2026 | MMEA Mentoring Fall Conferences: Mentors & Presenters
12th annual mmea Fall conferences
september 27-28, 2026 * Tan-tar-a conference center
2026 Fall Conferences
Mentors & Presenters
Alisha Baur
Alisha Baur served as the Camdenton High School Associate Director of Bands and Percussion Specialist from 1996 until her retirement in the spring of 2021. At Camdenton, she was responsible for all areas of percussion education for the district grades 7-12. This included the Pride of the Lake Marching Band, 3 high school concert bands, jazz bands, pep bands, large percussion orchestra, 8th grade band, 7th grade band as well as numerous solos and small ensembles. Before that, she taught at Sparta (2A at the time) and Walnut Grove (1A) School Districts. Duties included 5 th and 6 th grade band, 7-12th grade band (concert and marching), basketball pep band, high school choir and general music. After retirement, she also taught elementary music (Pre-K through 6 th grade) as well as 7 th -12 th grade choir at Russellville School District (1A). She is currently working with the Springfield School District in their Launch Online Teaching Program. Mrs. Baur received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Missouri State University.
Alisha has been a member of MBA, MMEA, NafME, PAS, Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers, Phi Beta Mu, and The Beethoven International Piano Society. Mrs. Baur is an active percussion clinician and judge throughout the Mid-West for marching and concert percussion activities. She is the current Co-Chair for the 2026 MMEA Mentoring Conference.
Paul Baur
Paul Baur served as the Camdenton High School Director of Bands from 1996 until his retirement in the spring of 2021. At Camdenton, he was responsible for three concert bands, two jazz bands, the 200 member “Pride of the Lake” marching band, basketball pep band, beginning low brass, beginning flutes, and assisted with the 8 th grade band. While under the direction of Mr. Baur, concert bands at Camdenton have performed at the Missouri Music Educators Conference, as well as the Missouri Bandmasters’ Summer In-Service. Mr Baur’s marching bands were recognized as Bands of America Regional Class Champions, BOA Super Regional Class Champions and BOA Grand National Semi-Finalists. Prior to teaching at Camdenton, Mr. Baur served as the Band Director at 3A Califonia R1 in California, MO. In retirement, he continues to teach, serving as a long term Band substitute at 1A Cole County R1 in Russellville, MO. Mr. Baur received a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master’s of Science in Education from Missouri State University in Springfield, Missouri. Currently, Mr. Baur serves as the Missouri Music Educators Association Retired Membership Chair and as the Mentoring Co-Chair as well as teaching Dual Credit Music Theory via The Univers
Elizabeth Betts
Elizabeth Betts is currently in her fifth 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.
Stephanie Brueggeman
Stephanie Brueggeman is in her 25th year of music education, currently teaching K–5 general music, directing two elementary choirs, and leading an instrumental ensemble at Progress South Elementary in the Fort Zumwalt School District. Throughout her career, she has taught music students ranging from kindergarten through the college level. Stephanie holds degrees in music education and flute performance, a Master’s in Music Education, and is Orff-Schulwerk certified.
Sarah Cook
Sarah Cook is in her 23rd year of 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 with a conducting emphasis. She serves as pianist for Central Christian Church in Higginsville. In 2026 and 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. Mrs. Cook is married to Steve Cook, teacher and coach at Lafayette Co. C-1 High School. They have two children, Miriam (19) and Joel (16). The Cooks reside on a small farm outside of Mayview.
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 in his sixth year as 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. Prior to this position, he served as the Assistant Band Director in Boonville, MO for eight years, where he taught grades 5-12 band classes, and the Band Director/Music Teacher in Pilot Grove, MO for one 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 Missou-ri Music Educators Association conference & the Missouri Bandmasters Association Summer Convention. Additionally, he serves as the Mentoring Chair for the Northeast District. Kyle holds undergraduate degrees in music & business from the University of Missouri, a master’s in mu-sic education from Central Methodist University, and is a National Board Certified Teacher. He currently resides in Ashland with his wife, Melanie, and their daughters Karis (9) and Gwen (5). He holds professional memberships in NAFME, MBA, and the International Tuba Euphonium As-sociation, and he serves as the coordinator for Columbia’s annual Tuba Christmas performance.
