Beth Holmes, Youth

Beth Holmes is the conductor of the Millikin Concert Youth Chorale in Decatur, Illinois. She has been a high school choral educator and a vocal educator and choral conductor at Luther College, Decorah, Iowa, and Millikin University. Mrs. Holmes is an active festival conductor on regional, district, and All-State levels and serves as a solo and choral consultant and adjudicator. She leads clinics on rehearsal and vocal techniques for choral directors at conventions, conferences and workshops. Beth, her husband Brad, and their three children have cultivated the art of four and five part a cappella singing.

 back to the top

Donna Kinsey, Children

Donna Kinsey is a Music Specialist for Monongalia County Schools, West Virginia, where she teaches general music and directs handbell and vocal choirs, a recorder consort and an African drum and dance ensemble. She has served for over 30 years as Pastoral Musician for the Parish of St. Francis de Sales, as organist, liturgist, director of vocal and handbell choirs and cantor leader. Mrs. Kinsey is a nationally renowned clinician in the areas of children’s voices, handbells, church music and music education.

 back to the top

Deborah Carr, Handbells

Dr. Deborah Carr, director and co-founder of the Columbia Handbell Ensemble, received a B.S. degree in Vocal Music Education in 1977, a M.Ed. in School Psychology in 1992, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology in 1996, all from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She began ringing in Monroe, Louisiana in 1982. Since 1984, she has resided in Columbia, Missouri where she initiated a five-octave bell program at Missouri United Methodist church and also directed youth and bell choirs at Community United Methodist Church. Deborah currently serves as Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Education and Teacher Development in the College of Education at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

 back to the top

Bryan Edgett, Instrumental

Bryan Edgett serves as Director of Instrumental Activities at Eastern University, St. Davids, Pennsylvania, where his responsibilities include teaching Applied Trumpet and Horn, Brass Methods, Instrumental Conducting, Chamber Music and Secondary Methods. Dr. Edgett conducts the Eastern Winds, the Jazz Ensemble and serves as Music Director for Eastern’s musical productions. Dr. Edgett performs frequently with the Pro Christo Brass Quintet and the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, as well as at annual conferences of the International Trumpet Guild.

 back to the top

David Cherwien, Organ

David Cherwien serves as Director of Music at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota and is the current Music Director for the National Lutheran Choir. He has served churches in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, Seattle and Berlin. Dr. Cherwien is a distinguished composer, clinician and author. He is the composer of the organ series Interpretations, as well as numerous choral, organ and piano works, and the author of Let the People Sing, a resource for congregational music leaders. Dr. Cherwien travels extensively, leading hymn festivals and worship and music workshops.

 back to the top.