2023 VMEA Elections

Angela Ammerman holds degrees in Music Education from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, Boston University, and her PhD from George Mason University where she was the first to graduate from the PhD in Music Education. Ammerman has taught elementary and middle school general music, elementary, middle, and high school strings, community orchestra, and a variety of college courses in music education. Ammerman is currently the President of the Virginia String Teachers Association, an organization that most recently was awarded "Most Improved Chapter." Dr. Ammerman teaches Instrumental Methods, Lab Orchestra, and supervises student teachers at George Mason University.

Emmett O'Leary is an assistant professor of instrumental music education at Virginia Tech where he teaches courses in instrumental methods, music technology, and teacher education. His research interests include instrumental music pedagogy, competition, platform studies, and technology integration. Before moving to Virginia, Dr. O'Leary served on the faculty of the Crane School of Music (SUNY-Potsdam), was an assistant band director at the University of Notre Dame, and taught high school band in Arizona and Idaho. He serves on the advisory committee for NAfME’s Music Educators Journal and frequently presents at research and teacher education conferences throughout the United States.  

Ryan Keebaugh, Director of Choral Music and Assistant Professor of Music at Bridgewater College, has been hailed by the Washington Post as an “energetic, expressive, concise, insightful, and sensitive” conductor. Ryan’s versatile and vibrant musicianship is well known for his expertise embracing singers of all ages and has distinguished him as a leading music educator, guest conductor, and clinician to choral and ensembles throughout the United States. Aside from his duties as a conductor and pedagogue, Ryan is an active member of the VMEA Creativity Council and The College Music Society's Mid-Atlantic Chapter serving as President-Elect for 2022-2023.

Bill Podolski is the Director of Choral Activities at H-B Woodlawn in Arlington, where he teaches six middle and high school ensembles and directs the annual musical production for the past 16 years.  The HBW choirs have been honored to perform at the 2015 VMEA Conference, at the Kennedy Center, and for Vice President Joe and Dr. Jill Biden.  Bill has served as the Membership Chair and President of the VA-ACDA Chapter and was awarded the Colleen Kirk Award by the ACDA Southern Division.  He has served as VMEA District Chair and currently serves as the VCDA Parliamentarian.  

Joe Eveler has been the Choral Director at Stafford High School since 2003. He has a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College and a master’s degree in Choral Music Education from Florida State University. Joe has served as District 15 Representative and Chair, the VMEA Honors Choir chair for 7 years, Virginia ACDA treasurer, and has served on both the Repertoire Grading and Assessment Sightreading committees. He has been the artistic director of the Chamber Chorale of Fredericksburg since January 2021. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Molly, and his son, Calvin. 

Jordan Markwood is in his tenth year as the Choral Director and Department Chair at Rock Ridge H.S. and also serves as the Music Director at Galilee UMC. Mr. Markwood was recently named the 2023 VA Region 4 Teacher of the Year, the 2022 LCPS, and 2022 Washington Post TOY.  He is the current VCDA Secretary and previous leadership roles include VMEA Honors Choir Audition Chair, VCDA District XIV Representative (2 terms), and VA-ACDA MS R&R Chair.  Mr. Markwood holds a BMus in Music Education from Houghton College and a MMus in Vocal Pedagogy and Performance from Westminster Choir College.

Dr. Matthew Dunlap began his musical journey at age ten. He holds a BM in guitar performance from Kennesaw State University, an MM from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, and a DM from Florida State University. Dr. Dunlap has performed concerts and masterclasses across the US, Italy, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Canada. As an educator, he has taught at Florida State University, Troy State University, and Loudoun County Public Schools. Currently, he directs the guitar program at Stone Hill Middle School and is the Middle School representative for the Virginia Guitar Director's Association.

Christopher Cunningham is the Director of Guitar Studies and Director of Jazz Band at Herndon High School of Fairfax County Public Schools.  Originally joining the Herndon faculty as Associate Director of Bands in 1999, Mr. Cunningham began the Guitar Studies program in 2002.  It quickly developed into a comprehensive program consisting of four distinct levels of ensemble.  Herndon’s artist-level guitar ensemble has earned consecutive Superior ratings annually in local and regional assessments and competitions since 2005 without exception including festivals in Orlando, Atlanta, Nashville, Virginia Beach, and New York City.

Aaron Kunk completed his Bachelor of Arts in Music at VCU where he focused on jazz with teachers Mike Ess and composer/arranger Doug Richards, and maintained classical guitar lessons. After an injury that took him away from performing, Aaron completed a Masters of Teachers and was awarded a Fulbright grant to teach English in Germany. He was a founding member of the VMEA Guitar Council in 2018. Today, Aaron acts as the Webmaster for the VGDA, and is a member of the Aguado Guitar Concerts organization board. He currently teaches guitar at River Bend Middle School in Sterling, Virginia.

Fulfilling the dream she had in second grade, Angie Clemens is an elementary general music teacher, now in her 33rd year of teaching. Angie has a BA in Music Education (Goshen College, IN), MA in Music Education (JMU), certificate in Teacher Leadership (JMU), and Clinical Faculty certification (MidValley Consortium). She is certified in Orff, World Music Drumming, and Dalcroze. She began teaching in Elmhurst, Illinois, where she also served as Elementary Music Coordinator. Since 2004, she has taught elementary general music in Rockingham County Public Schools. She currently serves as the District 5 elementary rep and elementary member-at-large.

Michelle Milligan began serving as a Fine and Performing Arts Administrative Coordinator for Prince William County Public Schools (PWCS) in September of 2022. Prior to this position, she was the music specialist for the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE), and an orchestra director for multiple schools in Prince William and Fairfax counties for nearly a decade. Mrs. Milligan earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Teacher Education from George Mason University. She holds a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from James Madison University. She is an active musician, clinician, and educator.