Board & Staff
Elected Officials
Amy T. Hairston - Montgomery County
President, Maryland Music Educators Association
Amy T. Hairston, MMEA President, is in her 21st year as a choral/general music teacher in Montgomery County, Maryland. She is a proud alumnus of Oakland Mills High School and the University of Maryland. In addition to over a decade of work in Montgomery County, Amy has been a professional development clinician, virtual conductor and adjudicator for multiple school districts in Maryland, and has presented for CMEA, MMEA, NJMEA and the Maryland Arts Summit. She enjoys educational advocacy, vocal coaching for musicals and coaching youth soccer.
Chan'nel Howard - Baltimore City
President-Elect, Maryland Music Educators Association
Chan’nel Williams Howard was born in Baltimore City and is a proud product of the Baltimore City Public Schools. She is a proud graduate of Western High School. Chan’nel received her bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University, her Master’s degree from the University of Phoenix, and is in pursuit of her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Walden University. Chan’nel heralds her greatest accomplishment as being a mom. She has three beautiful children, Jonathan, Benjamin, and Aubree, and a host of “band children” from her over 12 years as a band director at Northeast Middle School. Chan’nel has proudly served Baltimore City Public Schools for 22 years, where the bulk of her work was as a middle school band director and as Coordinator of Fine Arts since 2017.
Jennifer Kauffman - Baltimore County
Immediate Past President, Maryland Music Educators Association
Jennifer Kauffman is currently a K-5 General Music teacher in Baltimore County, Immediate Past President of MMEA, Past President of MGMTA, and the past NAfME Council for General Music Education Eastern Division Representative. In 2015, Jennifer was awarded an MMEA Award for Excellence in teaching, while teaching in Allegany County. Serving as a presenter, guest conductor, chaperone, adjudicator at local, district, state and eastern levels has helped her awareness of the potential for all students and the drive to change instructional strategies to meet each student’s needs.
Carrie Barrett Traube - Baltimore County
Recording Secretary, Maryland Music Educators Association
Carrie Barrett Traube, NBCT, holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music Education Degree from Towson University. She has taught in Baltimore County Public Schools for 7 years. She is the current director of band and steel pan at Stemmers Run Middle School. During the summer, she enjoys working at music camps and marching band camps.
Kiarré Sherman - Prince George's County
Member-At-Large, Maryland Music Educators Association
Kiarré Sherman is from Waldorf and attended Charles County Public Schools. She received her Bachelor's in Music Education from Towson University and her Master's in Music Education from Longy School of Music. She is in her fourth year as band and orchestra director at John Hanson Montessori in Prince George's County. She has also served as the All State Audition Coordinator for MODA since 2023. She is passionate about bridging gaps between underrepresented student populations across the state by fostering equity, access, and inclusive opportunities.
Dr. Susan Eckerle - Montgomery County
President, Maryland Band Directors Association
Dr. Susan Eckerle (she/her) is Director of Bands at Thomas S. Wootton High School in Rockville, Maryland, where she directs three concert bands and a jazz band and co-directs the marching band. She is an active leader in Maryland’s music education community, serving as Maryland State Chair for Women Band Directors International and as a member-at-large of the Maryland Marching Band Association. Her work centers on building inclusive, high-achieving ensembles grounded in community and student growth.
Lauren Bond, NBCT - Washington County
President-Elect, Maryland Band Directors Association
Lauren Bond is the Band Director at Williamsport High School in Williamsport, Maryland where she teaches concert band, marching band, wind ensemble, steel pan ensemble, percussion ensemble, and jazz band. Lauren previously taught middle and elementary school band ensembles. Lauren is a National Board Certified Teacher, holds a master’s in Music Education from Boston University, and a bachelor’s in Music Education from Shenandoah Conservatory. She has previously served as the Member-at-Large and regional ensemble chairperson for MBDA, serves as a Member-at-Large for MMBA, and is the solo and ensemble coordinator for WCPS.
