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UA School of Music Alumni |
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Our very early alumni may be interested in A History of the Department of Music by Tom Garner. It stops at 1944.
There are currently 246 submissions in the alumni database.
ALUMNI NEWS
Addie (Argo) deHilster (BM- Flute Performance 2000) married Mike deHilster in June 2000 after their graduation from UA. They then moved to Norman, Oklahoma where they spent four years in grad school. She earned a Master's degree in Flute Performance and Ethnomusicology, and Mike worked on a DMA in Horn. They now live in Long Beach, California, where Addie works as the Development Associate for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (http://www.laco.org), and Mike is persuing his writing career.
Susan (Arther) Jarrett (B.S. Music Education 1983) has been National Music Sales Representative for LifeWay Christian Resources in Nashville TN for 22 years. She has been married to Jimmy Jarrett for 20 years and resides in Murfreesboro. They have one 4-legged, furry child: their 8-yr-old Black Lab-Legend.
Michaela (Bice) Culpepper (B.S.W. and M.S.W. (minor in music) 2000 and 2001) married Brock Culpepper Nov. 2, 2002, and had a beautiful baby girl named Julia Charleston on May 21, 2005. Their second girl was born on February 28, 2007; Her name is Elizabeth Brentlee Culpepper (Ellee). Michaela is a church pianist and is enjoying staying home with the kids. She may be contacted by clicking here.
Cecelia (Campbell) Trabert (BM 1973) is the High School Band Director as well as the Middle School Band Director at Piper High School in Kansas Ciy, Kansas. She holds that position in addition to the St. Joseph Missouri Symphony Principal Flutist Position and Instructor of Flute at the Mid America Nazarene University. Her son Jake, just landed 3rd Chair French Horn in the Kansas All State Orchestra his first year auditioning! He also distinguished himself at the 2005 Christmas Baseball Camp held at the University of Alabama.
Robin (Ethridge) Pentland (MM - Musicology 2003) is a Ph.D pre-candidate in Musicology at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She recently married Ken Pentland of Phoenix and has moved to the Seattle area where Ken will continue with school.
Kimberly (Felder) Scott (BA in Flute Performance 1997) accepted a position on the music faculty at the Alabama School of Fine Arts. She is currently the incoming Chair of the Department of Music (beginning Fall 2006) at ASFA and where she also teaches applied flute there. She regularly performs concerts and recitals across the US and abroad. In 2000 she married Dennis Scott and we have a 7 month old son named Jaden.
Sarah (Harris) Crouch (Bachelor of Music (Theory/Composition) 1972) received a Master of Music at University of Texas at Arlington. She is on Fine Arts faculty at Dallas Baptist Unversity and the theory curriculum writer. Sarah is the author of two books and of numerous articles in professional journals. Additionally, she is a church pianist.
Leigh (Hood) Neria (B.S. EDU August 2000) currently teaches middle school band at Cypress Middle School for Memphis City schools. Along with teaching the band, she also coaches the girls softball team during the spring. She married Leobardo Neria in September 2003 and currently lives outside of the city limits in Oakland, TN. She plans to begin course work for a Masters degree in administration and become a school pricipal in the future. She may be emailed by clicking here.
Heather (Johnson) Brock (B.S. Music Education 1999) married Jason Brock in July of 1999. They now reside in New Market, AL in the northeast corner of Madison Co. Jason is a design engineer with Adtran of Huntsville, and Heather is a full time mom. They have a 4 year old son, Caleb and a 14 mo. old daughter, Rebecca. Heather may be contacted here.
Jean-Ann (Johnson) Heupel (BM '94, MM '96 Clarinet Performance 1994 and 1996) is two-thirds of the way through a Master of Divinity of Degree. She currently lives in Greenville, AL and serves as pastor of Friendship United Methodist Church. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Shannon Heupel, and they have a four year-old daughter, Cassie, and a 10 month-old son, Michael.
Amanda (Keener) Umphrey (B. S. Music Ed. 2003) is one of the library media specialists at Springville High School, Springville, Alabama. She will graduate with her M.S. Ed. in library science from Jacksonville State University in 2007 along with her husband who will graduate with his M.S. Ed. in science education. After finishing with college, they are thinking of starting a family.
Laura (Martin) Noah (BM 2002) currently lives in Montevallo, AL and is the principal timpanist for the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, principal percussionist for the Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestra and section percussionist with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. She is also an adjunct faculty member at the University of Alabama at Birmingham teaching percussion.
Kerrie (Mills) Cochran (B.S. Music Ed 1991) served 7 years as a band director in Alabama. She earned a masters degree in school counseling and has served for 6 years as a guidance counselor in the Cobb County school System in Georgia. Kerrie decided not to return to work for the 2007-2008 school year. She gave birth to twins in July 2007 and decided to be a stay-at-home mom for the moment. Kerrie lives in Marietta, Georgia with her husband, Rob, and her two children, Will and Madison.
After receiving her MLIS from UA and having her first child, Darlene (Pounders) Townsend (B.A., Music Administration 1991) began working as a librarian. She is currently a librarian at the University of North Alabama in Florence, Alabama (since 2001). She and her husband, Will, live in Florence with their two sons, Brady and Cooper.
Erika (Reed) Branch (B.M. 2001) continued her education at the University of Southern Mississippi, earning a Master of Music in clarinet. She is now director of bands at North Woolmarket and D'Iberville Middle Schools in Biloxi, MS. She also plays as a sub in the Mobile Symphony and Gulf Coast Symphony Orchestras and participates in the Gulf Coast Wind Ensemble regularly. She married Jason Branch in April 2006.
Rachel (Robbins) Matthews (BS Music Therapy '97) is working as the Music Therapist at Duke University Hospital, where she works specifically with adult oncology. She lives in Durham, NC with her lab retriever Madeline.
Lisa (Williams) Belk (BM Piano Performance, MM Piano Performance 1982, 1984) moved to Huntsville in 1988. In 1991 she married Randall Belk. They have one daughter who was born in 1994. Lisa has remained active in many professional music organizations, and in 2004 recieved permanent certificatgion from MTNA. She teaches piano in her home studio and is very active in the music ministry of First Baptist Church, Huntsville.
After living and working abroad for two years (primarily Italy and Germany), Krista Adams Santilli (BM in Vocal Performance 2001) has settled down in Connecticut, where she lives with her husband Stefano and her two children, Luca (born in Sept. 2005) and Isabella (born in Nov. 2007). Krista maintains an active performance career and is currently celebrating the release of her first CD,"Sacrae Notae," a collection of sacred songs and arias. Krista also teaches Music Together and is a cantor. Visit her on the web here.
After UA, Brian Alexander (BA 1996) went on to graduate from The University of Georgia with a Master of Social Work degree. His practice has mainly included work with adults with serious mental illnesses. He has lived in Louisville, Kentucky since 2002, where he works in the Homeless Veterans Program through the VA Medical Center. He can be emailed by clicking here.
Leroy Allen (BS '73) teaches instrumental music (jazz ensemble and concert band) at A.H. Parker HS in Birmingham and has been on the staff at the Sixth Ave. Baptist Church for 22 years. He is active as a studio musician and performs with a jazz trio called Omni Music.
Ernest Allen (BS '57, MA '59) retired in 1986 after 29 years as a band director in Alabama and Georgia. He is married to Carol Austin Allen.
David Allen Grady (BS '95) received a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University in 1999. He married Susan Allen of Atlanta in September, 2001. Now he is a Probationary Elder in the United Methodist Church and works as Associate Pastor at Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church in Marietta, GA.
Melissa Allford Meman (BM '82, MM '84) has been in the Washington, D.C., area for 15 years. She performs regularly with the Washington Opera Chorus, the Washington Concert Opera Chorus, and other area ensembles. She is married to jazz saxophonist Jesse Meman, and they have a young son, Benjamin.
David Allinder (BS & MA in Music Ed 1993) is currently band director at Shades Valley High School in Birmingham. He is an active performer in the area and lives in McCalla with his wife Jennifer and their spoiled-rotten chocolate labrador retriever, Bailey.
Katie Alterman Rosenberg (BM in Music Therapy 1996) has remained at the Weinstein Center in Atlanta for the past 9 years as the center/case manager. She & husband Sammy are expecting their 1st child (a son) in Feb 2006.
