Dr. Jennifer Sengin joined the UMKC Conservatory faculty in August 2023 as Visiting Assistant Professor of Choral Studies where she leads the graduate choral conducting program and conducts the flagship ensemble, Conservatory Singers as well as the Choral Union. In addition to ensembles, Dr. Sengin teaches graduate choral conducting and choral literature.

She most recently served as the Associate Director of Choral Activities at Georgia State University where she conducted the Treble Choir, Choral Union, and taught graduate choral literature, graduate and undergraduate conducting, and undergraduate choral methods. While at GSU, the choral program grew from three choirs to five choirs including the creation of two additional choral ensembles.

Under her direction, the GSU Treble Choir (formerly Women’s Chorus) won first place in The American Prize and Dr. Sengin received 2nd place in conducting. The Treble Choir has been invited to perform at a National Collegiate Choral Organization conference and twice at the GMEA Conference (2020 and 2023). While at GSU, Dr. Sengin received two university-wide awards –the 2022-2023 Non-Tenure Track Faculty Achievement Award and the 2021-2022 GSU Instructional Effectiveness Award. Dr. Sengin recently participated as a Conducting Fellow with ACDA’s International Conductor Exchange Program to Germany. 

An active guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, and presenter, Dr. Sengin has conducted honor choirs throughout the country and recently conducted the 2023 Texas All-State Treble Choir. Dr. Sengin has presented sessions at various national, regional, and state conferences and at universities throughout the United States and Germany. She currently serves as the Director of Musical Arts at Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta and sings in the award-winning professional ensemble, mirabai, under the direction of Sandra Snow.

Dr. Scurlock is Dean of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College, Associate Professor of English and African American Studies, and Senior Fellow of the Luckyday Residential College. Dr. Scurlock became a faculty member at the University of Mississippi in 1996 and has taught honors courses for over 16 years. Prior to being named Dean, Dr. Scurlock was also the Director of African American Studies. She is a native of Memphis and earned her BA in English from the University of Tennessee and M.A. and Ph.D. from Bowling Green State University of Ohio. Dr. Scurlock has published numerous articles and reviews of African American literature in signal publications. Her excellence in teaching is notable, being named the College of Liberal Arts Teacher of the Year in 2003, UM Humanities Teacher of the Year, and the Elsie M. Hood Outstanding Teacher Award in 2011. A 2013-2014 SEC Academic Leadership Development Program Fellow, Dr. Scurlock has also been recognized by the Mississippi House of Representatives for her work to promote diversity.