Session Presenter Bios

Allen Sanders is a graduate of Mississippi State University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with B. M. E in 2011.  He is also a graduate of Florida State University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with a M.M.E. in Choral Music Education in 2021. 

Allen is in his fifth year at Center Hill High School where he serves as the Director of Choirs. Under his direction, the Center Hill Choir program has grown and consistently earned superior ratings at various competitions and festivals. Recently, the Center Hill Select Women’s Chorus was selected to be a performing choir at the 2024 Mississippi Music Educators Association/American Choral Directors Association Joint Conference. Mr. Sanders has also served as the organist at Maples Memorial United Methodist Church in Olive Branch, MS for 9 years now.  He has been a part of music making in Mississippi for 14 years, serving as accompanist for a variety of events such as the Mississippi Music Educators Association District II Honor Choir, Coro Fuente Men’s Choir, Mississippi-ACDA Children’s Choir Festival, Mississippi ACDA All-State Women’s Choir, and the Mississippi ACDA Summer Conference. With the Midsouth Music Institute, Sanders has the privilege to serve as the Interim Conductor of Coro Fuente, which is the tenor bass ensemble in the Coro Rio family. 

Mr. Sanders is an active member of NAfMe and ACDA. He has also served in the past as the North Site Chair for Mississippi Children’s Choir Festival put on by ACDA and District II MMEA Chair.  Sanders currently serves on the MSACDA Board as the Resource Chair for Treble Choir. He lives in Southaven with his amazing wife, Caysee, daughter, Briana and two dogs Faye Mae and Greta Anne.   

Amy Barrett Lee is the music teacher for Mannsdale Elementary School and the former choral director at MSU Partnership Middle School in Starkville. She also established thriving music and choral programs at Florence and Richland schools and holds educational endorsements in Visual, English, Performing Arts, and Theatre. Lee received a Bachelor of Music from Mississippi College and a Master of Music Education from Mississippi State University and recently earned her National Board Certification in Early Adolescence through Young Adulthood Music. She is currently completing her degree in

Educational Leadership in Administration through Mississippi State University and plans to pursue a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction.

Lee is an active member of MMEA/NAfME, ACDA, and the National A Cappella Education Association. As President of the MMEA High School Division, she intentionally worked forinclusion of all students and choral programs and for the collaboration and unity of the various genres and state organizations. Choirs under her direction have been selected to perform at the MS MMEA/ACDA State Conference in the Top Ensemble Masterclass, Carnegie Hall, the Washington Mall, The Lincoln Center, and at the International A Cappella Festival in Italy. Lee has been honored to serve as a guest clinician and adjudicator across the south. Lee has been awarded multiple grants, including a five-year arts infusion grant that garnered

her school district the coveted Mississippi Governor’s Award of Excellence. Lee was a Yale University’s Music Educator of the Year and received a Proclamation from the Mississippi House of Representatives for her impact on students and her role in music education.

Alissa Mercurio Rowe is a passionate, innovative, and collaborative artist and educator. Her professional environment and performances are often described as “energetic,” “inclusive,” “creative,” and “inspiring.” Rowe is an active guest conductor and adjudicator, has given choral and vocal workshops in the Midwest and Southern states, and has conducted all-state and regional honor choirs. Her recent research on individual assessment in the choral rehearsal led to presentations at the 2019 American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) National Conference, Georgia and Louisiana ACDA conferences, and the 2020 International Conference on Arts and Humanities in Oahu, Hawaii.

Rowe previously served as Vocal Area Coordinator and Graduate Studies Coordinator in Music at Southeastern Louisiana University. As a soloist, she has performed with the Tallahassee Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Baton Rouge Symphony, New Hampshire Symphony, and the National Symphony Orchestra (Mexico). She also performed and recorded three roles in David Schiff’s opera Gimpel the Fool, conducted by Kenneth Kiesler, with Third Angle, Portland Oregon’s renowned new music ensemble. Rowe is a versatile performer who regularly performs a wide variety of works such as the Beethoven’s Mass in C, Messiah of Handel, Mozart’s Great mass in c minor, Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and Schubert’s Mass in G, as well as opera roles in La Cenerentola, The Consul, Die Zauberflöte and La Perichole, among others. In October 2021, Dr. Rowe released the album Defining French Arias of Early 19th Century New Orleans with Centaur Records.

