Dr. Hannah Gadd Ardrey is in her tenth year of teaching choral music and currently serves at Oxford Middle School after eight years at Lafayette High and Middle Schools. She was the 2019–2020 Mississippi Teacher of the Year, a recipient of the NEA Foundation’s Award for Teaching Excellence, and a quarterfinalist for the 2021 Grammy Music Educator Award. A National Board Certified Teacher, she serves as Advocacy Chair for the Mississippi Music Educators Association. Dr. Ardrey holds degrees from the University of Mississippi and William Carey University, where she earned her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership.

Dr. Alex Belohlavek is Director of Choral Activities at Northwest Mississippi Community College, where he leads the Ranger Chorale and Ranger Consort and oversees a growing program of four ensembles. With more than a decade of experience in collegiate, secondary, sacred, and community settings, he is recognized for merging artistic excellence with a science-informed approach to choral pedagogy. His research explores vocology, learning theory, and rehearsal design, and he recently premiered Color All Maps New, an eight-movement a cappella work by Dylan Tran. Dr. Belohlavek holds degrees from USC, Southern Miss, and Susquehanna University.

Sylvalia Brown holds a degree in Music Education with a specialization in Voice and Choral Studies from The University of Southern Mississippi, she combines formal training with a passion for developing confident, skilled singers. Her background includes five years of directing worship services and teaching across multiple grade levels, and she is now in her fifth year in education. This experience gives her a well-rounded perspective on vocal development. She currently serves as Director of Choirs at Gautier High School, where she inspires students to grow as musicians and performers.

Dr. Shane Colquhoun is a Grammy-nominated music educator and Assistant Professor of Music Technology and Contemporary Musical Styles at Alabama State University. He holds degrees in Music Technology and Business from Bethune-Cookman University, as well as master’s and doctoral degrees in music education and higher education administration from Auburn University. Dr. Colquhoun is the author of The Producers of Pop: A Comprehensive Plan for Studying Popular Music Producers and has published in multiple national journals. He currently serves as Chair of NAfME’s Council for Innovation and holds leadership roles in several state and national music education organizations.

Dr. Eph Ehly, described by the American Choral Directors Journal as “one of the most sought-after choral conductors and clinicians in America,” is internationally recognized for his artistry, scholarship, and inspirational leadership. Over his distinguished career, he has conducted more than 90 All-State Choirs and over 700 festival ensembles across the United States, Canada, Europe, South America, and Asia, appearing on more than 100 college and university campuses.

Professor Emeritus at the Conservatory of Music, University of Missouri–Kansas City, Dr. Ehly has also served as visiting faculty at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Texas Christian University, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Kansas. More than 90 doctoral and 100 master’s students have completed their degrees under his mentorship.

Dr. Ehly is the author of two acclaimed books—Hogey’s Journey and The Conductor’s Art—and his philosophies on choral rehearsal and conducting have been featured in Hal Leonard’s groundbreaking Video Master Classes series. Among his many honors are the UMKC Trustees’ Teaching Award, the AMOCO Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence, and the Missouri Choral Directors Association’s Luther Spade Choral Director of the Year Award.

A beloved mentor, educator, and conductor, Dr. Ehly continues to inspire generations of musicians worldwide.

Calloway “Callie” Ellis serves as the Junior High Choral Director for Armstrong Junior High and Starkville High School. Over nine years in the Starkville School District, she has grown her program from just nine students to more than 100 singers. Her choirs consistently earn superior ratings in performance and sight reading, and she averages 15–20 All-State Honor Choir members each year. Known for building confidence in young singers and fostering collaboration, Ellis is passionate about equity in music education and believes every student deserves the opportunity to experience choral excellence.

Roger Emerson is one of the most performed composers and arrangers of popular choral music and vocal jazz in the world, with over 1,000 published titles and more than 30 million copies in circulation. His work spans genres and generations, including iconic arrangements of You Raise Me Up, Seasons of Love from RENT, Defying Gravity from Wicked, Joyful, Joyful from Sister Act, Don’t Stop Believin’ from Glee, and My Shot from Hamilton. His vocal jazz arrangements of classics such as Over the Rainbow, Vincent, Blue Skies, and I Wish remain among the most widely performed worldwide.

A 30-time recipient of ASCAP’s Standard Award, Emerson’s music has been featured at the White House, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center. Beyond his prolific writing career, he is a dynamic educator and clinician, presenting sessions across the country at national MENC, ACDA, and JEN conferences. His influence continues to shape the sound of modern choral music, bridging the worlds of pop, jazz, and musical theatre while inspiring countless singers and educators through his accessible, energetic, and emotionally engaging arrangements.

