2018-2019 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: 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 Immediate Past-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 Immediate Past-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.
President Elect: Katherine Attong-Mendes
Katherine Attong-Mendes is a Junior Music Education Major at the University of Miami. She is an oboe principal, and has performed with the Frost Symphonic Winds, Frost Wind Ensemble, and Frost Symphony Orchestra. Katherine is also a member of the Frost Band of the Hour Marching Band and Pep Band, and will serve as the 2018 Drum Major. She also currently serves as the Vice President of Service for the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. Katherine plans to graduate in the Spring of 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, and is open to any career opportunities that involve music and teaching.
Katherine Attong-Mendes is a Junior Music Education Major at the University of Miami. She is an oboe principal, and has performed with the Frost Symphonic Winds, Frost Wind Ensemble, and Frost Symphony Orchestra. Katherine is also a member of the Frost Band of the Hour Marching Band and Pep Band, and will serve as the 2018 Drum Major. She also currently serves as the Vice President of Service for the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Tau Beta Sigma. Katherine plans to graduate in the Spring of 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, and is open to any career opportunities that involve music and teaching.
Secretary: Emma Harmon
Emma Harmon is a Senior at Florida State University studying General/Elementary Music Education with a Specialized study in Special Music Education. She is a voice principal studying with Professor Evan T. Jones. She has been a member of the Florida State University Singers for the past 2 years and has been on two East Coast tours with the ensemble, and served as the choir's Secretary for the 2017-2018 school year. She is currently the 2018 President of the Florida State Collegiate chapter of NAfME. Emma is currently an Intern with the Council on Culture and Arts in Tallahassee, and the Missions Coordinator and Campus Outreach Intern for UKirk Tallahassee, the PC(USA) Campus Ministry serving FSU & TCC. She is also involved in student activities at FSU as a Service Scholar through the Center for Leadership and Social Change and a member of Garnet and Gold Key. Emma intends to graduate in May of 2019 with plans to teach or attend graduate school.
Emma Harmon is a Senior at Florida State University studying General/Elementary Music Education with a Specialized study in Special Music Education. She is a voice principal studying with Professor Evan T. Jones. She has been a member of the Florida State University Singers for the past 2 years and has been on two East Coast tours with the ensemble, and served as the choir's Secretary for the 2017-2018 school year. She is currently the 2018 President of the Florida State Collegiate chapter of NAfME. Emma is currently an Intern with the Council on Culture and Arts in Tallahassee, and the Missions Coordinator and Campus Outreach Intern for UKirk Tallahassee, the PC(USA) Campus Ministry serving FSU & TCC. She is also involved in student activities at FSU as a Service Scholar through the Center for Leadership and Social Change and a member of Garnet and Gold Key. Emma intends to graduate in May of 2019 with plans to teach or attend graduate school.
Treasurer: Tyler Marais
Tyler Marais is a Junior at Florida Southern College studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He has been playing Saxophone for over 9 years and is currently a student of Valerie Gillespie. Tyler is the 1st Vice-President of Florida Southern's Collegiate chapter of NAfME and as Treasurer for the Theta Sigma chapter of Phi Mu Alpha. He has also participated in a student mentorship program at Florida Southern and have worked with numerous bands from Pinellas and Hillsborough County. Tyler hopes to graduate Spring of 2020 in hopes of a Music Educator position within the state of Florida.
Tyler Marais is a Junior at Florida Southern College studying for a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He has been playing Saxophone for over 9 years and is currently a student of Valerie Gillespie. Tyler is the 1st Vice-President of Florida Southern's Collegiate chapter of NAfME and as Treasurer for the Theta Sigma chapter of Phi Mu Alpha. He has also participated in a student mentorship program at Florida Southern and have worked with numerous bands from Pinellas and Hillsborough County. Tyler hopes to graduate Spring of 2020 in hopes of a Music Educator position within the state of Florida.
Parliamentarian: Caterina Papadopulos
Caterina Papadopulos is a senior at the University of Miami pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She has been studying classical French horn for 12 years, and currently studies in the studio of Professor Richard Todd at the Frost School of Music. Caterina is currently serving as President of the University of Miami’s collegiate chapter of NAfME and represents the Music Education department on the Frost School’s Student Council. She is also heavily involved in the Frost Band of the Hour Marching and Pep Bands, having served as the Bb Horn section leader and Social Media Head since the 2016 season. Caterina is a sister of the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, where she is serving as Recording Secretary, and the Sigma Chi chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, where is the incoming President for the 2018-2019 academic year. After graduating in the Spring of 2019, Caterina hopes to begin teaching in elementary or middle school classrooms, and one day work her way into the collegiate field teach pre-service music educators in the future.
Caterina Papadopulos is a senior at the University of Miami pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She has been studying classical French horn for 12 years, and currently studies in the studio of Professor Richard Todd at the Frost School of Music. Caterina is currently serving as President of the University of Miami’s collegiate chapter of NAfME and represents the Music Education department on the Frost School’s Student Council. She is also heavily involved in the Frost Band of the Hour Marching and Pep Bands, having served as the Bb Horn section leader and Social Media Head since the 2016 season. Caterina is a sister of the Gamma Epsilon chapter of Tau Beta Sigma, where she is serving as Recording Secretary, and the Sigma Chi chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, where is the incoming President for the 2018-2019 academic year. After graduating in the Spring of 2019, Caterina hopes to begin teaching in elementary or middle school classrooms, and one day work her way into the collegiate field teach pre-service music educators in the future.
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.