Maryland Music Educators Association

The Maryland Orchestra Directors Association is proud to announce our

Clinicians for the February 2013 MMEA Conference!

	Matthew Boggs Mr. Boggs is currently residing and teaching in Howard County, Maryland. While in attending Peabody Conservatory, he studied under his main professor, Paul Johnson, but studied occasionally with John Hood and Rob Kesselman. Towards the end of his undergraduate studies in music education at Peabody, Mr. Boggs began teaching in the Peabody Preparatory along side his teacher, Paul Johnson. Upon his graduation, Mr. Boggs was hired by the Howard County School System as a String Specialist for two elementary schools; Pointers Run and Atholton Elementary. In addition to his full time job as a string specialist, he maintains a private studio, conducts the orchestras and summer music camps for Encore Community Music Association in Carroll County, Maryland, and recently started Maryland Bass Works with fellow Peabody Alumni and the double bass professors from Peabody Conservatory.
	Andrew Dabzcynski Andrew H. Dabczynski is Professor of Music Education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he is also the director of the BYU “New Horizons Orchestra,” a beginning string orchestra for adults and laboratory for string teacher training. Dr. Dabczynski has held teaching and dministrative positions at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, and in the public schools of Penfield and Mamaroneck, New York. In addition, he was the Supervisor of Fine Arts Education in the Waterford, Michigan, School District. Dr. Dabczynski received a B.M. degree in applied viola performance from the Eastman School, and a M.A. from the University of Connecticut, serving there as violist in the graduate string quartet. He also holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Michigan. As a performer, Dr. Dabczynski has played viola in the Rochester Philharmonic, the Hartford Symphony, the Portland (Maine) Symphony, the Kalamazoo Symphony, and the Greenwich (Connecticut) Symphony orchestras. For six years, he was a member of the Colden String Quartet, ensemble-in-residence at Western Michigan University. He also has been an adjunct faculty member at numerous other colleges and at national string workshops. Dr. Dabczynski has held a variety of national committee positions with and has received numerous awards from the American String Teachers Association, and is currently president of the Utah chapter of that organization. Highly respected for his expertise in string pedagogy, Dr. Dabczynski is co-author of the widely acclaimed comprehensive string method series, String Explorer, published by Alfred Publishing Co. Additionally, a strong interest in folk music and ethnomusicology has led him to focus his research efforts on fiddling and the transmission of traditional music. In addition to his doctoral dissertation, he has written many articles on the subject of teaching and learning fiddling, both in contemporary America and other cultures. He is co-author of the groundbreaking Fiddlers Philharmonic series, also published by Alfred. Dr. Dabczynski also pursues professional and research interests in string pedagogy, school curriculum, and musical learning among senior adults. He appears frequently as a clinician for teachers and guest conductor for student ensembles throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Mexico. His numerous published arrangements and compositions for string and full orchestra are played regularly in concerts throughout the world. Dr. Dabczynski, his wife Diane -- a commercial vocalist -- and two musical daughters live in Provo, Utah.
	Deborah Derrickson Deborah Derrickson has taught for twenty-eight years in Anne Arundel County Public Schools in Annapolis, Maryland. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from West Virginia University and a Master of Music degree in violin performance from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. Deborah held the position of elementary strings teacher and part-time music resource teacher in Anne Arundel before devoting her time to full time music resource teacher beginning in 2006. As a resource teacher, Ms. Derrickson has dedicated her time to helping to develop new teachers and also to writing music curriculum. During her tenure with Anne Arundel County, she has authored and presented on many topics, especially those related to the power and importance of music teaching for music’s sake. She has been especially interested in brain research and music and the necessity of access for all students to music education. She is in demand as an adjudicator in surrounding counties and is an active performing violinist and violist.
	Scott Herman Scott Herman has been the Instrumental Music Director at Cabin John Middle School for 23 years, and conductor for the Maryland Classic Youth Orchestras (MCYO) for 14 seasons. In 2009, Mr. Herman received the distinguished Maryland Music Educators “Outstanding Teacher of the Year.” The instrumental music program is widely regarded as one of the finest music programs in Maryland. Cabin John Middle School has been the most represented Montgomery County School in the regional youth orchestras, all-county, and all-state ensembles. The Orchestra recently performed for the National PTA Reflections program at the U.S. Department of Education. Other performances include the Maryland Music Educators Association Spring Conference in 2012 and 2002. In 2009, the Band and Chamber Orchestra were showcased at the Montgomery County Public Schools Superintendent’s Administrators Meeting. Mr. Herman directed the Montgomery County Junior Honors Orchestra for sixteen seasons, and most recently directed the 2012 Junior Honors Band. In 2008, he directed the Southern Maryland Tri-County Orchestra. In 2006, he guest conducted the Thomas Wootton Orchestra in their debut at the Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic. In 2002, Mr. Herman directed the Maryland Junior All-State Orchestra. Other notable guest conducting engagements include the 2003 Calvert County Senior Orchestra and the 2002 Baltimore County Public Schools Middle School Honors Band. In 2001, Mr. Herman was awarded “Outstanding Service to Strings” by the American String Teachers Association (ASTA).
