Voting will occur via OPUS from January 13 - January 27, 2025
Band Division Chair
CHRISTINE KRAEMER
Christine Kraemer is honored to be considered for GMEA State Band Chair. Through her experiences with GMEA as a student in Troup County to serving as a music educator for over 29 years, she has admired the work that has been done by leaders in this state to provide educational opportunities to young musicians and all human beings. She values the community that GMEA has established for students, teachers, and school districts on all levels. She would be honored and value being of service to GMEA as a state band chair by continuing to help Georgia grow as one of the strongest music educator associations in the nation.
Mrs. Kraemer has experience teaching in many diverse areas and socio-economical settings around the state. She started her career in District 2, Lee County Georgia, as the band director at Lee County Middle School. She learned the value of equitable opportunities for students and educators in rural areas, and she has promoted these opportunities when she served on leadership committees with GMEA. Mrs. Kraemer worked for 14 years in Newton County at Cousins Middle School, a Title I school. Her time at Cousins Middle School was invaluable as she also served as the school district's Music Content Specialist helping align K-12 music programs in 14 elementary schools, 6 middle schools and 3 high schools. During her time in Newton County Schools, she worked to provide opportunities for students with socio-economic challenges, resources they needed to reach their goals for higher education and career readiness through music education. Mrs. Kraemer serves and has served GMEA and District 4 in many leadership positions including District Band Chair (four years), District Chair (four years), All State Committee (6 years), LGPE Adjudicator, and is currently serving as the state's Middle School All State Organizer. She was also recognized by GMEA as Volunteer of the Year.
Mrs. Kraemer co-authored and implemented “Power in the Progress System” a curriculum for middle and high school band and orchestra students. She has been invited to present the Power in the Progress curriculum and related Student Achievement Tracking System (SATS) in various areas around the state including the GMEA In-Service Conference, LaGrange College Outreach Program, and the University of Georgia Woodwind Methods classes and Student Teacher Practicum classes. In 2011 she served on the writing committee of the Georgia Performance Standards and again in 2017, she served on the Georgia Standards of Excellence revision committee at the Georgia Department of Education.
Mrs. Kraemer is currently the band director at Beacon Hill Middle School in Decatur, a unique and urban community adjacent to Atlanta. Students in all of Mrs. Kraemer’s programs have earned superior ratings at LGPE, superior ratings at Solo & Ensemble, placement in All State Band, and placement in District Honor Band. Additionally, her students have participated in UGA's Middle School Band Festival and
performed multiple times at the GMEA Inservice conference (lobby ensemble).
Along with her duties at Beacon Hill Middle School, Mrs. Kraemer is an active adjudicator for various concert band festivals including GMEA's LGPE. Her professional affiliations include membership in the NAfME, GMEA, and Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Honor Fraternity. She graduated with honors (magna cum laude) earning her bachelor’s degree in music education with an emphasis in woodwind pedagogy from Columbus State University. Additionally, she earned two master’s degrees (music performance in conducting and music education) from the University of Georgia. Outside of teaching, Christine is the (recently widowed) wife of H Dwight Satterwhite (retired band director) and lives in Athens. She loves to "talk (band) shop,” create recipes in the kitchen, cultivate plants in the home garden as she keeps up with SEC football. Go Dawgs!
LEAH WILLIAMS
Leah Williams has served as Director of Bands at Bonaire Middle School since the 2005-2006 school year. Prior to her appointment as Director of Bands, she served as the Assistant Director at Bonaire Middle for three years. Ms. Williams received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Mercer University in 1999, Master of Music in Saxophone Performance degree from the University of Georgia in 2002, and Specialist in Music Education degree from Auburn University in 2006.
Bands under Ms. Williams’s direction have consistently earned Superior ratings at Large Group Performance evaluations. The Bonaire Middle School Band is always well-represented at District Honor Band, South Georgia Region Honor Band, All-State Band, and Solo and Ensemble Performance Evaluations. The Bonaire Middle School Symphonic Band has been selected to the Southeastern Regional Concert Festival at Georgia State University twice since 2019.
