Sigma Alpha Iota

PAN PIPES • SUMMER 2016 • sai-national.org 30 is the Director of Choral Music and Assistant Professor of Music at Tennessee State University (TSU). Upon her arrival, Dr. Kelly chartered a chapter of the American Choral Association and tripled the membership of the university's choral club and the Meistersingers. Outside of her work at TSU, she sings with Vox Grata and serves as a substitute singer and pianist at several Nashville churches. Su- san also continues to sing soprano with e Lyric Consort, an eight-voice a cappella ensemble based in northeast Pennsylva- nia, which has performed at numerous concert series. Dr. Kelly taught chorus and general music to grades 7-12 at Mid Valley Secondary Center. In five years, the program grew from 25 singers to over 200 singers, encompassing 5 choirs. She then served for ten years as Direc- tor of Choirs at Abington Heights High School, where she directed the 150-voice Concert Choir, the Women's Ensemble, the Men's Ensemble, the Mixed Ensemble, and was music director for the musical theatre productions. Dr. Kelly holds Bachelor degrees in Music Education and English Education from Wilkes University, a Master's in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting from Temple University, and a Doctorate in Choral Conducting from the University of South Caro- lina. Shaun Lazar Shaun Lazar was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Eta Mu Chapter in April. Shaun Lazar is a freelance violinist and music teacher. She lives in Long Island, NY, where she has a studio of over 25 violinists. She has performed with the Regina Opera Orchestra and South Shore Symphony Orchestra and continues to do so with Centre Symphony Orchestra and Rockaway. A clinician and participant in various string symposia around the country, she also served as string ensemble director at Molloy College. She holds a Bachelor's in Violin from the University of Maryland and studied at the SUNY Purchase Conservatory and Mannes College The New School for Music Preparatory Division. Dr. Katherine M. Loring Dr. Katherine M. Loring was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Gamma Zeta Chapter at Old Dominion University (ODU). Dr. Loring has been a longtime friend to the chapter and the school. Each year, with the help of SAI, Dr. Loring puts on a benefit concert entitled "Her Melody Lingers On," in remembrance of her daughter, Claire (a very talented jazz vocalist at ODU), who was lost to domestic violence. Proceeds benefit the Claire Cucchiari-Loring Memorial Scholarship. Dr. Loring is currently serving as Vice President at Virginia Wesleyan College after serving as Special Assistant to the President, Vice President for Administration, and Director of Adult Studies. She previously served as Senior Program Administrator for Syracuse University Continuing Education and Program Officer and Women's Studies Coordinator for the Great Lakes Colleges Association. She holds a summa cum laude bachelor's from Hiram College, a Master's in English from The University of Michigan, and a Ph. D in English from the University of Michigan. Her memberships include the National University Continuing Education Association Task Force on the Infusion of Cultural Diversity and Gender into the Curricula of Higher Education, the Editorial Board of Continuing Higher Education Review, and the Advisory Committee to the Association of American Colleges, reporting on campus climate for women faculty. David McGuiggan David McGuiggan was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Alpha Beta Chapter in May. e Undergraduate Academic Advisor for the Fred Fox School of Music at the University of Arizona, McGuinnan serves on the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee and maintains the School of Music undergraduate handbook. He previously served as Undergraduate Admission Coordinator there and as Administrative Assis- tant to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs for the university's College of Nursing. He holds a degree in Computer Technology from Westmore- land County Community College. Dr. Mark Mecham Dr. Mark Mecham was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Delta Alpha Chapter in April. He most recently served as Music Department Chair, D. Clark and Edna J. Carmean Distinguished Professor of Music, and Director of Choral Music Activities at Lebanon Valley College (LVC). During his time at the college, he began both the Music Recording Technology and Music Business programs, which have since grown to be some of the strongest programs at the college. He also opened the door for chamber ensembles at LVC by creating the Chamber Choir in 1991. He has guest conducted honor choirs all over the country, published multiple articles regarding music education, and is a recipient of multiple community music awards. Dr. Mecham has been an avid supporter of SAI, specifically the Delta Alpha Chapter. He has attended every American Music Recital the chapter performed, and he has donated music from his personal library to the chapter to assist in the advancement of American music. He earned his Bachelor of Music, with a Utah State Certificate in Secondary Education, and Master's in Choral Conducting from the University of Utah, Salt Lake City and a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Choral Music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. William Pelto William Pelto was initiated as a Friend of the Arts by the Epsilon Theta Chapter in April. Pelto serves as Dean and Professor of Music at Mariam Cannon Hayes School of Music, at North Carolina's Appalachian State University. He has directed the university's accreditation process with the National Association of Schools of Music, secured space for Community Music School, coordinated development of the Rosen-Schaffel Competition for Young and Emerging Artists, and facilitated the Hayes School of Music faculty's strategic planning process. He serves as chair of both the American Council on Education Fellows Internal Review Committee and College of Fine and Applied Kelly Lazar Loring McGuiggan Mecham Pelto DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS FRIENDS continued from page 29

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