2025 VMEA Elections

Christopher Moseley is a music educator, administrator, and advocate with 20 years of experience serving students and educators across the Commonwealth of Virginia. He currently
serves as the Education Specialist for Performing Arts in Henrico County Public Schools, where he supports K–12 programs in music, theatre, and dance across 75 schools. In this central office role, he leads professional development, curriculum and assessment design, districtwide
events, and equity-focused initiatives in arts education. In addition, he is an Adjunct Instructor of Music Education at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he co-mentors the next generation of music educators.
 

Moseley began his career teaching band and orchestra in elementary, middle, and high school settings. His teaching earned numerous honors, including Radio One/Virginia 529’s “Teacher of the Week,” Henrico Citizens' “Top Teacher,” and Varina High School’s Gilman Teacher of the Year. A passionate conductor and performer, Moseley has led the Richmond Symphony Youth Concert Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, as well as the Richmond Police Athletic League
Community Band. He also served as music director for the Richmond Nativity Pageant and Pep Band Director at Randolph-Macon College. He has performed as a trumpeter and recording artist with ensembles such as QuintEssential Jazz and The Trademark Band, with other appearances including ESPN, BET, Walt Disney World, The Word Network, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and the 20th Century Fox Movie “Drumline.”
 

Moseley holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Bethune–Cookman University, a Master of Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, and an Education Specialist degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from The George Washington University.
He is a member of NAfME, VMEA, VAMEA, VBODA, ASTA, Phi Beta Mu, MBDNA, and the Virginia Theatre Association. He is also an Honorary Member of Kappa Kappa Psi National
Honorary Band Fraternity. He currently serves as President of the Virginia Association of Music Education Administrators (VAMEA) and represents the Southern Division on the NAfME Council of Music Program Leaders.
 

Throughout his career, he has remained deeply committed to expanding access to high-quality music education for all learners, mentoring new teachers, and advocating for robust and inclusive arts programming across every community. If elected to serve VMEA, he will bring vision, integrity, and collaborative leadership rooted in his belief of Every Level, Every Learner, and Every Voice.

Caroline Player is the choir director at Langley High School in McLean, Virginia, where she was awarded the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year Award. In addition to her students being selected for national, state, and district choirs, her ensembles have received superior ratings at their District Assessment and performed masterwork concerts in locations such as England, Ireland, Los Angeles, and Toronto. She currently serves in state leadership positions as one of the NAfME Membership Chairs and the VMEA Senior Honor Choir Co-Chair. In 2022, Caroline graduated with her Masters in Choral Conducting from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. While at Frost, she received the Graduate School Association AELS Leadership Award in 2021 and served as the Assistant Conductor for the Miami Children’s Chorus. Before moving to Miami, Caroline served as the Choral Director at Warhill High School in Williamsburg, VA. In 2017, she attended the ACDA Southern Division Conference and received the Colleen Kirk Award, given to educators in their first through third years of teaching for their contribution to music education. Caroline graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors from James Madison University with an undergraduate degree in Music Education.

​

Taylor Walkup-Amos is the music teacher at Yorktown Elementary School and the Choristers Director of the Virginia Children’s Chorus. Honored as a 2024 CMA Foundation Music Teacher of Excellence and Yorktown Elementary School teacher of the year, Taylor has been recognized for her creative and innovative approaches in the music classroom. In addition to her work in general music and choral settings, Taylor teaches musicianship courses at the Midwestern State University Kodály Teacher Institute and provides professional development for local music educators.
 

Taylor is the author of Creating Inclusive Music Classrooms Through Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (TEACHING Exceptional Children, 2020) and a contributing author
for Aligning Music to STEM (GIA Publications, 2020), Winding it Back: Teaching to Individual Differences in Music Classroom and Ensemble Settings (Oxford University
Press, 2016), and Teaching Music to Students with Special Needs: A Practical Resource (Oxford University Press, 2017). She is the Chair of the Council for Creativity and Innovation for the Virginia Music Educators Association, serves on the board of the Virginia Organization of Kodály Educators, and has served on the board of the Kodály Organization of New York.
 

Taylor completed her Kodály certification at Midwestern State University in Texas and Early Childhood Level I Certification from the Gordon Institute for Music Learning at
Temple University. She holds the degrees of Master of Arts in Teaching and Bachelor of Music from Christopher Newport University and an Advanced Graduate Certificate in Music Learning Theory from the University at Buffalo.

