2024 MMEA Mentoring Conference: Mentors & Presenters
10th annual mmea mentoring conference
september 15-16, 2024 * Tan-tar-a conference center
2024 Mentoring Conference
Mentors & Presenters
Elizabeth Betts
Elizabeth Betts is currently in her fourth year as Director of Bands for the Fayette School District in Fayette, Missouri. She has taught the past 15 years in small, Missouri schools- many of them spent teaching PreK-12 Music. She has been involved with the MMEA mentoring program for six years, and is a member of MMEA, NafME, and MBA. Elizabeth resides in Fayette, Missouri with her husband and two children.
Sarah Cook
Sarah Cook is in her 21st year teaching vocal music at Lafayette County C-1 School District in Higginsville, Missouri, where she teaches grades 6-12. Mrs. Cook studied at the University of Central Missouri where she completed both a Bachelors in Music Education with a vocal emphasis and a Master of Arts in Music Education with a conducting emphasis. She serves as pianist for Central Christian Church in Higginsville. In 2017, she received the MCDA Outstanding Director Award for West Central Missouri, and in 2021, she was chosen as the Lafayette County C-1 District Teacher of the Year . Mrs. Cook serves the WCMMEA as the Secretary/Treasurer, and enjoys mentoring and speaking to new music teachers.
Patrick Dell
Patrick Dell teaches choir at Ft. Zumwalt West High School, where he, his students, and his coworkers, enjoy a wonderful sense of community. Previously, he taught grades 4-12 in the Hermann School District, where his choirs performed twice at the Missouri Music Educators Association In-Service Conference. Patrick has led the vocal track of the MMEA mentoring program since its inception, and continues to contribute professionally through yearly presentations and the authoring of sight reading practice and assessment materials for various organizations and schools. As a pianist, Patrick has performed as an accompanist and a soloist throughout the country and abroad, for various universities, conferences, tours, and organizations. He remains in demand as an accompanist for high school and collegiate soloists and ensembles, and enjoys pinch-hitting for anybody singing Erlkönig. He has also earned all of the three gold star cups at the 200cc difficulty level in Mario Kart 8.
Kyle Donnelly
Kyle Donnelly is currently the Assistant Band Director at West Middle School in Columbia, MO, where he teaches beginning & intermediate brass & percussion classes and co-directs the 8th grade band. Additionally, he assists with the Hickman High School Marching Band. Prior to this position, he served as the Assistant Band Director in Boonville, MO for 8 years, where he taught grades 5-12 band classes, and the Band Director/Music Teacher in Pilot Grove, MO for 1 year, where he taught all K-12 music classes. He has served as a mentor through MMEA since 2014 & has presented multiple clinics at the Missouri Music Educators Association conference & the Missouri Bandmasters Association Summer Convention. He holds undergraduate degrees in music & business from the University of Missouri & a master’s in music education from Central Methodist University. He currently resides in Columbia with his wife, Melanie, and their daughters Karis (7) and Gwen (3). He holds professional memberships in NAFME, MBA, and the International Tuba Euphonium Association. He serves as the coordinator for Columbia’s annual Tuba Christmas performance & and is a National Board Certified Teacher.
Hailee Kaestner
Hailee Kaestner begins her fifth year teaching at New Bloomfield R-III. After graduating with her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Missouri State University, she started her career running the High School and Beginner Band Program at New Bloomfield. Since then, she started two Vocal Ensembles, a Jazz Program, Intermediate Band, and a Color Guard. By her third year, she was awarded the 2023 David B. Goodwin Outstanding Young Music Educator. Prior to this, she earned the MBA Young Bandmasters Grant in 2021 and was featured several times in the “Mo’ Better Band” Podcast hosted by Donovan Bankhead during her first year. As well as being director of the MS/HS Music Program at New Bloomfield, she also has served on the District’s Mentor Committee and on the Principal Advisory Committee.
Daniel Henderson
Daniel Henderson began his cello studies at the age of 10 in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. He received his Bachelor’s degree in cello performance from the HARID Conservatory of music where he studied with Johanne Perron. He received his Master of Music degree in cello performance from the University of Florida where he studied with Mark Tanner. Mr. Henderson was twice the recipient of the Cello Fellowship Award for the Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta, Canada. During his time in Banff, Daniel studied with legendary cellist Aldo Parisot.
Mr. Henderson currently serves as the Director of Orchestras for the School District of Clayton. This school year marks the third time the Clayton High School Symphonic Orchestra has been invited to perform at the Missouri Music Educators In-Service Workshop/Conference under Mr. Henderson’s direction. Prior to teaching in Clayton, Mr. Henderson taught secondary orchestra in the Fairfax County, Parkway, and Pattonville School districts. Mr. Henderson is also an active free-lance musician in St. Louis, MO, where he lives with his wife Katie (an elementary strings teacher in the Parkway district) and his two violin-playing daughters.