Rowe received the Irene Pennington Endowed Professorship in the Visual and Performing Arts at Southeastern from 2018-2021. She also received the St. Tammany Parish President’s Award as Music Director of the Northlake Performing Arts Society in September 2019 and Musical Artist of the Year in 2012. In 2013, Dr. Rowe received the Southeastern Louisiana University’s President’s Award for Excellence in Artistic Activity.

Rowe holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Louisiana State University, a Master of Music in Conducting, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance, a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, and Teacher Certification K-12 from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Helms is originally from Georgia and has taught elementary, middle, high school, and college for 23 years. He received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Georgia Southwestern College, Master of Music Education from Valdosta State University, Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Georgia Southern University, Educational Specialist in Vocal Music Education from Auburn University, and DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is currently the Director of Choral Activities and Theatre at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Artistic Director of the Mississippi Boychoir, Director of the Lincoln County Choral Society, and the Director of Music Ministry at Faith Presbyterian Church in Brookhaven. Bobby is also a Certified Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner, a Certified Neuro Linguistic Programming Master Practitioner, and a Human Rights Consultant.

Bobby’s conducting career includes being the Founder and Artistic Director of the Houston County Middle School Mixed Choir, Artistic Director of the Tifton Choral Society, and guest clinician for district and state honor choirs, and choral music education workshops in Georgia and Mississippi. In addition, he has presented choral repertoire reading sessions at the local and state levels as well as interest sessions at the 2023 & 2024 Louisiana ACDA Fall Vocal Conference and 2024 Mississippi ACDA/MMEA conferences. His research primarily focuses on children’s choirs, and he was selected to present a workshop on Developing Children’s Choirs at the Georgia Music Educators Association conference. Choirs under his direction performed at the GMEA Conference in 2008 and 2013. In 2023, the Mississippi Boychoir was selected as a featured choir at the ProMusica International Choral Festival at Queens University in Kingston, Ontario, and in NYC at St. Patrick’s Cathedral performing on the Guest Concert Choir Series. The Mississippi Boychoir Young Men’s Ensemble will perform at the 2025 Mississippi ACDA/MMEA Conference.

Claire Murphy is Assistant Professor of Music Education and Coordinator of Music Education at Stephen F. Austin State University, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate music education courses and coordinates the clinical teacher program. 

Previously, Murphy was the Chair of Music Education at the University of Idaho, where she taught undergraduate and graduate courses in music education, coordinated and supervised the student teacher program, and conducted the Women’s Chorus. While at the University of Idaho, she was named Professor of the Year. Prior to moving to Idaho, Murphy served as adjunct faculty at Barton College and East Carolina University. 

Murphy, originally certified (K-12 music) in NC, has taught all levels over the past twenty-five years.in North Carolina, Florida, Idaho, and Texas, both in public and college preparatory schools. Additionally, she has served as the director/founding director of numerous children’s and youth auditioned and non-auditioned children’s choirs throughout her career.  

Dr. Murphy has been actively involved in professional music organizations, including NAfME, ACDA, NCMEA, FMEA, IMEA, TCDA, and TMEA. Murphy is also an active member and presenter with the Education Law Association. An active adjudicator and clinician in the state of Texas, she has recently presented at TMEA, TCDA, the Education Law Association National Conference, and the Oxford Symposium on Religious Studies at Oxford University. Dr. Murphy obtained her undergraduate and master’s degrees from East Carolina University and her doctorate from Stephen F. Austin State University.

Carrie Owens is a National Board Certified Teacher and is currently the Choral Music Teacher at Quitman Jr. High School. In 25 years of teaching, her middle and high school choirs have consistently earned superior ratings in performance and sight-reading, sung on the stage at Carnegie Hall and competed at the National A cappella Competition in Memphis, TN.