​

Katie SheehanSmith began her career in education in 2009 as a Career Switcher, following an early career in dance education and event management. From 2009 to 2017, she developed and expanded the Dance Program at York County School of the Arts, growing it from two courses into a four-level sequence that included an honors advanced course. Under her leadership, the program performed at multiple college bowl games and numerous community events, with a strong emphasis on cross-curricular collaboration.

 In 2017, Katie transitioned into administration as Program Administrator for the Center for Arts and Communications at Woodside High School, overseeing more than 800 students across 10 arts focused magnet program tracks. She strengthened cross-curricular connections, formalized organizational structures, and embedded the magnet identity into the school’s culture while managing recruitment, budgets, discipline, and community engagement.  She pushed the music programs towards instructional focuses, based on data-driven decision-making.

 In 2022, she became Supervisor of Visual and Performing Arts for Newport News Public Schools, where she oversees PK–12 music, art, theatre, and dance. Katie quickly secured funding for assessments, revitalized professional development, and re-energized the department’s identity through the creation of NNPSArts. She continues to advocate for arts education as a visible partner in the community, while aligning music curriculum across her division.  She recognizes the power of ‘people-driven data decisions’ partnered with a professional accountability leadership approach.

 Katie is married to Chris Smith, a former band director and current principal, and they have two daughters, Emma and Ella. 

Dr. Joleen Neighbours has served as Coordinator of Fine and Performing Arts for Suffolk Public Schools since 2017, where her leadership established The Center for Performing and Production Arts at Lakeland High School, that included a full track for high school students in music technology and production, and earned her the Virginia Music Education Association’s Outstanding Administrator Award in 2023. Under her direction, Suffolk has been recognized as one of the “Best Communities for Music Education” since 2023.  

She holds a Ph.D. in Performing Arts Studies from Regent University, a Master of Education in Educational Leadership and Administration from the University of Virginia, and a BFA in Music Theatre from Elon University, along with additional master’s degrees in Acting and Directing and a CAS in Gifted Education.

With more than 25 years in arts education and administration, Dr. Neighbours has led curriculum development at local and state levels, championed equity through adaptive fine arts programs, and launched innovative initiatives such as Your Voice is Power with Amazon Future Engineers and Pharrell Williams’ Yellow Organization. She is also Chair of the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts Board of Directors and serves on the Suffolk Sister Cities International Board for the Young Artists, Musicians, and Authors program.

A committed advocate for excellence, access, and innovation in arts education, Dr. Neighbours would be honored to serve VAMEA.

​

​

​

​

Dr. Tina Beveridge is an Assistant Professor of Music Education at George Mason University. Her diverse teaching experience includes choir, band, elementary general, jazz, and general music in the secondary school. At Mason, Dr. Beveridge teaches undergraduate methods classes in choral and general music, and graduate seminars in music cognition and policy research. Dr. Beveridge is also the faculty advisor for Mason’s collegiate NAfME chapter and the student a cappella group “Mason Some Noise.”

Dr. Christine Carrillo is Chair of the Music Department and Director of Instrumental Music at Bridgewater College where she directs the Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble.  In addition to these duties, she teaches applied trumpet lessons as well as courses in conducting, music theory, and music education.  She has previously served on the faculties of James Madison University, Texas A&M University-Kingsville and The Victoria College.  Dr. Carrillo has presented, guest conducted, and adjudicated
performances at all levels throughout the United States including the International Women’s Brass Conference, National Trumpet Competition, Tau Beta Sigma Northeast
District Convention, International Trumpet Guild Conference, Hawaii International Conference on the Arts and Humanities, and the Texas Music Educators Association Convention.  She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music from The
University of Texas at Austin, and dual Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Trumpet Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is
an artist/clinician for Conn-Selmer and performs on Bach trumpets.

Steven Jacoby is the Director of Bands at Falls Church HS in Fairfax County, VA. At FCHS, he teaches the concert ensembles, beginning piano, the Jaguar Marching Band, and has served as Performing Arts department chair. He is currently serving for his third year on the VBODA Executive Board as the Administrative Handbook Editor. Steve has served as the District X Instrumental Representative, the VMEA District Chair, and has been a member of the VBODA Marching Band Committee since 2017, most recently assisting with redesigning the state rubrics. He was the All-VA Percussion Manager from 2015-2023, and a member of the Percussion Auditions Committee that streamlined the All-VA percussion audition process.

