Kevin Fenton, Youth

Kevin Fenton is an associate professor in choral conducting and music education and conductor of the University Singers. He holds a Ph.D. from Florida State University, a M.M from the Conservatory of Music at the university of Missouri in Kansas City and a B.M.E. from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas.

He has been Director of Choral Activities at James Madison University and Virginia Tech, as well as Topeka High School. He regularly is invited to state and regional conventions of the American Choral Directors Association and the Music Educator's National Conference.

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Lynn Shaw Bailey, Children

Lynn Shaw Bailey is a composer, lyricist, conductor and writer. Her music includes sacred and educational works for adult, youth and children's choirs, as well as compositions for piano, organ, handbells and instrumental ensembles. Ms. Bailey currently serves as director of the Young Musicians Choir at First Baptist Church of Lithia Springs, Georgia, where she has been involved in all aspects of the church's music programs for over 25 years. A passionate advocate for young people and fine arts education, Ms. Bailey has also implemented numerous programs and influenced decision-makers in ways that have helped thousands to enjoy the benefits of arts education. She is a member of ACDA and Choristers Guild, as well as the American Society of Composers (ASCAP), where she has received special annual awards for her compositions since 1995.

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David A. VanderMeer, Handbells

David A. VanderMeer has been the Director of Music Ministries at Central Presbyterian Church in downtown Atlanta, Georgia since August 2001.  He oversees a graded choir program; conducts two handbell choirs; the adult Chancel Choir; plans monthly Taizé Prayer Services (weekly services in Advent and Lent); and meets weekly with the Worship Staff to plan worship.  David has also developed a Liturgical Artists Guild and Fine Arts Ministry.   David was the Minister of Music at Northwoods Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas for twelve years where he oversaw a graded choir program of 14 choirs and Fine Arts ministry.  David is a graduate of Westminster Choir College, Princeton, New Jersey and has served churches in New Jersey, Texas and now in Georgia.  

David is a current board member for AGEHR (American Guild of English Handbell Ringers) and is serving a six-year term. David is a member in the following organizations:  American Choral Directors Association, American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, American Guild of Organists, Choristers Guild, The Hymn Society in America, Presbyterian Association of Musicians, and MENC - The National Association for Music Education.

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Stephen Bulla, Instrumental

Stephen Bulla received his degree in arranging and composition from Boston's Berklee College of Music, graduating Magna Cum Laude.  His studies there developed an interest in the commercial music field, eventually leading to a schedule of full time composing and recording production.
Presently Mr. Bulla has entered his third decade as Staff Arranger to "The President's Own" U.S. Marine Band and White House Orchestra.  As such he is responsible for the production of music that encompasses many styles and instrumental combinations, most of which are performed for Presidential functions and visiting dignitaries.
His musical arrangements have been featured on the PBS television series "In Performance At The White House" and performed by many artists including Sarah Vaughan, The Manhattan Transfer, Mel Torme, Doc Severinsen, Nell Carter, and Larry Gatlin.  A career highlight was the opportunity to work directly with film composer John Williams and produce the 'Signature Series' concert band transcriptions of his scores to "Star Wars Main Title" and "Catch Me If You Can" (published as "Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Band")

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Rodney L Barbour, Organ

Rodney L. Barbour began music training at an early age with the piano. Continuing his study of classical piano and adding trombone through high school and early college years, he gained experience playing for chorale concerts, accompanying solo performances, performing in the Holiday on Ice Orchestra and Ringling Bros. & Barnum and Bailey Circus band as well as dance orchestras and stage shows.

Rodney earned a Master of Music Degree in Organ Performance from the College Conservatory of Music and completed additional studies at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in conducting, service playing/accompanying and children’s choral music. Rodney has completed all course work for the Doctorate Degree in Organ Performance at the College Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati.

Rodney is currently a product specialist for Rodgers Instruments LLC. He serves as Director of Music at John Wesley United Methodist Church, Cincinnati. Rodney has been the official organist for the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks Hockey team and former organist for the Reds baseball club.

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Dr. Chris Howard - Piano

Chris Howard comes from an interdisciplinary background, having received Masters and Doctoral degrees in Music (Composition). His interests and research span the arts and technology, cognitive science and philosophy, all of which form the basis for his seminars and workshops. He has held faculty positions at major universities in North America, including McGill University in Montreal, and has served as a visiting lecturer at Harvard and Cambridge Universities.
 
Since the mid 1980’s, Howard has been involved with the implementation of the MIDI specification for musical instruments and software, and has presented numerous masterclasses and workshops presenting that technology throughout North America and Europe. In addition, he has served as a consultant to major instrument manufacturers in the United States, Italy and Japan. During the 1990’s, he began consulting more extensively on web-based and multimedia applications, including production of intranets, extranets, marketing websites, audio CDs and multimedia CD-ROMs.
 
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