Guest Clinicians

Dr. Andy Paney

The University of Mississippi &
The Oxford Children's Chorus
​Boychoir

Andrew S. Paney, Professor of Music, is a dedicated educator specializing in elementary music methods at the University of Mississippi. With experience teaching in elementary and middle schools in Illinois and Texas, he currently directs the Oxford Children’s Chorus, where he nurtures a love for singing among young learners.
 
Dr. Paney is passionate about music literacy and the joy of singing, frequently presenting on music reading and children's choral techniques at various conferences and workshops. His leadership roles include serving as President of the Southern Division of the Organization of American Kodály Educators, President of Kodály Mississippi, and a member of the editorial board for the Kodály Envoy. Through his collaborative approach, Andrew is committed to enhancing music education and inspiring children to find their voices in song.

Erin Towe

Georgia Children's Chorus
​​Girls Choir

Erin Towe is the Artistic Director of the Georgia Children’s Chorus, a community youth choir in residence at the University of Georgia. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with an emphasis in vocal studies from the University of Georgia as well as a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting from Georgia State University.

Erin first joined the GCC Family as a singer and then served as Assistant Director to the chorus before becoming Artistic Director in 2021. She has worked with several choral ensembles in the North Georgia area including The Georgia State Master Singers as co-director, The Atlanta Young Singers as Assistant Director, and the Chancellor Choir at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Duluth, GA as Assistant Director where she also served as Director of Children’s Music. Erin taught K-5 elementary general music in Gwinnett and Clarke Counties for four years.

​She is currently on staff with the Music Ministry Team at Athens First United Methodist Church where she directs the elementary choirs. She is a member of the Atlanta Chapter of the Chorister’s Guild, the Georgia Music Educators Association, and the American Choral Directors Association.

Dr. Susan Brumfield

Texas Tech University &
The ​West Texas Children's Chorus
​​Mixed Choir

Dr. Susan Brumfield is the founder and Artistic Director of The West Texas Children’s Chorus. She holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma. Dr. Brumfield is known for her work as a teacher, author, composer and conductor. In frequent demand as a commissioned composer, clinician and guest conductor, she recently conducted the 2018 ACDA Eastern Division Children’s Honor Choir, and joins the artistic staff of the Pacific International Choral Festival this summer as conductor of the 2019 Treble Choral Festival Choir.

An internationally recognized expert in the Kodály approach, Dr. Brumfield is the author of First, We Sing! Kodály-Inspired Teaching in the Music Classroom, a series of textbooks and song anthologies published by Hal Leonard Music. Dr. Brumfield’s other publications include Hot Peas and Barley-O: Children’s Songs and Games from Scotland, Over the Garden Wall: Children’s Songs and Games from England, and Kentucky Mother Goose, co-authored with American folk legend Jean Ritchie She is currently working on Giro Giro Tondo: Children’s Songs and Games from Italy. Dr. Brumfield is a contributing author for Music Express Magazine and McGraw Hill’s Music Studio.

​Dr. Brumfield was honored in both 2012 and 2014 with the Texas Tech University College of Visual and Performing Arts Award for Outstanding Research, and as a two-time finalist for the President’s Book Award.  She is the 2019 recipient of the prestigious Barnie E. Rushing Jr. Award for Research at Texas Tech University.