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Each HSMA conductor is dedicated to serving God through music, bringing talent, skill, education and experience to the organization:
Mrs. Christina Dugan Blackburn is an HSMA alumnus who served as Concert Master of the Senior Orchestra, and was twice selected to participate in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival (the first HSMA student ever so honored). She has conducted in the orchestra program and has directed Elementary Music and Music Fundamentals classes. Mrs. Blackburn has been conducting with HSMA since 2004.
Mr. Jim Butler, who was chosen two times to participate in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Michigan State University, where he studied Euphonium with the legendary Leonard Falcone. Mr. Butler taught band for six years prior to joining HSMA, has directed church choir since 1982, and is also a private music teacher. He is chair of the HSMA band program and does extensive music writing and arranging for the organization. Mr. Butler has conducted Symphonic Band since 2000.
Mr. Paul Case, president of HSMA, has performed with the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band, Tim Zimmerman & Dan Marvin, and the 126th United States Army Band. While in high school, he was twice selected to participate in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival. He is active in his church instrumental music program and conducted the September, 2002, production of The Home of the Brave. Mr. Case has been conducting at HSMA since its inception in 1993.
Mr. Alex Damon is an alumnus of HSMA, where for six years he played French Horn in the Symphonic Band. He started arranging music for HSMA groups in 2005 and received the Symphonic Band Director's Award in 2006. Mr. Damon has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Thomas Edison State College. He has conducted the Concert Band since 2008.
Mrs. Dusti Dugan, one of the founding members of HSMA, has studied piano, violin, and vocal music. Her many years of conducting, teaching, and performing experience include conducting the original orchestra (now the Senior Orchestra) in 1995-1996. As chair of the HSMA vocal music department, Mrs. Dugan coordinates the Choirs and the Elementary Music programs. She has conducted Chancel Choir since 2003.
Miss Elizabeth Dugan is an alumnus of HSMA and was selected to participate in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival three times, twice for viola and once for voice. She won numerous first place awards in regional vocal competitions, earned the Director's Award for Chancel Choir in 2008, and was honored as the 2008 Artist Circle performer. Miss Dugan has studied voice with Annette Murphy, Professor Fracker of MSU, and Professor Dykstra of Hope College. She teaches private voice lessons and has conducted the Bel Canto Chorale since 2009.
Mrs. Chantelle Frazier, who began as a parent participant with HSMA, conducted Beginning Strings from 2006 to 2010. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Olivet College where she majored in instrumental music, violin being her primary instrument. Mrs. Frazier has been teaching music in her private studio and in public and community schools since 1981. She has conducted the Junior Orchestra since 2007.
Mrs. Maryann Hammar earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance from Indiana Wesleyan University, with Horn and Voice as her primary instruments. She started a home school band in northern Michigan, which she directed from 2000 to 2004, and after moving to Lansing, she joined HSMA. Mrs. Hammar has conducted the Cadet Band since 2005.
Mr. Geno Harris studied violin for 12 years and was a student and alumnus participant in HSMA. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Great Lakes Christian College, where he graduated salutatorian in 2010, having majored in both Music and Bible Theology. A certified Suzuki instructor, he teaches private violin lessons, conducts church choir, and enjoys composing music. Mr. Harris has conducted Intermediate Strings since 2010.
Mr. Patrick O'Donnell was selected to participate in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Grand Rapids Baptist College. He has taught music in both public and private schools since 1982 and has also directed church orchestras. Conductor of Beginning Band, Mr. O’Donnell has been an HSMA band conductor since 1997.
Mrs. Jennie Visscher, who joined HSMA as conductor of the Junior Orchestra, studied under Dr. Barbara Sturgis-Everett and Kathleen Grimes, principal second violin and principal viola, respectively, of the Ann Arbor Symphony. Mrs. Visscher's principal instrument is violin; she is a certified Suzuki instructor and has taught violin, viola, and cello since 1997. Conductor of the Senior Orchestra since 2006, and Beginning Strings since 2010, Mrs. Visscher is chair of the HSMA orchestra program, and has been conducting with the organization since 2002.
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