Ms. Williams is a member of the Georgia Music Educators Association, National Band Association, and NAfME. She is a state adjudicator for Large Group Performance Evaluations and also an active clinician in the state. In 2015, Ms. Williams was named Teacher of the Year at Bonaire Middle School and was runner-up for Houston County Teacher of the Year. She also performs with the Wellston Winds community band in Warner Robins.
As far as leadership roles, Ms. Williams has had several over the years. Currently, Ms. Williams serves as District Chair for District Eleven, Department Chair for Connections at Bonaire Middle School, Middle School Band PLT Lead for Houston County, and is a member of the Team Forward leadership team at Bonaire Middle School. Ms. Williams has also served as an LGPE organizer in District Eleven since 2005 and was District Treasurer the previous three years.
Ms. Williams lives in Kathleen, Georgia with her 3 rambunctious pups, Sophie, Emma, and Daisy, and her sweet fat cat, Felicia. In addition to teaching band, Ms. Williams enjoys all things nerdy, video games, cooking, and traveling.
Choral Division Chair
JAY CHAMPION
Jay Champion has taught chorus, general music, and electronic music composition at Lost Mountain Middle School in Kennesaw since 1998. The choral program at Lost Mountain Middle School serves almost 200 singers in five choirs; three grade-level mixed choirs, and a multi-level Boys Choir and Girls Choir. Many consider the choral program to be among the best in the state. Mr. Champion’s choirs have been invited to perform in various music workshops, festivals, and conferenceperformances including Georgia State University, Kennesaw State University, and the University of South Carolina, the Georgia ACDA Conference, and twice at the GMEA In-Service Conference.
Mr. Champion has a long history of contributions to choral music education in our state. He served as the organizer for the GMEA District 12 Middle School LGPE event for fifteen years and newsletter editor for the Georgia Chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association for five years. He was the founder and director of Encore Choir Camp for eight years. He is in his third year as the District 12 Choral Chair, and his fourth year as a member of the All-State Chorus Standing Committee. As a member of the All-State Chorus standing committee, Mr. Champion did the research and presentation of data that lead to the formation and permanent adoption of the GMEA Middle School Tenor-Bass All-State Chorus in 2024.
Mr. Champion often serves as a clinician, guest conductor, music technology instructor, composer, and arranger. He has conducted mixed and tenor-bass honor choirs in several districts in Georgia and Texas. Recognized as a leader in choral music and in the use of technology in the music classroom, Mr. Champion has taught professional courses and presented at several state and national conventionsin both choral and music technology tracks, and as a guest lecturer at universities. He was a contributor to the popular music education book “Growing Musicians: Teaching Music in Middle School and Beyond” by Dr. Bridget Sweet.
Mr. Champion was raised among strong choral traditions in Edinburg, Texas. His formative music experiences included singing in several district, region and all-state choirs, many collegiate choral summer camps, playing piano at church and in jazz bands, and singing in the famous “Mariachi Oro” at Edinburg North High School. He earned Bachelor Degrees in Music Education as a voice major and Music Composition from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. While at LSU, he served as President of the Beta Omega Chapter and Collegiate Province Representative for Province 14 of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, President of the ACDA Student Chapter, and Director of Music at Christ the King Catholic Student Center. He earned his Master's Degree in Music Education and Education Specialist Degree at the University of Georgia. He has performed and recorded with the LSU A Cappella Choir, the Moses Hogan Chorale, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus, the Orpheus Men’s Ensemble, and Coro Vocati. With those ensembles, he has performed at many state, regional, and national ACDA conferences, and in concerts throughout the US and Europe. In his 20 years as a member of the ASO Chorus and Chamber Chorus, he has performed over a dozen times at Carnegie Hall, three times in Berlin with the Berlin Philharmonic, and has sung on several Grammy-winning recordings. When the members of the ASO were on strike, Mr. Champion supported their efforts by serving as the bass soloist for the ATL Musicians’ performance of Mozart’s Requiem.
Mr. Champion has enjoyed success in a wide variety of areas of composition and music production. He has written countless arrangements for string quartets, choirs, and orchestras ranging from children’s choirs to professional ensembles. Mr. Champion has served as a church musician since the age of fifteen, currently serving as a music minister at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Marietta. He lives in Marietta with his wife Evelyn, their sons David, Charlie, and Sam, and their dog, Pepper.
