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 seventh year of directing the Norman Singers in Fall 2022.
Melody Palm, Accompanist
Melody Palm has been accompanying choirs since her own junior high days. She earned both Bachelor and Master degrees from Illinois State University, and worked several years as a Registered Music Therapist. Since relocating to Oklahoma in 2015, she has accompanied for Moore Public Schools, Canterbury Youth Voices and various soloists and ensembles for competitions and recitals.