Prior to coming to FCHS in 2013, Steve was the assistant band director at West Potomac HS (2010-2013) and band director at Woodbridge MS (2009-2010). Before moving to Virginia, he taught elementary strings for two years and high school band for two years in northern New Jersey. He is a four-time director with the American Music Abroad Blue Tour. Steve is a proud graduate of West Chester University of Pennsylvania and has also earned his Master of Music Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. He is active as a percussionist, performing regularly with the Fairfax Wind Symphony. In addition to being an active member of VBODA and VMEA, Steve participates in FEA, NEA, and the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Steve lives in Sterling, VA with his wife, Kathleen, and two amazing daughters, Amy and Claire.

​

​

​

​

Tracy Magwire is in her 22nd year of teaching in Fairfax County, Virginia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from George Mason University where she studied under John Casagrande and Anthony Maiello. She recently completed a master’s degree in administration and supervision at the University of Virginia. She looks forward to using the knowledge and skills gained from this program to advocate for music education at the state level, continue efforts to improve equity and diversity within VBODA, and support our membership in their efforts to provide all students in the Commonwealth with access to high-quality music programs.

Ms. Magwire was the Director of Bands at Ormond Stone Middle School in Centreville, VA from 2018-2025 and joined the music team at Franklin Middle School in the fall of 2025. The Franklin Band program includes 3 Concert Bands, a Percussion Ensemble, and a Jazz Band. Prior to that, she was the Director of Bands at South County Middle School since it’s opening in 2012 and South County Secondary School since it’s opening in 2005. She is an active guest clinician and adjudicator and has served in various capacities at the state level including Virginia Music Education Association District 11 Instrumental Rep and VA Tri-M chair, and was the President of the Fairfax County Band Director’s Association. She is co-creator of “The Big I.D.E.A.” practice method. 

Tracy enjoys running, playing volleyball, and being walked by 200 pounds of big black dog in her spare time. She lives in Chantilly, VA with her family.

​​​​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Claire Leeper is in her seventeenth year of teaching. She attended JMU and is currently at Harrisonburg High School teaching Band, Piano, Newcomer Literacy through Music, beginning band classes. Mrs. Leeper is passionate about reaching all students, especially ELL students and students with special needs. She helped create the first United Sound Chapter in Virginia and recently finished her postgraduate degree in ELL Instruction. 

Claire serves as an active clinician and adjudicator throughout Virginia. Founder of the Valley Wind Ensemble, she currently serves as secretary for the organization. She is a member of NAfME, VBODA, WBDI, and Phi Beta Mu. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Carrie Finnegan is a dedicated music educator with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from James Madison University, a Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction/Instructional Technology from the University of Virginia, and a Certificate in School Management and Leadership from Harvard University. She holds endorsements in K-12 instrumental music, vocal music, and administration. With over 23 years of experience as the Director of Orchestras at Albemarle High School and Journey Middle School in Albemarle County, Carrie has significantly expanded the orchestral program from a modest enrollment of 36 students to more than 250 students. During her tenure, Albemarle High School has been recognized as a VMEA Blue Ribbon School for 18 consecutive years, and a 2025 VBODA Honor Orchestra.

Carrie’s commitment to service is evident in her role as the VBODA Orchestra Representative since 2012, along with her participation on various committees including the VMEA Conference Planning Committee and the VBODA Strategic Planning Committee. She has also collaborated with the Virginia Department of Education on numerous projects, developing and editing valuable resources for educators throughout the commonwealth. One of her most cherished projects was the groundbreaking collaboration in 2019 between VMEA, VDOE, and VCU, where she took the lead in planning and facilitating the Orchestra Directors’ Institute. Her extensive contributions to music education have been recognized with several accolades, such as the 2020 JMU Outstanding Music Educator Award, the 2021 VBODA Philip J. Fuller Service Award, the 2022 Canady Fellowship from UVA, and her 2024 selection in SBO+ Magazine featuring 50 Music Teachers Who Make a Difference.

Carrie is a dedicated advocate for the inclusion of music education throughout the commonwealth. She is committed to championing orchestra programs, their directors, and students across all districts, tirelessly working to promote diversity and inclusion within these vital programs. Passionate about fostering professional development for orchestra directors, Carrie is devoted to ensuring that educators and their students have abundant opportunities to create music together. Through her efforts, she aims to enhance the educational landscape, ensuring that music education remains accessible and enriching for all.

​

Hello Friends and Fellow Directors! For those of you I have yet to formally meet, my name is Adrienne Pucky, and I am running for the position of VBODA String Representative. I am a native Virginian with ties to Hampton Roads and Richmond as a player and educator. I am a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University where I studied viola and majored in Music Education. 