Mrs. Owens is a member of National Association for Music Education (NAfME), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and A Cappella Educators Association (AEA). In the past, she has served as SATB High School R&R Chair for the Mississippi ACDA Board, and on the Executive Board of Mississippi Music Educators Association (MMEA) Jr. High Choral Division. Mrs. Owens has received the ACDA Earnestine Ferrell Award, MMEA Outstanding Music Educator of the Year, MMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator Award, Quitman Jr. High and Olde Towne Middle School's Teacher of the Year and Mississippi College's Young Alumnus of the Year in Music.

Mrs. Owens received her Bachelor of Music Education, Bachelor of Church Music (voice), and Master of Music (conducting) from Mississippi College. Mrs. Owens is married to Steve Owens and their children are Alexandra and Luke. Mrs. Owens can be found on Instagram and Teacher Pay Teachers at “The Choir Cafe”

Creighton Holder currently serves as Director of Music (Organist/Choirmaster) at the First Presbyterian Church of Oxford, Mississippi where he programs all service music, coordinates the Music at First concert series, and teaches in the Music at First piano studio. Creighton is active in the Oxford community as Co-Director of the Oxford Civic Chorus, Subdean of the Oxford-University of Mississippi chapter of the American Guild of Organists, and as a collaborative pianist in the University of Mississippi music department. He also serves as the Music in Worship chair for the Mississippi American Choral Directors Association. Creighton is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned degrees in piano performance and choral conducting; his primary instructors were Dr. Ellen Price Elder and Dr. Gregory Fuller. He recently completed the Certificate in Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique at Salem College (Winston-Salem, North Carolina) under the instruction of Dr. Barbara Lister-Sink.

Chandler Smith is in his 6th year of teaching and his second year at East Central Community College in Decatur, Mississippi. Chandler earned his Bachelor's degree from Delta State University in 2017 and continued his education at Mississippi College, earning his Master’s in Choral Conducting. He previously served as the high school choir director at Newton County High School and assistant choral director at Richland High School. His choirs have consistently received superior awards at state and local choral festivals. His choirs have been invited to perform throughout the United States, including Lincoln Center with Grammy award-winning choral conductor Eric Whitacre, the National A Cappella Convention, and the Mississippi State Capitol. EC has plans to make their European debut in the summer of 2025, singing in London. Chandler has served as adjudicator, clinician, and consultant for various acapella groups, concert choirs, and show choirs. 

Dr. T. Andrew Trautman is the Choral Director at Holmes Community College, where he conducts two choirs, teaches all private voice students, and teaches all classes in music theory, music history, and aural skills. 

He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi and two degrees from Coastal Carolina University—a Master of Arts in Teaching with a concentration in music and a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in voice. As a graduate assistant at USM, he held a variety of teaching positions, including: teacher of aural skills, chorusmaster for the Southern Opera and Musical Theatre Company, and instructor for a 200-student music appreciation class. He assisted most of the choirs at USM and led several of them in public performances. While he was pursuing his master’s degree, Trautman was selected as the sole graduate assistant for the Department of Music at Coastal Carolina University. 

He has studied conducting under Gregory Fuller, Jonathan Kilgore, Timothy Koch, Frances T. Sinclair, James Tully, and Richard Johnson.

Dr. Trautman is also in demand as a performer, having worked as a tenor soloist, chorus member, and percussionist. In addition, he has held positions in church music programs since 2007, including six years as the director of a church choir comprised entirely of paid musicians.

Before his collegiate postings, Trautman was a department head and taught choir, band, and general music at Waccamaw Middle School in Pawleys Island, SC. At the same time, he won the position of Associate Conductor for the Carolina Master Chorale, a symphonic chorus, under the direction of Dr. Tim Koch.

Austin-based concert saxophonist Elizabeth Rosinbum maintains an exciting career as an educator, speaker, clinician, and performer.  She maintains a select private studio as the lead saxophone instructor in one of the most competitive districts in the state. Her commitment to educating the next generation of musicians has led to numerous successful enterprises beyond her private teaching career. Rosinbum was the first-ever saxophonist to be hired as a D'Addario Woodwinds clinician. Since her initial involvement in 2013, she has facilitated additional growth in this program by supervising and mentoring other clinicians in multiple states, authoring D'Addario's "Saxophone Survival Guide," and becoming a founding member of the D'Addario Educational Collective.​ During the summer months, Rosinbum is Director of Summer Camps for Austin Saxophone Ensemble's Youth program. She has also held positions as Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at Concordia University Texas, and as a faculty member of the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop and Longhorn Music Camp's Middle School Saxophone Academy.

