Mr. Burns is a native of Detroit, Michigan, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and a Master of Music Education from Bowling Green State University.

Prior to his appointment at New Albany, Mr. Burns served four years as the Choral Director at Perrysburg High School and Hull Prairie Intermediate School, where he led the Tenor-Bass Chorus, Treble Chorus, and A Cappella Choir, and assisted with the Curricular Show Choir, Competitive Show Choir, and 5th and 6th Grade Choir.

Under Mr. Burns’s leadership, ensembles at Perrysburg High School earned 21 Superior Ratings at OMEA Large Group Contest and were invited to perform at both the Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference and the Ohio Choral Directors Association Conference, both in 2023. In addition to his classroom teaching, Mr. Burns has music directed The Addams Family, Into the Woods, Little Shop of Horrors, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He has also served as a Link Crew Coordinator for Perrysburg High School’s freshman orientation program.

Outside of the classroom, Mr. Burns has served as Choir Director at St. John Lutheran Church in Port Clinton and Collingwood Presbyterian Church in Toledo. He is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, and the Ohio Choral Directors Association, where he currently serves as Co-Chair of the Summer Honor Choir.

Now entering his fifth year of teaching, Mr. Burns is thrilled to begin his next chapter as a proud New Albany Eagle and looks forward to inspiring the next generation of musicians!

Mrs. Bates holds a master’s degree in Education Administration from Ashland University and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Otterbein University. 

Her extensive experience with youth choirs ranges from teaching vocal and instrumental music in the public school setting to serving as a staff member of Kinderchor of Ohio and Con Brio Children and Youth Choirs.

Mrs. Bates is the Founding Artistic Director of Capriccio Youth Choir, fostering the mission that all young people can experience the joy of singing and all are welcome to be a part of a music family. 

She also serves as the Managing Director for SINGergy, Treble Festival Chair for the Ohio Choral Directors Association Board and is an active member of the Ohio Music Education Association and the Ohio Choral Directors Association. Additionally, Mrs. Bates is the vocal director for the musicals at Worthington Kilbourne High School, where she has music directed Into the Woods, Mary Poppins, Secret Garden, Bright Star, and many more. She is an active clinician for choral ensembles, mentor to future music educators, and a collaborative musician in her community. 

Mrs. Bates is excited for this school year ahead as the co-director of 6th Grade Choirs!