DR. KRISTEN DONALDSON
Dr. Kristen Donaldson has served throughout Georgia as a middle and high school Choral Director for the past 15 years. Dr. Donaldson is the Director of Choirs at the Esther F. Garrison School for the Arts in Savannah, GA.
Prior to her position at Garrison, Dr. Donaldson served as the Director of Middle and High School Choirs at George Walton Academy and as the Director of Middle School Choirs at Oconee County Middle School. At Oconee County Middle, Dr. Donaldson was named Teacher of the Year for the 2021 - 2022 School Year.
Choirs under Dr. Donaldson’s direction have made superior ratings in regional and state festivals, LGPE, and have performed in prestigious venues across the United States and throughout Europe. Dr. Donaldson has served as a state organizer for GMEA Sixth Grade Statewide Honor Choir since 2013. She has been honored to guest conduct for Honor Choirs in Districts 1,13,and 14. She currently serves as co-organizer for the District 1 Honors Chorus in Savannah. Dr. Donaldson also works closely with ACDA as the Middle/Junior High Coordinator for the Southern Region. She looks forward to guest conducting Elaine Hagenberg’s “Illuminare” for the MidAmerica Productions 2026 Residency in Stockholm and Uppsala in July 2026.
Dr. Donaldson is a firm advocate for and believer in the mission of GMEA. She would be honored to serve and support our choral programs throughout the state if given the opportunity.
College Division Chair
DR. EMILY HOBSON-GALLARDO
Dr. Emily Hobson-Gallardo is thrilled to join the music faculty at the University of North Georgia as the Director of Choral Activities. Prior to this appointment she served on faculty at Georgia State University and Oglethorpe University. She recently returned to the Atlanta area after completing her Doctorate in Choral Conducting at the University of Houston MooresSchool of Music. While in Houston she served as the Assistant Conductor of the Mercury Chamber Orchestra, Rehearsal Conductor of the Houston Symphony Chorus, and as the Assistant Conductor/Choral Conducting Intern with the GRAMMY award-winning Houston Chamber Choir. Prior to relocating to Houston, she was the Assistant Director of Choirs at the University of West Georgia and taught middle and high choral school programs in Fayette County and Marietta City Schools.
A diverse choral conductor and music educator, she is originally from Mississippi where she received her Bachelors of Music Education degree from Mississippi State University. She then went on to obtain her Masters degree in Choral Conducting graduating from Georgia State University in Atlanta, studying with Dr. Deanna Joseph. As a clinician, honor choir conductor, and adjudicator, she has conducted all ages and skill levels as well as worked with many different organizations and schools in the southeast.
Her research is primarily concerning the Performance Practice of Italian Convent Musicians of the Early Modern Period and Rehearsal Ownership in Music Rehearsals. She recently presented a session entitled; Gratifying and Engaging Early Music Repertoire for Treble Choirs at the Texas Music Educators Association Conference and will present a session in the Spring of 2025 at the South Carolina Music Educators Association Conference.
DR. CHARLES JACKSON
Chuck Jackson is a seasoned music educator with 46 years of experience in teaching, conducting, and mentoring aspiring musicians. Currently serving as a Full-Time Lecturer in Music Education at the Georgia State University School of Music in Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Jackson teaches instrumental music education courses and plays a key role as the Student Teacher Coordinator and Faculty Advisor for the Georgia State University Collegiate Chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). His dedication to fostering the next generation of music educators and musicians has made him a respected figure in Georgia's music education community.
Dr. Jackson’s extensive career in education and music includes over three decades as a Director of Bands in the public school system, with 28 of those years spent in the Cobb County School District, Georgia. His commitment to teaching and inspiring students led to a career shift in 2022, when he transitioned to a full-time position at Georgia State University. Before his appointment, Dr. Jackson served for nine years as a Part-Time Assistant Professor of Music Education at Kennesaw State University.
In addition to his role at GSU, Dr. Jackson has been the conductor of the Cobb New Horizons Symphonic Band since 2016. This all-adult community band, based in Cobb County, is comprised of over 100 retired professional and amateur musicians. His leadership continues to be a source of inspiration for the band’s members, many of whom are lifelong musicians returning to their craft after retirement.