A skilled clinician and speaker, Rosinbum travels throughout the United States and internationally to lecture on woodwind pedagogy, entrepreneurship, performance psychology, and career strategies and business skills for musicians. She has spoken as a guest lecturer at multiple colleges and universities in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, and overseas, and was recently featured in Episode 6 of the podcast "Pay to Play." She has also given hundreds of masterclasses in her role with D'Addario Woodwinds, where she showcases D'Addario mouthpieces, reeds, and accessories as educational outreach to young musicians.​

Rosinbum has performed nationally and internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. She has premiered and/or commissioned works by Michael Mikulka, Jack Wilds, Rob Smith, Anna Meadors, James Lowrie, Shelley Washington, Andrew Koss, Alejandro Cimadoro, Brett Kroening, and Andrew Noseworthy. Rosinbum has performed with the Austin Saxophone Ensemble since 2017, and currently serves on the board. She is also a proud Key Leaves artist.

Dr. Hannah Gadd Ardrey teaches choir and piano at Oxford Middle School. During her ten-year teaching career, she has received recognitions including the Lafayette High School Teacher of the Year, the Lafayette County School District Teacher of the Year, and the 2019-2020 Mississippi Teacher of the Year. Ardrey received the NEA Foundation’s California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence and was a quarterfinalist for the 2021 Grammy Music Educator Award.

Ardrey is a proud National Board Certified Teacher and is an Advocacy Co-Chair for the Mississippi Music Educators Association board. She recently served as a Mississippi Teach Plus Policy Fellow and is active on the NAfME Advocacy Leadership Force. Ardrey received a Bachelor of Music in vocal music education (2013) and a Master of Music in choral conducting (2015) from the University of Mississippi. She graduated with an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership (2021) and an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership (2024) from William Carey University. Hannah is married to OHS Choir director Thomas, and they have a two-year-old son named Smith.

Hilary Strum is a dedicated music educator with a Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Master’s of Education in Educational Administration from Dallas Baptist University. Beginning her career in Texas, Hilary has since returned to her alma mater, Oak Grove High School, where she serves as the Director of Centerstage! and Spectra. In 2016, Hilary married her perfect duet partner, Aaron, and together they are raising their son, Benjamin.

Ian Cicco completed his PhD in music education with a minor in voice at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He teaches at The University of Southern Mississippi as Assistant Professor of Music Education and previously taught at the University of North Texas as a Visiting Lecturer of Music Education. Ian taught in P–12 schools in Southwest Florida with an emphasis in elementary general music. He has presented his research both internationally and nationally, and he has also presented several practitioner sessions at state MEAs. His research has been published in the Journal of Research in Music Education, Action, Criticism, and Theory for Music Education, Journal of Historical Research in Music Education, Visions of Research in Music Education, and The Orff Echo. In addition, he has a published chapter titled “Classroom Music” in A Music Pedagogy for Our Time (GIA Publications). Ian currently serves on the The Orff Echo editorial board and as Vice President for the MS Orff Chapter #100. 

Joe Cerutti has served as the Artistic Director of the Alexandria Harmonizers (est. 1948) since 2007. A certified music judge with the Barbershop Harmony Society, he is one of only three individuals to hold the title of Master Director with both Sweet Adelines International and BHS. Cerutti has led numerous high-profile performances at venues such as the White House, the Supreme Court, Carnegie Hall, and in major cities across North America and internationally including tours in Australia, China, France, Germany, Holland, New Zealand, and the UK.