Jodi Kratzer
Jodi Kratzer teaches vocal music at Fort Zumwalt North Middle School and previously served as the Middle School Choir Vice President for St. Louis Metro District 8. She holds a degree in Vocal Music Education from Concordia University Chicago, has earned her Level II Certification from the CME Institute for Choral Teacher Education, and received Outstanding District Director awards from the Missouri Choral Directors Association in 2018 and 2022. She also worked as the Vocal Music Director for the City of O’Fallon’s teen summer musical in 2017 and as Choir Manager for The St. Louis Children’s Choirs from 2009-2014. She is an active member of ACDA and NAfME.
James Melton
James Melton is an Associate Executive Director with MSHSAA. He began serving in this role in July of 2023. James provides support in the areas of eligibility, by-law interpretation, and transfers. In addition, he serves as the director of Music Activities and the sport of Tennis. Before coming to MSHSAA, James was a vocal music educator and arts administrator for 23 years with Columbia Public Schools. A lifelong advocate for arts education, a vocalist, and Missourian (a Spoofhound through and through), James is proud to be able to support and serve every music educator and student through participation in competitive and evaluative music experiences. Contact him at the MSHSAA Office – 573-875-4880 or james@mshsaa.org
Aaron Money
Mr. Aaron Money is in his 15th year of being the Director of Fine Arts for Liberty Public School District. Prior to his work in Liberty, he was a vocal music director in Blue Springs, Odessa and Waukegan (IL) school districts.
Aaron Neff
Aaron Neff is the music teacher at Arcadia Valley High School. Aaron received his degrees from Mineral Area College and at Central Methodist University. He is currently working on his Master’s degree from Central Methodist University. As an advocate for music education, Aaron has played a pivotal role in organizing school concerts and community events for his students.
Christopher J. Sacco
Chris Sacco is currently the Director of Bands for the Logan-Rogersville School District, where he instructs all High School Band activities, as well as 6th-8th grade brass students. Prior to Logan-Rogersville, he spent 16 years at Ava, where he served as the Associate Director of Bands and co-directed with his wife Sarah. During his tenure at Ava his Concert and Jazz Bands received superior ratings and top placements every year at various festivals. The High School Symphonic Band attained 15 consecutive superior ratings at their State Assessment. Mr. Sacco’s applied students consistently received superior ratings at both the District and State level. The overall program more than doubled in size and success since Chris and his wife arrived in 2008. They have had students perform in the District Bands, State Band, Missouri Lions Band, Macy’s Great American Marching Band, Army All-American Marching Band, the Citrus Bowl, and the Bands of America Marching Band.
Chris is a two-time recipient of the National Citizenship Education Teacher Recognition Award as well as the Loyalty Day Award by the VFW. He is also a recipient of the John East “Spirit of Orpheus” Mentor Award for his work with young music educators throughout the South Central region of the state. His professional affiliations and memberships include MMEA, NAfME, MBA, MOAJE, and Phi Beta Mu. Chris currently serves as the MMEA President. He has also served as the MMEA Jazz VP, the SCMMEA Band VP, and the Event Coordinator for the South Central Conference Honor Band. He is also an active MSHSAA adjudicator.
Chris currently holds an Associate of Arts degree from Jefferson College, a Bachelor of Music Education from Missouri State University, and a Masters in Secondary Education from Drury University. Outside of music education, Chris enlisted in the Missouri Air National Guard in March of 2000, where he completed an Associate of Applied Science degree in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. While serving 12 years in the 131st Civil Engineering Squadron, he was active during Operations Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom, where serving in various locations throughout the Middle East.
Kalleigh Saiz
Kalleigh Hickory-Saiz was born and raised in Springfield, MO. Her mother, a math teacher who taught for 33 years, and her father, a youth pastor, are the main reasons she decided to go into education. She has always desired to pursue a path that profoundly impacts the lives of others. Saiz graduated from MSU for music education – Go Bears – where she also met her wonderful husband and fellow music educator, Michael Saiz. Her primary instrument is trombone and she enjoys playing for the Springfield Little Theater, Missouri Philharmonic Orchestra, the MSU Trombone Choir, and other local ensembles. Saiz taught her first two years at Spokane Middle School/Spokane High School – Go Owls! She had a 17 person marching band that competed in multiple field show competitions under the motto, “Small, But Mighty!” Her first semester teaching she was technically a student teacher, and she survived thanks to the guidance and mentorship of current and retired teachers. MMEA mentors and her mentors at Spokane ensured her success and her personal well being, and she hopes she can do the same for other new teachers. She is now starting her first year in the Lebanon school district – Go Yellow Jackets – where her husband also teaches. She is really excited for year three of teaching!
