Wvmea clinicians 2016 Brian Baldauff

Recognized as a leader in teaching music literacy and contemporary commercial music, Kyle J. Weary has been invited to present educational sessions in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Texas. Kyle’s articles on teaching music literacy and vocal pedagogy in the choral rehearsal have appeared in Choral Director Magazine. In 2013, Kyle has had the honor of being nominated for the new GRAMMY music educator award. In 2015, Kyle has been nominated for Washington County’s Teacher of the Year and has been selected as a quarterfinalist for the 2016 GRAMMY music educator award. Kyle is the Lead Teacher of the Vocal Music Department at Barbara Ingram School for the Arts. Kyle also maintains a private studio teaching voice and previously served on the faculty at Shepherd University. As guest conductor, Kyle has conducted honor choirs in Allegany County (MD) Washington County (MD), Vermont, and with The Maryland Symphony Orchestra. The Barbara Ingram Choral ensemble had their first Carnegie Hall appearance in 2010. Kyle's students have been selected as members for Maryland All State Junior and Senior choirs, All Eastern Choir, and All National Choir. Kyle's choral ensembles are consistently rated superior at District and State choral festivals. Kyle has a Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music in Conducting from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music. Kyle is also a graduate of the Contemporary Commercial Musical Theatre Vocal Pedagogy Institute - Level III Certified Somatic™ Voicework - The LoVetri Method.

Laura Webster B.A., MMEd., has taught K-12 general and choral music for 18 years at Hathaway Brown School in Ohio. Laura has Orff Schulwerk and Kodaly Certification . Webster teaches movement for all three Levels of Orff certification and has been published in the Orff Echo.

George Willis has been the director of the WVU percussion department since 2004. His background is in orchestral percussion and contemporary music. Over the past 30 years, Associate Professor Willis has performed around the world with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He performed countless contemporary music works with the Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble and the WVU Faculty Chamber Group. He has solo marimba and percussion recordings on the MMC label. Professor Willis has performed fife and drum music around the United States and in Switzerland. He directs the WVU fife and drum corps as a performing, educational, and outreach ensemble. The WVU fife and drum corps is capturing a lost musical and historical art form. Students, faculty, and administrators are very excited for this program since it touches many important educational points including musical concepts, WV history, and outreach to the community.