	Michael Hopkins Michael Hopkins is an Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he teaches courses in string education. Prior to joining the faculty, Hopkins was an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Vermont from 1999-2010 where he was conductor of the UVM Orchestra and taught courses in music education and music technology. Hopkins has appeared as a guest conductor at orchestra festivals throughout the United States and is the founding director of the Burlington Chamber Orchestra. He is very active as a composer and arranger, with over 30 published works for orchestra. His music is published by Alfred Music Publishing, Grand Mesa Music, Tunbridge Music, and Kendor Music Publishing, Inc. His works have been commissioned by many schools and ensembles throughout the U.S. Dr. Hopkins has performed as a double bassist with professional orchestras in Vermont, New Hampshire, Michigan, Colorado and Wyoming. Hopkins is the author of the award winning Web site The String Pedagogy Notebook, a resource for string teachers and performers. The site has received hundreds of thousands of visitors. He has published articles in the Journal of Research in Music Education, American String Teacher and The Instrumentalist. He has given many presentations at national and state conferences on various topics in string education and music technology. He has served on the faculty of the American String Workshop, as the executive director for the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and is past president of the Vermont chapter of ASTA with NSOA. Hopkins received his Bachelor's Degree in music education from Colorado State University and his Masters and Ph.D. in music education from the University of Michigan.
	Rosemary Lather Rosemary Lather has been an Orchestra Director for the Howard County Public School System for twenty-seven years. She is currently the Orchestra Director at River Hill High School and Marriotts Ridge High School. She has directed the Howard County Gifted and Talented Middle School Orchestra since 1993 and joined the staff of the High School Gifted and Talented Orchestra in 2009. In 2001, Mrs. Lather was awarded the distinction of Music Educator of the year in Howard County. Mrs. Lather is a very active guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator throughout the state ofMaryland and has maintained a private violin studio for thirty years. Mrs. Lather’s twenty-five years of performing experience include the 1st violin section of the Maryland Symphony Orchestra, the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, concertmistress of the Columbia Orchestra and extensive free-lance work in the Baltimore area. Together with her husband, Mrs. Lather has performed music of the Civil War Era throughout the Mid Atlantic area and has been featured in several recordings. She is a graduate of the University of Maryland and her post-graduate violin teachers include Berl Senofsky, Peabody Conservatory, Robert Gerle,Catholic University and Herbert Greenberg, former concertmaster of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Mrs.Lather also has a Juris Doctor degree.
	Allen Leung Allen Leung is Director of Orchestras at Centennial High School and Burleigh Manor Middle School in Howard County Maryland. At his schools Mr. Leung directs four orchestras. He studied at Kansas University and received a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education in 2002. In 2008 Mr. Leung received his Master’s Degree in Music Education from University of Maryland. Mr.Leung plays the violin and the piano. He studied violin with Ben Sayevich atthe University of Kansas. His piano teachers and professors include Berta Eisberg, Richard Angelleti, and Alice Downs. In addition to directing his school orchestras, Mr. Leung is the assistant director for the Howard County Gifted and Talented Middle School Chamber Orchestra. He has held this position since 2004. Mr. Leung has also taught the past five years at the University of Maryland summer music camp. As a pianist, Mr. Leung is the full time accompanist at St. Francis of Assisi in Fulton, Maryland.