Elaine Anderson (DMA cello performance 1999) is an associate professor at Mount Union College in Alliance, OH and currently teaches the cellists at the College of Wooster.
Larry M. Archibald (BS '00) is band director at Pickens County High School in Reform, AL.
Melinda Ashworth Parrish (BM Piano Performance 1986) lives in Nashville, TN with husband Everette and son Russell where she works as an accompanist at the Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University and teaches piano at David Lipscomb Academy of Music. She says that It is still exciting to visit the UA campus for a piano lesson or a football game!
Jeff Atkins (BS 1995) is currently in his 7th year as Director of Bands at Oak Mtn. Middle School. When he is not at school, he hangs out with his wife, Heather (Blanton) Atkins (BM in Music Therapy, 1995), and their 3 children, Hannah, 8; Hayley, 5; and Cole, 3.
Joe Bacchus (BS, MA 1971,1976) is VP of Sales for OPTX International, makers of ScreenWatch Producer software. He is also a percussion instructor at Chico High School and a realtor at Prudential California Realty. He is the drummer for serveral local groups and has played with Mills Brothers, Ink Spots, Peter Marshall, Larry White, and Bob Green.
Kim Bain (BS '85, MA '92, EdS '99) is band director at R.F. Bumpus Middle School in Hoover. She asks, "Does anyone else remembers those terrible long red dresses Dr. Welker made us wear for his first Wind Ensemble?"
Patrick Baran (B.S. Ed. 1989) is the Orchestral Director and Performing Arts Department Head a John Quincy Adams Middle School. He performs regularly with the Tampa Bay Mostly Pops, Concord Chamber Players, and Bay Baroque.
Brad Battles (B.S.E. Music Education 2000) is Director of Bands at Pickens Academy (Carrollton, AL) and Musical Director at the First Presbyterian Church in Aliceville, AL. He is married to Christina Battles, Office Associate at the Community Music School at UA.
J. Howard Baxter (BS '77, MA '79) is Supervisor of Music for the Abington (PA) School District, Assistant Conductor of the Old York Road Symphony, and tympanist for the Abington Symphony Orchestra.
David Bearden (B.S. in Music Education (1981); M.A. in School Administration (2000) B.S. (1981); M.A. (2000)) is in his 14th year serving as band director at Oneonta High School, and 26th year of teaching. He and his wife, Kathy, have 2 sons, Ross & Will, and a daughter, Reagan.
After graduation from UA, Mary Benson (Vaughn) (Bachelor of Music (piano/voice) 1961) continued music study, receiving a masters degree from Radford University, in Virginia, along with other post-graduate work at Peabody Conservatory and in New York City. After many years of teaching music, privately, in schools and colleges, and working in music and education with theaters, she is involved now primarily with her own music and event service(www.EventsMusic.com). Mary welcomes contact from piano students of Roy McAllister, who retired in 1976 from teaching at UA. She is writing articles (which can be read on her website)about significant mentor-teachers, and wishes to pay tribute to Roy McAllister.
After graduating from UA, Chris Bentley (B.A. 1993) continued to follow his interest in recording, composition and performance. He is now owner and head engineer of The Bunker Recording Studio in Baltimore, MD. His wife, Stacy, is an elementary school art teacher. They have two sons, Layne and J.P.
Bill Benton (BS '63, MA '67). After 10 years of service as band director in Samson (AL) and Tuscaloosa schools, Bill joined Phifer Wire Products in Tuscaloosa in 1973. Today he serves as Phifer's Vice-President of Employee Growth and Development. Send him e-mail at wlbenton @aol.com.
Lori (Grisham) Bethea (BS in music education 2000) and Britt moved to Mobile in 2003 where Britt is an attorney with Greene and Phillips. Lori just resigned from her job as an elementary music specialist to stay home with their baby boy, Maddox, born on August 4, 2006.
Herb Betts (BS '02) teaches music at Thomas Crossroads Elementary School and at Northgate High School, both in Coweta County, GA.
Jeff Black (BA '96) was diagnosed with cancer shortly after graduation, but he has just celebrated his fifth year of being in remission. He has been married since December 2001, currently works for Protective Life Insurance in Birmingham, and is pursuing a degree in history at UAB.
Lee Black (BS '91) spent eight years in the Nashville area, writing songs and leading worship at a church. Now he, wife Melissa (BS Nursing '86), and four children live in Fairhope, AL. Lee works as song development coordinator at Integrity Music in Mobile and serves part-time on the staff of Church on the Eastern Shore in Fairhope.
Stephanie Bolton (BM in Music Therapy 1997) is currently employed as a music therapist for a large nursing home in Rochester, NY. She got married in 2002 and is currently participating in the distance learning music therapy graduate program at St. Mary of the Woods College in Indiana.
Robin Bonner (B.S. in Music Education (piano major) 1980) taught elementary classroom music, private piano, and high school choir at Open Door Christian School in Tuscaloosa for 22 years. She is currently the pianist at Piney Grove Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, where her husband, Larry, is the pastor. She also enjoys singing solos and praise/worship music. They have two children: Laure, who is serving in the US Air Force, stationed at Mildenhall, England, and Barry, who is a music major at Shelton State.
Tom Borden (BS '64, MA '67) taught in Montgomery for 15 years but now is a CPA. He plays trumpet occasionally with the Montgomery Symphony and sings tenor in local choral groups.
Jamie Bowman (BS '99) is Band Director at Decatur High School in Decatur, Alabama. He is married to Anna Craft of Oxford (AL), who teaches 5th grade.
Larry Bradford (MM and completing a DMA 2000) is currently Assistant Director of Bands and Instructor of Percussion at Delta State University in Cleveland Mississippi. Email him at jbradfrd@deltastate.edu.
Carol Britt (DMA '99) is assistant professor of music at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, LA, where she was recently named the director of the School of Fine Arts. She continues to teach organ privately and to serve as organist/choir director at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Metairie, LA.
Mandy (Moore) Broadhurst (B.S.E. Music Ed. 2002) is married to Nathan Broadhurst (former MDB mellophone). They have a son, William, born October 6, 2003. They now reside in Albertville, AL and Mandy is the now band director at New Hope High School in Madison County.
Mary Ellen Brooks (B.S. Education 1998) is currently the director at Huntland High School (TN) and proud mom to five yr old John Canaan
Ginger (Bryant) Bennett (BM '95) and her husband John live in Suwanee, GA. Her music therapy practice (Allegrow! Music, Inc.) provides music therapy services to the greater Atlanta area.
William (Pete) Buckholtz (BM '65) is currently Minister of Music at the First United Methodist Church, Russellville, Arkansas.
Dr. Richard Byrd (MM 1993) is now the President and CEO of Technical Operations, Inc., a Houston-based provider of information technology services. Ultimately earning a Ph.D. in information sciences, he now keeps his hand in, so to speak, by serving as the music director of The Woodlands Concert Band, a 75 member wind group based north of Houston.
Wayne Cameron (B.S.(1968) M.A. (1970) Ed.D (1979) 1968) has been a Band Director for 25 years including at the following schools: Anniston High School, Anniston, AL; Shaw High School, Mobile, Ass't Director, Purdue University, Lafayette, In; Samford University, Birmingham, AL. Currently, Airport Manager, Tuscaloosa Regional Airport, Tuscaloosa, AL. He plays Clarinet in the Tuscaloosa Winds, 5th Alabama Regimental Band and Calvary Baptist Orchestra.
Heather Casson (B.S. in Music Education 2001) taught 5 years at Brooks High School in Killen, AL. She is now the Asst Band Director at Oak Mountain Middle School in Birmingham, AL. She can be reached here.
Michele Champion (Certification in Music Education 1998) completed her doctorate degree in music in July, 2006 and is currently an Assistant Professor of Music at Augusta State University in Augusta, GA.
Trey Champion (Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science 1997, 2006) completed his degree in interior design and art history, and accepted a position with Stanley Beaman and Sears, Architecture and Interiors. His efforts are concentrated on children's healthcare facilities. He can be emailed by clicking here.
