VICTOR C. JOHNSON, a native of Dallas, TX, is currently the School Choral Editor for Sing!, the educational publishing division of Choristers Guild. A prolific composer and arranger, he has over 450 choral works, vocal solo books, and keyboard collections currently in print. Since August 2007, Victor has served as the Minister of Worship and Arts at Shiloh Baptist Church, Plano, TX, where he oversees the vibrant SMBC Music Ministry, in addition to the flourishing dance and mime ministries. In August 2022, he was appointed as the conductor of the Dallas Symphony Children’s Chorus Mixed Ensemble, which is comprised of students in grades 9-12, and is the resident children’s choir for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Victor has served as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician for music educators and students throughout the United States. He has conducted numerous All-State and Honor choirs in the US and Canada. His own choirs have performed at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention as well as the American Choral Directors Association- Southwest Division conference. His professional affiliations include: American Choral Directors Association, American Guild of Organists, Texas Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, Texas Choral Directors Association, ASCAP, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Inc.

A native of Ashland, VA, DR. BRANDON T. CASH is an accomplished conductor, music educator, singer, and choral clinician. Since 2010, he has served as Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Mississippi Valley State University, where he conducts the University Choir, Men’s Glee Club, Women’s Chorale, and Valley Singers. Dr. Cash also teaches undergraduate course in Secondary Choral Methods, Choral Conducting, and Applied Voice, fostering a culture of excellence and student success. He received his Doctor of Education Degree in Choral Music Education from The University of Georgia, a M.A. in Counseling with an emphasis in Student Affairs in, a M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and his B.A. Music Education K-12 (Voice) from Hampton University. He holds several advanced certificates in Educational Leadership and Educational Law and Policy from UGA and Music Education Certification from Piedmont College. Dr. Cash is a tenor soloist, researcher, and music educator whose work focuses on principals’ perspectives on music programs, culturally responsive pedagogy, and music in rural and urban schools. He has presented research at GMEA, VMEA, and the Desert Skies Symposium and serves as the Mississippi ACDA R&R Chair and a board member for the National Collegiate Choral Organization. Before joining higher education, Dr. Cash spent nine years directing award-winning middle and high school choirs in Clayton and Atlanta Public Schools, earning consistent superior ratings. A sought-after clinician, consultant, and adjudicator, he founded Cash Music Consulting, LLC, in 2023. His professional affiliations include ACDA, NCCO, NASPAAM, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

MARK A. MILLER has a passion for building community through music and believes that everyone is a child of God. He adheres to Cornel West’s belief that “Justice is what love looks like in public.” A graduate of Yale and Juilliard, Mark is Professor of Church Music, Director of Chapel, and Composer-in-Residence at Drew University. He is also a Lecturer in Sacred Music at Yale University’s Institute of Sacred Music and Divinity School, and Minister of Music of Christ Church in Summit, New Jersey. Previously, he provided musical leadership for Marble Collegiate Church and The Riverside Church (both in New York City). His sacred music is widely published and sung by communities of faith around the world. Mark’s music has been called the soundtrack for a new generation to express and celebrate hospitality, equity, and justice. His newest album, Revolution of the Heart, is available on iTunes. Mark’s Let Justice Roll (for chorus and orchestra) was performed for “Juneteenth Celebration: All American Freedom Day” in 2019 at Carnegie Hall. Mark has led choirs and performed in Sweden, South Africa, Austria, Russia, and the Baltic states. He spends part of the year traveling around the United States (often with his band, Subject to Change), lecturing, preaching, and presenting concerts focused on creating community and advocating for social justice for all people, especially the LGBTQIA+ community. Since 1994 Mark has resided in Plainfield, New Jersey, with his husband, Michael Murden. They have two adult children, Alyse and Keith, and a cat named Harriett.