I am currently in my 13th year as the Director of Orchestras at Tallwood High School. I have had the honor of serving VBODA in many facets throughout this time. I have chaired the Southeast SRO String auditions since 2016, and I was the Southeast Region Representative from 2021 - 2024. I was the All-Virginia Orchestra Ensemble Manager in 2022, and I was a member of the tabulation team at All-Virginia auditions during my tenure as Southeast Region Representative. At the District level, I have hosted District II Junior District Orchestra for the past three years, and plan on hosting for many more years in the future. 

I am running for VBODA String Representative to bring new leadership for all our programs around the state. I pride myself on being organized, flexible, and ready for anything that comes my way. Being a leader in VBODA means working with educators from all strands of music education, and I am ready to listen and work together to chart a course for the future of VBODA. We need a new voice and advocate for all directors, and someone who listens closely to our membership to find and embrace new opportunities for our students and ourselves across the commonwealth. I take time and consider all the options, input, and consequences when making big and important decisions. Whether you are still working hard at the college level or are a seasoned teacher who has weathered the changes of recent years, I want to work with you to ensure success for everyone. When we work together and have communication and collaboration across district and region lines, we make ourselves and our programs stronger. Thank you for your consideration, and I hope to work with you all in the future.

​​

​

​​

​

​

​

​

A native of Newport News, Martin Blount is in his 20th year as a music educator, and is presently both a band and orchestra director at Brambleton Middle School in Loudoun County. In 2024, Mr. Blount was elected to complete a partial term as VBODA Middle School Representative and is eager to begin a full term in 2026.

In 2023, Mr. Blount and his co-teachers led the Brambleton Symphonic Band in a performance at the Virginia Music Educators Conference. Previously, he served as band director at Stone Hill MS (Ashburn); Gildersleeve MS (Newport News), where he was recognized as a 2015 NNPS Teacher of the Year; and Woodside HS (Newport News). He is in demand as an adjudicator for both marching and concert bands, and as a guest conductor alongside his co-teacher, Ms. Sammy Charriez. As a pageantry arts instructor, he has taught on the staff of the Independence, Rock Ridge, Hickory and Menchville High School marching bands.

Mr. Blount was inducted into the Virginia chapter of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity in 2022. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music (Trombone Performance) from The Mannes College of Music and a Master’s Degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University. As a trombonist, he has performed with the Fairfax and Virginia Wind Symphonies, Symphonicity, and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

Martin is getting married just before conference to his fiancé, Kyle, a park ranger with the National Park Service. They reside in Middleburg, enjoy arts & cultural experiences, staying physically active, and plane-spotting around Dulles Airport.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Danielle Yonkers, a native of Atlantic City New Jersey, is a graduate of the prestigious Norfolk State University where she received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education. She is also a graduate of the University of Richmond where she received a post-master’s degree in educational leadership and policy studies. Additionally, she recently received her Doctor of Education in
Educational Leadership from Liberty University. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Dr. Yonkers began her teaching career in Halifax County North Carolina as the Director of Bands at Enfield Middle School and the assistant Band
Director at Southeast Halifax High School. In 2007, Dr. Yonkers helped to open Elko Middle School as the Choral and Orchestra Director. Shortly thereafter, Elko Middle became the first middle school in Henrico County to receive the VMEA Blue Ribbon Award, which is the highest award given to schools’ music programs in the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 2010 she was granted the opportunity to open another school, Holman Middle School, as the Director of Bands. In 2022, Dr. Yonkers returned to Elko Middle School as the Director of Bands and serves as the Assistant Band
Director at Highland Springs High School.

Dr. Yonkers has received numerous superior ratings at the State Middle School Band Assessments and has served as an adjudicator for middle and high school concert assessments in both North Carolina and Virginia. She also served two terms as the VBODA District I Instrumental Music
Representative. Dr. Yonkers feels every student that steps into her classroom will succeed. She believes every student has the ability to learn something from her and she can also learn from her students. She stands by the thought of motivational speaker Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser, “It is not what
you will do, it is not what you can do, but it is what you do do.”

Dr. Yonkers professional affiliations include memberships in National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Virginia Music Educators Association (VMEA), Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA), and President of the Richmond Chapter of the Norfolk State University Alumni Association.

