Meet the Conductors
Senior Band
Dr. Courtney Snyder - Conductor
February 5-7, 2027, Baltimore, MD
Dr. Courtney Snyder is Associate Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Conducting at the University of Michigan, where she conducts the University Concert Band and teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting. She also assists in the administration of the Michigan Bands program and is Chair of the Conducting Department. Additionally, she is Music Director of the Michigan Youth Symphonic Band and Artistic Director of the Emergence Series.
Previously, she served as Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Nebraska–Omaha, conducting the Maverick Marching Band and Concert Band and teaching conducting and music education. She also served as Music Director of the Nebraska Wind Symphony and taught in Michigan public schools, including as Director of Bands at Ypsilanti High School.
An active guest conductor and clinician, Dr. Snyder has appeared across the United States and internationally and presented at major conferences including the Midwest Clinic and CBDNA. Her work has been recognized with honors including the Kappa Kappa Psi Paula Crider Award and the American Prize in Conducting. In 2026, she was elected to the American Bandmasters Association. She holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Baylor University, and Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Senior Orchestra
Miriam Burns - Conductor
February 5-7, 2027, Baltimore, MD
Miriam Burns, Director of Orchestras and pedagogue of Orchestral Conducting at The Ohio State University School of Music, is an internationally renowned conductor and music director who has conducted some of the top orchestras around the world, including the Bournemouth Symphony, Sydney Symphony, Magdeburg Philharmonic, numerous professional orchestras in the US, and was on the conducting staff of the New York Philharmonic for eight years, working under then music directors Kurt Masur and Lorin Maazel. Currently, she is a co-founder and Artistic Director of the Paragon Philharmonia, a chamber orchestra based in northern Virginia which debuted at The Kennedy Center Terrace Theater in 2024 and 2025. Recent past music directorships include the Tysons McLean Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony, Kenosha Symphony, the Lawton Philharmonic and The Orchestra of the Redeemer at New York City’s Redeemer Presbyterian Church East side.
Last summer she guest conducted at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival and the MasterWorks Festival; an annual engagement since 2005.
Ms. Burns earned an Artist Diploma in Orchestral Conducting from the Yale School of Music and, prior, completed her Masters degree and Professional Studies in Orchestral Conducting on full scholarship at the Mannes College, where she studied with Yakov Kreizberg and Michael Charry. Previously active as a violinist, she holds both BM and MM degrees in Violin Performance from Mannes, during which time she began preliminary conducting studies with Semyon Bychkov. Ms. Burns is an alumna of both the New York String Orchestra Seminar under Alexander Schneider, and The Quartet Program.
Senior Mixed Chorus
Dr. Reagan G. Paras - Conductor
February 5-7, 2027, Baltimore, MD
Dr. Reagan G. Paras, (aka The Choral Doctor) serves as an Associate Professor for Berklee College of Music. Throughout the academic year, he instructs both undergraduate and graduate students in Advanced Choral Conducting, Choral Rehearsal Techniques, Choral Literature, as well as conducts the Berklee Concert Chorus & Contemporary Chamber Choir.
A passionate conductor, singer, and educator, he has directed performance tours across the U.S. and abroad. He serves as Artistic Director for New Haven Chorale, one of the premier choral ensembles in the United States. He is the Founding Artistic Director for Many Voices: Mechanics Hall Youth Singers, performing repertoire that authentically honors the mosaic of cultures represented in the ensemble. Additionally, he conducts the Kodály Music Institute Choir, which is comprised of music educators from across the globe. After a nationwide search, Reagan was selected to represent the U.S. for ACDA’s International Choral Exchange Program. He frequently conducts honor choirs worldwide and is a highly sought-after conductor, recognized for his exceptional artistry and leadership in the choral community.
He is an advocate for choral music education, serving on various executive boards for music associations across the northeast. He has been honored with the election as President of the Massachusetts chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), a testament to his leadership and dedication to the choral arts. He is excited to make music with the incredible students of Maryland.
Senior Treble Chorus
Dr. McKenna Stenson - Conductor
February 5-7, 2027, Baltimore, MD
As an innovative conductor, teacher, and vocalist, McKenna Stenson has built a career dedicated to inspiring students to sing with confidence and empowering communities to create lasting change through song. Her energetic leadership fosters a spirit of positivity within her ensembles, creating communities grounded in compassion, trust, and resilience.
