2017-2018 Florida NAfME Collegiate Executive Board
Chapter Advisor: Dr. Shelby Chipman
Dr. Shelby R. Chipman is an associate professor at Florida A&M University (FAMU). His responsibilities in the Department of Music include teaching Instrumental Music Education, conducting, and coordinating student recitals and student teachers (as music interns). Additionally, he conducts the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and String Ensemble.
He is a native of Miami, where he graduated from Miami Northwestern Senior High. He received his Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science and Music Education from Florida A&M University, where he was conducting student of Dr. William P. Foster and Dr. Julian E. White. Professor Chipman completed his master’s degree in music education at the University of Illinois, and received his Ph.D. in music education from the Florida State University (FSU) College of Music.
Prior to his appointment at FAMU, he taught music in the Miami-Dade County Public School system for 10 years. His band program at Miami Central High School developed into one of the finest band programs in the country. As much as a teacher as he was a musician, Dr. Chipman was named Teacher of the Year during the 1993-94 school year. Under his leadership the Rocket Marching band performed in the 1993, 1995, and 1997 King Orange Jamboree Parades, 1993 Heritage Festival (New Orleans), 1990-96 FAMU’s Homecoming Festivals (Tallahassee, Fla.), 1992-97 MLK Parades & Festival (St. Petersburg, Fla.), 1997 Macy’s Day Parade (New York City), and numerous other marching events. The Miami Central High School Symphonic Band performed at the prestigious Bands of America National Concert Festival in Indianapolis, IN.
Dr. Chipman is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA), College Band Directors National Conference (CBDNA), FMEA Black Caucus, and Bethel AME Church (Tallahassee). He has coordinated numerous band festivals and had the pleasure of working with James Croft, Timothy Reynish, James Suddith, Jim Sparks, Gary Green, Anthony Maiello, and Eugene Corporon, who represent some of the finest conductors in the world. In addition to working with these outstanding conductors, Dr. Chipman has presented music education and conducting clinics on several public school and college campuses, as well as given lectures at the FMEA conference and Mid-West Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. He is an active adjudicator and clinician throughout the Southeastern United States and currently serves as music director/conductor of the Tallahassee Big Bend Community Orchestra, as well as the Florida collegiate advisor for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Dr. Chipman is married to Detrick LaShawn and together they have one son, Israel Armenian Chipman.
As an educator, Dr. Chipman believes that all students can learn. He believes there are obstacles that create barriers, but through faith, guidance, and love anything can be accomplished. “As educators, it is our responsibility to encourage students to maintain their focus,” Chipman said. “There is good in all and we are challenged to bring out the best in students.”
Dr. Shelby R. Chipman is an associate professor at Florida A&M University (FAMU). His responsibilities in the Department of Music include teaching Instrumental Music Education, conducting, and coordinating student recitals and student teachers (as music interns). Additionally, he conducts the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and String Ensemble.
He is a native of Miami, where he graduated from Miami Northwestern Senior High. He received his Bachelor of Science degrees in Computer Science and Music Education from Florida A&M University, where he was conducting student of Dr. William P. Foster and Dr. Julian E. White. Professor Chipman completed his master’s degree in music education at the University of Illinois, and received his Ph.D. in music education from the Florida State University (FSU) College of Music.
Prior to his appointment at FAMU, he taught music in the Miami-Dade County Public School system for 10 years. His band program at Miami Central High School developed into one of the finest band programs in the country. As much as a teacher as he was a musician, Dr. Chipman was named Teacher of the Year during the 1993-94 school year. Under his leadership the Rocket Marching band performed in the 1993, 1995, and 1997 King Orange Jamboree Parades, 1993 Heritage Festival (New Orleans), 1990-96 FAMU’s Homecoming Festivals (Tallahassee, Fla.), 1992-97 MLK Parades & Festival (St. Petersburg, Fla.), 1997 Macy’s Day Parade (New York City), and numerous other marching events. The Miami Central High School Symphonic Band performed at the prestigious Bands of America National Concert Festival in Indianapolis, IN.
Dr. Chipman is a member of Kappa Kappa Psi Band Fraternity, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Music Fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Music Educators National Conference (MENC), Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA), Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA), College Band Directors National Conference (CBDNA), FMEA Black Caucus, and Bethel AME Church (Tallahassee). He has coordinated numerous band festivals and had the pleasure of working with James Croft, Timothy Reynish, James Suddith, Jim Sparks, Gary Green, Anthony Maiello, and Eugene Corporon, who represent some of the finest conductors in the world. In addition to working with these outstanding conductors, Dr. Chipman has presented music education and conducting clinics on several public school and college campuses, as well as given lectures at the FMEA conference and Mid-West Band & Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. He is an active adjudicator and clinician throughout the Southeastern United States and currently serves as music director/conductor of the Tallahassee Big Bend Community Orchestra, as well as the Florida collegiate advisor for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Dr. Chipman is married to Detrick LaShawn and together they have one son, Israel Armenian Chipman.
