Rebecca L. Atkins is an Associate Professor of Music Education (Vocal/Choral) and was awarded the General Sandy Beaver Professorship 2022-2024.  Previously she was the Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (2013-2016) where she supervised student teachers, conducted Women’s Chorale, and taught Choral Methods, Design, Instruction, and Evaluation for Music Education, and Ear-training.

PAUL GRIFFITH is a Senior Academic Professional in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia in Athens, specializing in Sound Recording. He holds a B.M. from the University of Miami in Music Engineering Technology, and an M.A. from the University of Miami in Arts Presenting & Live Entertainment Management. Prior to his work at the University of Georgia, Mr.

Praised by The New York Times for her “thoughtful musicality” and “fleet-fingered panache,” Liza Stepanova is in demand as a soloist, collaborator, and educator.

Peter Van Zandt Lane is Associate Professor of Composition and Director of the Dancz Center for New Music at the University of Georgia Hodgson School of Music. He holds a BM in music theory and composition from the University of Miami Frost School of Music and MA and PhD degrees from Brandeis University. His composition studies include work with Melinda Wagner, Eric Chasalow, David Rakowski, and Lansing McLoskey. Prior to arriving in Athens, Dr. Lane taught at the University of Florida, Wellesley College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Harvard.

Philip Smith joined the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia as the William F. and Pamela P. Prokasy Professor in the Arts in August 2014.  In addition to teaching his trumpet studio, he is the Bandmaster of the UGA British Brass Band, member of the faculty Georgia Brass Quintet, and coach of the Bulldog Brass Society.  This new position follows his retirement from the New York Philharmonic after 36 years of service as Principal Trumpet, having joined the New York Philharmonic in October 1978.  

Reid Messich serves as Associate Professor of Oboe at the University of Georgia where he is an active member of the Georgia Woodwind Quintet. Messich also serves as Co-Principal Oboist with Memphis’s IRIS Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Michael Stern and as the Principal Oboist of the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro John Morris Russel. Each year during the summer months, Messich serves as instructor of oboe and woodwind literature at the MasterWorks Music Festival.