Stenson is Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at Florida State University, where she conducts Levana, an advanced treble ensemble, and teaches undergraduate choral methods, graduate conducting, and graduate choral seminars. An active guest conductor, clinician, presenter, and adjudicator, Stenson works with choirs throughout the United States and abroad. Recent engagements include teaching conducting at the Cornish-American Song Institute's Music Across the Pond in the British Isles, adjudicating choral festivals across the United States and Canada, and serving as a guest clinician for All-State honor choirs and high school choral invitationals nationwide. Stenson has held leadership positions in state choral organizations and presented at state, regional, national, and international conferences, including the 2023 World Symposium on Choral Music in Istanbul. She was recognized nationally as a Country Music Association Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence in 2020 and was named a National Finalist in both the Conducting and Choral Performance divisions of the 2023 American Prize.
Before joining the faculty at Florida State, Stenson served as Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Choral Activities at the University of Kansas, where she conducted the KU Glee Club and Oread Singers. She earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of North Texas, the Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University, and dual Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance from The Ohio State University. Earlier in her career, Stenson served as Choral Director and CFPA Vocal Director at Charles J. Colgan High School. Named New Faculty Member of the Year in 2017, she directed five curricular choirs and three extracurricular ensembles. Under her leadership, the Colgan Choral Ensembles performed at prestigious venues including the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage and served as arts ambassadors throughout Virginia. In 2018, the Colgan Chamber Ensemble was selected to perform at the Virginia Music Educators Association Conference.
Senior Jazz Band
José Antonio Diaz - Conductor
February 25-27, 2027, Hanover/Baltimore, MD
José Antonio Diaz is an internationally recognized conductor, educator, composer, and arts leader who recently completed his term as President of the Jazz Education Network (JEN) and now serves as its Immediate Past President. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Diaz Music Institute in Houston, Texas, an award-winning nonprofit organization recognized nationally for excellence in jazz and Latin jazz education, performance, and community engagement.
A highly sought-after conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Diaz has led honor ensembles and presented workshops throughout the United States and internationally. His student ensembles have performed at many of the world's most prestigious music conferences, including The Midwest Clinic, the Jazz Education Network Conference, the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, the Oregon Music Educators Association Conference, the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention, and the National Association for Music Education National Conference.
Diaz's distinguished career has been recognized with numerous honors, including the 2026 Midwest Clinic Medal of Honor, the Texas Bandmasters Association Meritorious Achievement Award, induction into the DownBeat Jazz Education Hall of Fame, Berklee College of Music's John LaPorta Jazz Educator of the Year Award, recognition as a Grammy Music Educator Award Top 10 Finalist, the Texas UIL Sponsor of Excellence Award, and the Country Music Association Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence Award. Additional honors include the Jefferson Award, the Mayor's Hispanic Heritage Award, and induction into the Texas Christian University Band Hall of Fame.
Currently serving as Music Director of the Houston Latin Jazz Orchestra, Diaz has performed with many of the world's leading jazz and Latin jazz artists while mentoring the next generation of musicians through innovative educational programming. He holds degrees from the University of Arkansas and Texas Christian University and serves on the Board of Directors of The Midwest Clinic and the Jazz Education Network.
Junior Band
Robert T. Herrings, III - Conductor
February 26-28, 2027 Baltimore, MD
Robert Tyrome Herrings, III is in his twenty-second year of teaching and has served in Leander ISD since 2004. He currently serves as Director of Bands at Vista Ridge High School. Prior to this appointment, he was the Director of Bands at Artie Henry Middle School from 2004–2024. Mr. Herrings earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baylor University in 2003, where he studied under Michael Haithcock, Jeff Grogan, Dr. Kevin Sedatole, and Barry Hopper. While at Baylor, he performed in the university’s wind bands and was a member of the Golden Wave Band.
During his twenty-year tenure at Artie Henry Middle School, the Honors Band gained national recognition. The ensemble performed at the Western International Band Clinic in 2008 and 2013 and was named the TMEA Class CCC Honor Band in 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2024. The group was also selected to perform at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic in 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2022. In 2011, Mr. Herrings and the program received the John Philip Sousa Foundation Sudler Silver Cup Award, and he was named the Phi Beta Mu Outstanding Young Bandmaster of the Year.
