Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • Summer 2024 31 FRIEND OF THE ARTS a person who is supportive of and actively involved in the arts at a local or regional level William Davern William Davern was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Sigma Iota Chapter at Syracuse University (SU) in April. Professor Davern is a Observations and Brass Methods professor at Syracuse University. He served as the Director of Fine Arts (retired) for the West Genesee School District from 2007-2021 and is the former director of the West Genesee High School Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Jazz Ensembles, and West Genesee Middle School Symphonic and Jazz Bands. While under his direction, his ensembles received numerous ratings of "Gold" & "Gold with Distinction" at New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) festivals. As the director of the "Wildcat" Marching Band, the group captured an unprecedented 12 consecutive New York State Field Band Conference National Class State Championship titles in 1989-2000. Davern was inducted into the NYS Field Band Conference "Hall of Fame" in October 2016 and received the 2017 School Administrators Association of New York State (SAANYS) "Outstanding Educator" Award. In 2001, he was recognized by the Greater Camillus Chamber of Commerce and Eagle Newspapers as their "2001 Citizen of the Year," and in 2002 was the first recipient of the Syracuse Area Music Awards ("Sammy") for Lifetime Achievement in Music Education. Devin DeDon Devin DeDon was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Delta Chi Chapter at the University of South Florida (USF) in April. Mrs. DeDon joined the USF School of Music Faculty in 2023. She serves as the Assistant Director of Athletic Bands, and she teaches courses in Issues in Music and Music in Culture. Mrs. DeDon is a Tampa native who earned a bachelor's degree in Music Education from Louisiana State University, where she performed with the LSU Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Winds, and Tiger Marching Band. Her master's degree is in Instrumental Conducting from USF. Before going back for her masters, Mrs. DeDon taught middle school band in Hillsborough and Pasco Counties. She is an active performer in the Tampa Bay area, having been a core member of the Florida Wind Band since 2016. In addition, she maintains an active private horn studio and is the conductor for the Bay Area Youth Symphonic Winds Ensemble. Joe Figliolo Joe Figliolo was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Epsilon Theta Chapter at Appalachian State University in April. Joe Figliolo graduated with a Master of Music Performance, Instrumental Conducting at Appalachian State University and studied with Dr. John Stanley Ross, Dr. Jason Gardner, and Dr. Alexandra Dee. He works as a Graduate Assistant with the Appalachian Wind Ensemble, the Appalachian Symphony Band, the Appalachian Concert Band, the Marching Mountaineers, and the Appalachian Basketball Band. Mr. Figliolo is a graduate of The University of North Carolina (UNC) Chapel Hill with a Bachelor in Music degree, with a concentration in music education. He was awarded the "Earl Slocum Band Award" in 2022 for "meritorious achievement with regard to musicianship, leadership, and academic excellence" for his contributions to the UNC Music Department. As a performer, Mr. Figliolo has conducted the Appalachian Bands, the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra, and the UNC Symphony Band. He currently studies saxophone with Dr. Scott Kallestad and performs with the Appalachian Saxophone Choir, saxophone studio, and the FFNbR Saxophone Quartet. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the North Carolina Music Educator Association, the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. James Gregory James Gregory was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Sigma Gamma Chapter at the University of Tulsa (TU) in April. James Gregory is the Collaborative Pianist for the University of Tulsa School of Music, where he accompanies voice lessons, the Cappella Chamber Singers, TU Concert Chorale, and TU Opera Theatre, as well as accompanying and coaching instrumentalists as they prepare for solo performances and juries. He received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from TU, where he studied with Dr. Roger Price. As a student at the University of Tulsa, Mr. Gregory had the privilege to serve as pianist for the Modern Choir under the direction of Laven Sowell, TU Opera, and numerous undergraduate and graduate vocal and instrumental lessons and recitals, as well as being a member of the Coriolanus Piano Trio. Previously, he spent 30 years on staff with the TU Department of Theatre as Musical Theatre Specialist. Jimmy McKenzie Jimmy McKenzie was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Epsilon Theta Chapter at Appalachian State University in April. Mr. McKenzie is a conductor, composer, and music educator. He began making music at a very young age, first on piano, then later on clarinet. Inspired by the compositions of his father, J. Scott McKenzie, he began to write his own pieces for piano as early as first grade. Over the following years, he would learn to play saxophone, trumpet, Distinguished Members Davern Davern DeDon DeDon Figliolo Figliolo Gregory Gregory McKenzie McKenzie

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