Wendi Clark Grimes (Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy 1995) finished a Master of Science in Political Science from the University of Southern Mississippi (at Long Beach) in Summer 2004. She moved from Gulfport, MS to Dahlgren, VA in July 2004 and is now working as the Continuity of Operations Planner for the Virginia Department of Transportation.
Cheryl Crider Clarke (BS '77) is married to Gene Clarke (MA '76) and resides in Grove Hill, AL, where she has been as band director at Wilson Hall Middle School for 26 years. Gene retired from high school band directing after 25 years and now teaches music appreciation for the local junior college and computer applications for Catholic Social Services. Both of their daughters attend the University of Alabama.
Diane Cobern Burkhalter (BS '81), RN, taught piano for several years after graduation, but has since earned a master's in pedagogy from the University of Colorado and a degree of nursing from Troy State University. Presently she works at Baptist Medical Center in Montgomery, and she has three children.
Mike Congiardo (MM '92) teaches band at West Middle School in Jackson, Tennessee. He and wife Suzanne Martin Congiardo have two dogs named Count Basie and Lady Day.
While working on a DMA in conducting at Michigan State University, Bill Crabtree (BM '90, MM '92) completed his teaching certification. Currently he lives in Phoenix, AZ, and works as a band director for the Peoria Unified School District.
Brock Culpepper (Music Administration & Relgious Studies 1997) married Michaela Bice in November 2002. Their first child, Julia Charleston Culpepper, was born on May 21, 2005. He works at Motion Industries in Irondale, AL and sings with Birmingham, Alabama's Steel City Quartet.
David Curren (master of music education 1988) has been band director of the middle school and high school at Springville High School in St. Clair County for the past 15 years. He is married and has a son who will graduate from high school next year.
Stanley Curtis (BM '86) has been a member of the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, D.C. for the past 4 years (along with wife, Melissa Bishop, who plays clarinet in the Navy Band). He also plays Baroque trumpet and cornetto throughout the country with such groups as Apollo's Fire, Milwaukee Baroque, the Washington Bach Consort, the Violins of LaFayette, the Washington Cornett and Sackbutt Ensemble, and the Orchestra of the 17th Century.
Eric Daffron (BA in English and French, music minor '89) is not only Associate Professor of English, Mississippi University for Women, but also Organist and Choir Director at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Columbus, MS.
Ronald Davis (BM '68, MM '70) has been teaching elementary music for 16 years in the Corunna (MI) Public Schools. He and wife Glenda have three grown children, Matthew, Abby, and Isaac, and they would enjoy hearing from alumni of their era (send email here).
Deborah Deming-Galloway (BM '93) followed her music therapy degree with a master of music degree in voice performance from Georgia State University. Currently she is choir director at St. John's Methodist Church in Edwardsville, Illinois.
Since graduating from the University, Rhonda Brown Dennison (B.S. Music Education 1980) has taught Elementary School Music in Atlanta, GA for five years and now in Huntsville City Schools for almost 20 years. She studied piano with Nancy Wright at UA and still thinks of what a great teacher she was! You may remember her as the girl who always came into convocation soaking wet because my swimming class was right before. She is married to Frank Dennison and they have two sons, ages 15 and 17. Her oldest is probably headed to UA.
Nicole DeWeese-Helm (BS in Music Education 2003) is the elementary music specialist at Meadow View Elementary in Radcliff, Ky. She lives in Elizabethtown, KY with her husband, Derrick. They are expecting their first child in February, 2005
Colin Dorman (BM Horn Performance 2004) received his MM in Horn Performance from the University of Louisville, in Louisville, KY. He currently lives there and freelances and maintains a private studio. He is engaged to Jessica Litwiniec and they will be getting married in November.
Laura Dunn (BM '01) will marry William McGill in June, 2001. She has just returned to Tuscaloosa and is music therapist at RISE - The Stallings Center.
Timothy Durbin (BM '79) is Director of String Studies, Director of the University Orchestra. and violin Professor at Azusa Pacific University in Los Angeles, California. He does about 30 clinics and workshops each year, many of them being Suzuki workshops and Institutes. He is working on my doctorate in conducting at Claremont Graduate University; you may contact him via email at tdurbin@apu.edu.
Carla (Sanford) Durham (BM '00) married husband Mark in October, 2000. She started a music therapy program in the Decatur City Schools and is the first MT in an Alabama public school system. She is still playing the oboe, too.
Jon Durkovic (MM '94) is conductor of the Tifton Choral Society and organist at First Presbyterian Church, both in Tifton, GA.
Casey Elliott (Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy 2002) is now a Board Certified Music Therapist at an acute inpatient psychiatric hospital in South Carolina. She has her own private piano studio with six beginning students, and is the Assistant Music Director for two children's choirs (ages 5-11) at church.
Mary Ellen Emmons (BS '98) is on sabbatical from Flintville (TN) Junior High, complete her master's degree. She and husband Tim have a one year-old son, Canaan.
Ryan England (MME 2003) currently serves as Band Director at Echols Middle School in Northport, Alabama.
Diane Farhat Snodgrass (MM 1983) earned a DMA in piano from the University of Southern California. She teaches at Mesa College and recently appeared as a soloist with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra.
Following graduate studies in music at Indiana and New York Universities, Jason Farrow (Bachelor of Music 1961) spent time working in Europe and wound up as Sony's Senior Vice President for Public Affairs based in New York. Having retired in 2001, he and his wife Anne live in a small seaside community in Connecticut, where Jason serves as Operations Officer and Coxswain for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in Long Island Sound. Son Ben and twin daughters Catie and Nellie are studying at St Joseph's University (Philadelphia), Johns Hopkins, and the University of Virginia, respectively. Please get in touch by clicking here.
Alise Ferranti (Music Therapy 1998) lives in Jacksonville Florida with her husband, Joe, and their two beautiful daughters, Lauren (12/03) and Darden (12/06). She is a realtor with Fred Miller Group and Joe is a project manager with Apex, an environmental consulting firm.
Lydia Fetner (B.M. Violin Performance 2004) is currently working on a M.M. Violin Performance from University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music.
Les Fillmer (BM '74) was English horn soloist and personnel manager with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra until taking a full-time teaching position at the Alabama School of Fine Arts in 1981; he was appointed music chair there in 1996. He also serves as music director for Alabama Ballet and the Gadsden Symphony Orchestra. Les asks, "When is the HOLT LOCK AND DAM MUSIC FESTIVAL Revival scheduled to occur?"
Mark Foster (B.S., M.A., Ed.D. 1990, 1996, 2005) has been teaching band in the Birmingham area for 16 years and is currently the band director at Mountain Brook Junior High School.
Monica Free (Bachelor of Music 2002) has been living in Germany since September 2002; her first year was in Osnabrück where she studied with Allan Ware at the Konservatorium, and now she studies with Ulf Rodenhäuser at the Robert-Schumann-Hochschule in Düsseldorf. She currently has 29 clarinet students in two different cities, some on a private basis, and some at a public music school. She has a German boyfriend, Falko, who she met in England in 2000. She plans to complete her course of studies here (in March 2006), and then... who knows. She misses her times at UA, but is much enjoying her life in Europe.
Melissa Garner (BM Performance 2006) is currently working on her MM in clarinet at The University of Southern California, where she has the honor to study with Yehuda Gilad. Within the three months she has been there, she has been appointed as adjunct professor of clarinet at The Master's College, and has won first place ($4000) in the Pasadena Showcase Competiion.
Shelley Gilbert-Tomich (Bachelors in Music Education 2003) married Mark Tomich (computer engineer, graduate of AL in 2002) on December 20, 2003. She now teaches elementary band/general music in Alpharetta, GA.
Linda Gill (MM '91) has been assistant director of music and organist at First United Methodist Church in Montgomery since 1995. She also serves as director of the Montgomery MasterSingers.
David Gill (BS 1986) is married to Joann Stephens Gill (class of 1978) with 8 kids. The oldest is in her 2nd year at Bama (she is in the colorguard) and his latest is 10 months old. (She will be at Bama in 2024). He can be emailed by clicking here.
Frank Godfrey (BS '69) has been sales representative for DeMoulin Bros. & Co. (provider of uniforms for the Million Dollar Band) since 1972. Frank is married and has 2 children; the older will graduate from UA in 12/02 with a degree in elementary education.