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.
Tyson Jackson
Tyson Jackson is beginning his 2nd year in the Mound City School District, and his 5th year teaching overall. All of them have been spent teaching PreK-12. He has taught K-8 general mu-sic, 5-12 band, 9-12 choir, 9-12 piano classes and music appreciation. He is a member of MMEA and NAFME. Tyson holds a BME and a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction both from North-west Missouri State University. When he is not teaching, Tyson enjoys traveling, exercising, playing video games, and spending time with friends and family.
Tiffany Ketterman
Tiffany Ketterman is an elementary music specialist and choir director in the Smithville School District and will be conducting her first performance with her elementary choir at MMEA! Tiffany will share how she utilized her college experience to prepare for student teaching and professional career, including leadership and service experiences.
Jodi Kratzer
Jodi Kratzer teaches choir at Fort Zumwalt East High School and has also taught middle school choir for over 12 years. She most recently served as Choral Vice President for the Missouri Music Educators Association and has also served as Middle School Choir Vice President for St. Louis Metro District 8. She holds a degree in Vocal Music Education from Concordia University Chi-cago, 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 is an active member of ACDA and NAfME.
Derek Limback
Derek Limback is one of the Assistant Director of Bands and Jazz Director for the Rolla 31 School District in Rolla, MO. Derek received both his Bachelors in Music Education and Masters in Music Composition from Southwest Missouri State University, now Missouri State University.
He has 25 years of teaching experience in Missouri public schools having taught in the Warsaw, St. James, and Rolla school systems. When Derek is not teaching he enjoys fishing, golfing, working on various composition projects, and performing with various jazz ensembles across the state.
Jason Martin
Jason Martin is the choir director at Fort Zumwalt South High School, the director of the JH Smith Community Choir, and the Executive Director of the Choral Society of St. Charles County. He also serves as the Secondary Performing Arts Curriculum Coordinator for the Fort Zumwalt School District. His past appointments include positions with the Lindbergh School District, Florissant Valley Christian Church, Church of the Shepherd United Methodist,the Ambassadors of Harmony, Choral Vice President for the Missouri Music Educators Association, and as the Church and Community Choir Honor Choir Coordinator for the Missouri Choral Directors Association (MCDA). Jason was selected as the recipient of the MCDA Prelude Award in 2006, South High’s Teacher of the Year in 2010, and twice as the Outstanding Director of the Year for the St. Louis Metro District. In January of 2021, the Metro District recognized him as the Outstanding Educator of the Year. Jason is an active presenter, adjudicator, and clinician for Missouri’s choral community. When he’s not directing music, he loves supporting the growth of his family while forever chasing his beautiful and forgiving wife’s “honey do” list.
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 trans-fers. 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 Neff
Aaron Neff has been the Arcadia Valley Choir Director for the last eleven years and the Arcadia Valley Band Director for the last two years. A 2000 graduate of Park Hills Central High School, Aaron received his college degrees from Mineral Area College and Central Methodist University.
Aaron enjoys spending his time outdoors with his wife Jennifer and his children, Hayden, Liam, and Ruby. Aaron’s choir at AVHS has had multiple members in the MAAA All-Conference Choir, South East All-District Choir, the Missouri Music Educators All-State Choir, and the Missouri Sight Reading Bee. The Arcadia Valley Choir has received multiple exemplary ratings at the MSHSAA Large Group Contest over the years. His Choir was featured
Roger Payne
Roger Payne is the Director of Bands for the St. James R-I School District. Roger is in his 14th year of teaching, all in Missouri public schools, having spent time in the St. James, Licking, Mountain Grove, and Neosho areas. He has been in St. James for the last 8 years, serving as Assistant Director for 5 years, Head Director for 3 years, Performing Arts Center Administration for 4 years, and Tri-M Chapter Advisor for 5 years. Roger received both his Bachelors in Music Education (2013) and Master’s of Science in Educational Technology (2016) from Missouri State University. In addition to his role as Tri-M State Chair for Missouri, Roger also serves as the Junior High Honor Band Vice President for the Central District of MMEA. Roger is an active member of Missouri Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, and Missouri Bandmasters Association. He is also an alumni member of the Kappa Kappa Psi Service Fraternity and Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Fraternity.
