015, 2011, 2008), and performed for the Southwest Division Conference of the CBDNA (2014). The Marching Mules grew by more than 50 percent during his twelve years at UCM and Dr. Lubaroff and the UCM Bands were deeply involved in the commissioning of new works by many of today's most prominent and rising composers. Dr. Lubaroff's graduate conductors have gone on to accept collegiate and high school teaching positions throughout the United States, as well as conducting assistantships in some of the nation's most prominent doctoral programs. In 2013, Dr. Lubaroff was recognized with the Governor's Award for Excellence in Education, and was also the 2009 recipient of the UCM College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences' New Faculty Achievement Award.

Dr. Lubaroff also served previously as Associate Director of Bands at Kansas State University (2001-2005), and Director of Bands at Williamsburg High School, in Iowa (1991-1997). He earned his DMA from Michigan State University, and MFA, MA, and BM degrees from the University of Iowa. He is very active as a guest conductor, clinician, presenter, and adjudicator throughout the United States and internationally, including including appearances in Thailand, South Korea, Canada, and the Czech Republic. His publications include a book on the neo-classical wind music of Igor Stravinsky, published by the Edwin Mellen Press, transcriptions for wind band of Johann Strauss, Jr.'s Éljen a Magyár, Op. 332 (Wingert-Jones), and John Psathas' Omnifenix for solo jazz tenor saxophone, drum kit & wind ensemble (Promethean Editions), and a peer-reviewed article in the "Journal of Band Research," on Paul Hindemith's Konzertmusic für Blasorchester, Op. 41. He has presented research and special topic sessions at several state music education conferences, as well as at the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) National Research Conference, Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinics, and the International Conference of the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles.

Dr. Lubaroff is a passionate advocate for the development of new music for mixed winds and for combined acoustic and electroacoustic instruments, and he is a staunch defender of public education and for music in America's schools. He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association and the National Association for Music Education, as well as Phi Beta Mu and Pi Kappa Lambda. He also holds honorary memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, and is a proud former Sinfonian of Phi Mu Alpha.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Jena
McElwain
Jena McElwain

Jena McElwain is in her 24th year of teaching in the Olathe School District. She was the Band Director at Santa Fe Trail Jr. High in Olathe before opening Prairie Trail in 2004. Prior to that, Jena was the Director of Bands in Riley County, KS teaching 5-12 band and vocal music. Jena received her Bachelors degree from K-State and her Masters from Mid-America Nazarene University.

Prairie Trail Middle School has 3 concert bands and 2 jazz bands. Our Prairie Trail Bands have been invited to play at KMEA on 3 occasions, and the Jazz Band received the DownBeat Music Award in 2020 for Outstanding Middle School Jazz Band. The Prairie Trail Jazz Band was most recently named runner up in 2018 and 2023, and winner of the 2019, 2021, and 2022 Kansas City Jazz Summit "Basically Basie" Middle School Competition. Nearly 30% of the Prairie Trail student body is consistently enrolled in a band class each year, and over 55% of our students take at least one music class each day. Jena is also honored to be the President of the Kansas John Philip Sousa Middle Level Honor Band since 2013.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Michelle
Meyer
Michelle Meyer

Michelle Meyer is the Director of Bands at Colby Community College, where she directs three bands (Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Pep Band). There she also teaches Aural Skills and Applied Studies and serves as a CCC mentor teacher. In her career spanning two decades, she has focused on the needs of rural education and high-needs schools in both Virginia and Kansas. While in Virginia, Michelle served as an instructor for the Virginia Governor's School for the Arts, a unique program for gifted and talented students from across the Commonwealth. At Colby Community College, she has provided professional development opportunities for local music teachers and reestablished the Colby Community Band that performs during the summer. In 2020, she was named the Northwest Kansas Music Educators Association Outstanding College Music Educator.