Laura Grantier Snavely (BM '93) was named Assistant Principal Clarinet with the United States Navy Band, Washington, D.C. in January 2001.
Jimmy Greene (BM '72) received a M.M. in voice from the American Conservatory of Music in Chicago and undertook doctoral studies at the Manhattan School of Music. He has performed in opera and in concert throughout the USA and abroad and has sung in some of the most important halls in the world. Currently he is Director of the Performing Arts Department at St. John's Preparatory School, St. John's University, Queens, NY.
Chris Griffin (B.A. '88) is pursuing a master's degree in vocal performance at the University of Montevallo. He is music director and organist for the Lutheran Church of Vestavia Hills in Birmingham and continues to perform throughout the state, alternately as a tenor and as a jazz pianist.
Brian Griffin
(B.S. in Education 1996)
is the Orchestra Director for Douglas Anderson School of the Arts in Jacksonville, FL. His wife, Carol, and he recently celebrated the birth of their son, Max.
Email him.
Timothy E. Guenther (MM '79) has been Director of Music at First English Lutheran Church of Mansfield since 1989, and Adjunct Instructor in Organ and University Organist at Ashland University since 1996. Tim reports that the church is currently renovating its organ, contact him at tguenthr@richnet.net.
Julie Griffin Guier (B.S., Music Ed. 1985) Julie is happily married to Bill Guier. They have two daughters and live near Birmingham. Julie works as a legal secretary for Christian & Small LLP. She enjoys occasional performance opportunities in local churches and weddings, both as a substitute choir member and instrumental soloist.
Roger Guilian (Bachelor of Arts, Juris Doctor 1995, 1998) serves as General Counsel and Assistant Vice President of Volkert & Associates, Inc., an engineering and environmental consulting services firm headquartered in Mobile, Alabama with more than 20 offices throughout the United States. Roger and his wife Leslie live in Daphne with their 2 year old son, and are expecting a daughter. Roger carries with him the work ethic and attention to detail taught by Dr. Welker to this day.
Sunny (Speaker) Hadder (BM '98) started the Music Therapy program at UAB Hospital in 1999 and has been there full-time for the past year.
Sam Hamm (BM 1991) completed a PhD in music composition at the University of Florida in 2005. After spending a year as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Sam now holds the position of Assistant Professor of Music at Rocky Mountain College in Billings, MT. Sam and his wife Kimberly were married in August 2002, and to this point have accumulated more cats than children (4-0). His website is here.
Angela Hampton (B.S. '00) is assistant band director at Discovery Middle School in Madison, Alabama. She is engaged to Chris Neugent, who is currently completing a B.S. degree as well; the wedding date will be June 8, 2002.
Danielle Hansen (Gray) (Equivalency in Music Therapy, '99) married husband Roger in June, 1999, and moved to Arizona two weeks later. Currently she works in the Phoenix area with children who have various developmental disabilities.
Kim Haralson (Enderle) (BA '93) works as sales manager and coordinator for a licensing shop in Munich; previously, she worked for a German production company selling television programs to international broadcasters. She and husband Frank live in Ravensburg, Germany, only 30 minutes from the Alps.
Larry Hardin (EdD 1997) recently retired as Assistant Professor of Music Education at Jacksonville State University. He is currently Project Coordinator for VSA arts of Alabama. Larry has one son, Chris, who is a graduate teaching assistant at UA in the Theatre Dept.
Micah Hardwick (BM Performance 2007) has just accepted the position of battery caption head for the Texas State University marching band. He is also an active teacher/performer in the south central TX area. In addition, he is the snare technician for the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps out of Santa Clara, CA.
Brett Hawkins (BM in jazz studies/music media 2006) began his masters in Fall 2006 as a GTA in the University of Lousiville jazz program.
Ryan Hebert (B.M. '97) is professor of music at Oklahoma City Community College, where he conducts two choirs and teaches other courses; see his website at www.okc.cc.ok.us/choralpage/choir.htm. Ryan invites classmates to get in touch (rhebert@okc.cc.ok.us).
Adam Heidenreich (BS '00) will be one of two music specialists at Cedar Hill Elementary School in Lawrenceville, Georgia. He will also be auditioning to perform with the JSU Centerstage World Winter Guard for the 2004 season.
Doug Henry (MA 1973) has taught band in Alabama, Tennessee and North Carolina for 33 years and has no immediate plans to retire. He's played professionally all of this time, touring with various bands in most of the lower 48. He's recorded with Eileen Farrell, Loonis McGlohon, The Four Tops and Jim Stack. Doug is still married to Lucy and they have 2 daughters; the youngest is a voice major at Winthrop U. in South Carolina.
Chris Hillman (BA '98) is finishing medical school at the University of Alabama School of Medicine. He'll receive his M.D. in May 2002 and will pursue a specialty in anesthesiology.
After graduating from UA, Stephen Hiramoto (B.S. Music 1988) attended Louisiana State University and graduated with the Master of Music in Oboe Performance in 1990. His education continued at the University of North Texas where he held the Teaching Fellowship in Oboe and performed in the Teaching Fellow Wind Quintet. These studies culminated in the Doctor of Musical Arts in Oboe Performance in 1996. Since 1997 Stephen has owned and operated North Texas Oboe Reeds and Cane and resides in Dallas and New Orleans.
Lori Hodge Corley (BM in Music Therapy 1996) has been Director of Madison Station Senior Center since 2002. Lori was chosen as one of The Tennessean's Top 40 Under 40 young leaders this year. She and husband Ed were married in 2001.
Since November 1991, Christopher R. Hodges (BM '99) has been a member of the U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet Band based in Norfolk, VA. Chris and wife Amanda have a 2 year-old daughter, Fiona, and another child is on the way.
Leigh Hood (BS '00) has been teaching Orff Music in Tennessee for the past year. Now she is about to start work as band director at Cypress Junior High in Memphis.
Joseph Hudson (BSE - Music Education 2002) taught choral and general music (6-8) at Brookwood Middle School in the Tuscaloosa County school system for two years before returning to UA in the fall of 2004 to begin a Masters degree in Vocal Performance. He is now the Director of Music at Northport First United Methodist Church where he directs the adult chancel choir, the handbell choir, and supervises the children's music program.
Kevin Humphrey (B.M., 1998) currently lives in NYC. He is teaching middle school music in Manhattan. Click here to email him.
Rachel (Robbins) Jacobson (B.M. '97) married Keith Jacobson in June, 2000, and she continues to provide therapy to patients at the Duke University Medical Center.
Paul S. James (B.S., M.A. 1966; 1968) As of October, 2003, Paul is semi-retired and in his 27th year of church work and still teaching privately. He's also working on a novel, a mystery set in Mississippi. He'd love to hear from students of the 60's and wishes to have a reunion. You may contact him via email at Psj42@msn.com.
Erik Janners (Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting 2001) is now Director of Bands at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, ILlinois. He is also a pre-concert lecturer for the Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra. E-mail Erik by clicking here.
Paul Jarvis (BS '83, MM '90) served as a band director in various schools in Alabama in Georgia. In 1990 he left music to pursue a career in aviation. He lives now in Birmingham with wife Kathy and daughter Emory, and he works as a pilot for a major corporation.
Keith Johnson (BS Management '96) married Mary Elizabeth Weinkauf of Brockport, NY in 1998. They have since moved to Denver, CO and have a beautiful daughter, Alexa Mackenzie Johnson, born December 14, 2002.
Jean Johnson (M.M., 1988; D.M.A., 1997 ) is on the full-time music faculty of Enterprise-Ozark Community College in Enterprise, Alabama, where she also serves as Distance Learning Coordinator. Dr. Johnson is also a church musician and performs chamber ensemble and solo organ concerts in the Southeast.
Marjorie Johnston (BMus and MMus 1987 and 1990) is a Music librarian and member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. She is also a church musician
Johnna Jones (BS '00) currently is Assistant Band/Chorus Director at Oak Mountain Middle School in Birmingham.
Holly Jones (BS '89) is urrently working as a programmer and web developer in Phoenix, AZ. Write her at h_jones2001@yahoo.com.
Keava Boswell Jones (BM '95) married Marlon E. Jones (BS '99) on July 7, 2001. Keava was graduated from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School in Lansing, MI, in May 2001. Marlon is Minister of Music for the Union Hill Primitive Baptist Church in Huntsville, AL, where the couple resides. Send email to kkboswell@aol.com or marlonejones@aol.com.
