Sigma Alpha Iota

sai-national.org • SPRING 2018 • PAN PIPES 33 to perform with the Dallas Symphony, Dallas Bach Society, Dallas Winds, Orpheus Chamber Singers, and the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. Prior to becoming full-time Artistic Director of the Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas, Nott taught choral music in public middle schools for 23 years. She continues to serve as a clinician and consultant for music teachers, conductors, and singers throughout the United States. She is also a frequent guest conductor, appearing by invitation with youth choirs across the country. Now celebrating its 21st season, the Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas is one of America's largest and most prestigious youth choral programs, and serves as the official children's chorus of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Cynthia Nott, Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas is dedicated to providing Dallas-area young people with opportunities to study and perform choral music at the highest level of artistic excellence, in a group that reflects the region's ethnic and economic diversity. e chorus' eight choral ensembles serve more than 500 children and teens in grades 4–12, drawn from 53 communities throughout a 33-mile radius of downtown Dallas. Approximately 4,500 patrons annually attend the Chorus' Deloitte Concert Series, held at Dallas' world-class Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center. is season, through ancillary regional performances and community engagement initiatives, Children's Chorus of Greater Dallas will extend the enrichment of choral music to more than 20,000 children, youth, and adults. Nott holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University and a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Southern Methodist University. D O R O N P H I L L I P S Doron Phillips was initiated as a National Arts Associate by the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter in March. Phillips was born in Hayward, CA, and relocated to the Atlanta area at the age of nine. Aer graduating Stephenson High School in Dekalb County, he attended Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach and participated in the Marching Wildcat band. He graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, emphasis in Euphonium Performance, and received a Master's in Education from Walden University. Immediately following graduation he took on the task of rebuilding the band program at Forest Park High School in Forest Park, GA. e program had about 20 band members when he first started there in 2007 and the band has now grown to over 100 members. Phillips continues to teach at Forest Park High School and make a difference in the lives of many students. Doron also serves as a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, the National Association for Music Educators, and the Georgia Music Educators Association. He resides in McDonough, GA, with his wife, Tau A Province Officer Jammie Phillips, and their three children. N I N A P R YO R Nina Pryor was initiated as a National Arts Associate by the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter in March. Pryor is a native of Mobile, Alabama and a proud graduate of Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi. Mrs. Pryor participated in the world famed "Sonic Boom of the South" marching band. During her four year participation she served as piccolo section leader for three years, principle flute/oboe in the symphonic band, orchestra, and flute ensemble. She graduated in 2004 Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Mrs. Pryor continued her academic studies at Indiana University - Purdue University in Indianapolis. While at IU she obtained a Master of Science in Music Technology degree with honors distinction in 2005. She has been an educator for 14 years. During her teaching career she has: served as general music, Band, and Orchestra Director at Francis Scott Key Elementary School in Indianapolis, IN; Orchestra Director at Salem Middle School in Dekalb County, GA; Director of Bands at Carver School of the Arts in the Atlanta Public School System; served as Director of Bands at Tucker High School in Dekalb County, GA which included marching, symphonic, jazz, and orchestra; Fine Arts Department Chair; class of 2015 and 2016 sponsor at Tucker High School and Teacher of the Year. Nina is currently the Director of Bands at Drew Charter School in Atlanta, GA. Under Pryor's leadership and baton her concert, symphonic, and marching bands have all consistently received ratings of superior and excellent at local, regional, district, and state competitions. One of her proudest accomplishments was at the 2012 GMEA Large Group Performance Evaluation where the Tucker High School Symphonic Band received their first straight superior rating in over twenty years. Additionally throughout her High School teaching career she has been instrumental in successfully preparing students for college auditions. As of today, her students have received over $20 million in music scholarships. During her career, Pryor has demonstrated a true commitment to academic excellence. She was a writer for the new Georgia Performance Standards for Band, a member of the Dekalb County School District Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Professional Learning Team (CIAPAL), served on the Curriculum Designers Incorporated Community of Practice Committee, and was the Race to the Top Facilitator for Tucker High School. During her time with the Atlanta Public School District she served on the Class Keys Redelivery Team, the Leadership Team at Carver School of the Arts, e Bill and Melinda Gates "Youth Truth" Facilitator, ACCUPLACER Coordinator, and as a member of the Atlanta Public Schools Fine Arts Committee. Pryor's recognitions and honors include 2007- 2008 Teacher of the Year for Carver School of the Arts, Semi-Finalist for District-wide Teacher of the Year for Atlanta Public Schools, and the 2008 Project GRAD Exemplary Teacher. TA R I K R O W L A N D Tarik Rowland was initiated as a National Arts Associate by the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter in March. Rowland is in his thirteenth year as Director of Bands at Tri-Cities High School in East Point, GA, and his nineteenth year as a music educator. An Atlanta native, Mr. Rowland attended Riverwood High School. He earned his Bachelor's from Georgia Southern University and a Master's of Music Education at Shenandoah DISTINGUISHED MEMBERS

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