JOSH VOILES serves as Director of Music Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church in Birmingham, AL, where he oversees a music ministry of 400+ participants and directs the Music Academy. Josh has attended Music and Worship Arts Week since 2012. He “wears a lot of hats” during the week as a member of the Worship Design Team and this year he is leading the Youth Talent Show on Tuesday night. In addition, Josh serves as the Schedule Coordinator of Stuart Auditorium during Music Week and is representing the National Board working with a new program entitled – Fellowship Connections. He received his education from Tennessee Tech University (B.M.E, M.A.). Josh is passionate about fostering vibrant, creative worship and creating a space of belonging where all are welcome

SARAH ELIZABETH HIGH is the Director of Choirs at White Knoll High School. Prior to coming to WKHS Mrs. High taught at Swansea High School, Mid-Carolina High School and at Sandy Run K-8. In her tenure at Swansea and Mid-Carolina, Mrs. High's ensembles received numerous awards at choral festivals and consistently received Excellent and Superior ratings at Concert Festivals and had numerous students who attend Honor clinics, Region Choirs, and All-State Choirs. Mrs. High is also the Director of Music at Salem United Methodist Church, where she conducts the Chancel Choir, Children's Choir, Youth Choir and facilitates handbells and assists in weekly and special worship planning. Mrs. High is also highly involved in the Fellowship of Worship Artists, serves on the National Board as the Vice President of Content, and is on the Worship Design Team for the 2023 and 2024 Music and Worship Arts Week Conference at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina. Sarah Elizabeth is a native of Marietta, Georgia and received her Bachelor of Music Education in 2012 from Columbus State University's Schwob School of Music (Columbus, GA) and graduated with her Master's Degree in Music Education from the University of South Carolina in 2014. As a music educator Mrs. High is actively involved in multiple disciplines and has experience leading both children's and adult choirs, instrumental ensembles, and teaching private flute and voice lessons. Mrs. High is currently an active member of ACDA and NAfME, FWA.

MARGARET HERON recently retired from a 25-year career as Choral Director and AP Music Theory Instructor at Mortimer Jordan High School and Choral Director at North Jefferson Middle School in the Jefferson County School System. For her first nine years, Mrs. Heron also taught Junior and Senior High Band. She earned a BA in Instrumental Music Education from The University of Alabama and a Masters in Choral Music Education from The University of Alabama at Birmingham, summa cum laude. Mrs. Heron received National Board Certification in Choral Music in 2008. Under her direction, her choirs consistently received Superior ratings at District, State, national, and international festivals and were invited to perform all over the Southeast. She has been the Choral Clinician and adjudicator for numerous honor choirs, festivals, and camps throughout the south. Mrs. Heron served on the state board of the Alabama Choral Directors Association and the Alabama Vocal Association Executive Board. She has worked for the College Board, training teachers to score AP Theory exams. Mrs. Heron developed It Works in Theory, a sequential and comprehensive curriculum for teaching music theory in the classroom. She has been on the teaching staff of Birmingham Girls Choir since 2013 and took over as Executive Director in 2021. In the three seasons post the pandemic shutdown, BGC has grown from 4 to 120 choristers. Mrs.Heron has worked as music director at Northport Church of God, Kimberly Church of God, and Gardendale Church of God, and spent 3 years as a youth director at Kimberly Church of God. She is passionate about teaching young people the value of commitment to excellence and unity through the beauty of choral singing. She believes in the power of singing together to bring renewed faith and worth in the community of believers. Mrs. Heron and her husband reside in Kimberly and she loves reading, gardening, canning, flyfishing, and tennis.

KATHY EVANS most recently served as Director of Music Ministries at First United Methodist Church, Cookeville, TN. She is partially retired and now serves as the Director of Worship Arts at Cookeville First and teaches Early Childhood Music Classes as a part of the Music Ministry. Mrs. Evans has fifty plus years of experience as a church musician and educator having served churches in Tennessee, Georgia and Florida. She began her teaching career in the Chattanooga public schools and has taught at the collegiate, secondary and elementary level; maintained a private studio in piano and taught early childhood music. She has been a member of The Fellowship of United Methodist Musicians in Worship Arts for 40 years and has served in leadership roles in the Florida Chapter, served as a clinician with children, youth, and organ at the state and national level, served as Chair of the Design Team for Music Week at Lake Junaluska, and has served on the National Council of The Fellowship of United Methodist Musicians in Worship Arts. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a BS in Music Education with a double major in piano and organ and holds a Masters of Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is the mother of three adult children and has three grandchildren.