Juliana Pyle
Juliana Pyle currently teaches in the Springfield district as an elementary specialist and formerly taught high school choral students in Marshfield. While at Marshfield, her choir was selected to perform at MMEA. Juliana is a gifted teacher who has developed an incredible skill set of community-building activities and techniques that develop and support a positive, effective learning environment.
Amanda Rueter
Amanda Rueter is President of Ernie Williamson Music, a multi-location music retailer serving musicians, educators, and school music programs throughout Missouri and Kansas. With a background in finance and accounting and an MBA from Missouri State University, Amanda has built her career at the intersection of business, music education, and advocacy. Amanda is an active advocate for music and arts education at both the state and national levels. She has participated in multiple NAMM Advocacy Fly-Ins in Washington, D.C., meeting with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for policies that support access to music education. She also serves on the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education’s Legislative Watch Com-mittee, helping monitor legislation and advocate for arts education across Missouri.
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.
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 stu-dents 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-Presi-dent, 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 received a Bachelor of Music from The University of Texas at Austin in 2007 and began her teaching career in Hondo, Texas. Following her relocation to St. Louis, and concurrent to her work at Lindbergh, Chelsea earned a Master of Music and the Kurt Engbretson Music Education Award from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2014. A five-year member of the Texas Longhorn Band, Chelsea studied trumpet with Ray Sasaki, marched with the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in 2004, participated in the 2005 National Trumpet Competition, and served on the brass staff of the Racine Scouts in 2008. From 2009 to 2016, Chelsea performed with the St. Louis Brass Band. 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 Ches-terfield with her two boys and husband Ben, who is the choir director at Parkway Central High School. As MMEA President-Elect, Chelsea looks forward to serving Missouri’s music students and educators.
Rene’ Spencer
Rene’ Spencer is an adjunct instructor of music at Missouri Southern State University and in-structor for the Kodaly Institute of the Ozarks at Missouri State University. Rene’ teaches ele-mentary music courses, music theory, and flute at MSSU and serves as a clinician throughout Missouri and Arkansas. Prior to teaching at MSSU, she taught music in Southwest Missouri for 31 years, including secondary vocal/instrumental music, and K-6 music. She served as Elemen-tary Vice-President for MMEA, founding president of the Kodaly of the Ozarks chapter of OAKE and is a member of the MMEA mentoring team. She currently serves as the Missouri NAfME-C Collegiate Advisor as well as the MSSU NAfME-C Chapter Advisor. Rene’ earned her BME in music education through Southwest Baptist University, her masters in instrumental music education through Missouri State University, Orff Level 1 through Missouri State University, and Kodaly certification through the University of Central Missouri.
Shawn Vomund
Shawn Vomund is the band director at Fordland, and he will be sharing two sessions with us. Shawn is a highly respected director, as well as a wonderful musician. He is a frequent presenter to college students at Missouri State University and has developed outstanding sessions to prepare college students for successful careers educating our younger musicians. His sessions include a great session on assessing and developing classroom culture, as well as a love and logic-based presentation, which goes into some really nice strategies for authentic classroom management.
Alex Weinzierl
Alex Weinzierl has spent the past three years as the head band director in Mt. Vernon and will begin a new job as the assistant band director at Columbia Hickman High School. Alex will share how he utilized his college experience to prepare for student teaching and professional career, including leadership and service experiences.