As an educator, Dr. Chipman believes that all students can learn. He believes there are obstacles that create barriers, but through faith, guidance, and love anything can be accomplished. “As educators, it is our responsibility to encourage students to maintain their focus,” Chipman said. “There is good in all and we are challenged to bring out the best in students.”
President: Michael Gabriel
Michael Gabriel is a student at the Florida State University pursing a Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education. He is a Seminole Torchbearer, Garnet and Gold Scholar, and recipient of the College of Music Academic Leadership Award. Gabriel is in demand as a conductor on campus, having performed three conducting recitals and conducted several ensembles including the University Philharmonia, Trombone Choir, Saxophone Orchestra, and Electronic Chamber Orchestra. As a proponent of new music, he has premiered and commissioned several new works for various chamber groups, and consistently advocates for rising composers in his programs. His private conducting teacher is Dr. Alexander Jimenez; he additionally studies with Dr. Patrick Dunnigan and Prof. Richard Clary. As a trombonist, he studies with Dr. John Drew; he has played with ensembles including the University Wind Orchestra and Symphonic Band.
As a researcher, Gabriel studies with Dr. Clifford Madsen, and is currently preparing a defense of his Undergraduate Honors Thesis, studying the teachings of the late Dr. James Croft. Gabriel is the current president of the Florida Collegiate division of NAfME, and is a Past-President of the Florida State University CNAfME chapter. He is also the Student Coordinator of the FSU College of Music Board of Advisors Program, and is a member of the College of Music Dean's Student Advisory Council.
Michael is a Founding Coordinator of the Annual Florida Music Education Association Collegiate Music Education Initiative at the Florida Capitol, and has actively advocated for music education in both Washington D.C. and Tallahassee. He has given presentations on advocacy in state-level Music Education conferences, and has assisted several state collegiate MEAs in building their local advocacy initiatives.
Michael Gabriel is a student at the Florida State University pursing a Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education. He is a Seminole Torchbearer, Garnet and Gold Scholar, and recipient of the College of Music Academic Leadership Award. Gabriel is in demand as a conductor on campus, having performed three conducting recitals and conducted several ensembles including the University Philharmonia, Trombone Choir, Saxophone Orchestra, and Electronic Chamber Orchestra. As a proponent of new music, he has premiered and commissioned several new works for various chamber groups, and consistently advocates for rising composers in his programs. His private conducting teacher is Dr. Alexander Jimenez; he additionally studies with Dr. Patrick Dunnigan and Prof. Richard Clary. As a trombonist, he studies with Dr. John Drew; he has played with ensembles including the University Wind Orchestra and Symphonic Band.
As a researcher, Gabriel studies with Dr. Clifford Madsen, and is currently preparing a defense of his Undergraduate Honors Thesis, studying the teachings of the late Dr. James Croft. Gabriel is the current president of the Florida Collegiate division of NAfME, and is a Past-President of the Florida State University CNAfME chapter. He is also the Student Coordinator of the FSU College of Music Board of Advisors Program, and is a member of the College of Music Dean's Student Advisory Council.
Michael is a Founding Coordinator of the Annual Florida Music Education Association Collegiate Music Education Initiative at the Florida Capitol, and has actively advocated for music education in both Washington D.C. and Tallahassee. He has given presentations on advocacy in state-level Music Education conferences, and has assisted several state collegiate MEAs in building their local advocacy initiatives.
President Elect: Jennifer Luechauer
Jennifer Luechauer is Senior at Florida State University currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education with her primary as flute. Jennifer has performed with the FSU Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Flute Choir. She was the President of the Sigma Alpha Iota Beta Alpha Chapter at FSU and the FLCNAfME State Secretary. Jennifer also served as the flute section leader for the Marching Chiefs in 2016, is currently on the Board of Advisors for the College of Music and is the President of FSU's Collegiate NAfME Chapter. She plans to graduate in Fall of 2018 and hopes to teach high school anywhere in Florida before returning to school to pursue a Master's Degree in Music Education.
