Stephania Abell, Director
Stephania Abell is currently in her 22nd year of teaching in Oklahoma and since 2008 has been at Norman High School. She is active as both adjudicator and clinician in the state, judging concert contests as well as solo and ensemble and serving as clinician for several regional festivals and honor choirs. She was a performing member of Canterbury Choral Society (OKC) for 10 years and also served as interim director of Canterbury Children's Chorus in 2004-2005.
Mrs. Abell received her Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Music Education from the University of Oklahoma in 1999, where she was a member of the University Choir, University Chorale, and Academia Filharmonica. Prior to completing her degree at OU, Mrs. Abell served in the United States Air Force as a computer programmer and performed with the elite troupe "Tops in Blue", traveling to 45 states and 17 countries, including Cuba, Guam, Turkey, and Japan on the 9 month tour. She is currently the President of the Oklahoma Choral Directors' Association and has served on the board as Southwest Representative and Junior High All-State Chair and Jazz All-State Chair, and also served Ok Music Educator's Ass'n. as Vocal VP. She holds active memberships in the National Ass'n for Music Eduction, American Choral Directors Association, the National Education Association, and Sigma Alpha Iota. Stephania and her husband Chuck live in Norman and have two sons. She is starting her sixth year of directing the Norman Singers in Fall 2021. |
Susan Babcock, AccompanistA native of Oklahoma City, Susan received both her bachelor's and master's of music degrees from the University of Oklahoma and has accompanied the choral society for more than five years. She also accompanies Norman High School North choirs and has provided keyboard support for various instrumentalists, choirs and vocalists at the university and high school levels.
Joshua Chism, OU Conducting Intern
In his third semester as Conducting Intern, Joshua Chism (b. 1987) holds a BME degree and a BM–Composition degree from Missouri State University in Springfield (2010). He also holds an MM in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri–Columbia (2019).
He is currently a doctoral student at the University of Oklahoma pursuing a PhD in Choral Pedagogy and Conducting. He has a wide range of professional experiences that include teaching in the K-12 setting, composing, performing, researching, and conducting. His music education philosophy hinges on the centrality and quality of the music making process and its transformative power. He is also an avid church musician serving in numerous capacities in houses of worship. In his spare time, he likes to compose, travel, garden, eat sushi, and play board games. Joshua, his wife Natalie, and their young son Jacob currently reside in Norman. Visit www.joshuachism.com for more information. |