Additional honors include the 2014 Outstanding Band Program Award from the Texas Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association and a performance invitation for the Henry Middle School Percussion Ensemble at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. In 2018, the program received the Texas Bandmasters Association Exemplary Middle School Band Award and was named a National Band Association Program of Excellence Blue Ribbon Award winner. Most recently, the Vista Ridge High School Band was invited to perform at the 2025 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic.
Mr. Herrings is an active clinician and adjudicator across Texas. He is a member of the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, and the American Bandmasters Association. He serves as an educational consultant for Conn-Selmer and holds leadership roles as President of the Phi Beta Mu Alpha Chapter, TMEA Region 32 Band Division Vice President, and Region 32 TBA Representative. He was recently inducted into the Conn-Selmer Institute Hall of Fame.
Junior Orchestra
Dr. Katherine Kilburn - Conductor
February 26-28, 2027 Baltimore, MD
Award-winning conductor Katherine Kilburn has conducted in music halls all over the U.S. and in Europe. She has served as Assistant Conductor of the National Repertory Orchestra, the El Paso Opera, the Hot Springs Music Festival, the Bowling Green State University Philharmonia, and the St. Louis Symphony Chorus. She was Conductor of the Interlochen Arts Academy Wind Ensemble, Music Director and Conductor of the Greater New Haven Youth and Chamber Orchestras, Conductor of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Youth Repertory Orchestra. She has guest conducted the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, the Grossman Ensemble in Chicago, the Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, the Lawrence University Symphony Orchestra and Opera Theater, the Green Bay Symphony, Ensemble X, Cleveland Opera Theater, and the Baldwin Wallace Symphony Orchestra.. Kilburn assisted Sir Simon Rattle for performances of Peter Grimes at the Salzburg Easter Festival, and toured with world-renowned clarinetists David Shifrin and Alexander Fiterstein. She has conducted numerous world and USA-premieres and has conducted in the Cabrillo Music Festival, the MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music Festival, the Philadelphia International Music Festival, and the Sewanee Summer Music Festival. A passionate advocate for new music, she has conducted numerous world and U.S. premieres and participated in several premiere recordings, including those on the Naxos American Classics/Milken Archive label. Ms. Kilburn has been on the faculty of Cornell University, Kent State University, and Baldwin Wallace Conservatory, and is currently Assistant Director of Orchestras at Michigan State University. She lives in Haslett, Michigan with her husband and two children.
Junior Mixed Chorus
Dr. Jamie Hillman - Conductor
February 26-28, 2027 Baltimore, MD
Jamie Hillman is an American and Canadian conductor, singer, pianist, music educator, and composer-arranger. He holds the endowed Elmer Iseler Chair in Conducting at the University of Toronto where he is Director of Choral Studies, a Senior Fellow at Massey College, and an associate professor. He conducts the U of T MacMillan Singers and leads the master's and doctoral programs in Choral Conducting. In 2024, he received the Faculty of Music Teaching Award which recognizes excellence, commitment, and innovation in teaching.
Dr. Hillman appears regularly as a guest conductor, adjudicator, and clinician across the United States, Canada, and internationally, including engagements in Brazil, France, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Portugal, Taiwan, and Thailand. He has led All-State, festival, and honour choirs in 15 states, five Canadian provinces, and in Taiwan, and recently appeared three times at Carnegie Hall conducting with Manhattan Concert Productions and National Concerts.
Dr. Hillman's schedule of upcoming engagements includes conducting honour, All-State, and festival choirs in Alabama, Maryland, Missouri, Québec, and in China, Italy, and the United Kingdom; and residencies at several North American and international universities. He is the curator and editor of The Jamie Hillman Choral Series with Santa Barbara Music Publishing and edits Beckenhorst Press’ Concert Series with composer Dan Forrest.
Hillman earned an associate diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music (Toronto) and degrees at Western University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and Boston University. In 2024, he was inducted to Western's Don Wright Faculty of Music's Alumni Wall of Fame. He is the 2012 laureate of the Leslie Bell Prize for Choral Conducting from the Ontario Arts Council.
Senior Commercial Band
Wendel Patrick - Director
March 5-7, 2027, Hagerstown, MD
Wendel Patrick is a professor, composer, producer and pianist who has been referred to as “David Foster Wallace reincarnated as a sound engineer” by Urbanite Magazine, and as “wildly talented” by the Baltimore Sun. Patrick has made a name for himself internationally as a music producer of remarkable vision, skill and talent. With five solo albums to his credit, Patrick is equally at home performing on stage with his band, behind two turntables, beatboxing, improvising, or playing a Mozart Concerto on stage with an orchestra.