Michelle received her bachelor's degree in music education from Kansas State University. After teaching public school in Kansas, she attended Radford University, earning a Master of Arts in Music with a dual emphasis in clarinet performance and conducting. Michelle is an active member of several professional organizations for band, music education, and clarinet performance. Ms. Meyer is an active performer, conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the Plains States.
Sammy
Miller
Sammy Miller

After working with over 60,000 students in 45 states, Juilliard trained-Grammy nominated drummer Sammy Miller launched the digital platform PLAYBOOK. Miller has developed curriculum for institutions including Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Whitney Museum, Los Angeles Unified School District and The Juilliard School. Miller recently discussed his music education philosophy in his New York Times op-ed titled "We're Teaching Music to Kids All Wrong."

Miller has spent the last decade making jazz accessible to a new generation of listeners and learners. From Lincoln Center to the White House, to the Aspen Ideas Festival, to TEDx, to the Newport Jazz Festival, with special guests including Jon Batiste and Wynton Marsalis, Miller's band, Sammy Miller and The Congregation, has headlined the most prominent Jazz festivals for over a decade. The Congregation specializes in joyful jazz – music that feels good.
Michael
Mills
Michael Mills

Michael J. Mills is a conductor, composer, teacher, and pianist originally from Salt Lake City, UT. He taught middle and high school choir for 11 years in Utah and Kansas where his choirs were known for their inclusive environment, excellent tone, and expressive performances. Mr. Mills earned his BM at the University of Utah and his MM from Kansas State University. He is currently pursuing a DMA at Texas Tech University. In 2011, he won the Brock Prize for Student Composers and continues to write for his choral groups and private students.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Patrick
Moore
Patrick Moore

Patrick Moore is an active percussion performer, educator, arranger, adjudicator, and international clinician. Dr. Moore is a versatile percussionist with experience in many areas. Dr. Moore has performed at various state Day of Percussion events and presented clinics at numerous music education conferences. Dr. Moore has done special performances with Jeff Queen, Robert W. Smith, The United States Army, and Field Band, and at the International Society of Music Education in Beijing China. Dr. Moore earned a Doctorate in Education from Abilene Christian University, Master in Music from Texas Tech University, where he arranged and instructed for the percussion section of the Texas Tech Drumline and Steel Drum Band, and a Bachelor in Music from the University of Arkansas.

Dr. Moore is the Director of Bands at South Carolina State University. At SC State Dr. Moore directs the Athletic Bands, Concert Bands, teaches percussion lessons, percussion technique, instrumental conducting, and oversees all of university bands activities. Dr. Moore is an education endorser of Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, and Majestic percussion. Dr. Moore is also a published author having arrangements published by Alfred Publishing company, Kendor Music, and C. Alan Publications.
Kevin
Pearson
Kevin Pearson

Kevin Pearson is the Director of Vocal Music at Bixby High School in Bixby, Oklahoma, a position he has held since 2019. He has developed the vocal music program into one of tremendous musical growth and excellence. Each year, the choirs under Mr. Pearson's direction perform multiple high-level concerts, including annual masterworks and pops concerts, as well as achieve great success in competitive and adjudicated events. Prior to stepping into his current position, he directed various choral programs throughout Tulsa Public Schools for eleven years. In 2013, he was named the Tulsa Public Schools Teacher of the Year.

Mr. Pearson is the current President of the Organization of American Kodály Educators, an organization whose vision is the realization of a world where the power of music as a unifying, humanizing, and healing force is an integral part of the lives of the American People (oake.org), and Past President of its local affiliate: Oklahoma Kodály Educators.

Mr. Pearson is a Visiting Guest Lecturer in Conducting and Choir at Colorado State University's Colorado Kodály Institute, as well as a former Adjunct Professor of Studio Voice at the University of Tulsa's Department of Theatre, Musical Theatre, and Dance. Additionally, he previously served as the Artistic Director of the Tulsa Children's Chorus.

