We’re thrilled to welcome you to Prelude 2025! This unforgettable weekend promises incredible musical showcases, enriching professional development, and exclusive experiences that we can’t wait to share with you. From private performances to behind-the-scenes tours, we’ve planned every moment with you in mind. To make this experience even more meaningful, we’d love for you to get to know your fellow attendees—directors who share your passion for music and education. Below, you’ll find a table introducing your travel companions. It’s our way of fostering connections before we even meet in London! We’re excited to introduce you to your travel companions for this year’s unforgettable event! Explore the table below to learn more about the talented ensemble directors joining us. Attendees NameEnsembleTitleLocationBioCameron AkagiLenexa, KSBiography not provided.Tom BealWest Virginia Youth OrchestraBoard MemberCharleston, WVTom Beal plays in the horn section of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and serves on the board of the West Virginia Youth Orchestra.Ellen BealCharleston, WVBiography not provided.Michelle BoulwareCentral Coast ChoraleAssistant DirectorSalinas, CAMichelle Boulware teaches full-time at Salinas High School and directs choirs in the Pacific Grove district.Andrew BrownRochester Philharmonic Youth OrchestraMusical AdvisorRochester, NYAndrew Brown has been the Bass Clarinetist with the Rochester Philharmonic since 2008.Barbara BrownRochester Philharmonic Youth OrchestraVice President of EducationRochester, NYBarbara Brown has served as Vice President of Education for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra for 16 years.Aileen ButtonMesa, AZBiography not provided.Rachel CliftonFirst Coast Wind SymphonyBoard Member/PianistJacksonville, FLRachel Clifton is a pianist and founding member of the First Coast Wind Symphony with a 40-year career in music education.Artie CliftonFirst Coast Wind SymphonyMusic DirectorJacksonville, FLArtie Clifton is the Music Director of the First Coast Wind Symphony, now in its 35th season.Matt DeFiorePhiladelphia, PABiography not provided.Laura DumserOakland, TNBiography not provided.Nate DumserMemphis, TNBiography not provided.Bill EvansSherwood Community Chamber ChoirDirectorDamascus, MDBill Evans founded the Sherwood Community Chamber Choir and taught choral music for 37 years.Aaron FrableMesa, AZBiography not provided.Matthew FrableFountain Hills Community ChorusArtistic DirectorMesa, AZMatthew Frable has directed choirs in schools, churches, and community settings for over 40 years.Kathryn HarshaMarriottsville, MDBiography not provided.Tom HarshaMarriottsville, MDBiography not provided.Austin HuntHouston BoychoirArtistic DirectorHouston, TXAustin Hunt is the Artistic Director of the Houston Boychoir and a published composer of choral music.Dora HyslopDallas, TXBiography not provided.Scott HyslopZion Lutheran Church Adult ChoirMinister of MusicDallas, TXScott has served as a church musician for 38 years.Katrina JacksonCrosspoint Chancel ChoirTraditional Worship MinisterNiceville, FLKatrina Jackson leads the Crosspoint Chancel Choir and has over 30 years of experience in music ministry.Gordon JacksonCrosspoint ChurchSinger/BassistNiceville, FLGordon is an electric and upright bassist at Crosspoint Church, performing in both traditional and contemporary services. He also collaborates with local artists and groups.Wingchi LeungHouston, NYBiography not provided.Mallory LysaughtShawnee Mission East High SchoolOrchestra DirectorLawrence, KSMallory Lysaught teaches orchestra and holds a Bachelor’s in Music Education.Miriam LysaughtTopeka, KSBiography not provided.Beck MorganWoodland, CABiography not provided.Ryan Gordon MorganWoodland, CABiography not provided.Nick NewmanThe One World SingersArtistic DirectorDenver, CONick Newman is a doctoral candidate in conducting at the University of Northern Colorado.Jen NewmanMonterey, CABiography not provided.Nancy NylandDamascus, MDBiography not provided.David SeifertCypress, TXBiography not provided.LeslieAnne SeifertHouston Choral SocietyVP of Administration/Tour ManagerHouston, TXLeslieAnne Seifert helps organize performances and tours for the Houston Choral Society.Sean McElweeVillanova UniversityAssociate Director for Liturgical MusicPhiladelphia, PASean McElwee celebrates 20 years as a church musician and directs a 70-member liturgical music ensemble.Madeline SmithOlathe, KSBiography not provided.Jeanne WohlgamuthNew World Singers/Columbus Children’s ChoirArtistic DirectorPowell, OHJeanne Wohlgamuth has over 40 years of experience in music education and conducting.John WohlgamuthPowell, OHBiography not provided. Staff NameTItle/DepartmentOfficeBioJames MatthewsDirectorEncore – BostonN/ASean BoulwareProgram ConsultantEncore – BostonN/AJulian EdwardsProgram ConsultantEncore – BostonN/AGlenn QuirionDirector of Business DevelopmentEncore – BostonN/ARobin TeagueProgram ConsultantEncore – BostonN/AFrieda KrantzDirector of OperationsEncore – BostonN/ADavid SolarDirector of MarketingEncore – BostonN/AKourosh AbbassDirectorEncore – LondonN/AMary WeberOperationsEncore – LondonN/AIlenia SimonelliOperationsEncore – LondonN/AValda KampfOperationsEncore – LondonN/AAnastasia ClaytonOperationsEncore – LondonN/ARobert MurrayArtistic ConsultantEncore ToursRobert Murray has performed with top opera houses like Covent Garden, La Scala, and Hamburg Staatsoper, and at major festivals such as Salzburg and Edinburgh. He collaborates with leading orchestras and conductors, including Sir Simon Rattle and Edward Gardner.Paul DaleyTour ManagerEncore ToursN/A Customize Your Tour Are you ready to take your ensemble to new places? Get a quote from one of our tour consultants who will help you customize a trip to meet your goals. Get A Quote