Johnna Jones Stafford (BS 2000) is currently in her fourth year at Oak Mountain Middle School in Shelby County, Alabama. She married Jeremy Stafford on June 14, 2003.
Michael Keeton (BS '99) is band director at Brookwood Middle School (AL) and assistant band director and director of pPercussion at Brookwood High School. He is married to Brandy Reece who will graduate from UA in May 2003 with a degree in secondary language arts.
Jonathan Kerr (B.A. Music Administration 1999) was named Director of Marketing and Public Relations for the Grammy-award winning Choral Arts Society of Washington. He recently married Kerri Apblett in October 2003 and resides in Alexandria, Virginia. You may contact him via email at jkerr12@yahoo.com.
Alise Key Ferranti (BM '98) lives in Jacksonville, FL, and works as the office manager at a veterinary referral center. Her husband, Joe, is a project engineer for an environmental consulting firm. They have a daughter, Lauren, who was born in December 2003.
Julia Keywood (BM '74) worked for 2 seasons with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra before moving to Germany in 1976. After working in several orchestras she has been in Oldenburg Germany since August 1979 working with the Oldenburgisches Staatstheater. Early in her career she was very busy teaching and performing chamber music in addition to her work in opera, operetta, ballet and concerts at the theater. For 10 years she founded, managed and arranged for her ensemble "Just Violas" (5 violas, bass/percussionist).
Myra King Rhoden (B.S '94, M.A. '99) is now the band director at Sidney Lanier High School in Montgomery, Alabama. She is married to Errol Rhoden, Jr., and has one son, Errol Rhoden III.
Melony Kirkley Colburn (BM '89) is Director/Teacher of Kindermusik of Tuscaloosa and works part-time as a Pampered Chef consultant. She and husband Rob have a young son, Jackson.
Robert Knupp(BM-Susquehanna 1992, MM-East Carolina U 1994, DMA-U of Alabama 2001) has been promoted to the rank of Associate Professor and granted tenure at Mississippi College for the start of the 2007 Academic year. Dr. Knupp has been at MC for seven years, with his main teaching responsibilities organ and music theory. During the last year, Knupp recorded and released his first CD entitled “Shelter from the Storm, Pipe organs that survived Katrina.” All proceeds from the sale of the CD are donated to churches on the Mississippi Gulf Coast that are rebuilding or purchasing organs for their worship spaces. His solo performances have been at such venues as St. Thomas Church in New York City, St. Philip’s Cathedral in Atlanta, St. Mary’s Cathedral in San Francisco, and the Washington National Cathedral. Future engagements will take him to Seattle, Boston, Los Angeles, and London U.K.
Michael Labbe (Bachelor of Arts 1999) joined the Navy submarine force in 2002 after teaching music for 2 years. He earned his commission as a Naval officer in August 2005 and will be stationed in Hawaii.
David Lackey (B.S. Music Education 1999) worked in business management in Atlanta, Georgia after graduating. He then taught music in Mobile, Alabama, where he served as Band Director at the Dunbar Magnet School of the Creative and Performing Arts. David currently lives in Jacksonville, Alabama, where he will graduate with his Masters in Educational Administration in the Spring of 2006. He plans to move to Manhattan in the summer of 2006 to teach music in the New York City Public School System. Click here to contact David.
Katheron (Reynolds) Latham (BM '91, MA '93) has a piano and voice studio in the Chattanooga area and coordinates the children's choir at Bayside Baptist Church. Currently she serves as president of the Chattanooga Music Teachers Association. She and husband Chad have two sons.
Ellen Peters Light (BS in Music Education 1973) taught high school music for three years. She then left teaching to work in a family business and has spent the last 30 years doing volunteer theatrical and musical work. She is the long-time president of an award-winning community theatre troupe in her hometown of Bluefield, WV. Ellen is now the head of the Alliance for the Arts which operates a National Historic Register building dedicated to the promotion and presentation of fine arts.
Arietha Lockhart (BS and MA in Music Education 1982 and 1986) resides in Decatur Georgia and is an elementary music specialist. She is a member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus and has been recognized for solo vocal achievements; She also won a debut recital in Weill Hall of Carnegie Hall. Arietha was accompanied by Sheryl H. Cohen on "There Biblical Songs" by Curtis Bryant for Soprano and Flute. She is an active performer and recitalist and a member of Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity. Webpages: Southern Artistry and Classical Singer.
Rochelle (Blackstone) Loney (BM '96) went on to earn an MM in music therapy from FSU. She married husband Christopher in May, 2000, and she is living and teaching music in Olathe, Kansas.
Tom Lowe (BA '67) is presently practicing law in Jackson, Mississippi. He plays in the Mississippi Symphony and and is baritone soloist at St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral Choir. He would love to hear from UA contemporaries at tlowe@jam.rr.com.
After finishing school at UA, John T. Lowe, Jr. (MM Organ and Choral Conducting 1996) completed a full-time internship at West End United Methodist Church in Nashville, TN from 1996-1998. He then went on to complete the Doctor of Organ and Church Music Degree at Indiana University, Bloomington in May 2005. In May 2003 he was appointed Director of Music and Organist at Ocala, Florida's First United Methodist Church, where he plays the Wicks organ in worship and concerts, and administrates a comprehensive music program for the 2,000-member congregation. In addition to recital engagements, he directs the Central Florida Master Choir and is Dean of the Ocala Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Lee Majors (BS '91) serves at Maytown Baptist Church (Birmingham) as Minister of Music, Education and Administration. He and Yolanda (Loni) Majors have 2 daughters, Amanda and Brittany.
Amy Marable (BM 2000) went back to school to get a degree in nusing. She is now a trauma/emergency nurse with DCH Regional Medical Center in Tuscaloosa.
Valerie Martin (MM '88, DMA '94) is Associate Professor and Head of the Music Department at Susquehanna University, a private, liberal arts college of 1,800 students in central Pennsylvania. She continues to serve as the Director of Bands at SU, a position she has held since 1994. In 1998 she married Kevin Henry, a professional trombonist and band director.
Heather Martin Armstrong (BA 99) married Auburn alum Ashley Wayne Armstrong on April 28, 2001. She currently lives in Huntsville, where she works as a paralegal and plays bassoon in various local churches and events, including the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra on occasion.
Juan Martinez (BS in Commerce and Business Administration 2004) currently lives with his wife and daughter and works professionally as a computer programmer for Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. He continues to seek out opportunities for participation in performance arts with various local venues.
Patricia (Massey) Smathers (BM '88) earned her master's in Special Ed in 1998 from the State University of West Georgia; in May 2001, she will complete an Ed.S. in Interrelated Special Education from the same school.
Update: Sherry Watkins Matthews (BA '97) has remarried and now is pursuing a master's degree in speech-language pathology at Mississippi University for Women (although she may finish it at UA).
Alan Mattingly (B.M. '89) is horn professor at Western Carolina University; see his WCU web page. In summer 2000, Alan married hornist Jacqueline Ekstrand, who is on the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Asheville.
Allison Brown Mays (B.A., M.A., Ed.S., J.D. B.A. 1991) is now an assistant principal at Hillcrest High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Contact her at almays1@hotmail.com.
Erin Maziek Babb (B.M., 2000, Music Therapy; M.A., 2002, Special Education) received her Ed.S. in Special Education Administration from the University of West Georgia in December 2006. Erin works for Marietta City Schools in Marietta, GA, where she holds a lead special education teacher position.
Stacey McCarthy (BM '95) has moved from music therapy into administration, and she is director of a day treatment program for mentally ill adults. At home she has "a house/yard full" of animals to keep her company.
Josef McClellan (M.M. Vocal Performance 2004) has performed roles with Opera Birmingham and was an Apprentice Artist with Des Moines Metro Opera where he covered the role of Brighella in Strauss's Ariadne auf Naxos. McClellan has appeared in opera, concert, and oratorio in the United States, England, and Germany. He is currently a Hohenberg-Scheidt Young Artist at the University of Memphis where he is pursuing the D.M.A. in Vocal Performance.
