Meet the Conductors​
​​Senior Commercial Band
Mr. Scott Simons - Director
​February 14-16, 2025, Hagerstown, MD​​​​​​
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Scott Simons' voice has been heard by nearly every kid as the voice of "Paw Patrol”. After receiving his BA in Music Composition from West Virginia University, Scott spent 10 years fronting original indie-pop band The Argument which was named as one of the "Top 10 Unsigned Bands in America" by the AMAs. In 2008, Scott moved to LA to work as a writer, performer and recording artist. “LA Winter” was sampled by Wiz Khalifa and “Faithful” was a Latin American hit with pop artist Alex Hoyer. Other songs have been featured in “NBA on TNT” spots and his song with DJ group Daddy's Groove "Stellar" hit #1 on European Dance Music charts. Scott has worked for 15 seasons on America's Got Talent as Assistant Music Director and as Music Director for Little Big Shots and acts such as K-POP global sensation New Jeans. He has played for Idina Menzel and Leona Lewis. Scott's project TeamMate has toured the US supporting OneRepublic, Bleachers and Skylar Grey and has been featured in many media outlets. Their music has been heard in commercials and shows. Scott currently guest lectures, serves as a mentor at WVU and has taught songwriting in LA schools.
​​Senior Jazz Band
​​Mr. Terell Stafford - Conductor
February 20-22, 2025, Hanover/Baltimore, MD
The title of his most recent album, Between Two Worlds, perfectly encapsulates the boundary-crossing career of renowned trumpet player, composer, and educator Terell Stafford. Hailed as “one of the great players of our time” by piano icon McCoy Tyner, Stafford’s music unites such dichotomies as jazz and classical traditions, virtuosity and emotion, stylistic eclecticism and an immediately identifiable voice. Those facets can be heard on more than 180 recordings over the last three decades, including a dozen albums under Stafford’s own name. In addition to the Terell Stafford Quintet, Stafford is the founder and Managing and Artistic Director of the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia (JOP). He has also mentored new generations of musicians as Director of Jazz Studies and Chair of Instrumental Studies at Philadelphia’s Temple University. Stafford’s collaborators include the Clayton Brothers, Shirley Scott, Charles McPherson, Matt Wilson, Samara Joy, Bobby Watson, McCoy Tyner, Benny Golson, and Jimmy Heath.
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Junior Band
Dr. Melvin Miles, Jr. - Conductor
February 21-23, 2025, College Park, MD
Melvin N. Miles, Jr., is the former Director of Bands at Morgan State University. He conducted the Symphonic Winds, Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble; directed the Marching Band, Pep Band and Jazz Combo and served as the Wind, Percussion and String Faculty Coordinator; taught courses in instrumental pedagogy, repertoire, and conducting. Melvin Miles served on the Morgan State University faculty from 1973 to 2022. Melvin attended Douglass High School and received his Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts and Doctor of Fine Arts degrees from Morgan State University. He is an active arranger, conductor, adjudicator and presenter of all styles of music. Miles served as the Music Director for the productions of Raisin, Ragtime, Sarafina, Crowns, The Color Purple and The Wiz. Melvin Miles performed with many national artists and appeared in Barry Levinson’s movies Diner and Avalon. Melvin is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. He is recipient of KKPsi’s “Distinguished Service to Music Medal” and MMEA’s “Hall of Fame”, Morgan State’s “Outstanding Alumni Faculty Award”, Jazz Journalist Association 2017 Jazz Hero Award and many other awards. Miles holds active membership in the CBDNA, NAfME, MMEA, MBDA, Phi Beta Mu, HBCU-NBODC and Alpha Phi Alpha.​​
Junior Mixed Chorus
​​Dr. Lynnel Jenkins - Conductor
February 21-23, 2025, College Park, MD
Dr. Lynnel Joy Jenkins is artistic director of Westrick Music Academy, music director of Princeton Girlchoir, and a choral teacher in the Hopewell Valley Regional School District, New Jersey. Jenkins has varied conducting and teaching experience from elementary to collegiate levels, including positions at the American Boychoir and Westminster Choir College. She has conducted choirs and lectured worldwide and has led several ACDA and OAKE honor choirs and all-state choruses. She earned degrees from Westminster Choir College (BA), Temple University (MM), and the University of Arizona (DMA) and received the Elaine Brown Conducting Award from the first two institutions.