SANDRA EITHUN, M.M.Ed is a graduate of Silver Lake College in Manitowoc, WI, with an emphasis in the Kodály teaching method, keyboard, and flute. She is currently on the faculty of Valley Troubadours of Appleton and at Holy Family Conservatory of Music in Manitowoc, WI, leading the handbell program for both schools. She served as Director of Music Ministry, handbell director, children’s choir director, organist and choral accompanist at First Congregational United Church of Christ in New London, WI, from 1992-2021. She directed the Silver Lake College Handbell Ensemble from 2009-2020, is an active member of the Handbell Musicians of America, and has served on their Area VII Board of Directors. She has been commissioned to write music for many events and for numerous individual handbell ensembles. Most recently, she received the honor of being given the esteemed Donald E. Allured Original Composition Award for the 2020 Week of Handbells in Bay View, MI. Sandra has over 650 pieces for handbells in publication as well as several sacred keyboard books and teaching collections for the incorporation of handbells in the music classroom. In 2013, Sandra had the honor of working alongside Doc Severinsen and the Fox Valley Symphony to include handbells in his holiday show, Jingle Bell Doc, at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton, WI. Sandra’s compositions have recently been featured on the PBS Christmas special, Holiday Handbells, as well as concerts by noted groups across the country, including The Raleigh Ringers and The Bells on Temple Square in Salt Lake City. She continues to work as a handbell clinician and conductor at numerous festivals and workshops throughout the United States. She is married to Scott, has four grown children, four grandchildren, and currently resides in Appleton, WI.

HYOSANG PARK received a Bachelor of Arts in Sacred Music from Sungkyul Christian University, Korea, and a Double Master’s Degree in Sacred Music and Piano Performance from Westminster. At Westminster, she joined the Westminster Concert Bell Choir and performed numerous concerts under the direction of Kathy Ebling Shaw, a world-leading handbell choir director and clinician. Ms. Park is currently the music director at Princeton United Methodist Church, the artistic music director of Philadelphia Bronze, an auditioned community handbell ensemble, and works at Malmark Bellcraftsmen in Plumsteadville, PA. She is a doctoral candidate of the Robert E. Webber Institute of Worship Studies in Jacksonville, FL. After playing together for a couple of years, solo handbell ringer Hyosang Park and collaborative pianist Dr. Akiko Hosaki decided to form Duo Grazioso in 2012. With Hyosang’s four-octave Malmark handbells (C4 through C8), the duo has performed at numerous venues in the NJ area. They also often appear at the Community Thanksgiving Service at the Princeton University Chapel. In the summer of 2014, Handbell Musicians of America invited them to the Handbell National Seminar in Atlanta, GA. Ms. Park is also a member of Quadrants, a handbell quartet ensemble that has performed at numerous churches and schools since 2018. The ensemble was invited to the Handbell National Symposium in St Louis, MI, in 2019. Philadelphia Bronze, which performs in PA and NJ, was invited to the Handbell National Symposium in Hartford, CT, in 2024.