Dr. Robert A. McCormick (BS '77) is dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, MI, and also is the Director of the Concordia Choir.
Ben McCoy (BM '78) has had a varied career that includes work in radio and television and editing a magazine. Now he manages software development projects for Exodus Communications; send him email at mccoyb@earthlink.net. He and wife Tala Partlow have three children.
Ben McCoy (BM 1978) has had a varied career that includes work in radio and television, editing a magazine and managing software development projects. Now he runs a nationwide sports equipment delivery and assembly business, and is working on getting his chops back up for Dan Drill's retirement gala and a night with the Tuscaloosa Horns. He and wife Tala Partlow have three children.
After 20 years as band director at various high schools, James McKenzie (BS '80, MA '86) is now a systems analyst for the Southern Company in Birmingham and a technical consultant for db Technology Internet Services in Tuscaloosa. He and wife Rebecca have two children, James III (who studies trombone with Professor Dan Drill) and Andrew.
Ginny McLean Hughes (Bachelor of Science in Education 1987) has have been teaching in the Jefferson County School System for 17 years. She taught choir, music apperciation and guitar at Hewitt-Trussville Junior High School for 13 years and is currently the choral director at Gardendale High School. She also sings in the adult choir and coordinates childrens' choirs at Gardendale-Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church. She is married to Billy Hughes (also a teacher) and they have a daughter, Lauren. They live in Fultondale, Alabama.
Jeff McLelland (DMA '92) recently returned to Alabama. After 17 years of college teaching, he is now Director of Music and Fine Arts at Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham.
Amy Aberg McLelland (MM '94) directs the McLelland Piano Institute in Birmingham and works as an assistant teacher at the Taubman International Summer Piano Institute in Williamstown, Massachusetts.
Jamin McPhetrige (B.S. in Music Education and B.M. in Performance B.M. 2004 and B.S. 2005) earned his M.M. in Euphonium Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2007. He is the director of bands at Northridge High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and currently lives in Northport with his dog, Buddy.
Louise Merrill (BS - Music Education 1964) enjoyed teaching English at LBW State Junior College in Andalusia, Alabama, before moving to Birmingham in 1982. Presently, she is the executive director of FOCUS On Recovery, a recovery residence that provides resources for women in early recovery from substance abuse. You can email Louise by clicking here.
Kerrie Mills-Cochran (BS '91) completed a master's degree in School Counseling in 1999 and is currently working as a school counselor in the Atlanta area.
Brad Mitchell (BS Music Education 1994) is living in Columbia, TN where he is the band director at Cox Middle School. He received his MA degree from MTSU in 1997. He is currently co-conductor of the Maury County Community Band in Columbia.
Barry Morrison (BS in Music Education 1978) worked as a band director in AL and TX from 1979-1986. He performed with the Fort Worth Concert Band as principal euphonium from 1982-1985. He became solo euphonium with the US Military Academy Band at West Point, NY in 1987 and has served as conductor of the Rhinebeck Legion Band since 1989. He is a former conductor of the Southern Dutchess Pops Orchestra. He also serves as the solo euphonium for the Imperial Brass Band of Westfield, NJ and the Hudson Valley Symphonic Wind Ensemble of Tarrytown, NY. He has also performed with the Grammercy Brass Band of New York City.
Khristina Motley (B.S. Music Education 1992) received an M.A. in Education Curriculum and Instruction with a music concentration from VA Tech University in 1995. She is teaching in the Tuscaloosa County School System and is the mother of two boys and a girl that love to sing.
Curtis Murdock (BM '74, BS '75, MA '77) has been Minister of Music at Beech Haven Baptist Church in Athens, GA, since 1988. He is also active as conductor, consultant, and adjudicator. In his past life, as a double bassist, he taught at Columbus College (GA) and Mercer University, and he played principal bass with the Columbus Symphony.
Mike Nichols (BM Musicology 1969; MM Viola Pedagogy 1972) currently has a full-time viola/violin studio in Duluth, GA, a suburb of Atlanta. He performs mostly chamber music and as a fiddler. He has composed many compositions for students and student orchestras and is currently working on editions of 18th & 19th century music for viola as well as a resource book for studio teachers. He is married to Ruth Davis (BM Piano '70) and have they have two children. He would love to hear from UA friends via email at mnichols@mindspring.com.
Sean Noah (BS '99) taught for the past three years at Hazel Green High School (AL) and currently is director of instrumental music at Western High School in Baltimore, MD. He was recently married to Laura Martin (BM '02), who is studying percussion at the Peabody Conservatory.
Michelle Noel Moebes (BM '92) was graduated from Emory Univ with a master's degree in physical therapy in 1999. She and husband Ben have a son, James, born in 2001.
Kyle Norris (B.S. Music Education/B.A. Theatre 2002) toured the country as a Musical Director and Guest Music Instructor after graduation in 2002. In 2003, he worked on the Broadway production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof as a Studio Pianist. In August 2004, his children's musical, Rumpelstiltskin, opened at the Forestburgh Playhouse. He currently lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife Sarah where they are working on a newly commissioned work to be premiered in the summer of 2005.
Douglas O'Grady (DMA - Composition 2004) is currently Assistant Professor of Music in Theory and Composition at Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, Georgia.
Jay Oden (BM '94) is organist/music associate at First United Methodist Church in Gastonia, NC. He is also organist for one Mass a week at St. Michael's Catholic Church. He and wife Milette have three children. Jay earned his master's degree in church music from Shenandoah University in 2000.
Sarah Ovington (BS '93) teaches at Shades Mountain Christian School and teaches private voice lessons at Southeastern Bible College.
K.C. Pan (Ed.D. '01) is lecturer in music education the University of Malaya. K.C. welcomes everyone from the UA family to visit Malaysia.
Rebecca (Henley) Parris (BS Social Work '82) works as a Social Worker with the Health Services Center in Anniston. She am an active member of Southside United Methodist Church in Gadsden where she often has the oppportunity to play the flute.
LaKeisha Phillips (BS in Vocal Music Education 2003) lives in Birmingham and teaches elementary music at Grantswood and Irondale Community Schools. She also teaches at Birmingham Children's Choir. She is getting married on June 11, 2005.
Shatisa Pierce (BM in Vocal Performance May 2000) was recently married (July 2004) and is currently enrolled at UA working on her teaching certificate in English Language Arts. She will finish work on her certificate in May.
David Pineda (BM '92) is Artistic and Music Director of the Atlanta Chamber Orchestra, Inc.
Shane Porter
(B.A. - Composition/Arranging 99)
went on to finish the M.S. in Music Ed. from Troy St. in 2002. He took a D.O.B. gig at a high school in Georgia and then worked at Alabama State Univ. for 2 years as the Trumpet Prof. He recently accepted the job as A.D.O.B. at the Univ. of Tenn. (Chattanooga).
He has been fortunate enough to have many marching charts published by Warner Brothers. Additionally, he has been touring quite a bit with The Temptations, O'Jays, the Four Tops & Gerald Levert.
Shane may be emailed by clicking here.
Holly Powe (Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance 1997) went back home after graduation and started teaching. She got a Masters of Education in Music from Alabama A&M and took a job at Calhoun Community College, Decatur, AL as the choir director and music department coordinator. She is an adjunct faculty member in the voice area at Alabama A&M University and also has a private voice and piano studio in the Huntsville area. She accepted a fellowship to complete my DMA at the University this year.
Jonathan Powell (BS '96) is the band/choral director at West End High School in Walnut Grove, AL, as well as associate pastor/minister of worship at New Friendship Baptist Church in Arab, AL. He is married to Jeniffer Thrasher Powell, who teaches at West End Elementary School.
Jami Rainey (B.S. Ed. 1998) was married on Dec. 21, 2002 to Stephanie Silas of Guin, AL. He is currently the band director for the Winfield City School System in Winfield, AL.
Myra Rhoden (B.S. and M.A. 1994 and 1999) Update: Band Director at Fayette County High School in Fayetteville, Georgia.
Vell Rives (B.A. (Music), M.D. 1991, 1995) married Carmen Joy Stoll in 2002. They live in the Washington, DC area where he practices psychiatry and directs the choir at Capitol Hill Baptist Church.