Mr. Pearson holds a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Oklahoma, as well as a BME from the University of Tulsa. He achieved certification (Levels I, II, and III) in both the Orff Schulwerk and Kodály philosophies from Southern Methodist University and the University of Oklahoma, respectively.

Much of Mr. Pearson's work is centered on the development of the individual and collective voices of choirs, as well as music fluency and the joy of singing, through sequential learning and thoughtful preparation. In his work, he is intent on helping every student that walks into his classroom feel both successful and affirmed in their work, skill, growth, and individuality.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Anya
Pogorelova
Anya Pogorelova

Anya Pogorelova is the Interim Director of Bands at Washburn University where she teaches courses in music education, conducting, and directs the Marching Ichabods, University Band, and the Washburn Wind Ensemble. As a passionate advocate for access to music education for all, Anya is the founder of the Topeka New Horizons Band and previously served as the assistant director of the Roeland Park New Horizons Band. Prior to teaching at Washburn, Anya directed and assisted with instrumental music programs in rural Saskatchewan and economically marginalized areas of Atlanta and Kansas City. She is an alumna of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory (DMA, MM), Georgia State University (MM), and the University of Saskatchewan (BM, BEd).
Erinn
Renyer
Erinn Renyer

Erinn Renyer is Lecturer of Applied Cello at Washburn University. She also maintains a private Cello Studio of 40 students and is Director of the Topeka Cello Collective, a community of student cellists that perform for local and regional events.

Ms. Renyer serves as managing partner of E & E Cello Music, an international publishing company specializing in cello repertoire. Erinn also performs as a freelance soloist, chamber, and orchestral musician with organizations like the Topeka Symphony, Topeka Festival Singers and other ensembles throughout Northeast Kansas and Missouri.

Ms. Renyer has been a string clinician and vendor for Kansas Music Educator Association's Annual Workshop and for the American String Teacher's Association national conventions. She has been a guest conductor and clinician for NEKMEA district orchestras, and for various cello ensemble festivals such as Virginia Cello Ensemble Cellobration!, Olathe North High School's Cello Slam! among many others. Erinn is also on the teaching faculty of the Blanche Bryden Institute as a part of the Sunflower Music Festival.
Amy
Rosine
Amy Rosine

Soprano Amy Rosine is professor of music at Kansas State University where she teaches Applied Voice, Vocal Techniques for Instrumental Music Education, Women in Music, and Survey of Vocal Music for the Adolescent Singer. She also serves as vocal coach for the School of Music, Theatre and Dance Broadway musical productions and has music directed several shows with area theatres.

With an undergraduate degree in Music Education, Dr. Rosine has continued her connection with public school music, specifically working with solo singers through the Flint Hills Vocal Academy, private lessons and recruiting trips for Kansas State University. A seasoned adjudicator for vocal solo and ensemble contests in Missouri, Texas and Kansas, she enjoys assisting choir directors and students with contest preparation. She wants teachers and singers to have the necessary tools for a successful experience.

Originally from Davenport, Iowa, Dr. Rosine holds degrees from University of Kansas (DMA), University of Missouri-Kansas City (MM), and Truman State University (BME). Professional affiliations include the National Association of Teachers of Singing, College Music Society, National Association of Music Education, the Fellowship of Music and Worship Artists and Sigma Alpha Iota.

Dr. Rosine has given masterclasses and clinics throughout the United States and in Italy. She has served on the faculties of Texas Woman’s University, Howard Payne University, Rockhurst College (MO), St. Mary University (KS), and also taught K-12 music in the Adair Co R-II school system in Missouri. Summer programs she has taught at include International Opera Performing Experience (Italy), Riverside Lyric Opera Adult Opera Program (CA) and Blue Lake Fine Arts.
Corey
Seapy
Corey Seapy

