MUSIC EDUCATION
I started playing piano at the age of 13 and was the first black drum major at Greeneville Jr. High, Greeneville High and two years for the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagle Marching Band. After graduating from Tennessee Technological University in 1977 and completing a Masters in Music Education from Austin Peay State University in 1986, I began my teaching career as band and choir director at White House High School (1977-1981), and later led band and choir at Gallatin High School (1981-1997). When Volunteer State Community College added a recording program, I was recruited to develop and lead that program (Fall 1997). I’m a 42 year veteran in music education and a church musician at Pruitt Hill UM, Greeneville, Rockland Missionary Baptist,Hendersonville, TN and Gallatin FUMC. Currently, I serve as Director of Music at Gallatin First Methodist Church
During my tenure in Sumner County, I have developed a music curriculum from K-2 through Higher Education, won numerous superior ratings for band and choral performances, served as Chair of the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Volunteer State, produced over 35 student produced CD projects and produced over 40 Christmas and Spring Music Showcases. Additionally, I have developed new ensemble opportunities for the school and have been involved in campus and community activities and organizations.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
One of my biggest challenges was developing a recording program without a facility at Volunteer State. With the help of a supportive administration and talented faculty hires, the program now offers a comprehensive music program in academics and recording. The curriculum includes an Associates of Fine Arts in Music and an Entertainment Media. In 2016, a newly completed Humanities building houses a new recording facility and music wing to include new rehearsal and storage spaces for music students. Just recently, I was also involved in developing a new music degree program at Vol State. The Professional Music AAS which is a four-semester, 60 credit-hour program, prepares students to become working musicians in the local entertainment industry. The program includes a foundation in music theory and entertainment industry practices as well as individual instruction and regular performance opportunities to prepare students for a variety of careers in popular music, including church music, performing, and songwriting.
Professional participation includes NAME and ACDA and Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity and I served as guest panelist for the 2014 Summer Nashville NAMM convention. I’ve also taught music in Ireland through the Tennessee International Study Consortium and International Studies Program at Vol State and I’m currently listed as a writer in ASCAP (The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).
One of my most meaningful accomplishments was receiving a grant from The National Endowment for the Arts and Alternate Roots, Inc. to produce an original stage production, Tennessee Roots. The production was a musical display of Negro spirituals and Appalachian folk songs. I presented my research on spirituals at the 2003 Hawaii International Conference on Arts and Humanities.
At Hendersonville Performing Arts Company, I’ve served as music director for “Les Miserables”, “Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat”, “Mary Poppins”, “The Music Man”, summer music program and “Jesus Christ Superstar”, “Fame”, “A Christmas Carol”and Shrek”. I’ve conducted numerous band and choral works with chorus and full orchestra. In addition, I’ve taught an array of talented students, recording artists, musicians and teachers in many different genres; including American Idol Finalist Kimberley Locke, several Broadway musicians, and several cruise line dancers.
HONORS
Honors include being nominated for the 2014 Bellwether Award for an Interdisciplinary Collaboration CD Project and receiving the Innovations of the Year Award (2013, 2014 and 2017) from the League of Innovations of Community Colleges ) for our Interdisciplinary CD project. I was nominated by the Grammy Foundation in 2015 for Educator of the Year and was a semi-finalist (top 25) out of 7,000 applicants across the country.