Ms. Charnice Frazier - Anne Arundel County
President, Maryland Choral Educators Association
Charnice Frazier holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from James Madison University and a Master of Music Education from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music at Shenandoah University. Ms. Frazier currently serves as the Director of Choral Activities at Severn Run High School in Severn, MD, teaching choir, piano, and guitar. She is an active guest clinician, adjudicator, and voice teacher in the state of Maryland and Virginia. Ms. Frazier is an active member of MCEA, previously serving as the Tenor-Bass Demonstration Chorus manager, All State Chorus Audition site chair, and Assistant Senior Chorus All State Manager. She is also a sought a cappella arranger and clinician and is a frequent adjudicator for The Varsity Vocals ICCAs and ICHSAs.
Kevin A. Lewis, Sr. - Prince George's County
President-Elect, Maryland Choral Educators Association
Kevin A. Lewis, Sr. attended Prince George’s County Public Schools and graduated from Morgan State University with his B.A. in Vocal Performance and M.A. in Teaching. He previously taught in Dorchester County and currently teaches Vocal, A.P. Music and Piano at Laurel High School. He served as President of the E.S.C.D.A. (2016-17), TB Demo Chorus Manager (2024) and Senior All State Chorus Assistant Manager. He is Minister of Music at Emanuel UMC in Catonsville.
Stephanie Mayer-Sattin - Montgomery County (Private School)
President, Maryland Orchestra Directors Association
Ms. Stephanie Mayer-Sattin has served as a public and private school educator of instrumental and choral music since 1990. She earned a B.A. degree in music education from Baylor University and a M.A. degree in choral conducting from the University of Houston. She studied with Hugh Sanders, Charles Hausmann, Christopher Seaman, and Michael Lankester. Ms. Mayer-Sattin is a festival adjudicator and presents at the AIMS, MMEA, NAfME Eastern Division, PAMA, and ISME conferences. Ms. Mayer-Sattin was the MMEA 2021 Music Educator of the Year. Her book chapter collaboration on musician health is published in Perspectives in Performing Arts Medicine Practice (Springer) and she is a doctoral candidate at Boston University.
Dr. Jeannine A. Sturm - Washington County
President-Elect, Maryland Orchestra Directors Association
Dr. Jeannine Sturm is in her eighteenth year teaching strings, six years in Maryland at North Hagerstown High School. She has also taught in Arizona, New York, Virginia and West Virginia. Dr. Sturm has led students to superior and excellent ratings at many festivals and competitions in Maryland and in West Virginia. She serves on the k-12 committee and is a material reviewer for the American String Teachers Association, has held positions in West Virginia for ASTA and WVMEA. At North High, Dr. Sturm also teaches guitar, piano, and IB music. She is the advisor of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, which was awarded State Chapter of the year for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years by the National Association for Music Education.
Jess Windsor - Wicomico County
President, Maryland General Music Teachers Association
Jess Windsor is a ninth year music educator based on the Eastern Shore. She received her B.A. in Music Education from UMES (2018) and received her Master of Education from Salisbury University (2022). Her previous tenure includes teaching General Music and Band at Hurlock Elementary School in Dorchester County (2018-2025). Jess currently teaches General Music and Band at Pemberton Elementary School in Wicomico County. Over her career, Jess has held several leadership roles, focused on staff and student advocacy at the school and county levels. Outside of teaching, Jess serves with the Worship and Kids Ministries at Canvas Church in Salisbury.
Dr. Anne Binkley - Worcester County
President-Elect, Maryland General Music Teachers Association
Dr. Anne Binkley teaches general music and directs the award-winning children’s show choir, the OC Stars, at Ocean City Elementary School. Anne has also taught piano, flute, and voice at private schools and a conservatory, as well as applied voice and other courses at Salisbury University. Shortly after earning her Doctor of Music Education degree from Liberty University in 2023, Binkley was honored by MMEA with the Outstanding Music Educator Award in 2024.