Dr. Jackson holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education with cognate areas in Trumpet Performance and Conducting from the Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia. He also earned an Education Specialist degree from Georgia State University, a Master of Science in Music Education from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign), and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Southern Mississippi. As a graduate student, he studied trumpet under the guidance of David Hickman and conducting with Dr. Harry Begian.
An active clinician and advocate for music education, Dr. Jackson has presented at notable conferences including the 2018 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, the Music for All Summer Symposium (2007-2019), the Western Carolina University Summer Symposium (2017-2022), and the Missouri Bandmasters Association Summer Convention (2021). He has also conducted Honor Bands across Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, and regularly serves as a band and trumpet clinician in schools throughout Georgia. His expertise as a band adjudicator has taken him to performance evaluations in Tennessee, Virginia, Indiana, and across Georgia.
Dr. Jackson’s professional affiliations include memberships in the Georgia Music Educators Association, the National Association for Music Education, Pi Kappa Lambda, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma (Honorary), Omicron Delta Kappa, Kappa Delta Pi, and Phi Eta Sigma.
Outside of his professional work, Dr. Jackson is dedicated to his family. He lives in Acworth, Georgia, with his wife, Jane. Together, they have four children—Mary Roosmann (Evan), Vince Jackson, Stephen Jackson (Rachael), and Angie Boice (Eli)—as well as a grandson, Kasper Danet.
With a career spanning nearly half a century, Dr. Chuck Jackson has shaped the lives of countless students, musicians, and educators. His unwavering commitment to music education continues to inspire those fortunate enough to work with him.
Elementary Division Chair
tramaine quarterman
With over 21 years of experience in music education and leadership, Tramaine Quarterman is a highly motivated and results-driven educator, dedicated to creating enriching musical experiences for students while fostering community engagement. Throughout her career, Tramaine has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence in choral music, a passion for empowering students, and a track record of innovative leadership in both the classroom and the broader school community.
As a Choral Director, Music Appreciation Teacher, and Student Council Advisor, Tramaine has led dynamic programs, motivating students through a variety of performance opportunities and community involvement. She was instrumental in adapting her choral program during the pandemic, ensuring that students continued to thrive and stay connected. Tramaine has developed initiatives designed to amplify the voices of students from diverse cultural backgrounds, foster open communication among students of varying ethnicities, and create opportunities for cross-cultural learning. These initiatives aim to promote mutual understanding and empathy, helping students connect on a deeper level and appreciate one another's humanity.
Tramaine's leadership extends beyond the classroom, where she has successfully revitalized defunct programs, directed award-winning choirs, and nurtured the growth of both beginning and advanced vocalists. She is known for her ability to inspire students through creative and challenging lessons that enhance musicianship, sight-reading, and ensemble performance. Her innovative approach to choral music has fostered the development of multiple honor choirs, school-wide initiatives like the Young Ladies Empowerment Summit, and a culture of support and camaraderie among faculty and staff.
As a candidate for the GMEA Elementary Division Chair position, Tramaine brings with her a wealth of experience in choral music, administrative duties, and team leadership. Her track record includes successfully balancing rehearsal schedules, parent communications, and budgeting for large-scale programs, as well as promoting the involvement of students in school and community events. She is dedicated to strengthening the choral community statewide, advocating for educational equity, and providing students with opportunities to achieve their fullest potential as musicians and leaders.
SHEILA SMITH
Sheila Smith, a veteran elementary instrumental and general music teacher with over twenty years’ experience, strives to connect music with real-world experiences to her students as well as lead her fellow music colleagues in her district and state.
As the General Music Specialist at an IB-PYP (International Baccalaureate-Primary Youth Program), and STEM school, Sheila regularly links music activities and performances with hands-on, active research, and cutting-edge technology.