Under his direction, the Harmonizers have competed in multiple international competition cycles and performed around 20 times per year. He founded the group’s annual Youth Harmony Festival, spearheaded successful outreach programs, and prepared the choir for two world premieres with the National Symphony Orchestra. As an esteemed juror, lecturer, and clinician, Cerutti has participated in choir festivals and conductor roundtables worldwide. He currently serves as Director of Education at BHS. A lifelong member of BHS, Cerutti holds a BA in Music Education and Jazz Commercial Music from Five Towns College and a Master’s in Choral Conducting from Boston University.

Limeul Eubanks is the Director of PreK-12 Arts at the Mississippi Department of Education. In this role, he oversees Dance, Media Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, World Languages, and the Mississippi Seal of Biliteracy Program programs. Eubanks is a visual artist and an experienced art educator. His academic credentials include a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) with a studio focus in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional art, a Master of Education in Mild/Moderate Special Education with supporting areas in Art Education, and Gifted and Talented Education, as well as a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in ceramics, painting, dramatic arts, and communications.

Eubanks has extensive training in various art mediums and forms, and he possesses valuable teaching experience in arts integration, spanning from pre-K to college levels.

Jennifer Adams earned her Bachelor of Music Education and her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Mississippi College, which named her the Outstanding Young Alumna for the Department of Music in 2016. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and has been the Choral Director at Germantown Middle School in Madison, Mississippi, since 2011. Ms. Adams is also a church musician and singer-songwriter/ recording artist.

Jennifer D. Davis serves as the Director of Choral Activities for Starkville High School and Music Mentor for Starkville Oktibbeha County School District, Starkville, MS. Previously, she has directed the choirs at Meridian (MS) High/Kate Griffin JHS and Crowley (TX) High/HF Stevens Middle. In her 27 years, Mrs. Davis developed the piano lab and AP Theory at MHS and SHS and has worked with all her campuses to develop their music departments, build performances, and compete in their events. Her choirs have frequently earned Sweepstakes and Superiors at festivals, and performed with Carnegie Hall, Festival Disney, Six Flags, and multiple sports venues. She has actively brought back musicals to past campuses and is passionate that every student deserves music.

Mrs. Davis currently serves as the MSMEA Past President and the MS preK-12 Solo and Ensemble Coordinator; she has served as past High School Division president and in leadership with MHSAA and advising with MDE.  She has a Master and Bachelor of Music in Music Education, both from William Carey University. Influential teachers are Milfred Valentine, Mark Malone, Constance Roberts, Teresa Sanchez, Frederica Braidfoot, Howard Keever, and David Young. 

Jennifer’s husband, Danny, is the Managing Editor for the Office of Thesis and Dissertations for MSU. They enjoy spending time with their adult children, Connor and Anna -usually cheering for the Bulldogs!

Mandi Dickens earned her Bachelor’s in Music Education degree from Delta State University in 2010 where she was a member of several performing groups and honor societies. After college, she began her career teaching middle and high school band at Forest High School and Wayne County High School. In 2013, she spent four years as head band director at Stringer High School where she led the band to four consecutive MHSAA 1A State Marching Band Championships. In 2017, Mrs. Dickens began her career as an Elementary Music teacher at Laurel Magnet School of the Arts, a Mississippi Whole Schools Exemplar School, where she taught until 2023. In 2022, she was the runner-up for the Mississippi Grammy Museum’s L.U.C.Y. award. She is also a member of the Mississippi Music Educators Association and Mississippi Professional Educators. Since 2023, Mrs. Dickens has been the Music teacher at Oak Grove Elementary in Hattiesburg, MS. She lives in Laurel, MS with her husband, Jeremy, and two sons, Jordan and Connor.

Dr. Monte Garrett has more than 20 years of experience as a choral conductor and music educator. His teaching appointments have included Weatherford (TX) High School, Howard Payne University (Brownwood, TX), and Cisco Junior College (Cisco, TX). He earned both the Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Music from Hardin- Simmons University in Abilene, TX, and the Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting at the University of Texas at Austin. His conducting teachers include Dr. Loyd Hawthorne, Dr. David Keith, and Dr. James Morrow. He has participated in conducting master classes with Dr. Ken Fulton (Louisiana State University), Dr. Joshua Habermann (Dallas Symphony Chorus) and Jon Washburn (Vancouver Chamber Choir).