Dr. Robin Giebelhausen - University of Maryland, College Park
President, Maryland Society for Music Teacher Education
Robin Giebelhausen is an assistant professor of music education at the University of Maryland, specializing in general music, technology, and creativity. Dr. Giebelhausen is also the coordinator for the Hatchling Community Music Program, part of the Terrapin Community Music School. She is a faculty member at the Gordon Institute for Music Learning, has completed Orff-Schulwerk level training, and has studied Dalcroze, Kodály, and World Music Drumming. Her research interests include general music curriculum, folk song histories, and creativity pedagogy. She has presented across the nation and has publications in various journals. More information can be found at https://soundeducators.org/.
Dr. Rachel Brashier - The Johns Hopkins University
President-Elect, Maryland Society for Music Teacher Education
Rachel Brashier is the Chair of Music Education and Pedagogy at the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University. Brashier earned her bachelors in Vocal Performance and Music Education at Eastern Illinois University and taught K-12 music (general, vocal, and instrumental) in the Chicago area for 12 years. She holds masters degrees in Music History from SIU-Carbondale and in Ethnomusicology from the Eastman School of Music, where she also completed her PhD in Music Education.
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Committee Chairs & Representatives
Erika Safford - Carroll County
Accessibility & Accommodations Chair
Erika Safford has been teaching music for 13 years. She has taught high and middle school choir, k-5 general music, and adapted music. She is active presenting at various events, conferences, and teacher in-services. She also organizes a discussion group for teachers of disabled students. In 2025, she received the MMEA Outstanding Music Educator Award. As a physically disabled, autistic Erika is passionate about helping all students find success, joy, and community through music.
Doug Conrad - Frederick County
Doug Conrad is the band director at Urbana Middle School, where since beginning in 2022 his leadership has doubled program enrollment and earned consistent superior ratings, leading to his recognition as the 2025 UMS Teacher of the Year. An active guest conductor, adjudicator, and performer, he serves as MMEA Advocacy Chair and presents at state and national conferences. He is a Penn State alumnus pursuing graduate studies at McDaniel College.
Amber Abbott, NBCT - Anne Arundel County
Amber Abbott, NBCT, is in her 16th year of teaching and is currently the band director at Crofton High School in Anne Arundel County, having previously taught at Laurel High School in Prince George’s County (2011-2024). She is a graduate of the University of Maryland and the University of the Arts. Amber is passionate about providing high-quality and equitable opportunities in music to all students and hopes her work on the board will help better serve students across the state.
Reid Harlan - UMBC
Reid is an upcoming senior studying Choral Teaching and Learning and Vocal Performance double major at UMBC. He has performed and various facets or vocal performance being Theater, Chamber choir, Gospel, Opera, and solo performance. In a very strong kinship with empowering the music education community, he is very excited for the opportunity to work with MMEA in the upcoming year as a collegiate board member and hopes to make a positive impact on the music education community.
Danni Schmitt - Baltimore City
Community Liaison
Danni Schmitt teaches 4th–8th grade band, 6th grade general music, and 7th grade music technology at Roland Park Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore City. She was a Grammy Music Educator Award Semifinalist in 2024 and Quarterfinalist in 2017. A member of Phi Beta Mu and Kappa Kappa Psi, Danni has mentored many student teachers during her 25 years in BCPSS. She performs with the Chesapeake Concert Band and serves in the Maryland Defense Force.
Kellie Harvey, NBCT - Wicomico County
Kellie Harvey, M.M.Ed., NBCT, is a music and dance educator in Wicomico County, musically inspiring PreK-2 students since 2014. A 2025 Grammy Music Educator Award Quarterfinalist, 2026 CMA Music Teacher of Excellence Semifinalist, and 2022 MMEA Outstanding Educator, she is passionate about arts integration, curriculum development, and equitable access to music education. Ms. Harvey mentors teachers, leads professional development, and creates meaningful performance and cultural experiences that foster inclusive, student-centered learning through music.
Dr. Melissa Goetschius - Baltimore County
Dr. Melissa Goetschius is a Vocal Music (PK-5) teacher in the Baltimore County Public School System. She has served as both an elementary instrumental music teacher and elementary vocal music teacher for BCPS for the past 24 years. Melissa’s research interests include elementary music education and Landscapes of Musical Practice. She has presented at conferences in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Washington DC. She has also presented her research at the 2023 Research in Music Education Conference (RiME).