KAREN L WATKINS-RIOS began her dance training at age three at the School of the Richmond Ballet in Richmond, Virginia, under the direction of Ms. Barbara Rassel, formerly of the Ballet Russe in New York City. While at the school, Mrs. Watkins-Rios was given opportunities to study under dance masters such as Mr. Arnott Mader The Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet’s VioletteVerdy and Leslie Peck, and American Ballet Theatre’s Christine Busch. At age 18, after completing one year as a National Competitive Scholar at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Mrs. Watkins-Rios was invited by Arthur Mitchell to complete her training in classical ballet at the prestigious Dance Theatre of Harlem Professional School in New York City, where she was also exposed to modern and ethnic genres as well as being offered opportunities to participate with the company in performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Upon her return to Howard University, Mrs. Watkins-Rios studied jazz under Mr. Pepsi Bethel, one of the founders of American jazz, Mrs. Sandra Fortune, Varna Silver Medal Winner, and Steve Rooks, former principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Mrs. Watkins-Rios received high honors graduating cum laude with a B.A. in Communications and Dance Minor. After graduation, Mrs. Watkins-Rios became a senior company member of the Asaph Dance Ensemble, under the auspices of the Christian Performing Arts Fellowship in Washington, D.C. where she danced as a soloist for five years. Her credits over the years have included favorites such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty as well as classical and choral pieces such as Handel’s Messiah, the Mozart Requiem, the Brahm’s Requiem, and the Bach Magnificat. One of her personal highlights was being invited to dance with the Christian Performing Arts Fellowship in the 1996 Christmas Celebrations in Israel for Prime Minister Yassir Arafat. In 1998, Mrs. Watkins-Rios left Northern Virginia to take over as owner and artistic director of Bright Lights Performing Arts Studio in Chesapeake. In September of 2004, Ms. Watkins-Rios joined the faculty of Regent University as an adjunct professor for the MA and MFA Music Theatre program in the School of Communications and in 2006, Ms. Watkins-Rios founded the Suffolk Ballet Performing Company and School of Suffolk Ballet training academy. Her credits include the original choreography, story and performance in Clara’s Christmas Gift, Three Women At the Cross, and opening for international historian and commentator Clay Jenkinson as Thomas Jefferson to benefit the Suffolk Center for Hope and New Beginnings. Ms. Watkins-Rios returned to Richmond in the summer of 2007, where she began to offer dance classes and work with churches to assist in developing liturgical and worship dance programs. In March of 2009, she began to work both nationally and internationally to build programs to enhance and build into the lives of children. Within that capacity, Mrs. Watkins-Rios developed the All-Saints Dance Academy at All-Saints Catholic School in Richmond, Virginia and began to work with the Highland Support Project Mayan Arts Program to develop a comprehensive dance program in Quetzalcantenango, Guatemala where children in the pueblos of Cantale and the township of “Chi-Chi” are taught classical techniques to enrich their native dance offerings. In 2012, Ms. Watkins-Rios founded The Dance Candle Academy of Sacred and Performing Arts. Its mission is to combine the elegance, excellence, grace and artistry of technique with the heart, passion, conviction and soul of worship. In 2014, Ms. Watkins-Rios completed her 200-hour Karuna Yoga Teacher Training to assist her students and their families in working with a more holistic approach to movement and continue to integrate mindfulness and physicality. She continues to perform as a freelance artist, specializing in classical ballet, liturgical and worship, and yoga instruction. KAREN L WATKINS-RIOS began her dance training at age three at the School of the Richmond Ballet in Richmond, Virginia, under the direction of Ms. Barbara Rassel, formerly of the Ballet Russe in New York City. While at the school, Mrs. Watkins-Rios was given opportunities to study under dance masters such as Mr. Arnott Mader The Royal Ballet and American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet’s Violette Verdy and Leslie Peck, and American Ballet Theatre’s Christine Busch. At age 18, after completing one year as a National Competitive Scholar at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Mrs. Watkins-Rios was invited by Arthur Mitchell to complete her training in classical ballet at the prestigious Dance Theatre of Harlem Professional School in New York City, where she was also exposed to modern and ethnic genres as well as being offered opportunities to participate with the company in performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Upon her return to Howard University, Mrs. Watkins-Rios studied jazz under Mr. Pepsi Bethel, one of the founders of American jazz, Mrs. Sandra Fortune, Varna Silver Medal Winner, and Steve Rooks, former principal dancer with the Martha Graham Dance Company. Mrs. Watkins-Rios received high honors graduating cum laude with a B.A. in Communications and Dance Minor. After graduation, Mrs. Watkins-Rios became a senior company member of the Asaph Dance Ensemble, under the auspices of the Christian Performing Arts Fellowship in Washington, D.C. where she danced as a soloist for five years. Her credits over the years have included favorites such as The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Sleeping Beauty as well as classical and choral pieces such as Handel’s Messiah, the Mozart Requiem, the Brahm’s Requiem, and the Bach Magnificat. One of her personal highlights was being invited to dance with the Christian Performing Arts Fellowship in the 1996 Christmas Celebrations in Israel for Prime Minister Yassir Arafat. In 1998, Mrs. Watkins-Rios left Northern Virginia to take over as owner and artistic director of Bright Lights Performing Arts Studio in Chesapeake. In September of 2004, Ms. Watkins-Rios joined the faculty of Regent University as an adjunct professor for the MA and MFA Music Theatre program in the School of Communications and in 2006, Ms. Watkins-Rios founded the Suffolk Ballet Performing Company and School of Suffolk Ballet training academy. Her credits include the original choreography, story and performance in Clara’s Christmas Gift, Three Women At the Cross, and opening for international historian and commentator Clay Jenkinson as Thomas Jefferson to benefit the Suffolk Center for Hope and New Beginnings. Ms. Watkins-Rios returned to Richmond in the summer of 2007, where she began to offer dance classes and work with churches to assist in developing liturgical and worship dance programs. In March of 2009, she began to work both nationally and internationally to build programs to enhance and build into the lives of children. Within that capacity, Mrs. Watkins-Rios developed the All-Saints Dance Academy at All-Saints Catholic School in Richmond, Virginia and began to work with the Highland Support Project Mayan Arts Program to develop a comprehensive dance program in Quetzalcantenango, Guatemala where children in the pueblos of Cantale and the township of “Chi-Chi” are taught classical techniques to enrich their native dance offerings. In 2012, Ms. Watkins-Rios founded The Dance Candle Academy of Sacred and Performing Arts. Its mission is to combine the elegance, excellence, grace and artistry of technique with the heart, passion, conviction and soul of worship. In 2014, Ms. Watkins-Rios completed her 200-hour Karuna Yoga Teacher Training to assist her students and their families in working with a more holistic approach to movement and continue to integrate mindfulness and physicality. She continues to perform as a freelance artist, specializing in classical ballet, liturgical and worship, and yoga instruction.