Sheila is an endorsed Teacher-Leader with years’ experience supporting new teachers in her building and serves as a music facilitator for her district’s monthly new teacher professional learning community trainings. She works closely with her county’s Music Coordinator as the Elementary Music Lead Teacher on the county’s Music Resource Team. Her experience includes chairing her district’s Elementary Honor Chorus, serving on her county’s curriculum writing team, and outside of the county, Sheila has served as a resource to Georgia PCS music certification test preparation team. Sheila is also a DeKalb County TAPP (Teacher Academy for Preparation and Pedagogy) instructor for teachers seeking their initial teacher certification.
This year, Sheila will have the opportunity to present at two music teacher conferences (GMEA and the NAfME Eastern Division Conference in Connecticut). Sheila’s elementary school music chorale will make their debut presentation in January at GMEA as a lobby performing group. Her passion is to uplift music teachers, sharing what she learns, and making a difference in the lives of children.
Orchestra Division Chair
DR. ANNALISA CHANG
Annalisa C. Chang is Director of Orchestras at Roswell High School in Roswell, Georgia. Prior to this position, she served as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Music Education at Clayton State University. At Clayton State, Dr. Chang taught general music education courses, string methods, music for early childhood, music appreciation, and supervised student teachers. She was named the 2022-2023 Gene Hatfield Teacher of the Year by the CSU College of Arts and Sciences and received the 2024 Pearson Excellence in Higher Education Award in the Transformational Thought Leadership category. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, she served as the Director of the CSU Music Preparatory School.
Her research on string teacher education, the inclusion of students with disabilities in string classrooms, and equitable access to music education has been presented at state, national, and international music education conferences. Her work has been published in the String Research Journal, the Florida Music Director, and the ArkMEA Journal. She is an active member of the American String Teachers Association and is currently serving on the editorial committee of the String Research Journal. She previously served on the editorial committee of the American String Teacher, the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and was GA ASTA Secretary. Dr. Chang is also active in the National Association for Music Education, having recently served as the chair of the Accessible Music Education SRIG and the Georgia CNAfME advisor.
As a clinician, Dr. Chang has presented sessions on teaching students with disabilities, string education, classroom management, and traditional (folk) music instruction in the schools at state in-service conferences (Georgia, Florida, Texas, and North Carolina), the American String Teachers Association National Conference, and the Midwest Clinic.
Dr. Chang holds degrees in Music Education from Florida State University (Ph.D), and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (M.M., B.M) where she was a North Carolina Teaching Fellow.
BO NA
Originally from Seoul, Korea, Bo Kyung Na embarked on her musical journey at the age of ten, quickly earning admission to the prestigious Sun Hwa Arts School by the age of twelve. Her passion for the cello led her to Denmark, where she continued her studies under the guidance of Andres Gron at the Royal Conservatory in Copenhagen. Later, during her middle school years in Athens, Georgia, she refined her skills further through private studies with Dr. David Starkweather.
Bo Kyung Na holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Cello Performance from the University of Georgia, where she received a scholarship throughout her four-year tenure. During her master’s studies, she was honored with the J. Kimball Harriman Award.
Mrs. Na is now in her ninth year as the Middle School Orchestra Director at the Westminster Schools in Atlanta, where she has built a successful orchestra program that inspires students to grow and thrive. Before joining Westminster, she directed orchestras at Creekland Middle School, North Gwinnett Middle School, and Hull Middle School.
Orchestras under her direction have earned widespread recognition through performances at state and national conferences. In 2009, Creekland Middle School was selected to perform at the GMEA state conference, followed by North Gwinnett Middle School in 2012. In 2014, North Gwinnett Middle School showcased its talent at the prestigious Midwest Clinic International Band, Orchestra, and Music Conference in Chicago. More recently, in 2020, the Westminster Junior Chamber Orchestra performed at the GMEA state conference, and in 2023, the Westminster Festival Orchestra earned 2nd place at the ASTA National Orchestra Festival. This December, the Westminster Middle School orchestra will proudly represent their program at the Midwest Clinic, marking another milestone in her career.
Mrs. Na actively contributes to the music education community as a Georgia Music Educators Association member, where she serves as an All-State Orchestra organizer. She also served as president of the American String Teachers Association, Georgia Chapter.
When she’s not teaching, Mrs. Na enjoys traveling, staying active, and cherishing time with her husband, Tony, and their sons, Alex and Eric.