Dylan Williams - Wicomico County
Finance & Development Chair
Dylan Williams is an elementary general music educator with Wicomico County Public Schools, teaching PreK–2 music at West Salisbury Elementary School and Chipman Elementary School. Now in his fifth year of teaching, he previously taught in Dorchester County. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and is currently pursuing a M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction at Salisbury University. He also plans to complete his Orff Schulwerk Certification in summer 2026.
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Erin Chester - Anne Arundel County
Erin Chester is the Director of Orchestras at Crofton Middle School in Anne Arundel County Public School System. She is a National Board Certified Teacher with 24 years teaching experience. She earned her Bachelors of Music in Music Education from Ithaca College and her Masters of Arts in Music Education from the University of Maryland College Park. She has been an active MODA Board member since 2019 and was the Maryland All State Junior Orchestra Manager from 2022-2024. She earned the MMEA Exemplary Music Department Award in 2024 and is an AACPS Teacher of the Year Nominee for the 2025-2026 school year. She is also the concertmaster of the Washington Metropolitan Gamer Symphony.
Karl Stewart - Carroll County
MAMEA Representative
Karl Stewart is the Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts for Carroll County Public Schools in Maryland. Additionally, he is an Adjunct Faculty member at Morgan State University where he teaches music education courses. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, Maryland Music Educators Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Stewart remains active as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician.
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Mateen Milan - State of Maryland (MSDE)
MSDE Representative
Mateen Milan is the Coordinator of Comprehensive Arts at the Maryland State Department of Education, where he supports statewide professional learning and initiatives that expand access to high-quality arts education for students across Maryland. Prior to joining MSDE, he served as a Program Manager for the Peabody Preparatory and continues his work there as bassoon faculty and conductor of the Preparatory Wind Band. Mateen holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Peabody Conservatory and a Master of Music in Bassoon Performance from the Yale School of Music.
Lizzie Devereux - State of Maryland (MSDE)
MSDE Representative
Lizzie Devereux joined MSDE in 2023 as Director of Comprehensive Arts, bringing nearly two decades’ experience as a music teacher and administrator. Proud to call Maryland home since 2015, Lizzie served as United Way’s Education Director for 8 years before joining MSDE. She has a B.A. from Barnard College; an M.M. from East Carolina University; and an Ed.M. in Education Policy from Harvard University. She is a 2017 Maryland Leading Woman, Baltimore City resident, and still performs regularly in orchestras and chamber music groups.
Mike Arena - Zeswitz Music
Music Industry Representative
Mike Arena is currently the Director of School Service & Education for Zeswitz Music which serves school music programs across MD, PA, NJ and DE through instrument rentals, repairs and product sales. After graduating from West Chester University in 2007, Mike began his career in the Music Industry. He has served music education in many capacities including Education Rep, Inside Sales, Assistant Director of USBands and Director of the Crossmen Drum & Bugle Corps and now looks forward to serving music educators of Maryland in this new role!
Robby Burns, NBCT - Howard County
Music Technology Chair
Robby teaches band and general music at Ellicott Mills Middle School in the Howard County Public School System. Outside of HCPSS, he maintains a large private percussion studio, a freelance performing schedule, as well as adjudicating, coaching, and consulting work. Robby has presented at music educator conferences all over the country on a range of topics relating to band, orchestra, and technology. He is the author of “Digital Organization Tips for Music Teachers" from Oxford University Press. Robby is the recipient of the 2025 Mike Kovins Technology in Music Education (TI:ME) Teacher of the Year award.
G. Scott Barton - Baltimore County (Private School)
Private Schools Representative
Graham "Scott" Barton is a veteran music educator and conductor committed to building strong connections between public and private institutions. Currently Director of Vocal Music at The McDonogh School in Owings Mills, he brings over 20 years of experience leading award winning diverse choral and musical theater programs. A proud Penn State graduate with a Master’s in Conducting and Bachelor of Science in Music Education, Barton actively participates in ACDA and MMEA and looks forward to developing meaningful relationships in the greater DMV region.
