Diane Ham is now
in her fourth year at UMS- Wright Preparatory School in Mobile as Choral Director and Piano Lab instructor. This past year, Mrs. Ham's Choir represented the state of Alabama in New York City in a performance joined by nine other ensembles that were selected throughout North America to perform in historic Carnegie Hall. Musical organizations under her leadership have con- sistently been cited for musical excellence at both local and national competitions. In 1999 her Showchoir won first place at the Smoky Mountain Music Festival in Gatlinburg, Tennessee; in 2000 the Showchoir won first place at the All American Music Festival in Orlando, Florida; in 2001 the Showchoir won first place at the Cherry Blossom Music Festival in Washington, DC. In 2003 Diane started the first Piano Lab in the Mobile County School System at Satsuma High School where she was also the Choral Director. A 1979 graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Music Education in Voice and Piano, Diane has taught in private and public schools for the past 27 years. Her passion for music has been passed on through her private students in solo recitals and auditions. She is a member of the NMTA, MTA, AVA, and AMEA. Diane is married to Bob Ham and has two children, Wesley and Brooke. They have three grandchildren, Victoria, Katherine, and Hunter.
The Jaguar Singers
are an auditioned choir of 120 4th and 5th grade students from Kermit Johnson Elementary School in Pinson, Alabama (Jefferson County).
Since 1994, the choir has
grown from approximately 40 students to its current sta- tus. Under the direction of Robin Belk, the Jaguar Singers have performed not only concerts for their school, but for the Jefferson County Music Festival, Jefferson County Leadership Council, Jefferson County Fifth Grade Scholars,The National Orff-Schulwerk Association, and the Alabama Music Teachers Association Honors Chorus. The Jaguar singers practice 45 minutes weekly, and many students come before school for extra instrumental rehearsal..
Originally from Bayshore, New York,
Dr. James J. Smisek serves as the Director of Bands and Interim Chairman of Instrumental Studies at Samford University. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a D.M.A. in instrumental conducting, studying with Dr. John R. Locke. While at UNCG he served as the conductor of the UNCG Symphonic Band 2004-2005 and previously conducted the University Band (2003-2004). Dr. Smisek has taught high school band and orchestra for 13 years in the public schools of Bradenton, Palmetto, Winter Park, and Orlando, Florida. He was also the director of jazz studies at Seminole Community College from 2000-2001. He continues to work as an adjucator and clinician throughout Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, Arizona, Virginia, South Carolina and Kentucky. In 2000, he completed the M.M. degree in music education with honors at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. He earned a B.A. in Music Education from the
University of Florida in Gainesville and an A.A. from Seminole Community College in Sanford, Florida. Dr. Smisek was a trumpeter in the United States Army Band Program from 1989-1991. He is a member of Music Educators National Conference, College Music Society, Alabama Bandmasters Association, Alabama Music Educators Association, National Band Association, International Association for Jazz Education, College Band Directors National Association, Pi Kappa Lambda and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Dr. Smisek is married to Lynette Aileen Smisek; they have two children, Chelsea and Carson.
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AMEA 2008 Clinicians and
Performers
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