Sigma Alpha Iota

37 sai-national.org | Fall 2026 Spiridon Márquez-Barrios Dr. Márquez-Barrios is a music faculty member at Truman State University, where he serves as Music Department Chair and teaches theory and composition. He founded and directs Uncommon Practice, Truman State's contemporary music ensemble, and is a composer and guitarist. As a composer, he advocates for amplifying underrepresented voices. His catalog of works includes compositions for a variety of solo instruments, chamber ensembles, mixed choir, electronics, concert band, and symphony orchestra. His music has been performed, published, and recorded by soloists and ensembles from Latin America, the US, and Europe, and have been programmed at international music festivals such as the Latin American Music Festival (Caracas, Venezuela), XVII Festival of Contemporary Music of Havana (Cuba), 20eme Festival Internacional de la Clarinette (Martinique), and the Hollywood Fringe Festival (Los Angeles). Dr. Márquez-Barrios received the McKnight Visiting Composer Grant in 2022, creating a composition on the lived experiences of Latino immigrants. He has been awarded fellowships at residencies across the US (MacDowell, Kimmel Harding Nelson, and Virginia Center for the Creative Arts), and has been a recipient of grants and commissions from national and international institutions such as New Music USA, Ibermúsicas, the International Double Reed Society, and the American Composers Forum. He works with Epsilon Pi on the North Star Music Festival, an annual event featuring concerts of new music, serving as Festival Director. Dr. Márquez-Barrios earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition, a Master of Music in Composition, and a Master's in Music Theory Pedagogy, all from Michigan State University, and a Bachelor's in Music Composition from the University Institute of Musical Studies in Caracas, Venezuela. Dr. Jane Marrero Dr. Jane Marrero was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Gamma Theta Chapter at Georgia Southern University in April. With hundreds of performances in opera's most challenging leading roles, Dr. Marrero has enjoyed debut and return engagements with various operas including the Nashville Opera, Opera San Antonio, Opera Southwest, and New York's Kaye Playhouse. She currently teaches applied voice at Georgia Southern University's Gretsch School of Music, and previously taught at Louisiana State University and University of West Georgia. In addition to a concert tour of China with performances in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, Dr. Marrero has appeared in concert with symphonies across the US including the Kennedy Center's National Symphony Orchestra, Hartford Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Fort Worth Symphony. Dr. Marrero is a recipient of many awards, including national winner in the coveted MacAllister Awards and a Shoshana Award from the Richard F. Gold Career Grant Foundation. Dr. Marrero earned a Doctor of Musical Arts from Louisiana State University. Dr. Kristen Spiridon Dr. Kristen Spiridon was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Gamma Theta Chapter at Georgia Southern University in April. Dr. Spiridon is an active performer and teacher in the southeast, and is the Lecturer of Clarinet at Georgia Southern University. She serves as Principal Clarinet of the Savannah Philharmonic and Coastal Symphony; Co- Principal Clarinet of the Rock Hill Symphony; and Second Clarinet of the South Carolina Philharmonic. Previously, she was Second Clarinet with both the Augusta Symphony and the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic. In the summer season, Dr. Spiridon serves as the head of woodwinds at the Georgia Governor's Honors program. She has performed with numerous orchestras, notably the Atlanta Ballet, Charlotte Symphony, and Jacksonville Symphony, and appeared in concert at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Midwest Clinic, and the WASBE clinic. A respected teacher and lecturer, Dr. Spiridon has been invited to give masterclasses at Boston University, Georgia Southern University, Miami University of Ohio, and George Mason University. Dr. Spiridon earned a Doctorate in Music Education from Liberty University, a Masters and Artist Diploma from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a Bachelors in both Performance and Music Education from the Peabody Conservatory of Music. Dr. Roberta Winemiller Dr. Roberta Winemiller was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Philadelphia Alumnae Chapter in September 2025. Dr. Winemiller has a distinguished career as a conductor, educator, and performer. She has served as Conductor of the Rose Tree Pops Orchestra since 2001, directing programs spanning classical, pops, jazz, and contemporary repertoire. A professional bassoonist and saxophonist, she remains active as a freelance musician and private instructor and has performed at such venues as Carnegie Hall. Previously, she served as Chamber Series Director and Principal Bassoon of the Delaware County Symphony. Appointed to the Bowling Green State University's College of Music Arts Board of Tutors, Dr. Winemiller was presented with the President's Distinguished Service Award. She retains memberships with the Delaware County Arts Consortium, the Delaware County Symphony, and Pi Kappa Lambda, and was inducted into the Marquis Who's Who. Dr. Winemiller earned as PhD in Music Education from the Esther Boyer College of Music at Temple University, a Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from Temple University, a Master of Music Performance from Kent State University, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Bowling Green State University. DISTINGUISHEDMEMBERS Marrero Winemiller

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