Corey Seapy is a dynamic conductor and educator who has spent the last fifteen years maximizing the artistic potential of a wide variety of ensembles. He serves as Director of Bands at the University of Central Missouri, where he leads the Wind Ensemble, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting, and oversees the band program. Prior to arriving at UCM, he served as Director of Bands at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. He is an active guest conductor and clinician, a Third Place recipient of the American Prize in Conducting, and a new music advocate who has led many world premieres. Dr. Seapy holds conducting degrees from the UMKC Conservatory (MO) and Ithaca College (NY), and a degree in Music Education from Gordon College (MA).
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Jason
Seber
Jason Seber
KMEA All-State Full Orchestra Conductor

Jason Seber is known for his inviting and engaging approach on and off the podium. A strong believer in the eclectic experiences which today's symphony orchestras offer their communities, he strives to make music of many genres and styles accessible, relevant, and meaningful to diverse audiences across the country.

Seber has conducted many leading American orchestras, including the Charleston, Colorado, Detroit, Duluth Superior, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Nashville, National, San Diego, Santa Fe, and St. Louis Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Louisville Orchestra, among others. Upcoming performances include debuts with the Minnesota Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops, as well as return engagements with Buffalo, Detroit, Kansas City, Louisville, Nashville, and St. Louis. Seber has had the pleasure of performing with a wide range of artists including Patti Austin, Mason Bates, Andrew Bird, Boyz II Men, Ashley Brown, Jinjoo Cho, Melissa Etheridge, Ben Folds, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Paul Jacobs, Wynonna Judd, Lyle Lovett, Natalie Merchant, Brian Stokes Mitchell, My Morning Jacket, Leslie Odom Jr., Aoife O'Donovan, Pink Martini, Doc Severinsen, Conrad Tao, Bobby Watson, and Joyce Yang. This past summer he led orchestras across the country in Lyle Lovett and His Large Band's summer tour.

Seber served as associate conductor of the Kansas City Symphony from 2016 to 2022. In this position he led the Symphony in over 300 performances on the Classical, Pops, Classics Uncorked, Family, Film + Live Orchestra, Education, and Christmas Festival series. He also served as co-host for the Symphony's podcast, "Beethoven Walks into a Bar." Prior to Kansas City, Seber was the education and outreach conductor at the Louisville Orchestra from 2013 to 2016 and music director of the Louisville Youth Orchestra from 2005 to 2016.

A passionate advocate for music education, Seber has led the Honors Performance Series Orchestra in concert at Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, and Royal Festival Hall in London. He is a frequent guest conductor of the National Repertory Orchestra each summer and he has served as the All-State Orchestra conductor for Georgia, Missouri, and Pennsylvania, and upcoming in 2024, Kansas.
Altin
Sencalar
Altin Sencalar

Hailed by Stereophile Magazine for “sound[ing] like 21st-century grandchildren of JJ Johnson and Kai Winding” (with his co-bandleader Chris Glassman) and praised by the International Trombone Associations Journal for his "virtuosity [and] melodic and harmonic mastery," Altin Sencalar is in high demand across the country as a performer, educator, and composer. As an active performer, Altin has shared the stage, toured, and/or recorded with DeeDee Bridgewater, Rodney Whitaker, Christian McBride, Michael Bublé, John Lee, The Dizzy All Stars Alumni Big Band, David Sanborn, Dafnis Prieto, Ulysses Owens Jr., The Temptations, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, The Velvalletes, Ne-Yo, Big Sean, and many others. Altin exclusively performs on Yamaha Trombones and Euphoniums and is a Yamaha Performing Artist. He is also a Posi-Tone Recording Artist, Picket Blackburn Trumpets & Brass Trombone Brand Ambassador, and is a performing artist for Earasers Earplugs & InEarz Audio, Robinson’s Remedies, and AEA Ribbons Microphones & Pre-Amps. Altin is currently based in New York City where he is currently on the music faculty at Iona University in New Rochelle, NY.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Scott
Sheehan
Scott Sheehan

A nationally recognized advocate and leader for the advancement of music education, Scott Sheehan is the Director of Bands and Music Department Chairperson at the Hollidaysburg Area Senior High School in Hollidaysburg, PA where he directs the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Marching Band and teaches AP Music Theory, Fundamentals of Guitar, and Rock, Rap, and Revolution!. Hollidaysburg has been named one of the Best Communities for Music Education in the United States by the NAMM Foundation for the past eight years under Scott's leadership. In addition to his duties at Hollidaysburg, Mr. Sheehan was a finalist for the 2019 GRAMMY Music Educator Award and is an Educational Clinician for Conn-Selmer. He is also a consultant for strategic planning and association development.