REV. JOE LEE is the Minister of Music at East End United Methodist Church in Nashville. He is also the Resident Conductor of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, Music Director of the Huntsville Youth Orchestra, Music Director of the Tennessee Valley Music Festival, Music Director of the Festival Internacional de Música Cóbano (Costa Rica), the Principal Conductor of Nashville’s professional modern music ensemble, “chatterbird,” and the Artistic Director of Nashville in Harmony’s chorus, Major Minors, a chorus for LGBTQIAP+ and allied youth ages 12-18. Recently, he served as the Interim Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Alabama. On stage, he has led a diverse group of performers including Grammy award winning artists Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul, the world-famous Canadian Brass, the performers of Cirque de la Symphonie, Act of Congress, Riders in the Sky, Tony Award nominee Jodi Benson, and other Broadway stars including Gary Mauer, Julia Murney, Virginia Woodruff, Burke Moses, and many others. Mr. Lee has also led the Huntsville Ballet Company in over 100 performances of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker.” Mr. Lee served on the conducting staff of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival from 2007-2011 and served as the conductor of the University Orchestra at Sewanee from 2011-2014. In the Spring of 2011, Mr. Lee returned to his alma mater to serve a one- semester appointment at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Orchestra and Conducting. In 2018, Mr. Lee founded the University Orchestra at the University of Alabama, Huntsville, and led that ensemble until December 2021. In addition to his regular conducting activities, Mr. Lee frequently travels the Southeast US and Central America leading clinics, adjudicating band and orchestra festivals, and guest conducting. Mr. Lee is the Past President of the Alabama Orchestra Association, and recently received a Master of Divinity from Claremont School of Theology.