Jennifer Luechauer is Senior at Florida State University currently pursuing a Bachelor's Degree in Instrumental Music Education with her primary as flute. Jennifer has performed with the FSU Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Flute Choir. She was the President of the Sigma Alpha Iota Beta Alpha Chapter at FSU and the FLCNAfME State Secretary. Jennifer also served as the flute section leader for the Marching Chiefs in 2016, is currently on the Board of Advisors for the College of Music and is the President of FSU's Collegiate NAfME Chapter. She plans to graduate in Fall of 2018 and hopes to teach high school anywhere in Florida before returning to school to pursue a Master's Degree in Music Education.
Secretary: Abigail Workman
Abigail Workman is a Senior at Florida Southern College currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education where she studies Clarinet under Stacey McColley. She has been playing clarinet for 11 years during which time she has participated regularly in all-state, and various honor bands throughout the Central Florida area. Recently, she attended the prestigious Buffet Summer Clarinet Academy during which time she studied with Marc Nuccio Principal of New York Philharmonic, Ixi Chen Second Clarinet of Cincinatti Orchestra, and Pasqual Martinez of New York Philharmonic. Currently, she is Principle Clarinetist in the Florida Southern College Symphony Band and Orchestra. She also plays in a Woodwind Quintet and has recently taken on Bass Clarinet in the Clarinet ensemble.
Abigail previously served as secretary of the NAfME Collegiate chapter at Florida Southern and now currently serves as President of NAfME Collegiate at Florida Southern and secretary of the Florida Southern College Orchestra Board. Outside of her studies Abigail spends her summers working band camps across Central Florida with more recent camps being Florida Southern Band Camp, Florida Southern Orchestra Camp, Okeechobee High School, and Pine Ridge High School as Woodwind Technician.
Abigail is also a member of Omicron Delta Kappa The National Leadership Honor Society where she serves as Vice President of the Florida Southern Chapter, Sandwich Ministries where she serves as President and feeds the homeless weekly, The FSC Chapel Connections Team where she serves various roles as a volunteer for campus ministries, Delta Omicron a Professional Music Fraternity where she serves as Publicity Chair and Warden, Kappa Delta Pi the Education Honors Society, and a Resident Advisor where she has previously served as a mentor and leader of first year students. Abigail was recently one of eight Central Florida students to receive The 49 Fund, a prestigious scholarship founded by an Orlando businessman to honor those lost in the Pulse tragedy in June of 2016. Abigail is passionate about LGBTQ inclusion and looks to advocate for LGBTQ rights in education and teach Middle School Band upon receiving her diploma from Florida Southern College.
Abigail Workman is a Senior at Florida Southern College currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education where she studies Clarinet under Stacey McColley. She has been playing clarinet for 11 years during which time she has participated regularly in all-state, and various honor bands throughout the Central Florida area. Recently, she attended the prestigious Buffet Summer Clarinet Academy during which time she studied with Marc Nuccio Principal of New York Philharmonic, Ixi Chen Second Clarinet of Cincinatti Orchestra, and Pasqual Martinez of New York Philharmonic. Currently, she is Principle Clarinetist in the Florida Southern College Symphony Band and Orchestra. She also plays in a Woodwind Quintet and has recently taken on Bass Clarinet in the Clarinet ensemble.
Abigail previously served as secretary of the NAfME Collegiate chapter at Florida Southern and now currently serves as President of NAfME Collegiate at Florida Southern and secretary of the Florida Southern College Orchestra Board. Outside of her studies Abigail spends her summers working band camps across Central Florida with more recent camps being Florida Southern Band Camp, Florida Southern Orchestra Camp, Okeechobee High School, and Pine Ridge High School as Woodwind Technician.
Abigail is also a member of Omicron Delta Kappa The National Leadership Honor Society where she serves as Vice President of the Florida Southern Chapter, Sandwich Ministries where she serves as President and feeds the homeless weekly, The FSC Chapel Connections Team where she serves various roles as a volunteer for campus ministries, Delta Omicron a Professional Music Fraternity where she serves as Publicity Chair and Warden, Kappa Delta Pi the Education Honors Society, and a Resident Advisor where she has previously served as a mentor and leader of first year students. Abigail was recently one of eight Central Florida students to receive The 49 Fund, a prestigious scholarship founded by an Orlando businessman to honor those lost in the Pulse tragedy in June of 2016. Abigail is passionate about LGBTQ inclusion and looks to advocate for LGBTQ rights in education and teach Middle School Band upon receiving her diploma from Florida Southern College.