Tony Roberson (BA Piano Performance 1985) is currently a professor at the UAB School of Nursing, specializing in children and adolescent psychiatric mental health issues. He completed a Ph.D. in nursing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his past faculty appointments were at UNC-Chapel Hill and Duke University. He continues to study piano and lives in Birmingham, Ala.
Joey Roberts (BM Vocal Performance 2002) is now a graduate student in Voice at the University of Michigan, studying with Dean Daniel Washington. His roles with the University Opera Theatre include Leporello from Don Giovanni, Simone from Gianni Schicchi, and Figaro in masterclass with Martina Arroyo. He has also performed with the New Hampshire Symphony Orchestra as well as the Kirk in the Hills Chancel Choir.
Dr. Lavandolyn Robinson (Bachelor of Music- Music Therapy August 1997) has recently relocated back to Alabama the Beautiful and has launched out on her initial Music Outreach Ministry and Consultant services. Dr. Robinson's formal love for the voice, music & ministry has allowed her to embark on her 1st Gospel Music CD release anticipated for Summer 2008. Her classical foundation has allowed her to provide music services and seminars throughout the east coast and midwest over the last 10 years. She continues to provide music applications for various special needs children and geriatric populations throughout her city as desired. Dr. Robinson still enjoys singing and songwriting when she is not traveling for the ministry/business. She was the featured soloist for the Prattville Community Chorus Christmas Concert 2005 as well as the soloist for various city/school and county functions and events. Music is still her first love.
Katie (Alterman) Rosenberg (BM '96) has been the center manager and case manager for the Weinstein Center for Adult Day Services in Atlanta for the past 6 years. She and husband Sammy have been married for three years. Contact her at Kaltrose@aol.com.
Jeanette (Turner) Ross (B.A. '92) is Operations/Personnel Manager for the Columbus (Georgia) Symphony Orchestra, and serves as orchestra director for the Edgewood Baptist Church in Columbus. Jeanette married Marty Ross in June, 1999.
Amy (Tanner) Ruth (BS '90) is on maternity leave from band directing at Mohave Middle School and Navajo Elem. School in Scottsdale, AZ. She moved to AZ to pursue an M.M. at Arizona State Univ., and she narried jazz saxophonist and educator Bryon Ruth in 1996. Their daughter Caroline was born on June 23, 2002.
James Paul Sain (DMA in Music Composition 1990) is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida where he teaches electroacoustic and acoustic music composition, theory, and technology. He is the founder and director of the internationally acclaimed annual Florida Electroacoustic Music Festival. His compositional oeuvre spans all major acoustic ensembles, instrumental and vocal soloists, and embraces electroacoustic music. His works have been featured at national and international societal events. International residencies include those at the Swedish Royal Academy of Music, University of Oregon, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, University of Lanús (Buenos Aires), Luther College, Folkwang-Hochschule Essen, Korean National University of Arts, Winthrop University, and EMS (Stockholm). Dr. Sain is currently SCI Executive Committee chair and a member of the American Composers Alliance. His music is available in print from Brazinmusikanta and American Composers Editions and on CD on the Capstone and Electronic Music Foundation labels. More information can be found at http://jamespaulsain.com/.
Brad Sargent (B.S. in Instrumental Music Ed. 1993) completed his MM and DMA degrees in trumpet performance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He's in his sixth year on faculty at Samford University in Birmingham, AL. Brad is married to clarinetist Ann Dempsey of Port Huron, MI. They have two children, Henry and Katie, with their third child due in April 2006.
Tabitha Schaffer (McDaniel) (BM '93) married husband Mark in 1995 and has had a variety of experiences in the music therapy profession. Currently she is staying at home with their two young daughters and is handling various family responsibilities.
Barrett Seals (BM 1996) recieved his MM in oboe performance at the Universtiy of North Texas and is currently solo English horn with the United States Coast Guard Band. Barret can be reached by clicking here.
Daniel Seay (B.S. Music Education Instrumental 2004) is in Virginia teaching middle and high school band at L.F Addington Middle School and J.J. Kelly High School; he sends his regards and hopes everyone is doing well. He will be getting married in June 2005 to Amy Muse; they will be living in Big Stone Gap, VA.
Ron Sellers (BS (1969) and MA (1974) 1969) is currently in his 30th year of teaching band (no plans for retirement yet): 13 years at Winfield HS (Alabama), 2 years at Walker HS (Alabama), 15 years at Caledonia HS (Mississippi).
John Semingson (DMA Choral Conducting 2001) has been Director of Music for the Westminster Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)--Nashville, TN, since January, 2001. At Westminster, he oversees a large graded choral program involving over 200 singers. He is also Adjunct Associate Professor for Teacher Education at the Blair School of Music, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, where he mentors students in the Master of Choral Music Education program, and is Dean of the Nashville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Leah Seng (BS 2002) married Jordan Seng, former MDB trombone player. She finished her M.M.E. at the University of Georgia in August 2003, and is currently the band director at Gresham Middle School in Birmingham, AL.
Bob Sheehan (BS 78) is in his 28th year of teaching. He served in Luverne for 9 years and is the current director at Hale County High School in Moundville. He resides in Tuscaloosa with his wife Kim (Pate BS79) and son Robert.
Bridgett Shewmake (BM '98) is a community college faculty member with the title "TRIO Project Specialist." She is finding ways to incorporate music therapy strategies into her job, and she plans to continue working with private music therapy clients.
Bridgett Shewmake (soon to be McLean) (BM in Music Therapy 1998) was recently engaged to Arthur McLean, editor of the Thomasville Times. She is currently working in economic development, teaching private music lessons in the evenings, and helping Arthur to run a photography business.
Jed Smart (BS '01) is director of bands at Handley High School in Roanoke, AL.
Patricia Smathers (Bachelor of Music (Therapy) 1988) earned a MEd in special education at the State University of West Georgia in 1998 and a EdS. in special education in 2001 (same school).
Julie Smith (BS Early Childhood and Elementary Education 1990) has received the following honors: 2005-2006 Halcyon Elementary PTA Teacher of the Year; 2005-2006 Montgomery County Council PTA Teacher of the Year; 2005 and 2006 Who's Who Among America's Teachers; Model/Master Presenter at the 2006 National Renaissance Conference in Nashville, Tennessee; First teacher to earn Master Coordinator certification in Reading Renaissance. First teacher and students to certify as Model and Master in Math Renaissance
Jonathan Smith (BM '90, MM '92) is commercial real estate attorney in Dallas, Texas. He is a member of Dallas Symphony Chorus, Helios Ensemble, and Dallas Vocal Arts Ensemble, and he performs as pianist in the Dallas area with his pianist wife Jill, whom he married in July, 2000.
Bryan Smith (BS Music Education 1989) was named Oneonta Elementary School Teacher of the Year for 'O5-'06.
Richard Snyder (M.M.Ed. and Ed.D. 1971 and 1977) joined what is now Enterprise-Ozark Community College as Division Chair for Fine Arts, after a high school teaching career of almost 10 years at Bay High in Panama City, FL (with two European concert tours). One of his esteemed colleagues is Dr.Jean Ann Johnson, also a UA graduate. In the last 26 years he has taught undergraduate music theory and appreciation as well as directed concert choir, community chorus, theater, musical theater, and dinner-theater. He now directs one of the most widely acclaimed show choirs in the region and will retire in a couple of years. Life is good.
Glenn Spurlin (BS '71, MA '74) retired from the Alabama Public school system in 1997 and has been teaching for the past six years in Georgia. Glenn was a section leader in the Million Dollar Band. Three of his children have marched in the MDB, and four members of the immediate family hold UA degrees.
Marline Stabile-O'Farrill (BS 1968) and her husband, Alan, opened the new Everglades High School in Miramar, Florida in 2003. They have been the directors of bands, earning straight superiors in marching, jazz, and concet since opening. The music department also has an outstanding chorus and guitar department. Their older son, John, still plays in church, but with a Master's in math education, is currently a math teacher at Hiram High. Their younger son, Chris, is a freelance lead trumpet player and arranger, and often first call for recordings both in Miami and all over the world.
Johnna Stafford (BS in Music Education May 2000) moved to Florence in June 2004 to pursue a Master's Degree in Education Administration at UNA. She maintains a private bassoon studio of 10 students in Birmingham. Jeremy is a professor in the Business Management department at UNA.