As the President of the NAfME Eastern Division from 2015-2017, Mr. Sheehan served on the National Executive Band and Executive Committee. He is currently the Program Chair for the NAfME All-National Honors Ensembles. As an active member of the PMEA, Scott has served as State President, as well as a District President and Curriculum and Instruction State Representative. He coordinates the PMEA Leadership Academy, serves on the PMEA Mentoring Program Steering Committee, is chair of the PMEA Model Curriculum Framework project.

Mr. Sheehan is a member of Phi Beta Mu, the International Bandmasters Fraternity, and served as a liaison to the NAfME National Band Council. He was recognized at the state level as a Pennsylvania Keystone Technology Integrator by the Department of Education, was named Teacher of the Year in 2013 by the Hollidaysburg Area School District, and received the Outstanding Music Educator Award from Penn State University's College of Arts and Architecture in 2016. He is an active guest conductor and clinician throughout the country and performs trumpet with the Hollidaysburg Community Band and with the Altoona Brass Collective. Scott holds a B.S. Degree in Music Education and a B.M. Degree in Music Marketing from Clarion University, and holds a Master's Degree in Music Education from the Pennsylvania State University.
Krista
Sizemore
Krista Sizemore

Krista Sizemore is in her 8th year as a K-5 music educator. She taught 5 years in Dodge City and is currently in her 3rd year in Derby. Krista has several special endorsements including Kodály certification, ESOL endorsement, and level 1 World Music Drumming. Though teaching elementary school comes with its unique challenges, she loves the fun and silliness of her kids. She especially loves that she often gets to be one of the first people to instill a love of music in her students and that she has a job where she is never bored. In fact, she isn’t really interested in jobs where she can’t jump around like a frog on a regular basis.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Tyler
Stark
Tyler Stark

Tyler Stark was born in Onaga, Kansas, but spent most of his life and musical journey in North Carolina. He is a current DMA student in Wind Band Conducting at the University of Oklahoma, studying with Dr. Shanti Simon. He earned his master’s degree in Instrumental Conducting at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Prior to his graduate studies, Mr. Stark was the director of bands at Central Cabarrus HS outside of Charlotte, NC, where he directed the concert bands, jazz band, marching band, percussion ensemble, as well as taught honors music theory. He received his Bachelor’s in Music Education and Certificate of Percussion Performance from Appalachian State University. He is an Irish music scholar and performer, as well as a marching band percussion arranger. His research interests include how wind band history and music education intersect with music from other cultures.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Doug
Talley
Doug Talley

Doug Talley has performed with such jazz luminaries as Jay McShann, Clark Terry, Bob Mintzer, Claude "Fiddler" Williams, Bobby Watson, Karrin Allyson, Lisa Henry, Byron Stripling, Ignacio Berroa, Randy Brecker, Scott Robinson, Benny Golson and Gary Foster. He is a familiar face throughout the Midwest as a jazz performer and educator. Talley has also appeared at the 18th and Vine Festival, the Kansas Cith Jazz and Blues Festival, the Kansas City Spirit Festival, the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival, Mayport Jazz Festival, and in Las Vegas with The Four Freshmen, The Platters, and The Diamonds.