Mr. Pierrdo Gallion serves as Director and Coordinator of Choral and Vocal Arts in the Holmes County School District, where he founded the first choral program at Holmes County Central High School. A dedicated educator and minister, he has led award-winning choirs to performances at Carnegie Hall, St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, and international festivals in Italy. Mr. Gallion holds multiple graduate degrees from Mississippi College and is pursuing a Doctorate in Music Education at Auburn University. A recipient of numerous state and national teaching awards, he continues to inspire excellence in both music and ministry.

Dr. Bobby G. Helms is Director of Choral Activities and Theatre at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, Artistic Director of the Mississippi Boychoir, and Director of the Lincoln County Choral Society. With 23 years of experience teaching at every level, he holds multiple degrees in music education and conducting, culminating in a DMA from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Helms is a frequent clinician and conference presenter whose choirs have performed nationally and internationally, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Carnegie Hall. A 2025 Grammy Music Educator Award quarterfinalist, his research focuses on developing children’s choirs.

Dr. Lynn Holliman is in her twenty-first year at Riverside Schools, where she teaches high school, junior high, and elementary choir as well as general music. She holds degrees from Delta State University and the University of Southern Mississippi and earned her Doctorate in Music Education from Auburn University with an emphasis in music technology for instruction. A dedicated leader in music education, Dr. Holliman serves in multiple roles within MMEA and NATS and was named the 2011 Mississippi Music Educators Association Outstanding Young Music Teacher of the Year.

Sara Melanson Horan, Ed.S., is a passionate music educator with a wealth of experience teaching choir, voice, and piano to students of all ages. With advanced music education degrees from the University of Alabama and the University of Colorado, she's dedicated her career to fostering a love for music in her students. Currently, she's teaching choir, general music, and piano at MSU-SOCSD Partnership Middle School. From directing ensembles to preparing students for auditions and performances, Sara loves helping musicians grow and find their voice through music!

Toney Keeler serves as Director of Choral Activities at Northwest Rankin High School in Flowood and as Director of Music and Worship Arts at Northside Baptist Church in Clinton. He directs multiple award-winning ensembles, including Renaissance, Resonance, Revolution, and the Ambassadors show choirs. A graduate of William Carey University, where he now serves as an adjunct instructor, Keeler is pursuing a specialist degree in Secondary Curriculum Design. Active in ACDA, MMEA, and the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education, he also chairs the Mississippi All-State Honor Show Choir. Outside of music, he enjoys travel, coffee, and graphic design.

Dr. Erica Kupinski is Associate Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at Coastal Carolina University, where she teaches music education courses and oversees field experiences and internships. She holds degrees from Augusta State University, the University of Georgia, and the University of Mississippi, where she earned her Ph.D., and she is Orff Schulwerk Level III certified. With extensive P–12 teaching experience, Dr. Kupinski’s research focuses on PK–8 music education, musician wellness, international practices, and historical studies. She is an active presenter and published author and maintains membership in SCMEA and NAfME.

Lauren Ladner is a musician and educator based in the Jackson Metro area. She teaches choir and group voice at Wells Academic and Performing Arts Complex in Jackson Public Schools and serves as a staff singer at St. James Episcopal Church, performing with the touring St. James Compline Choir. She holds degrees from Millsaps College and the University of Mississippi, where she earned her Master of Music in Choral Conducting. When not teaching or singing, Lauren enjoys knitting, gardening, and spending time with her wife, two children, and dogs at their home in Pearl.

Jordan Langworthy is Director of Choral Music at Germantown High School in Madison, Mississippi. A graduate of Mississippi College and William Carey University, she is a National Board Certified Teacher and serves as President of the MMEA High School Division. Her choirs have performed at multiple state conferences, including the 2023 and 2025 ACDA/MMEA joint conferences. A respected clinician and adjudicator, Jordan has led numerous honor choirs and workshops across the region. Named both Germantown High and Madison County High School Teacher of the Year, she is dedicated to inspiring students through excellence, service, and community.

 Amy Barrett Lee, Ed.S., is the music teacher, choral director, and arts integration team member at Mannsdale Elementary, a Mississippi Whole Schools Model School in Madison. A National Board Certified Teacher, she has built and led successful choral programs across the state and served as president of the MMEA High School Division. Lee’s choirs have performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and international festivals. A recipient of the Yale Music Educator of the Year Award and multiple arts grants, she continues to advocate for equity, collaboration, and excellence in music education.

Gary McCullum is Director of Choral Activities for the Hattiesburg Public School District and has over a decade of experience leading and revitalizing choral programs across Mississippi and Tennessee. His ensembles have consistently earned superior ratings at state and national levels. In addition to his work in education, he is the founder of Motiv82Empower Business Ventures, a consulting firm dedicated to helping music programs rebuild and thrive. A passionate educator and family man, Gary shares life with his high school sweetheart, Shybril, and their three daughters—Aubrey, Grace, and Harmony.