Treasurer: Rachel Stern
Rachel Stern is a fourth year Music Education major with an instrumental emphasis at the University of Florida. Rachel currently serves as the treasurer of the University of Florida NAfME chapter. She represented the College of the Arts in the Student Government Senate during the 2016-2017 term and co-authored a resolution to renovate the music building. She created the first annual UF Arts Day to bring awareness and support to the College of the Arts at UF. Rachel became a sister of Sister of Sigma Alpha Iota, Delta Gamma chapter in the spring of 2015 and has served as the program chair. Rachel held the position of Student Director at the Palm Beach County Band Camp and worked as a Low Brass Instructor for high school marching band camps. She has worked as a private instructor for tuba students and has recently spent summers working at Luzerne Music Center in New York and BU Tanglewood Institute in Massachusetts. Rachel is the first recipient of the Bill Booth Tuba Scholarship. She has performed with the UF Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Gator Bass Tuba Ensemble, Basketball Pep Band, and Brass Quintet. Rachel currently serves as the President of Gator Bass Tuba Ensemble and has served as a section leader for the Fighting Gator Marching Band sousaphone section. Rachel plans to pursue a Master's Degree in Music Education and teach middle or high school band after graduating.
Rachel Stern is a fourth year Music Education major with an instrumental emphasis at the University of Florida. Rachel currently serves as the treasurer of the University of Florida NAfME chapter. She represented the College of the Arts in the Student Government Senate during the 2016-2017 term and co-authored a resolution to renovate the music building. She created the first annual UF Arts Day to bring awareness and support to the College of the Arts at UF. Rachel became a sister of Sister of Sigma Alpha Iota, Delta Gamma chapter in the spring of 2015 and has served as the program chair. Rachel held the position of Student Director at the Palm Beach County Band Camp and worked as a Low Brass Instructor for high school marching band camps. She has worked as a private instructor for tuba students and has recently spent summers working at Luzerne Music Center in New York and BU Tanglewood Institute in Massachusetts. Rachel is the first recipient of the Bill Booth Tuba Scholarship. She has performed with the UF Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Gator Bass Tuba Ensemble, Basketball Pep Band, and Brass Quintet. Rachel currently serves as the President of Gator Bass Tuba Ensemble and has served as a section leader for the Fighting Gator Marching Band sousaphone section. Rachel plans to pursue a Master's Degree in Music Education and teach middle or high school band after graduating.
Parliamentarian: William Bunker
William Bunker is a student at Florida Southern College pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education with an anticipated graduation date of spring of 2018. He is a Roux Scholar and FMBC Leadership Scholar recipient. He is a tuba player in Florida Southern College’s Tuba Ensemble, a Trombonist in the Trombone Ensemble and Principle Tuba in both Symphony Band, and Orchestra. William studies tuba with Professor Lawrence Burke and trombone with Dr. Brian Brink.
William Is currently the Parliamentarian of the Florida Collegiate Division of NAfME; and the current Membership Chair and Advocacy Chair of Florida Southern College’s CNAfME chapter. He is also a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa circle, and Kappa Delta Pi chapter at Florida Southern College. William is the current Brass Tech for Okeechobee High School Brahman Band which he has served for the past three years. William also worked with Florida Southern College’s Music Department as a counselor during FSC Band Camp.
William Bunker is a student at Florida Southern College pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Instrumental Music Education with an anticipated graduation date of spring of 2018. He is a Roux Scholar and FMBC Leadership Scholar recipient. He is a tuba player in Florida Southern College’s Tuba Ensemble, a Trombonist in the Trombone Ensemble and Principle Tuba in both Symphony Band, and Orchestra. William studies tuba with Professor Lawrence Burke and trombone with Dr. Brian Brink.
William Is currently the Parliamentarian of the Florida Collegiate Division of NAfME; and the current Membership Chair and Advocacy Chair of Florida Southern College’s CNAfME chapter. He is also a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa circle, and Kappa Delta Pi chapter at Florida Southern College. William is the current Brass Tech for Okeechobee High School Brahman Band which he has served for the past three years. William also worked with Florida Southern College’s Music Department as a counselor during FSC Band Camp.
Advocacy Chair: Justin Fitzpatrick
Justin Fitzpatrick is a Senior Instrumental Music Education Student from Tallahassee, Florida. He currently attends Florida A&M University. He currently serves as University Bands President. He also is the President for the FAMU NAfME Chapter as well as President of the Harmonic Minors Men’s Club, a service organization within the Department of Music at Florida A&M University. After graduation, he plans on attending graduate school to get a degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Wind Band Conducting.
Justin Fitzpatrick is a Senior Instrumental Music Education Student from Tallahassee, Florida. He currently attends Florida A&M University. He currently serves as University Bands President. He also is the President for the FAMU NAfME Chapter as well as President of the Harmonic Minors Men’s Club, a service organization within the Department of Music at Florida A&M University. After graduation, he plans on attending graduate school to get a degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Wind Band Conducting.
