Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES SUMMER 2015 SAI-NATIONAL.ORG 22 Dr. Diba Alvi Dr. Diba Alvi was initiated by Gamma Epsilon at the Iota A Province Day in April. Dr. Alvi, an operatic soprano and adjunct professor at the University of Maryland, College Park and Peabody Conservatory, is equally as dedicated a teacher as she is a talented performer. She is known by her students and peers as a professor who always goes above and beyond in her teaching, thus having received recognition such as the Distinguished Teaching Assistantship Award and the Robert McCoy Teaching Assistantship Award from the University of Maryland. Dr. Alvi continues to inspire her students with her passion for music, while firmly stressing the importance of continuous education. Maureen Joan Butler Maureen Joan Butler was initiated by the Central New Jersey Alumnae Chapter in May. As a musician and educator, Butler has developed a distinguished career in music for local and international special needs students. A pianist, organist, and choral director, she has worked with the Lakeland Youth Symphony Orchestra, Kean University, and New Jersey City University. She holds annual workshops at the New Jersey Music Educators Association State Music Conferences, focusing on students with special needs with attention given to those with hearing difficulties. She is a monthly contributor to the New Jersey Music Educators Association newsletter. Carolyn T. Comitta Carolyn T. Comitta, Mayor of West Chester, PA, was initiated by the Epsilon Epsilon Chapter at Chi A's Province Day in March, which took place at West Chester University. Mayor Comitta has shown incredible support to the music and arts programs at West Chester University as well as throughout the community. She attends numerous performances throughout the academic year and is involved in the "Arts at WCU" event held annually within the College of Visual and Performing Arts. She is also a part of the West Chester University School of Music Dean's Advisory Board. Outside of the music setting, Mayor Comitta likes to stay involved in numerous service projects to help the community blossom and grow. Dr. Terry Alan Crull Dr. Terry Crull was initiated by the Alpha Phi Chapter in April. He is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Fort Hays State University. He conducts for five different choirs, is music director of the Fall Musical, supervises choral student teachers, and instructs courses in choral conducting, choral music education, and music appreciation. Professional memberships are in American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, and the Barbershop Harmony Society. His choirs have been chosen to perform several times for the Kansas Music Educators Association and gone on tour three different times throughout his eight years at FHSU. In addition, he has been a guest conductor for numerous festivals throughout the country. He earned his Bachelor's from Dordt College, his Master's from the University of South Dakota, and Doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado. Dionne Ellis Dionne Ellis was initiated by the Mu Gamma Chapter in April. Dionne Ellis has a Bachelor's in Music Education and is currently the music educator at An Achievable Dream Academy in Newport News, VA. In this role, she is responsible for organizing the Teacher/Faculty Choral group, educating K - Grade 5 fundamentals of music, which includes instruments, genres, and music composition based on the Music Standards of Learning and many other district and school initiatives that range from crime prevention to the winter programs that are geared toward community relations. She sought out multiple ways to include music into daily routines of the classroom. Recently, she led a professional development program where she used music to demonstrate how music can help to manage student behavior. Erik Hanson Erik Hanson was initiated by the Seattle Alumnae Chapter in May. Mr. Hanson received a Bachelor's from Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA. With a music career spanning over twenty-five years, he has been a big band and small ensemble composer, arranger, and leader; recording industry synthesist, arranger, band coach, and producer in Los Angeles, CA; private music educator; and jazz pianist. He founded Jazz Night School in 2008. It grew steadily, and became a nonprofit organization in 2011. Jazz Night School has become Seattle's largest, fastest-growing jazz program for all ages, with participants from age 12 to 70. Dr. Todd Edwin Hill Dr. Todd Hill was initiated by the Iota Beta Chapter in April. He is an outstanding musician and music educator. rough his time as jazz professor at Murray State University, Dr. Hill has been recognized with his students through numerous endeavors. In 2014 alone, Dr. Hill led the MSU jazz orchestra to the Elmhurst Jazz Festival in February and the Midwest Jazz Festival last December. Hill has an extensive music resume. Dr. Hill is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Phi Beta Mu, Kappa Kappa Psi, National Association for Music Educators, Kentucky Music Educators Association, International Tuba Euphonium Association, College Band Directors National Association, and the Murray Rotary Club. Dr. Susanna Loewy Dr. Susanna Loewy was initiated by the Mu Zeta Chapter in May. She is Assistant Professor of Flute at Kutztown University and a Faculty Advisor for Mu Zeta. Dr. Loewy has been an influential teacher and musician in the Philadelphia area where she is a teaching artist for the Philadelphia Orchestra and Project 440 which encourages, empowers, and educates communities through the power of music. Dr. Loewy was a quarter finalist for the 2015 Grammy Music Educator Award and is the founder and curator of the Pike Falls Chamber Festival in Jamaica, Vermont. Bruce E. McFarland Bruce E. McFarland was initiated by the Iota Chi Chapter in April. McFarland is a doctoral FRIEND OF THE ARTS a man or woman who is supportive of and actively involved in the arts at a local or regional level DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS Alvi Butler Comitta Crull Hill

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