Jeanette Mihalchik is a National Board Certified music teacher with nearly three decades of experience teaching general music, choir, Orff ensembles, and group guitar. An Arts Integration Specialist, instructional coach, and national presenter, she studied Arts Integration at The Kennedy Center through the CETA program and is Orff Certified. Jeanette mentors teachers through The Happy Music Teacher Academy and has presented at music education conferences nationwide. She is also the author of the popular resource books Stories That Sing and Stories That Sing Too!

Andrew Mills is a choral music educator at Florence Middle School in Alabama and an adjunct professor at the University of North Alabama. A “Sweet 16” finalist for the 2025–2026 Alabama Teacher of the Year, he is passionate about strengthening music literacy instruction statewide. Certified in Conversational Solfege Levels I and II, he has also taught in the greater Boston area. Mills holds degrees from the University of North Alabama, Gordon College, and Auburn University, where he is completing a Ph.D. focused on improvisation instruction in K–12 classrooms.

Brittany Navarro is the Choral Director at Southaven High School, currently in her 14th year of teaching, with 11 years of experience at the middle school level. Her choirs consistently earn superior ratings in performance and sight reading. She has served as District Chair and Honor Choir Chair for MMEA District II and as Co-Director of the Mississippi Lakeshore Choral Camp. Also active in theatre, Brittany serves on the Panola Playhouse Board and has received multiple regional awards for vocal and stage directing. She leads a thriving private voice studio in North Mississippi.

Dr. Bethany L. Plissey is Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Choral Music at Coastal Carolina University. Previously, she served as Director of Choral Activities and Chair of the Performing Arts Department at Northern Vermont University, where she led tours throughout New England, Canada, and Europe. She has appeared in master classes with renowned conductors such as Marin Alsop and Simon Carrington and has conducted internationally with the Bulgarian State Opera Chorus. Dr. Plissey holds degrees from Indiana University and the University of Kentucky, and her research focuses on Scandinavian and Baltic choral cultures.

Trent Smith-Hawkins teaches class piano and serves as accompanist for the SHS Singers at Starkville High School. A native of Noxapater, Mississippi, he previously taught at the Samford Academy of the Arts in Birmingham, Alabama. He holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Samford University, where he studied with Dr. Ronald Shinn. Many of his students have earned top honors in state and local competitions. Smith-Hawkins continues his professional study of The Taubman Approach with renowned pedagogue Edna Golandsky in New York.

Vincent Sneed is a veteran music educator with 21 years of experience teaching band, chorus, and general music in Georgia public schools. He currently teaches at Central Gwinnett High School and has previously served in several districts across the state. A 2012 Muscogee County Teacher of the Year and 2013 Star Teacher, he has also been a featured TEDx speaker and presenter on music and culture around the world. Sneed published “Rethinking Music Education Through a Global Lens” in 2025 and holds degrees from Columbus State University and the University of Florida.

Jennifer Timidaiski is in her 13th year as the elementary music teacher at Longleaf Elementary School in Hattiesburg, where she teaches Pre-K through 5th grade, directs the Longleaf Harmony Choir, and sponsors the Ukulele Club. She also serves as Music Director at StageStruck Performance Studio and as Children’s Events Coordinator for FestivalSouth. A National Board Certified Teacher, she was named both Longleaf Elementary and Lamar County Teacher of the Year in 2022. Timidaiski holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education and choral conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi.

Dr. Chris Turner, baritone, is Assistant Professor of Voice at Stephen F. Austin State University, where he teaches Applied Voice, Diction, and Vocal Repertoire. An internationally accomplished performer, he has appeared in recital and concert throughout the United States and Europe, including performances in Italy and with the Stone Fort Chorale in Texas. A dedicated scholar, Dr. Turner has presented research at state, national, and international conferences on topics such as vocology, performance practice, and artistic synthesis. His work bridges performance and pedagogy, inspiring singers to unite technique and expressive artistry.

Dr. Alicia Canterbury Vorel is Associate Professor of Music Education at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she teaches undergraduate and graduate students and conducts Kyna, the university’s soprano-alto choir. She also directs ensembles for the St. Louis Children’s Choirs’ Illinois campuses. Dr. Vorel earned degrees from Mercer University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Mississippi. An active presenter and clinician, she has conducted honor choirs across the South and Midwest, and her award-winning research on treble choir identity and music education has been published in leading journals, including the Choral Journal and International Journal of Music Education.

Justin Wadkins is pursuing a Ph.D. in Music Education at the University of Mississippi, where his research centers on inclusion and diversity in the choral classroom, with a focus on transgender and gender-expansive students. He holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Mississippi and previously directed award-winninxag choirs across North Mississippi and Tennessee. A former MMEA District II Chair and Honor Choir Chair, he also serves as Vice President of Theatre Oxford. An active performer and music director, Justin is a certified sound healer who promotes wellness through music and sound therapy.

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 currently teaches all levels of movement as well as teaching Level II Basic Pedagogy for multiple Orff Teacher certification course. He is a former President of the Virginia Elementary Music Educators Association. Patrick has several books 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.