AMEA 2017 Clinicians


Joel Dunlap serves as the choral director for the Jones County Junior College Concert Choir and was formerly the Director of Choral Activities at Long Beach High School in Long Beach, MS. Mr. Dunlap is currently pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts with an emphasis in Choral Conducting at the University of Southern Mississippi. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree in Vocal and Piano Music Education and a Master of Music degree from the University of Mississippi. Mr. Dunlap’s choirs have performed solo performances in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy; St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, Italy; Notré Dame Cathedral in Paris, France; Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent; Salzburg Dom in Salzburg, Austria; St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna, Austria; Basilica St. Michael in Mondsee, Austria; and the Esterhazy Palace in Eisenstadt, Austria. In 2013 Mr. Dunlap was awarded the “Outstanding Music Educator Award” by the Mississippi High School Activities Association, and in 2009 Mr. Dunlap was awarded the “Outstanding Young Music Educator” by the Mississippi Music Educators Association. Mr. Dunlap is an active clinician, adjudicator and presenter.


Kip Franklin is the Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the University of South Alabama. A native of Michigan, Dr. Franklin has performed in concerts with the Saginaw, Midland, Jackson, Dearborn, and Toledo symphonies, as well as in festivals throughout the United States and in Europe. He has presented and performed at the International Clarinet Association Conventions in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Columbus, Ohio; and Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Franklin served as a woodwind adjudicator for the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. As a guest clinician he has presented master classes at numerous high schools and universities across the country.


Dr. David Frego is a Dalcroze specialist and on the Music Education faculty at the University of Texas at San Antonio He presents workshops globally and focuses on movement in teacher training. Frego has published articles on purposeful movement and is co-author of Dalcroze Eurhythmics: Meaningful Movement.


J.D. Frizzell, a composer, conductor, and baritone, is the Director of Fine Arts and Director of Vocal Music at Briarcrest Christian School in Memphis, TN. He earned the double Master's in Music Theory/Composition and Conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi, where he also earned the bachelor's degree in Music History and Literature. Frizzell is ABD as a candidate for the DMA in Choral Conducting degree at The University of Kentucky. Frizzell is active as a presenter, adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor. As an active member of TNMEA, NATS, ACDA, and WTVMEA, he has served in multiple volunteer capacities, including two-time Chairperson of All-West Honor Choir Auditions and Performances and Choral Festival. He is also the Southern Division ACDA R & S Chair for Men’s Choirs. The board of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation named him one of “Memphis’ Finest” for his philanthropic efforts. He lives in Memphis, TN with his wife, Emily, son, Henry, and dogs, Sally and Ari.


Georgia native Lisa Gillespie, currently works as a band director, choir director and general music teacher at Kitty Stone Elementary in Jacksonville, AL. She has performed as a percussionist with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, and as a member of the touring ensemble Chix with Stix. After studying percussion performance at Georgia State University, Mrs. Gillespie moved to Alabama to join her husband, Clint Gillespie, Assistant Director of Bands at Jacksonville State University. She completed her Bachelor of Art and Master of Art in music education at Jacksonville State. Ms. Gillespie received her Orff-Schulwerk certification from Samford University and was named Teacher of the Year in the Jacksonville City School System in 2011. She has hosted over 40 student teachers and countless practicum and educational psychology students from JSU in her elementary classroom. Mrs. Gillespie served as a presenter at the AMEA state convention in 2015. She endorses Innovative Percussion Inc. as a Performing Percussionist. Mrs. Gillespie treasures her time with her husband, Clint Gillespie and her four-year-old son William.


Robert Grogan is the Director of Bands at Barber MS in Cobb County, Georgia. During his current tenure, the band program has grown from initially 280 students to approximately 400. In 2016, the Barber Symphonic Band was invited to perform at the Music for All Southeastern Band Festival in Atlanta, GA. Bands under his direction have consistently received superior ratings at GMEA and festival events with students actively participating in various honor ensembles. Prior to his current position, he was the Director of Bands at Willowcreek MS and the Assistant Director at Lehi HS in Lehi, Utah. While at Willowcreek, the Wind Symphony was repeatedly invited to perform at the Utah Junior High State Band Festival, which selects only the highest achieving junior high bands from around the state. He received his Master of Music Education from the University of Georgia and his Bachelor’s from Columbus State University. Before teaching and college, Mr. Grogan spent four years active duty in the U.S. Marines, performing with the Albany Marine Band. He currently lives with his family in Acworth, GA.


Otto Gross is a cum laude graduate of Berklee College of Music with a degree in Music Education. He has taught General Music, Band, Chorus, Jazz Band, Percussion and private lessons in Massachusetts, Maryland and Tennessee. He has performed with artists including Bobby McFerrin & The Marsalis Brothers. Otto has toured internationally with EMI artists as a music director, pianist, bassist and drummer. Otto is currently a Training Representative and songwriter for QuaverMusic.com and has a passion to see children excited to learn about music!


38 October/November 2016


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