Jim Stanton (B.S. Mathematics, 1963) has a management consulting firm (www.PerceptionMgmt.com). Since graduation, he's been a member of the Boston Pops and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and a founder of the Old Dominion Brass Quintet. He is a freelance trumpet player in the Chicago area.
Stephen Stickler (M.A. in Music Education 1971) is now in his 33rd year of band directing at both the high school and middle school levels.
Brent Swain (BM in Viola Performance 1992) and Dr. Kristen Alley Swain (MA, 1992) are proud to announce the birth of their first child, Madeline Frances, on April 17, 2006 in Lawrence, KS.
Katherine McLean Taylor (BM '96, JD '99) works in the legal department at Southern Company in Birmingham. She also plays the piano during Sunday brunch at the Wynfrey Hotel.
Rebecca Taylor (MM '00) is Director of Music Ministries at Church of the Ascension (Episcopal) in Montgomery and the Artistic Director/Conductor of the Montgomery Chorale and the Montgomery Youth Chorale.
Jamie Thomas (BS '01) is band director at Piedmont High School in Piedmont, AL. Jamie will be married to Lynn Green,a 2002 UA grad, in June 2003.
Kevin Thomas (B.S. Music Education, M.A. Music Education 99 and 2005) recently accecpted the position as Band Director at Fayette High School in Fayette Alabama.
Stewart Thorson (B.S. '99) is band director at Bob Jones High School in Madison, Alabama.
Cecelia Trabert (BM '73) is principal flutist with the St. Joseph (MO) Symphony and the State Ballet of Missouri orchestra. She is also band director at Piper Elementary and Middle School in Kansas City, Kansas, and lives on a 120-acre farm with her husband and son.
Mark Tucker (B.S.Ed, 2002) is currently serving as minister of music and evangelism at First Baptist Church, Killen, Alabama. He married Leah Lane (B.S.Ed, 2001) in November 2002. She works as an elementary music instructor for the Florence, Alabama City school system. Mark is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree through New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. They may be reached by clicking here.
Anna Underwood (Bradbary) (BM '99) lives in Philadelphia, PA, with husband Shane. She serves as the supervisor of the music therapy department at a 240-bed long term care facility.
Theo Vernon (BM/BS '85) is in his 17th year of teaching at Grissom High School in Hunstville, Alabama. Theo writes, "It is hard to believe that it has been nearly 20 years since I was at UA. Some of the best years of my life were spent in Tuscaloosa."
Betsy (Vollers) Ringler (BM in Music Therapy 1992) received her Masters degree from Texas Woman's Univ in Occupational Therapy. She is currently Manager of Therapy at Zale Lipshy Hospital in Dallas and is married with two daughters: Allison is 4 and Ashlee is 13.
Janie (Newbold) Walker (BS '97) is band director at Ransom Middle School in Cantonment, FL. She married Chris Walker, a CPA, in June 2000, and they reside in Pensacola, FL.
Shelby Walker (BS '01) currently resides in Tuscaloosa, where he is director of bands at Northridge High School. He is also engaged to Emily Beegle; the wedding is set for June 5, 2004.
Floy Strickland Wang (BA 1969) After living in Texas, Western Washington, and Western Germany, she and Tom settled in Chattanooga. She earned a MM in Viola Performance from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She spent 15 years as Orchestra Director at the Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga. After her "retirement" from GPS, she is now the UTC Viola Instructor and the Master Teacher for the UTC String Project. So much for retirement. They have one son, Thomas, who is an attorney living in Anchorage, Alaska.
Henry Warner (Bachelor of Music 1949) graduated in Physics from FSU and did research at the Navy lab in Panama City until 1980. He continued composing over the years.
Shannon (Forrester) Watt (B.S. MUE 1993) is married to Lewis and they have 2 sons, Lewis Jr. (8) and John (6). They currently reside in Ridgeland, MS and she is teaching k3 music, 6th grade music, HS choir and drama at Madison Ridgeland Academy. She loves to spread the Roll Tide among the Ole Miss and Mississippi State crowd! She is also forever grateful to have studied with Karen White!
Matthew Watts (BM in performance 2003) finished his Master's degree in Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music at the Johns Hopkins University. He moved back to Atlanta and is currently performing with ensembles like the Atlanta Pops Orchestra.
Neal Webb (BM '85) also earned a master’s degree at Cincinnati and has worked regularly at Disney World and EPCOT. He has performed with orchestras and bands in Florida, has appeared in print ads and TV commercials, and tours nationally with the Jack Daniel's Silver Cornet Band.
After serving as a band director for 5 years, Scott Weldon (B. S. (1974), M.A.(1976) 1974) is studied accounting. He is currently Controller at the University of South Alabama
Gerald Welker (B.M. Horn Performance 2004) currently resides at Scott AFB in Belleville, IL (just east of St. Louis) He married Joy Reaves in 2001, and they have three daughters: Lauren (4), Emily (2), and Sophie (10 months). Gerald is currently performing with the United States Air Force, Band of Mid-America and pursuing a solo career.
Dr. Larry Whatley (BM '62, MM '66) retired as Iva Buch Seese Distinguished Service Professor of Music Theory, Emeritus, from Brevard College (NC) after teaching there since 1963. He plans to stay in Brevard; send him email at whatleylmc@citcom.net.
Ginny White (B.S.E. Music Education 2003) is now teaching music in the Tuscaloosa County School System.
Katherine White (B.M. '88) is the principal clarinetist with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and the Gwinnett Philharmonic in Atlanta, GA. She performs frequently with the Atlanta Symphony as well as the Alabama Symphony, and just about anywhere else in driving range!
Judd Wiggins (B. A. Music 1993) is now an attorney and lives in Birmingham. He sends his congratulations to Prof. Penick for 50 years for molding great musicians!
Eric Wiggs (B.M. Jazz Studies 2004) is currently finishing up his M.M. in Jazz Performance/Pedagogy at the University of Colorado-Boulder. He is a freelance musician and teaches privately through the University of Colorado and the Boulder School of Music.
After graduation Louisa Williams (BA '00) moved to Washington, D.C., to intern in the Development Department of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Now she has taken a permanent position there and plans to make a career in arts administration.
Kathy Williams Beers (BS '75) is a piano teacher in the Atlanta area and pianist for a Baptist church. She and her husband Gregory have two boys, Matthew, ll, and Connor, 5.
Kathy Williams Beers (B.S. 1975) is a pianist at the International Concourse in Hartsfield/Jackson Airport, Atlanta, Georgia (weekends from 3:00 p.m to 7:00 p.m.) She and her husband, Gregory, have two boys, ages 12 and 17. She also teaches piano and is an active member of the Gwinnett Music Teachers' Association. One of her past students belongs to the Shorter College Chorale and they will be singing for the Pope at the Vatican next spring.
William Wilson (BS '59, MA '62) writes: "As a lecturer with University of Maryland, European Division, I recall my study with Dr. Hyde and memories of those non-music majors who were in his Music History class. All of my UMUC Survey of Music Literature students in Term I 2001 were US Sailors and our classroom was in Ike's WWII Headquarters overlooking FDR's statue in our London Amercian Embassy gardens. No, we did not have a harpsichord like Dr. Hyde or any keyboard for that matter, but he would have loved London's 2001 musical season!"
Jolanta Wilson (BS '00) graduated with an MM in wind conducting from the University of New Orleans in May 2003 and currently resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is also a trombonist with the "Sign of the Times Big Band," a professional jazz band based out of Charlotte, NC.
Laura Yawn (M.M. '96) is organist and associate of music at St. Simons Island Presbyterian Church (GA), and she maintains a large studio of private students. She will marry Navy Lt. Kevin Lowe in July, 2001.
Ginger Youngblood Lynch (B.S. in Music Education 1999) received an M.ED. from the University of South Alabama in Educational Administraion. Ginger and Bruce were married in July 2005. They now reside in Chattanooga, TN where Bruce will complete his Surgical Residency in June 2009. Ginger is the band director at Red Bank Middle School.
Alexis Zeller (BA '01) recently joined the staff of the UA School of Music as Marketing Support Assistant. She will marry Phillip Clark, an elementary education major at UA, on June 22, 2002.