Doug Talley is the recipient of the Kansas Governor’s Arts Award, and the Johnson County Library Pinnacle Award for arts in education. He is a Selmer saxophone artist and clinician and has served as a clinician with numerous college and high school groups throughout the Midwest. Talley served as a faculty member of the Great Plains Jazz Camp for 12 years, the KC Jazz Camp for over 15 years, and the director of the Rotary Youth Jazz Band for over 10 years. He also served as an IAJE conference clinician and as a faculty member of the IAJE Teacher Training Institute. He currently teaches band, jazz band and music theory for Shawnee Mission USD 512.
Katherine
Todd
Katherine Todd

Katie Todd earned her Bachelors of Music Education in 2012 from Kansas State University. She continued her education by pursuing a Masters of Music Education degree at her alma mater, graduating in 2017. Todd is in her eleventh year of teaching and currently teaches in Maize USD 266.

Todd was selected as the 2024 Kansas Teacher of the Year Nominee for the Maize district and received the national Music for All Advocacy in Action award for Elementary Excellence. Her passions include playing the oboe, supporting the next generation of music educators and collaborations with Kindie music artists. Her door is always open to anyone who would like to observe or collaborate.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Paden
Town
Paden Town

Paden Town is a dedicated elementary music educator, holding a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master's degree in Music from Kansas State University. With 14 years of teaching experience, he received the Shining Star award in 2014 while teaching in Junction City and the Golden Apple Award in Andover in 2020 where he currently teaches. The 2023-24 academic year brought the honor of being recognized as the South Central District Outstanding Elementary School Music Educator. Paden is grateful for these acknowledgments and humbly continues to innovate, introducing a 5th-grade musical theater program and establishing the Jaguar Children's Choir in Andover to nurture musical exploration. Throughout his journey, the focus remains on sharing the joy of music with students at Sunflower Elementary.
Garrett
Viets
Garrett Viets

Garrett Viets is a seventh-year teacher and is the choir director at Lawrence West Middle School. He earned his Bachelor's of Music Education specializing in voice with a physics minor from Wichita State University, and he has worked as an audio/video technician both professionally and as a hobby for over a decade. Members of Garrett's choirs have regularly been selected for the KMEA All-State Middle Level Choir, and his West Middle School Chorale is the largest vocal performance group in Lawrence at 81 members. He has premiered multiple original arrangements and compositions with his choirs in Lawrence.
Patrick
Ware
Patrick Ware

Patrick Ware is an internationally known Orff-Schulwerk clinician and choral conductor. With a service to education spanning more than 25 years, he holds a B.A. in Music from Westfield State University, an MS.Ed from Radford University and a DMA from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Shenandoah University. Dr. Ware is a National Board Certified Teacher in Music/Elementary and Middle Childhood. He teaches basic pedagogy, movement and recorder for multiple AOSA Orff-Schulwerk teacher education programs. Dr. Ware is currently the AOSA President-Elect. He is a former President of the Virginia Elementary Music Educators Association. Patrick has several compositions in print through Beatin' Path Publications including works for treble choir with Orff Ensemble. Patrick teaches K-5 General Music and Chorus in Prince William County Virginia. Special focuses in his classroom and courses include Jazz in the elementary setting and the use of children's literature.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Herbert
Washington
Herbert Washington
KMEA All-State Elementary Choir Conductor

Herbert Washington is the Harvey K. Smith Artistic Director and alumnus of the Grammy-award winning Phoenix Boys Choir. Recognized for his dynamic teaching style and his ability to instill a love for the choral arts, he is a frequent choral clinician, conductor, lecturer, writer, and adjudicator for regional and state festivals, workshops, and conferences around the country.

Beyond the scope of choral music education, Washington is an advocate for diverse styles of music. He has ongoing efforts in producing, composing, and arranging radio and commercial music. Mr. Washington has collaborated with leaders in the music industry, including Grammy Award-winning Tori Kelly, Jordin Sparks, Bret Michaels, and Jason Derulo. While working toward his B.A., he was a tenor, counter-tenor, and soloist in the St. Olaf Choir, conducted by Dr. Anton Armstrong, and he directed “Voices of Praise,” the St. Olaf Gospel Choir. Upon graduating from St. Olaf College in Minnesota and earning a dual B.A. in Music and Fine Arts, Mr. Washington went on to receive an M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Arizona. While under the mentorship of Dr. Elizabeth Schauer and Dr. Bruce Chamberlain at UArizona, Washington founded the all-male award winning ensemble, Meow-or-Never A Cappella (previously known as CatCall) before graduating in 2009.

