Conference "Kick-off Soiree"

The ACDA/MMEA Executive Board is excited to kick off an AMAZING conference with you! 🎉

Join us Sunday night at Patio 44 in Hattiesburg for our “Kick-Off Soiree” on the patio! Come hang out, catch up with old friends, meet some new ones, and get in the conference spirit before we hit the ground running Monday morning.

We’ll have hors d’oeuvres, tea, and water waiting for you. Want something a little different to sip on? No problem! Other beverages will be available for purchase.

Whether you can drop by for a few minutes or stay and enjoy the evening, we’d love to see you! Since many of you will be arriving Sunday because of our early start on Monday, we thought this would be the perfect way to start the conference together.

Please RSVP using the Google Form so we can plan for everyone!

We can’t wait to see you, catch up, laugh a little, and get this conference started! 🎶✨

Let’s make it a great one! See you Sunday night!

PATIO 44

3822 West 4th Street, Hattiesburg

Conference Registration Link

2026 Headliners

Victor Johnson

Victor C. Johnson, a native of Dallas, Texas, is currently the School Choral Editor for Sing!, the educational publishing division of Choristers Guild. A prolific composer and arranger, he has over 500 choral works, vocal solo books, and keyboard collections currently in print.

Prior to his position at Choristers Guild, from 2000-2018, Victor was a choral director at Ft. Worth Academy of Fine Arts (FWAFA). At FWAFA, Victor directed the Academy Singers, Academy Men’s Choir and was Artistic Director of the Singing Girls of Texasand Children’s Choir of Texas.

In August 2022, he was appointed as a conductor of the Dallas Symphony Children’sChorus Mixed Ensemble, which is comprised of students in grades 9-12 and is theresident children’s choir for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.

His professional affiliations include: American Choral Directors Association, AmericanGuild of Organists, Texas Music Educators Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Inc.

Anne Mileski

Anne Mileski is an early childhood and elementary general music educator based in Eastern Washington. She teaches undergraduate music education courses and supervises student teachers at the university level, while also teaching elementary and middle school music and choir. Anne is a doctoral candidate (ABD) in music education through Boston University, and holds master's degrees in music education and trumpet performance from Southern Methodist University, and a bachelor's degree in trumpet performance from the University of Michigan. Earlier in her career, she taught early childhood and elementary music across public and private settings in Texas, Indiana, and Washington, and served as an associate instructor at Indiana University.

A dedicated pedagogy enthusiast, Anne is certified in Kodály, Orff-Schulwerk, Smithsonian Folkways World Music Pedagogy, and Music Learning Theory Elementary General Level I, and has completed coursework in Dalcroze Eurhythmics. She has presented at the American Orff-Schulwerk Association and Organization of American Kodály Educators national conferences, regional and state music education conferences, local chapter workshops, and has served on faculty for Kodály teacher education programs in Maryland, Texas, Minnesota, and Washington. Her research interests include singing self-efficacy, self-determination theory, children's vocal development, and music and movement.

Damion Womack

Dr. Damion Womack, a GRAMMY Music Educator Award semifinalist, has dedicated his career to inspiring excellence in choral music education as a conductor, educator, and administrator at the elementary, middle school, high school, collegiate, and professional levels. He currently serves as Director of Arts at The Montgomery Academy, where he oversees the school; comprehensive K–12 arts program and conducts the award-winning Upper School Chorus.

During his tenure, he was honored with the McLemore Award for Excellence in Teaching. Prior to his current role, Dr. Womack served as Director of Choral Activities at Mississippi College and Chair of the Department of Music at Huntingdon College.

Choral ensembles under Dr. Womack’s direction have been selected through a juried process to perform at regional and national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association(ACDA) and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).

A sought-after guest conductor and clinician, Dr. Womack has presented workshops and lecturesat regional and national ACDA and NAfME conferences. His research interests include choral tone, expressive and unified singing, and the role of word stress in choral performance. He hasconducted honor choir festivals throughout the United States and is recognized for his commitment to developing singers and advancing choral artistry. Dr. Womack is President of the ACDA Southern Region and has contributed to numerous conference planning committees within the organization. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of South Carolina and earned degrees in MusicEducation from Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University.

Guy Harrison

Guy Harrison is an Associate Professor in both the Department of Music and the Department of Curriculum and Teaching at Auburn University, where he conducts the Auburn University Symphony Orchestra, teaches violin and viola, and prepares and mentors future music educators through coursework and hands-on teaching experiences. His work in music education spans university, public-school, and community settings, with particular interests in instrumental pedagogy, ensemble teaching, the development of conductors as educators, and creating sustainable opportunities for young musicians.

At Auburn, Harrison has played a central role in the development of youth and community string programs, including the Auburn University Youth Orchestras and initiatives designed to provide beginning and developing string students with pathways for continued musical growth. These programs also provide opportunities for emerging music educators to develop their teaching and ensemble leadership skills through practical experience with young musicians. He has also been active in music education leadership throughout Alabama, including service with the Alabama Orchestra Association and the planning and administration of statewide orchestra events.

Originally from Australia, Harrison earned masters and doctoral degrees in violin performance from Michigan State University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Adelaide.

An experienced orchestral violinist, he has performed professionally with orchestras throughout the United States and Australia and has toured internationally across North America, Europe,Asia, Australia, and the Pacific.