Vicky Scott
Vicky Scott is a Senior Instructor of Music Education at Missouri State University. In addition to teaching Music Education Methods courses, her professional duties also include supervising student teachers, advising music education students, and serving as faculty advisor to NAfME-C and Student MCDA. She is program director and instructor of The Kodaly Institute of the Ozarks at Missouri State University, which offers intensive training in the Kodaly Methodology for PK-12 music teachers.
Prior to her full time position at Missouri State, Vicky enjoyed a thirty year career teaching elementary vocal music in the Springfield Public Schools, Springfield, MO. She served on curriculum development and review committees multiple times and also served as professional learning clinician for the Springfield Schools elementary vocal music faculty.
Vicky earned her Bachelors in Elementary Education and Music in 1986 and Masters in Secondary Music Education in 1989. In 2009, she earned her Kodaly Certification, a culmination of successful completion of three levels of Kodaly Methodology training. She has served as guest clinician for elementary honor choirs in the Springfield area. Vicky has provided professional learning presentations for MMEA, MCDA, SCMMEA, Kodaly of the Ozarks, university student organizations, and school music faculty.
Vicky served two terms as Elementary Vice President of the South Central Missouri Music Educators Association, multiple terms on the Executive Board of the Springfield National Education Association, one term as Repertoire and Resource Chair for University Youth and Student Activities of the Missouri Choral Directors Association, and President of Kodaly of the Ozarks.
Chelsea Silvermintz
Chelsea Silvermintz, a band director in the Lindbergh School District, teaches high school students in Freshman Band, Concert Band, Woodwind Choir, the Spirit of St. Louis Marching Band, and the musical pit orchestra. Under her direction, the Freshman Band has earned exemplary ratings for 15 consecutive years. Additionally, Chelsea teaches beginning clarinet while working closely with all woodwind students at Lindbergh’s two middle schools.
Chelsea served as MMEA Band Vice-President from 2020-2022. She also served the St. Louis Suburban Music Educators Association District #5 as High School Concert Band Vice-President, President, and currently serves as Past-President. She holds membership in the National Association for Music Education, Missouri Music Educators Association, Missouri Bandmasters Association, Phi Beta Mu, Sigma Alpha Iota, and Missouri Women Band Directors Association.
Chelsea is a lifelong learner and deeply appreciative of the wealth of knowledge shared by her friends and colleagues, both here in Missouri and across the country. She lives in Chesterfield with her two boys and husband Ben, who is the choir director at Parkway Central High School.
Rene’ Spencer
Rene’ Spencer taught music to Missouri public school students for 31 years (Miller R-II and Mt. Vernon R-V) and is currently an adjunct instructor at Missouri Southern State University and an instructor for the Kodaly Institute of the Ozarks at Missouri State University. Her teaching assignments have ranged from secondary vocal and instrumental music (including show choir), elementary and intermediate level music, to teaching at the university level. Currently, she teaches elementary music courses, music theory, and applied flute at MSSU. Rene’ has served as clinician throughout the state of Missouri and Arkansas, conducted numerous honor choirs and has served as Elementary Vice President for MMEA, founding president of the Kodaly of the Ozarks chapter of OAKE and as a member of the MMEA mentoring team.
Rene’ earned her BME in music education from Southwest Baptist University, her masters in instrumental music education from Missouri State University, Orff Level 1 certification from Missouri State University, and Kodaly certification (levels one through four) from the University of Central Missouri. She lives on a farm in Southwest Missouri with her husband, has three adult daughters (and one son-in-law), and three gorgeous grandsons.
Chris Sprague
After a thirty-year career in music education, Chris Sprague retired in June of 2022. The last twenty-seven years were spent at Bradleyville, a small rural school in southwest Missouri serving 220 students in grades K-12. Her teaching assignments included Band 6-12, K-8 General Music and Vocal Music 9-12. During her tenure at Bradleyville her bands received numerous accolades, including selection to perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference in 2014, six invitations to perform at the NAIA Division II Basketball Tournament, four invitations to perform at the MSHSAA All-State Basketball Tournament, and multiple years of “straight 1” performances at the MSHSAA All-State Large Ensemble Festival.
Chris is currently serving as the Mentoring Chair of the Missouri Music Educators Association. From 2020-2022 she served as MMEA President, and from 2018-2020 she served as the MMEA Band Vice President. She has also been actively involved in the MMEA Mentoring Program for new teachers since its inception. In 2019 she was honored to receive the Missouri State University Outstanding Alumni Award. In 2014, Chris was humbled to receive the John East “Spirit of Orpheus” Mentor Award, an award voted on and presented by the directors of the South Central Missouri Music Educators Association district honoring a mentor teacher in the district. She is an active clinician, adjudicator, and mentor. Her hobbies include fishing with her husband Matt and gardening, and she has been an avid fan of the Kansas City Chiefs for forty-six years.