Bill Podolski is the Director of Choral Activities at H-B Woodlawn Secondary Program in Arlington, VA. Now in his 18th year, he directs five middle and high school choral ensembles and teaches general music for newly-immigrated high school English-language learners. Additionally, Bill has produced and directed the annual HBW Musical productions for the past 18 years.  The HBW choirs have earned a reputation for excellence and are frequently invited to perform in major concert halls, throughout the community, and in collaboration with fellow artistic organizations. Notably, the HBW Chamber Singers have offered featured performances for the 2015 Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, with the Washington Chorus’ Candlelight Christmas Concert at the Kennedy Center in 2016, 2018 & 2024, and for then Vice President Joe and Dr. Jill Biden at the Naval Observatory.  Bill is frequently sought as an adjudicator and guest conductor, having directed All-County and All-District Choirs throughout VA.  He also formerly served as Assistant Conductor of Choralis. Bill is an active member of ACDA and NAfME. He currently serves as the Parliamentarian for the Virginia Choral Directors Association and has formerly served as the Membership Chair and President of the Virginia-ACDA Chapter. In 2008, he was honored with the Colleen Kirk Award by the ACDA Southern Division for excellence in the first three years of teaching. Bill holds a Bachelor's in Music Education from George Mason University, a Master's Degree in Music Education from Florida State University, and a Master's Degree in Educational Leadership from GMU. He is truly humbled and honored to have been selected as a 2026 Grammy Music Educator Semi-finalist.

DJ Godinez is honored to serve as Choral Director at Oakton HS in Vienna, Virginia. He holds degrees from
Virginia Commonwealth University and James Madison University. He previously taught middle and high
school choir in Atlanta, GA, Charlotte, NC and Woodbridge, VA. As secretary, DJ would make it a priority to communicate openly, honestly, and efficiently with every corner
of Virginia.

DJ has served as guest conductor, adjudicator for Assessment, All-District and All-VA in Districts I, III, VI, IX,
X, XI, XV and XVI, and most recently as Assistant Ensemble Manager for the All-VA SATB choir in spring 2025. He has presented PD sessions on Tenor-Bass Choirs, Student Leadership, Contemporary A Cappella Arranging and Performances, and Movement in Choirs. He is most proud of his students for creating a welcoming, inclusive community within each of their classes. DJ is a fan of house plants, the Washington Nationals and Capitals, and loves spending time with his partner, Luke.

​

​

Eunice Nogueras is originally from Bayamón, Puerto Rico and grew up in South and Central Florida. She is currently a high school choral director in Central Virginia, and she also
serves as an adjunct professor of voice at Liberty University and a board member for Central Virginia Community College. In Virginia, Dr. Nogueras holds licenses to teach choral and instrumental music, Spanish, English as a second language, and administration & supervision. Additionally, she has earned her Educational Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision and a Doctorate in Music Education. Her research interests include adolescent vocal training, voice pedagogy and science for public school choirs, developing successful choir programs in
low-socioeconomic communities and ethnomusicology.

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Caroline Player is the choir director at Langley High School in McLean, Virginia, where she was awarded the 2022-2023 Teacher of the Year Award. In addition to her students being selected for national, state, and district choirs, her ensembles have received superior ratings at their District Assessment and performed masterwork concerts in locations such as England, Ireland, Los Angeles, and Toronto. She currently serves in state leadership positions as one of the NAfME Membership Chairs and the VMEA Senior Honor Choir Co-Chair. In 2022, Caroline graduated with her Masters in Choral Conducting from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. While at Frost, she received the Graduate School Association AELS Leadership Award in 2021 and served as the Assistant Conductor for the Miami Children’s Chorus. Before moving to Miami, Caroline served as the Choral Director at Warhill High School in Williamsburg, VA. In 2017, she attended the ACDA Southern Division Conference and received the Colleen Kirk Award, given to educators in their first through third years of teaching for their contribution to music education. Caroline graduated Magna Cum Laude with Honors from James Madison University with an undergraduate degree in Music Education.

H. Grant Poole teaches preschool music for Danville Public Schools in Danville, VA. Mr. Poole has written articles, published in General Music Today, on successful practices in the early childhood music classroom. Poole earned bachelor and masters degrees in Music Education from Grove City College and Appalachian State University. He was a presenter at the 2021 Early Childhood Music and Movement Association International Convention, has presented at the North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia State Music Educator Conferences, and other regional workshops. As a member of VEMEA and VMEA, Mr. Poole served on the Advocacy and Government Relations committee for several years. In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. Poole serves as the Preschool Technology Educator in Residence and the chair of the Preschool Leadership Team for both Danville preschools.