Washington is a proud member of the Arizona Music Educators Association (AMEA), former ACDA Western Division Chair board member (WDACDA), and currently serves as the Repertoire and Resource Chair for Boy Choirs for the Arizona American Choral Directors Association (AzACDA).
James
Weaver
James Weaver

James Weaver is the Director of Performing Arts and Sports for the National Federation of State High School Associations.
Blair
Williams
Blair Williams

Blair Williams is Director of Professional Development for the American String Teachers Association. She has served our string teaching community in public schools, higher education, civic and youth symphonies, and in the string studio for over 20 years. She is Executive Director and on the conducting staff with the Manhattan (KS) Youth Symphony and performs as a freelance musician. A frequent guest conductor, clinician, lecturer, and adjudicator, she is also a published author in research and practitioner journals and publications. Dr. Williams enjoys working with and learning from teachers, musicians, and students across the country.
Hand-out files from this clinician are available for ISW Attendees.
Alex
Wimmer
Alex Wimmer

Alex Wimmer is currently serving as the Assistant Director of Bands at Kansas State University. His duties include directing the Wind Symphony, Cat Band (basketball pep band), Volleyball Band, Pub Crawl Band, Assistant Marching Band Director for the Pride of Wildcat Land (KSUMB), arranger and drill designer for the KSUMB, and instructor of undergraduate and graduate courses in conducting, arranging, and marching band techniques. During the summer he coordinates the K-State Summer Music Camp and K-State Leadership and Auxiliary Camp, and serves as one of the Assistant Directors of the Manhattan Municipal Band. Prior to his appointment at Kansas State University, Dr. Wimmer was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the Kansas State University Bands. He assisted with all concert and athletic ensembles, undergraduate conducting courses, and Percussion Ensembles. His research interests include undergraduates conducting with expressivity and qualitative research.

Originally from Gretna, Nebraska, Dr. Wimmer received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, his Master of Music degree in Education with an emphasis in Wind Conducting from Kansas State University, and his Doctorate in Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State University. Dr. Wimmer was the Director of Bands at Gretna High School and the Assistant Director of Bands at Gretna Middle School. He was a recipient of the Jack R. Snider Young Band Director Award in 2011 and served on the Nebraska Music Educators Association Leadership Academy from 2011-2012.

Dr. Wimmer is in demand as a conductor, clinician, and adjudicator as well as a percussion specialist. His professional affiliations include the Kansas Music Educators Association, the Kansas Bandmasters Association, the National Association for Music Education, the College Band Directors National Association, the Percussive Arts Society, Kappa Kappa Psi, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Phi Kappa Lambda. He is currently serving as president of the Kansas Bandmasters Association (2023-2024). He also co-chairs the New Band Director Bootcamp during the Kansas Bandmasters Association's summer convention.
MacKenzie
Wright
MacKenzie Wright

MacKenzie Wright (Ohio Wesleyan University, B.M., Piano and Organ Performance, California Institute of the Arts, MFA, Performer-Composer) started her career as a concert pianist, church organist, and composer. She transitioned to vocal coaching while residing in Los Angeles, primarily working with adults with limited formal music backgrounds. After relocating to Kansas City in 2015, MacKenzie began studying comedic theatrical improvisation (“improv”) and quickly became a sought-after accompanist for musical improv. In addition to pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education at the University of Kansas, MacKenzie teaches musical improv around the KC metro and coaches CHICKAGO, the musical improv house team at The Bird Comedy Theater. As an instructor, MacKenzie firmly believes that anyone can sing, and sing joyfully.