Sam Baronowsky
Private Studios Liaison
Sam Baronowsky is a freelance tuba player and low brass educator based in Howard County. He began teaching lessons to beginner low brass students as a summer job while completing a degree in tuba performance at Northwestern University and has evolved that into a thriving private studio, teaching 40+ students for over a decade.
A product of MD public schools, Sam believes deeply in the symbiosis between successful curricular music programs and the strong private teaching ecosystem surrounding them, and he is excited to work towards developing and growing these partnerships to benefit students across the state.
Marina C. McLerran, Ph.D. - Towson University
Research Chair
Marina McLerran is from Austin, Texas, and serves on the faculty at Towson University. She has a Ph.D. (2024) and an M.M. (2021) in music education from the University of Miami in Florida, and a B.M. in music education (2014) from Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas. She has been published in the Music Educators Journal and the state journals for Kansas, Florida, and Texas.
Phil Barnes - Montgomery County
State Large Ensemble Festivals Chair
Phil Barnes has served as the Coordinator of Instrumental Music & Theatre for Montgomery County Public Schools since 2020. In this role he supports over 200 teachers across the nation's 15th largest school district, which is consistently named one of America’s Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. Before moving into administration, Phil spent 17 years teaching instrumental music, choral music, piano, guitar, music theory, music history, music technology, and music for special learners at the middle and high school levels. He is a proud product of the Maryland music education system, having attended Wicomico County Public Schools and the University of Maryland.
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Mrs. Jenny Wegman-Ey, NBCT - Howard County
State Solo & Ensemble Festivals Chair
Jenny Wegman-Ey, NBCT is the band director and Elkridge Elementary School and Jeffers Hill Elementary School in Howard County, Maryland. She has worked with elementary and middle school students in the areas of concert band, jazz band, gogo band, general music, and orchestra. Jenny holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Towson University and a Master's of Music Education, with a focus in Band Studies, from The American Band College of Central Washington University. She became a National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT) in 2025.
John G Pusateri - Baltimore County
John is in his 25th year of teaching choral & orchestral music at Perry Hall High. Since becoming chair of the department in 2014, John has maintained a vibrant choral program. His ensembles regularly perform at the highest level at festivals, present sessions at the state conference, and many students are accepted to all state choir yearly. He is currently the Tri-M Chair of MMEA and the Tri-M Chapter Advisor at Perry Hall. John and his wife Mandi have three children, El, Lewey and Maryana, all of whom participate in the arts through dance and vocal performance.
Staff
Anthony J. Conto
Executive Director
Anthony has been Executive Director for MMEA since July 1, 2022. Prior to his appointment, he came to MMEA with over a decade of service to the Board, as well as over two decades of experience as a music educator and arts administrator. His primary background is in instrumental music, as well as experience in choral music. He was the Director of Fine Arts and Director of Bands & Orchestra at Bishop McNamara H.S. in Forestville, Maryland. He earned both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Music in Music Education and Conducting, from the University of Maryland, as well as a graduate certificate in Executive Leadership in Arts and Culture Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania and National Arts Strategies. He is currently also the Artistic Director and Conductor for the D.C.’s Different Drummer’s Symphonic Band, in Washington D.C. He has an extensive background with non-profit organizations and a wealth of experience working with teams, event coordination, fundraising, and budget management. Anthony was born, raised and currently lives in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
Kayde Deardorff
Communications Manager
Kayde is a nature lover and lifelong musician, and has been both a Teaching Artist and on the admin team in a number of Virginia nonprofits, specializing in healing arts and music education. She has been working in admin and communications/marketing for 15 years, and really enjoys working remotely with MMEA.
Andie Sante
Operations Manager
Andie is a life-long resident of Maryland and has spent the past 29 years working in administrative positions for non-profits in the arts and humanities. She is an Maryland All State Senior Chorus alumni and loves working for MMEA to promote music education in Maryland.