Sigma Alpha Iota

24 Summer 2025 • sai-national.org Choir Director at Congregation Shir Ha-ma'alot in Irvine. Martinez is also IT Director at the School of Biological Sciences at UC Irvine, and reviews concerts and operas for bachtrack.com and concertonet.com. A member of the American Choral Directors' Association, Martinez has been fortunate to sing under the direction of John Alexander, James Conlon, and Esa-Pekka Salonen. Martinez studied voice and conducting at UC Irvine, where he earned a Master's degree. Dr. Kerry Palmer Dr. Kerry Palmer was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Delta Zeta Chapter at Troy University in April. Dr. Palmer serves as Troy University's Senior Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs. He previously served the university as Dean and Associate Dean of the College of Education. Before his time at Troy, Dr. Palmer was a music teacher and band director at various junior high and high schools in the south. He founded the band program at Montgomery Catholic Preparatory School and was also Head of School at Montgomery's Trinity Presbyterian School. Previously, he taught band and served as a K–12 school administrator for thirteen years. He has received various honors for his achievements, including Alumni of the Year from the Auburn University College of Education. Dr. Kerry earned his Bachelor's in Music Education from Troy University, where he served as section leader in the Symphony Band and Drum Major for the Sound of the South Marching Band. He holds both a Ph.D. in Education and a Master's in Educational Leadership from Auburn University. Lindsey Poret-Willard Lindsey Poret-Willard was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Mu Rho Chapter at Southeastern Louisiana University in March. Poret-Willard is an Academic Advisor and First-Year Success Instructor at Southeastern Louisiana University. She currently teaches clarinet lessons through the SLU Community Music School and maintains her own private music studio. She was twice the winner of the Kappa Kappa Psi-Lambda Xi Concerto Competition; a participant in the KKPSI National Intercollegiate Honor Band; and was featured in the premier recording of Hymn for the Arc Harvester for 7+ players by Philip Schuessler (Drift-Society of Composers, Inc. Volume 34). Poret-Willard is a member of the SLU Clarinet Choir, the Louisiana Music Educators Association, and the International Clarinet Association. She is an alumni of Kappa Kappa Psi, and a supporter of both the Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts and the St. Tammany Art Association. Poret-Willard earned a Master of Music Performance in Clarinet and a Bachelor of Music Education from Southeastern Louisiana University. Dr. Priscilla Porterfield Dr. Priscilla Porterfield was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Epsilon Theta Chapter at Appalachian State University in April. Dr. Porterfield is Professor of Voice and Coordinator of the Vocal Area at Appalachian State University, where she had worked for over three decades. She directs the Appalachian Treble Choir and teaches private lessons, and has previously taught at Cannon Music Camp, hosted by Appalachian State. Besides her work in teaching, Dr. Porterfield was awarded fellowships that allowed her to study and perform at the Carmel (California) Bach Festival, Tanglewood Music Festival, and Aspen Music Festival. She was a national finalist in the Music Teacher's National Association Collegiate Artist Awards; a winner of the Toledo Opera Young Artists Competition; and a two-time winner in the District Metropolitan Opera Auditions. Equally as versatile within the concert repertoire, Dr. Porterfield sings regularly with chamber music groups and orchestras throughout North Carolina and the Midwest. Her recent interest in the Anglo-American ballad and its influence on the Appalachian region resulted in a travel grant to sing a series of recitals in Great Britain. She was invited to sing and lecture at the Elphinstone Institute of the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. She previously sang with the Toledo Opera, the Michigan Opera Theater, and the Ohio Light Opera. Dr. Porterfield earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Michigan. She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and Pi Kappa Lambda- Gamma Eta Chapter. Alain Rodriguez Alain Rodriguez was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Delta Chi Chapter at the University of South Florida in May. Rodriguez is a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the Master of Music Instrumental Conducting program at the University of South Florida and Education Director for the Miami Wind Symphony. After noticing the lack of support for the choral programs at USF, he became the first graduate assistant for choral classes. He became the conductor of the Core Four Band, an ensemble composed of musicians in Greek organizations, and chartered a brass choir. Previously, Rodriguez served as Director of Bands at Homestead Senior High School and Artistic Director for the Miami Community Brass Choir. He was a Conducting Fellow for the Brass Institutes of America in 2022, and has been a clinician for the South Florida Youth Symphony and Greater Miami Youth Symphony. As a trumpet player, he has performed with groups such as the Miami Symphony Orchestra, Alhambra Orchestra, Nova Southeastern University Ceremonial Orchestra, Miami Acting Company, and the Miami Lyric Opera. Rodriguez earned both a Master of Music Poret-Willard Poret-Willard Dr. Porterfield Dr. Porterfield Dr. Palmer Dr. Palmer Distinguished Members Rodriguez Rodriguez

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