	Kate McFadden Kate McFadden has been teaching music for over 20 years. She has taught at all levels public and private. For the last 7 years, she has been the orchestra director at Catonsville Middle School in Baltimore County. Her ensembles have consistently received excellent and superior ratings at the county and state adjudications and other out of state competitions. Her students participate in both the county and state solo and ensemble festivals and many have been selected to participate the Baltimore County Honor Orchestra. She has always been a fan of Celtic music, but began playing the music ten years ago. Since then, she has studied with many well-known performers Celtic music including Kevin Crawford, Laura Byrne, Liz Knowles, Donna Long, and Pete Clark. Catonsville Middle School Celtic Ensemble This group was started by Mrs. McFadden in 2004 as after school opportunity for her students to perform a different style of music. The students are six through eighth grades, but often high school students will sit in and parents have been know to perform with the group from time to time. Since it’s inception, the Celtic Ensemble has performed regularly at school events from concerts to dedications, and also provides community out reach by playing at local retirement communities. Also they annually perform at the Spoutwood May Day Fairie Festival in Glen Rock, Pennsylvania. This ensemble was the demonstration group for a session presented by Mrs. McFadden at the MMEA Fall In-service in 2007. In 2010 they were one of the few school ensembles selected to perform at the National Middle School Association Convention held in Baltimore. Most recently they taped an episode for the Baltimore County Education Channel’s music show “Upbeat”.
	Chief Musician Tom Pitta, USN Chief Musician Thomas Pitta is a native of Eldersburg, Maryland. He graduated from Loyola High School, in Towson, Maryland in 1987, and earned a Bachelor of Arts (English) degree from Loyola College, Baltimore in 1991. MUC Pitta went on to study music at Towson University, earning a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Music degree in 1996. While at Towson, he studied double bass privately with Drew Gress and Paul Johnson, and composition with Hank Levy. As a student, MUC Pitta performed on the critically acclaimed Towson Jazz Ensemble’s 1995 recording The Tiger Speaks (Downbeat, 5 stars). After graduating, he was in demand as a free lance jazz/ commercial bassist. Having performed and recorded with pianist John Colianni, MUC Pitta appeared with him on PBS’s Meet the Artist. He also recorded and performed with pianist Greg Hatza in Shanghai West, an ensemble that blended jazz and traditional Chinese music using modern instruments and traditional Chinese instruments. He served as Instructor of Jazz Bass at the Peabody Preparatory. In 1999, MUC Pitta auditioned and was selected for assignment to the U.S. Naval Academy Band. Following recruit training at RTC, Great Lakes, he reported for duty as double bass/electric bassist with the concert band and Commandant’s Combo, and performs on sousaphone with the marching band. As a collateral duty, he serves as Command Career Counselor. MUC Pitta has been awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards), Navy Good Conduct Medal (3 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Expert Pistol Ribbon.
	Michelle Roberts Michelle Roberts received a bachelor’s degree in music education (instrumental music) and a bachelor’s degree in music performance (bass trombone) from the University of Maryland. Now in her sixth year teaching at Montgomery Blair High School where she is part of a staff of four music teachers, Ms. Roberts directs the Honors Symphonic Orchestra, Honors Symphonic Band, two Jazz Bands, and Marching Band. She also teaches the Music and Its Technology course, and is the faculty sponsor for the school’s Tri-M chapter and its “Quintessentials Jazz Combo.” She is a freelance bass trombonist and also teaches trombone privately. Ms. Roberts is working towards certification as a Music Technology Specialist in “Music Creation Using Reason” software, and is a member of NAfME and MMEA. She can be reached at Michelle_Roberts@mcpsmd.org. Montgomery Blair High School Honors Symphonic Orchestra The Honors Symphonic Orchestra is the select ensemble for the highest auditioning student string musicians at Montgomery Blair High School. The ensemble consistently receives superior ratings at both District and State orchestra festivals. The Honors Symphonic Orchestra has combined with the Honors Symphonic Band and performed full orchestra repertoire, and it has also combined with the Chorus. In addition to performing at concerts, festivals, and commencement, the Honors Symphonic Orchestra performed at the Music Center at Strathmore for Montgomery Blair High School’s 75^th Celebration and inaugural inductions into the Alumni Hall of Fame.
	Kathy Rodeffer Kathy Rodeffer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Maryland. She did graduate work in Music Education at the University of Maryland in music education and in 1992, received a Masters of Education degree in Administration and Supervision from Bowie State University. Ms. Rodeffer is in her thirty-fourth year as a music educator in Prince Georges County and fourteenth as Instrumental Music Supervisor. She taught instrumental music in elementary, middle, and high schools for twenty years. Her middle and high school bands consistently received "Superior" at both county and state festivals and were invited to perform at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Millennium Stage and the Rayburn Congressional Office Building. Ms. Rodeffer has served on the Executive Boards of Maryland Band Directors' Association and Maryland Music Educators' Association. She is a member of Music Educators National Conference, Tau Beta Sigma, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Woman Band Directors International. In 2003, Ms. Rodeffer received the Outstanding Service to Music Award from Tau Beta Sigma, National Honorary Band Sorority. She is active as an adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor throughout the region and the very proud mother of two daughters, Sarah and Grace.