Dr. Garrett’s choirs have commissioned and premiered choral works by Kurt Kaiser, Kinley Lange, Libby Larsen, Mary McDonald, Robert Sterling, Robert Tucker, David Ashley White, and Robert Young. He is an active clinician in high school choir rooms and served as the clinician/conductor for the Texas Music Educators Association Region 7 All-Region Choir in 2003. In the summer of 2005, he conducted the Texas Baptist All- State Youth Choir – the first “alumni” of the choir to do so. He also conducted the TBAS choir in the summer of 2009. In 2007, the Howard Payne University Concert Choir recorded “When I Survey,” a CD of hymn settings and arrangements.

On two occasions he has presented at choral symposia sponsored by North Dakota State University and the American Choral Directors Association: “Choral Settings of American Texts by Jackson Berkey,” (April 2013) and “Programming for a Thematic Choral Concert,” (October 2018). The latter presentation was parlayed into written format which was published in Relevance in the Ensemble Arts, Tim Sharp, ed. GIA Publications, January 2020. His article “The ‘Forgotten’ Music of Salzburg: The Organ Sonatas of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the Choral Graduals of Johann Michael Haydn” was published in the February 2008 issue of The American Organist.

Dr. Nicholaus B. Cummins is the Director of Choral Studies at Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi, where he leads the State Singers and OPUS TTBB ensemble. He holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Mississippi, a Master of Arts from the University of Alabama, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University. Before joining Mississippi State University, Dr. Cummins served as Director of Choral Studies at Northwestern State University. Under his direction, the Northwestern Chamber Choir achieved notable recognition, including performances at the 2024 Southern Region ACDA Conference and the 9th National Collegiate Choral Organization National Conference at the University of Maryland. The choir also earned distinctions such as Summa Cum Laude at the Laurea Mundi Choral Competition in Budapest, Hungary, 2nd place in the Ave Verum Competition in Baden, Austria, and 2nd place in the Leonardo da Vinci Choral Competition in Florence, Italy. Dr. Cummins has collaborated on album recordings with composers Michael Trotta and Richard Burchard and has worked closely with composers Vytautas Miškinis and John August Pamintuan.

Dr. Cummins is actively involved in presenting at regional and state conferences and serves on the board of the National Collegiate Choral Organization. He was previously honored as an ACDA International Conducting Fellow in Brazil and will be conducting the 2025 South Carolina TTBB All-State Choir. He is a member of several professional organizations including the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association for Teachers of Singing, the National Collegiate Choral Organization, the College Music Society, the National Association for Music Education, and the International Choral Music Federation.

Nick Joslin is a conductor, organist, and pianist with a diverse musical background. He has pursued extensive education in music, earning a Bachelor of Music in Piano and Vocal Performance from William Carey University and a Master of Music in Collaborative Piano and Choral Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi. During his time at the University of Southern Mississippi, Nick Joslin had the opportunity to work with several renowned musicians and ensembles. He sang with the Southern Chorale and served as an assistant conductor under Dr. Gregory Fuller. He also held roles as an assistant conductor and pianist for the Southern Miss Concert Choir and the Gulf Coast Civic Chorale, both under the leadership of Dr. Jonathan Kilgore. Joslin's expertise as a collaborative pianist has taken him to international music festivals, including the American Institute for Musical Studies in Graz, Austria, and the International Performing Arts Institute in Fairhope. These experiences allowed him to participate in masterclasses with distinguished musicians such as Barbara Bonney, Bo Skovhus, Andrew Campbell, and Gary Matthewman. 

