Stephania Abell, Director
Stephania Abell is currently in her 17th 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 has served on the Executive Board of the Oklahoma Choral Director's Association 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 boys, both students in NPS and budding musicians and athletes. She is starting her second year of directing the Norman Singers in Fall 2017. |
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.
Carrie Hoipkemier, OU Conducting Intern
Carrie Hoipkemier is currently a PhD student in Music Education at the University of Oklahoma. Previously, she received her bachelor's degree in instrumental music education fro Oklahoma Baptist University, and her master's from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Carrie is in her twelfth year as a music educator, teaching as a graduate assistant at OU. Her experience encompasses PK-12 grade music in band, orchestra, choir, Humanities and more. Carrie's musical life started in her father's children's church choirs, until she started clarinet in band 25 years ago. She has since picked up saxophone, trombone, flute, double bass, and ukulele, along with singing. She also spends her time singing with the church choir at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City, or singing as a cantor for the Sisters of Mercy at Mercy hospital. In her infinite spare time, Carrie dreams about peanut M&M's and Coke; she knits, reads, and plays with her dogs; and she watches classical movies. Carrie is starting her first semester with the Norman Singers in Fall 2017. |
