Mrs. Kay Tippett
Orchestra Director

Mrs. Tippett is presently an instrumental music teacher at Sykesville Middle School. In 1994, she was the instrumental music teacher at Sudbrook Magnet Middle School in Baltimore County. She received her undergraduate degree at Frostburg State University and has completed a Masters program at Western Maryland College. Mrs. Tippett has taught in the Carroll County Schools for over 20 years and served as Director of Bands and Orchestra at Westminster West Middle from 1978 to 1994. The Symphonic Band had the honor of performing in a clinic setting for the 1991 MMEA State Music Conference. Mrs. Tippett has served as an adjudicator and conductor in various Maryland counties and was the guest conductor for the 1994 Maryland Junior All-State Band. She received the MMEA Award for Excellence in 1991 as the outstanding music teacher in the Western Region. Mrs. Tippett is an adjunct faculty member at Western Maryland College where she teaches string pedagogy courses. Mrs. Tippett is a member of the Maryland Band Directors Association, the Maryland Music Education Association and the Maryland State Teachers Association.

Mr. Andrew Spang
Band Director

Mr. Spang received his Master of Music degree from the Eastman School of Music where he served as a studio and education teaching assistant. While there he did a lot of conducting of large brass ensembles, including serving as Music Director of TUBA+, Eastman's large tuba/euphonium ensemble. Mr. Spang has taught conducting and directed ensembles at the New England Summer Arts Program. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Tuba Performance from The Boston Conservatory. Currently Mr. Spang has a private studio of nearly 50 students on all brass instruments.

Ms. Laura Baker
Choral Director

Ms. Baker is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of The Boston Conservatory where she received her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education. While at The Conservatory, she received Sigma Alpha Iota's (the Professional Women's Music Fraternity) Honor Award for Academic Excellence. She teaches music at Robert Moton Elementary School in Westminster, Maryland. Ms. Baker is also the Bell Choir and Children/Youth Choir Director at Westminster United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Deborah Barron
String Coach

Mrs. Barron received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Shenandoah College and Conservatory and currently substitutes in the Carroll County Public Schools. She is an adjunct faculty member at Western Maryland College, where she teaches violin and viola lessons. She is a former member of the Columbia Orchestra and is an accomplished freelance violinist. Mrs. Barron worked at Stu's Music Shop for five years as the Sheet Music Buyer and currenly maintains a private violin/viola studio.

Mrs. Elaine Bryant
Harp Instructor

Mrs. Bryant received a Bachelor's degree in harp performance from Temple University, a Music Education Certification from Towson University, and a Master's degree from The Johns Hopkins University. She has performed with the Gettysburg and Johns Hopkins Symphonies and has her own business, Harp Shadows, as a freelance harpist. Mrs. Bryant currently maintains a private harp studio and teaches music appreciation at Carroll Community College.

Mrs. Mindy Niles
General Manager

Mrs. Niles received a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College and a Master of Music degree in Oboe Performance from the University of North Carolina. She has been a member of the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony Woodwind Quintet. Mrs. Niles has served as an adjudicator for the Maryland Junior All-State Band and Solo & Ensemble Festivals, and performs frequently as a freelance oboist. She has been an instrumental music teacher in the public schools and currently maintains private oboe studios in Carroll and Howard counties.

Mrs. Amy Zimmerman
String Coach

Mrs. Zimmerman received a Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree from Towson State University. She currently teaches strings at Westminster and Friendship Valley Elementary Schools and directs the orchestra at West Middle School. She is pursuing a Master's degree at The Peabody Conservatory and teaches privately at Stu's Music Shop. She has participated in International String Workshops in Austria and continues to do freelance work in the Baltimore area.

Mr. Scott Zimmerman
Guitar Instructor

Mr. Zimmerman received a Bachelor's degree in Music Education, majoring in guitar, at Towson University. He currently teaches general music at Sykesville Middle School and maintains a studio of private and group instruction on classical and contemporary guitar styles. Mr. Zimmerman has participated in a guitar workshop in Atlanta and is pursuing a Master's degree at The Peabody Conservatory.