In addition to his work accompanying and coaching vocal repertoire, Joslin has a strong background in chamber music. He has studied piano with Alicia Dubose, Dr. Brian Murphy, Dr. Timothy Hokeman, and Dr. Michael Bunchman. His journey in sacred music began with his involvement in the Music Ministry of the First Baptist Church of Minden, where he worked with Todd and Alicia DuBose. After relocating to Hattiesburg, he expanded his involvement by playing the organ and piano at Petal Presbyterian Church. In 2018, he took on the role of director at Petal Presbyterian Church, where he conducted choral-orchestral events, including performances of Gabriel Fauré's Requiem. Nick later served Church of the Holy Trinity in Vicksburg, MS as Organist Choirmaster and Director of the Conservatory of the Fine Arts. He currently serves as Director of Fine Arts at St. Mark

Sam Lovorn is a 2017 honors graduate from Mississippi College and the Director of Choirs at Sumner Hill Junior High School in Clinton, MS where he also directs the spring musical. The 2022 recipient of the Outstanding Young Music Educator Award for Mississippi, he also maintains a thriving vocal studio training students in all types of musical genres. His show choir credits include directing Total Sound Show Choir at Warren Central and pit directing for Clinton High School’s Attache. When not teaching, he can be found performing on stage or directing or choreographing a show. Lovorn has also been one of the choreographers for the Miss Mississippi competition held in Vicksburg for the past 5 years. A fun fact about him is he has a collection of 250+ unique rubber ducks, mostly supplied by former students.

Sarah Little began her teaching journey directing choral music within the Pearl Public School District and is blessed to serve in her 11th year in the district as a choral director at Pearl High School. Sarah previously served as the Director of Choral Activities at Pearl Junior High School where she directed the superior-performing and award winning Pearl Junior High Singers, Boys Chorale, Advanced Treble, Intermediate Treble, and Beginner Treble I and Treble II choruses, and several select ensembles, therein. Her choirs and ensembles consistently received high Superior ratings at District and State Festivals, as well as receiving the notable Best in Class and Grand Champions at Heritage Festival, Ole Miss Festival, and Riverland Festival.

She is also privileged to have worked with the renowned Mississippi Girl Choir and served as the director to the 5th-7th grade choir, "Jubilate." Sarah has also been blessed to direct the 3rd-5th grade girls choir at First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, of which she is a member. Sarah served as the Children’s Choir Director at St. James’ Episcopal from 2016-2019 and continues to serve as their Christmas Pageant Director, each year.

Sarah received the 2010 Young Music Educator of the Year award for the state of Mississippi. Other honors include serving as a clinician to the 2012 LMEA Women's All-State Choir, 2013 ACDA Male Vocal Symposium, 2016 ACDA Children’s Festival, and having the opportunity to direct various District Honor Choirs and adjudicate numerous festivals and competitions throughout the southeast region.

In 2014, Sarah’s primary passion became motherhood and she transitioned from the choral classroom to home. During these most blessed years, she enjoyed operating Little Music Studio, where she taught voice and piano to upwards of 30 students, involving them in Bach Festival, Federated Festival, MMTA Festival, Solo and Ensemble Festival, and Bi-Annual Recitals.

She holds the Bachelor of Music degree from Mississippi College in Clinton, MS and is a proud alumnus of the internationally performing and recognized MC Singers. Sarah is an active member of the National Association for Music Education and American Choral Directors Association, She has served as President to the Junior High Division of Mississippi Music Educators Association and has also served on the ACDA board as Junior High R&S for the state of Mississippi.

Sarah is a native of Slidell, Louisiana and graduated from Slidell High School in 2002.  Sarah is beyond blessed to be married to the love of her life, Matt, and enjoys supporting his musical career as an Assistant Band Director/Percussion Coordinator at Pearl High School.  Matt and Sarah have two precious girls, Isobel and Carolyn, who keep their days busy and their hearts full.

STACY DANIELS is a versatile conductor, teacher, and singer. Mr. Daniels currently serves as Choral Music Director for Liberty Middle School in Madison, AL. Mr. Daniels is also the director of the Huntsville Community Chorus Association Treble Chorale, a vocal ensemble for unchanged voices in grades 6-8. Daniels has over 20 years of teaching and performance experience. Choirs under Daniels’ direction have consistently received superior ratings and placed at state and national festivals. Choirs have been invited to perform as guest ensembles at collegiate honor choir festivals and performed at the Alabama Music Educators Association In-Service Conference in January 2023.

