Band - Spiros Xydas
Spiros Xydas currently teaches band at Baker Middle School, an International Baccalaureate World School in Troy, MI. There he instructs three concert bands, jazz ensemble, and a percussion ensemble using a constructivist, student-centered approach.
Mr. Xydas also teaches instrumental technique courses at Oakland University while actively completing the PhD program in Music Education. His research is concentrated on students creating, teaching, and performing their own compositions as an integrated part their performance-ensemble experience. Mr. Xydas completed his BA in Music at the University of California, Santa Barbara, his teaching certification from Sonoma State University, and a MM in Music Education from Northwestern University.
Mr. Xydas' 13-year teaching career expands through the elementary to university level. Previously, he taught at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in California and also directed the West County Winds Community Band. His ensembles regularly receive high recognition at festivals and within the community.
Some of Spiros Xydas' professional presentation topics have included instrumental teaching techniques, composition in the performance-based classroom, student-centered band ensemble, and the use of technology in a performance-based classroom. In 2007, Mr. Xydas served as a guest conductor of the International Honor Band in Iceland.
Chorus - Lynn Pernezny
Lynn Pernezny has been a member of the music faculty at Wellington Landings Middle School in Wellington Landings Middle School, Wellington, Florida, for 13 years. She currently teaches chorus, handbells, and general music. While at Wellington Landings, Mrs. Pernezny’s students have consistently earned Superior ratings at Florida Vocal Association-sponsored choral and solo performance assessments. Her choirs have sung at Walt Disney World as part of Magic Music Days. Mrs. Pernezny has directed the Palm Beach County Honor Choir and was honored as “Regular Educator of the Year” by the Council of Exceptional Children for her work with special needs students in music classes.
A native of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Pernezny received her bachelor’s degree in music from Moravian College, where she was a vocal performance major. She was a University Fellow at the Ohio State University, earning a master’s degree in music history and literature, and serving as a graduate teaching associate. She also holds a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Miami. She has taught music from Pre-K through collegiate levels.
Mrs. Pernezny is an active church musician, as both soloist and youth choir director. She also maintains a small private vocal studio. She is married with two grown children, and has been rescued by a retired greyhound.
General Music - Greta Mitchell
Guitar - Robert Goldsmith
Jazz - Paul Baransy
Paul Baransy has been a band director in Ohio for 34 years. He is currently the assistant director in the Ottawa Glandorf Local Schools. He was also the band director at Continental High School for 18 years. During his tenure, he has directed high school, junior high and elementary jazz ensembles. At Ottawa Glandorf, his junior high bands have performed at the Bowling Green State University and Tiffin University Jazz Festivals.
He has music degrees from the University of Findlay and Bowling Green State University. He is active as a trumpet player, performing in pit orchestras and area jazz ensembles. He lives in Ottawa, Ohio with his wife Ann and daughters, Emily and Natalie.
Orchestra - Karla Philipp
Karla Philipp resides in Memphis, TN. She retired in 2009 after 30 years teaching strings for the Memphis City Schools. She is currently the conductor of two Memphis Youth Symphony Program orchestras, the Memphis Youth String Ensemble and the Memphis Youth String Sinfonia.
She maintains a private studio of double bass players. She is also the director of the Calvary Ringers, the handbell choir at Calvary Episcopal Church in downtown Memphis. In addition she is an adjunct instructor in music education at the University of Memphis where she teaches the strings method class and supervises student teachers.
Karla is a 1998 recipient of the Rotary Award for Teacher Excellence. She has also recieved multiple outstanding teaching awards from the Tennessee Governors School For The Arts. She has had the privilege of doing clinics, summer music camps and workshops around the Country including The American Suzuki Institute in Stevens Point Wisconsin, the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute in Salt Lake City, Utah and the Memphis Suzuki Institute.