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Junior Orchestra
Helen Cha-Pyo - Conductor
February 21-23, 2025, College Park, MD
Helen H. Cha-Pyo, an award-winning arts leader and conductor, is in her seventh season as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of Wharton Institute for the Performing Arts, New Jersey’s largest non-profit performing arts education center, serving over 2,000 students. She oversees the Wharton Performing Arts School, New Jersey Youth Chorus, Paterson Music Project, and New Jersey Youth Symphony. Cha-Pyo's leadership has expanded the New Jersey Youth Symphony to include jazz programs and a focus on amplifying underrepresented composers, supported by grants from New Music USA and Chorus America. Recognized as an influential arts leader, Cha-Pyo has received The Dove Leadership Award, the Angelos Artist Award, and the Eastman School of Music Centennial Award for her dedication to equitable music education. Previously, she served as Music Director and Conductor of the Empire State Youth Orchestra for 16 years, where she founded the CHIME program for underprivileged youth. Cha-Pyo's expertise extends nationally as a guest conductor and clinician, and she has taught at Montclair State University and Rutgers University. She is on the board of the Youth Orchestra Division of the League of American Orchestras. Learn more at helenchapyo.com.
Senior Band
​​Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger - Conductor
March 7-9, 2025, Baltimore, MD
Dr. Jacklyn Hartenberger (Winner of the 2023 American Prize in Conducting; Fulbright scholar, 2023 – 2024) is a highly sought performer, with artistry that has attracted significant invitations throughout the world. Under her leadership, ensembles consistently perform at a high level, and her programs are enthusiastically received. Performances have been described as “superb,” “praiseworthy,” “terrific,” “impressive,” and displaying “artistry.” Jaclyn Hartenberger grew up in St. Louis, Missouri where her mother was her first music teacher. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas, where she performed and recorded with the prestigious UNT Wind Symphony. Jaclyn then taught public school where she developed award-winning band programs. She then went on to earn her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin, where she studied with Jerry F. Junkin. Jaclyn Hartenberger is the newly appointed conductor for the University of Melbourne’s Wind Symphony at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in Melbourne, Australia. During her eleven years as the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Georgia (UGA) she conducted the Wind Symphony (WS) and taught conducting.
Senior Orchestra
​​Mr. Bruce Walker - Conductor
March 7-9, 2025, Baltimore, MD
Bruce Walker is an Associate Professor of Music at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, WA, Music Director for the Walla Walla Symphony Youth Orchestra, and serves on the Boards of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and the Washington Music Educators Association. In 2021, he was named Music Educator of the Year by the Washington Music Educators Association. Known for his engaging teaching style, positive student-centered rapport, and extensive knowledge of the orchestral repertoire, Mr. Walker is a sought-after adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor for All-State, Honors, and school orchestras nationwide. Upcoming engagements for the 2024-2025 season include guest conducting the Walla Walla Symphony, working with various school and honor orchestras throughout the Pacific Northwest, and conducting All-State Orchestras in Washington, Florida, Maryland, and the NAfME All-Eastern Orchestra in Hartford, Connecticut. Mr. Walker holds Bachelor of Music degrees in Music Education and Cello Performance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a Master of Music degree from Central Washington University studying Orchestral Conducting and Cello Performance. He began his Doctor of Music Arts degree in Music Education at Boston University in 2019. Outside professional duties, he enjoys hiking, traveling, experimenting with BBQ recipes, and shopping for and admiring argyle socks.