In addition to conducting and teaching, Mr. Daniels presents sessions regularly on best practices, curriculum, and on leading topics of children’s and youth choral music programs. He has presented at the conferences for the Alabama Music Educators Association and the Alabama chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. He will present at the 2025 National Organization of American Kodaly Educators Conference in March. Daniels has also been invited to guest conduct elementary & middle school honor choir festivals in Alabama & Georgia.

A seasoned church musician, Mr. Daniels has been involved and has led children and adult choral & music programs in Central and North Alabama congregations since 2011. In addition to working with students and adults in choral music, Mr. Daniels has musically directed multiple musical theatre productions with school, community, and regional theatre companies and programs.

A graduate of the University of Montevallo, Mr. Daniels received the Bachelor of Music degree in Choral Music Education & the Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. Daniels also received the Master of Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from The Florida State University and has received Level I certification in the Kodaly concept from the University of Montevallo Kodaly Institute. Mr. Daniels is an active member of the Alabama Music Educators Association, Alabama Vocal Association, National Association for Music Education, American Choral Directors Association, and the Organization of American Kodaly Educators. Currently, he serves as President - Elect of the Alabama Choral Directors Association.

Terrell Hall is a dedicated music educator with a passion for choral music. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) and a Master of Music (M.M.) in Choral Conducting from the University of Mississippi. Throughout his career, Terrell has consistently achieved superior ratings for his choirs at district and state choral adjudications. He currently serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Olive Branch High School, where he conducts all choral ensembles and teaches Dual Enrollment Music Appreciation. In 2023, his choir was invited to perform at the Mississippi MEA/ACDA joint Conference.

Beyond his teaching duties, Terrell is actively involved in the music education community. He has served as a district chairperson for the Mississippi Music Educators Association at both the middle school and high school levels, coordinated the Mississippi ACDA SATB All-State Honor Choir, and mentored student teaching interns. He is also a sought-after adjudicator, clinician, and presenter. Terrell is the Artistic Director of the Midsouth Music Institute where he conducts the flagship ensemble, CoroRio. He currently serves as the Secretary for Mississippi ACDA. His commitment to music education and his students is evident in his numerous accomplishments and contributions to the field.

W. Thomas Ardrey is the choir director at Oxford High School where he teaches choir, dual enrollment music appreciation, and AP Music Theory. He holds a BME in vocal music education from Auburn University, an MM in choral conducting from the University of Mississippi, and is pursuing a PhD in music education from the University of Mississippi. He is the 2019 recipient of Mississippi Music Educators Association’s “Outstanding Young Music Educator of the Year” award. Ardrey is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, and the American Guild of Organists. His wife, Hannah, is the choral director at Oxford Middle School, and is the 2019-2020 Mississippi Teacher of the Year. They live in Oxford with their son, Smith, and German Shepherd, Norman. They are members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church.

Toney Keeler is the Director of Music and Worship Arts at Northside Baptist Church in Clinton, Mississippi. He is in his 6th year as the Director of Choral Activities at Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood, Mississippi. His role involves conducting the Renaissance, Resonance, and Revolution choral ensembles, The Ambassadors, Ambitions, and Allure Show Choirs, and teaches Dual Credit Music Appreciation. Under his direction, these groups have successfully competed in Choral Festivals, produced annual Fall and Spring Choral Performances, and have been featured by the Jackson Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Toney's academic achievements include degrees in music education from William Carey University, where he also contributed as an adjunct music instructor. He is currently pursuing a specialist degree in Secondary Curriculum Design. 

His previous tenure includes serving as the Director of Choral Activities at Oak Grove Middle School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Under his direction, the concert choirs at OGMS were highlighted in the William Carey University Oratorio Choir and Orchestra’s performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams's "A Song of Thanksgiving”.Additionally, his direction of show choirs has brought them national recognition, earning awards in vocal production, choreography, costuming, and overall effect.

A dedicated member of the American Choral Directors Association and the Mississippi Music Educators Association, Toney also contributes as a Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education board member and serves as the Event Chair for the Mississippi All-State Honor Show Choir. Outside of his professional commitments, Toney enjoys exploring the vibrant culture of the Crescent City, discovering unique coffee shops, and indulging in graphic design during his free time.