Wendel Patrick majored in both music and political science at Emory University and earned his M.M. in Piano Performance as a scholarship student at the Northwestern University School of Music in Evanston Illinois. Patrick is a winner of the 2015 Baker Artist Awards’ Mary Sawyers Baker Grand Prize and was a member of the faculty at Loyola University in Baltimore, Maryland from 2001 to 2013. He has taught at the Maryland Institute College of Art and at Loyola University Chicago where he was Department of Fine and Performing Arts Guest Artist- in-Residence for 2019. In 2022, he was named Renaissance Man of the Year at the Baltimore Crown Awards, and in 2024 he was awarded a Baltimore Legend Award.
Wendel Patrick is an Associate Professor at The Peabody Music Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University where he is the director of the first Bachelor of Music Degree in Hip Hop with specializations in rap, beatboxing, turntablism and production. In 2021, Patrick was chosen as a Nasir Jones Hip Hop Fellow at the Hip Hop Archive and Research Institute at Harvard. Patrick serves as the host of “Artworks” on Maryland Public Television/PBS, for which he has won two Emmy Awards.
Meet the Accompanists
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Senior Mixed Chorus
Jeffrey Winfield - Accompanist
February 5-7, 2027, Baltimore, MD
Jeffrey Winfield is the Supervisor of Fine Arts for Harford County Public Schools, where he supports music, visual art, dance, and theatre programs and the talented educators and students who bring the arts to life throughout the school system. Prior to moving into supervision, Jeffrey proudly served as the choral director at Edgewood High School for 25 years, where he had the privilege of helping generations of students discover their talents, build confidence, and develop a lifelong appreciation for music and the arts.
Jeffrey earned his graduate degree in music from Florida State University and his undergraduate degree from Towson University. Throughout his career, one of his greatest joys has been working with, encouraging, and supporting young artists as they pursue their passion for the fine arts, both during their school years and beyond high school.
A highlight of each year since 2010, is serving as pianist for the Maryland All State Senior Mixed Chorus Jeffrey has treasured the opportunity to collaborate with outstanding conductors and some of Maryland’s most talented student musicians. Making music alongside these remarkable young people and watching them grow as musicians and individuals continues to be one of the most rewarding parts of his career.
Senior Treble Chorus
Erin Tennyson - Accompanist
February 5-7, 2027, Baltimore, MD
Erin Tennyson is honored to once again be the accompanist for the 2027 Maryland All State Senior Treble Chorus. Erin was born and raised in St. Mary’s County, MD. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with a concentration in piano from Lebanon Valley College. After graduation, Erin worked at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School, teaching K - 5 general music and chorus. While working, she earned her Masters Degree in Leadership in Teaching from the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore. Erin is currently the staff piano accompanist at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, as well as the Contemporary Worship Leader and Children’s Choir Director at Patuxent Presbyterian Church. In addition, she accompanies the Southern Maryland Encore Chorale, St. Mary’s County Public Schools, the College of Southern Maryland Choir, and Hope in Harmony: a non-profit distinguished choir in Southern MD. She has enjoyed accompanying honor choirs in Calvert County, Charles County, St. Mary’s County, and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. A recent highlight of her career has been opening for a Pentatonix concert with Hope in Harmony, and joining concert pianist Thomas Pandolfi on stage with a four hand accompaniment opportunity. Erin’s piano career would not be possible without the love and support of her husband, Tim, and her four beautiful children, Claire, Will, Belle, and Hope.
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Junior Mixed Chorus
Gunner Chancey - Accompanist
February 26-28, 2027 Baltimore, MD
Gunner Chancey is the Director of Music Ministries at Asbury United Methodist Church in Salisbury, MD. In this role, he oversees a comprehensive music program. Mr. Chancey directs both the Chancel Choir and Chancel Bells. Additionally, he serves as Organist and Accompanist for Sunday Services. Mr. Chancey has a true passion for conducting, while also enjoying accompanying singers and various choral groups. His professional experience includes accompanying honor choirs and chamber choirs throughout Georgia and the Eastern Shore of Maryland. As a liturgical musician, Mr. Chancey specializes in improvisation - particularly on hymns of the church, and is known to improvise on self-composed themes as well. Mr. Chancey holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Georgia. He also received a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. In his free time, Mr. Chancey enjoys traveling to see new places and being out in nature.