Senior Mixed Chorus
​​Dr. Kellori Dower- Conductor
March 7-9, 2025, Baltimore, MD
Dr. Kellori Dower is the Dean of Visual and Performing Arts at Cypress College in California. Before this, she directed two award-winning high school choral programs and served as Director of Choral Activities at the collegiate level. She has also held administrative positions at the K12 level. She was the 2016 Outstanding Music Educator Award from the California Music Educators Association Southeastern section. She has written several choral works performed by the San Diego Symphony, with her music published by Hal Leonard. Her choral ensembles have performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Chicago’s Orchestra Hall, and New York’s Lincoln Center. An active choral adjudicator and clinician, Dr. Dower has conducted All-State and regional High School Honor ensembles across the U.S. She is the immediate past President of the National Collegiate Choral Organization and serves on the California Arts Council grant review committee. Additionally, she represents the Southern Section in the California Choral Directors Association and teaches on the graduate faculty at the Longy School of Music of Bard College. Dr. Dower is a proud mother of four, a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and a former mellophone player and drummer at Prairie View A&M University.
Senior Treble Chorus
​​Dr. Frances Fonza - Conductor
March 7-9, 2025, Baltimore, MD
Frances Fonza is the Director of Choral Activities at Southeastern Louisiana University. She teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in music education and conducting. Additionally, she directs the Concert Choir, Bella Voce (Treble Ensemble), and Gospel Choir. Dr. Fonza taught choral music at the middle and high school levels in Kentucky and at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington DC. She earned a bachelor’s degree in music education at the University of Missouri-Columbia, a master’s degree in music education, and a doctorate in music education/choral conducting at Florida State University. Prior to her appointment at Southeastern, Dr. Fonza served as Director of Choral Activities at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. She also served on the faculty at Stephen F. Austin State University and University of Central Arkansas. Choirs under her direction have participated in state, regional, and national music festivals. Dr. Fonza is an active singer, clinician, and adjudicator, frequently engaging in guest conducting opportunities nationally and internationally. She has conducted all state, honor, public school, community, and church choirs. Her research interests are community partnerships, healthy singing in Gospel music, the versatile voice, and tone building strategies used in the choral classroom.
Meet the Accompanists​
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Senior Mixed Chorus
​​Mr. Jeffrey Winfield - Accompanist
March 7-9, 2025, Baltimore, MD
Jeffrey Winfield is the Supervisor of Fine Arts for Harford County Public Schools. Prior to supervision, he was the proud choral director at Edgewood High School. His graduate degree in music was earned from Florida State University, with an undergraduate from Towson University. His most enjoyable time of the year is when he is the pianist for the MD All-State Senior Mixed Choir where he has the pleasure of collaborating with amazing student musicians from all over Maryland!
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Senior Treble Chorus
​​Mrs. Erin Tennyson - Accompanist
March 7-9, 2025, Baltimore, MD
Erin Tennyson is honored to once again be the accompanist for the 2025 Maryland All State Senior Treble Chorus. Erin was born and raised in St. Mary’s County, MD. She graduated from Leonardtown High School in 2004, then received her Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with a concentration in piano from Lebanon Valley College. After graduation, Erin worked at Benjamin Banneker Elementary School from 2008 – 2012, teaching K - 5 general music and chorus. While working, she earned her Masters Degree in Leadership in Teaching from the College of Notre Dame in Baltimore. Erin is now the Music Director at Lexington Park United Methodist Church. She is also the Co-Conductor and accompanist for the Southern Maryland Encore Chorale, accompanist for St. Mary’s County Public Schools, the College of Southern Maryland Choir, and Hope in Harmony: a non-profit distinguished choir in Southern MD. Recently, she had the honor to accompany the Charles County High School All County Chorus, Alexandria Choral Society and All-Shore Honors High School Chorus. Erin’s piano career would not be possible without the love and support of her husband, Tim, and her four beautiful children, Claire, Will, Belle, and Hope.
2025 All State Merch​
2025 All State merchandise will be available soon.