About the Directors

Russell Blackburn is a choir director and pianist/organist originally from Birmingham, Alabama. He holds a Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Samford University in Birmingham, AL. Mr. Blackburn serves as the choir director at Riverheads Middle School and Riverheads High School, and regularly accompanies other choirs and musicals throughout the valley. Mr. Blackburn began studying music at the age of five by taking piano lessons and singing in the internationally acclaimed Birmingham Boys Choir. Professionally, Mr. Blackburn has competed in international choral competitions in France, Austria, and South Korea, with two second place prizes at the Florilège Vocal de Tours in Tours, France, and a first place prize in the small ensemble competition also in Tours, France. As a choral arranger, Mr. Blackburn’s pop a cappella arrangements have been performed by collegiate and award winning high school and middle school show choirs. Before joining the family at Riverheads, Mr. Blackburn worked as a Middle School Choir Director in Kinston, North Carolina and a High School Choir Director in Eufaula, Alabama, as well as multiple church choir/organist jobs in Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia. When not working with musicians, Mr. Blackburn enjoys spending time with his Wife, two dogs, and two cats. 

The "about the Director" information for Mrs. Caretti will be uploaded soon! 

The "about the Director" information for Mr. Mark will be uploaded soon!