|
Ronald D. Johnson - Minister of Fine
Arts
Ronald D. Johnson, Eastern Division R&S Chair for Multicultural and Ethnic Perspectives,
is a long-time choral conductor from the state of Maryland. Mr. Johnson has taught vocal/general music at the elementary,
middle and high school levels.
Mr. Johnson has presented his high school choruses at the Kennedy Center for the
Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., choral festivals and choral adjudications throughout the east coast. From 1994 - 2003,
Mr. Johnson was the Coordinator for the Visual and Performing Arts Center at Suitland High School in Prince George's County,
Maryland. During Mr. Johnson's tenure at Suitland High, he was the administrator for the music, television production,
dance, theatre and visual arts department.
Mr. Johnson's professional career has enabled him to adjudicate
high school and elementary choral festivals. Since its inception, Mr. Johnson has taken a contingency of students from the
Washington and Baltimore region to Ithaca College for its Gospel Choral Festival whereby students have been exposed to some
of the country's most prominent African American choral conductors. At present, Mr. Johnson is the director of Vocal/Choral
Activities at Rockville High School in Rockville, Maryland.
In addition to Mr. Johnson's public school duties,
he is the Minister of Fine Arts at the First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Landover, Maryland where he oversees seven
choirs and a liturgical dance ministry. In 1997 and 1998, Mr. Johnson was one of the guest conductors for the Washington Performing
Arts Society, "Children of the Gospel," who perform annually at the Kennedy Center.
For the last eleven
years Mr. Johnson has worked with the choirs' summer vocal camp. Mr. Johnson received his Bachelor of Science degree from
Hampton (Institute) University and his Master of Music degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. Mr. Johnson has
done additional studies in education administration at Trinity College in Washington, D.C
Tedde Gibson
Tedde Gibson enjoys the
unique capability of being accomplished in the classical realms of music as well as more contemporary styles. He plays classical
and jazz piano, classical and theatre organ, and Hammond B-3. Originally from Washington State, Mr. Gibson began his piano
studies at age four with Gail Brooks and later with Dorothy Bade of Tacoma, WA.
He studied organ with former American
Guild of Organists president the late Dr. Edward Hansen of the University of Puget Sound and then with Dr. Carol Terry and
Dr. Mel Butler of the University of Washington. He has also studied organ improvisation with David Dahl of Pacific Lutheran
University and orchestral transcriptions and theatre organ styling with Jonas Nordwall of Portland, OR.
Tedde
relocated to the East Coast in November 2003, and he began serving as Assistant Director of Music/Musician-in-Residence at
the First Baptist Church of Highland Park (FBCHP) Tedde directs the youth choir in addition to being the main accompanist
for six of the of the eight choirs. He also is the music teacher for the Highland Park Christian Academy, a ministry of FBCHP.
Nathan
Rooks - Associate Musician of Fine Arts
Nathan Rooks, a native of Portsmouth, VA, is a
magna cum laude graduate from Norfolk State University where he received his undergraduate degree in music education. While
attending NSU, he has held the positions of Student Conductor and Bass Section Leader for the NSU Concert Choir under the
leadership of Dr. Carl Haywood.
He also was the Choir Director of the NSU Gospel Choir "Voices of Inspiration."
Mr. Rooks has been the music director for the NSU Theatre, sequencing music for musicals such as: Don't Bother Me, I Can't
Cope, Jesus Is Alive and Well, The Wiz and Bubbling Brown Sugar. He also worked as piano accompanist at Booker T. Washington
High School in Norfolk, VA. Currently, he is the Associate Musician of Fine Arts at First Baptist Church of Highland Park.
He also is the Musical Director for national recording artist Patrick Riddick and D'vyne Worship. Nathan
has been playing the piano since he was five years old and directing choirs since he was 13. He has accompanied a many of
notable preachers and national recording artist such as: Bishop C.E. Blake Sr., the late Bishop G.E. Patterson, Supt. Derrick
Hutchins, Pastor Anthone White, the late Pastor Timothy Wright, Dr. Rance Allen, Pastor Norman Hutchins, Dorinda Clark-Cole,
Ricky Dillard, Vicki WInans, Detrick Haddon, and the legendary Caravans, just to name a few. Nathan
has been a Hammond organist and workshop clinician for the Hampton University Minister's Conference the past three years.
He placed 2nd in the NANM Hampton Roads Pipe Organ Competition in March 2008. He won 1st place in the Tidewater Area Musicians
Classical Piano Competition and was a 3rd place finalist in the NANM Regional Piano Competition in April 2010.
Nathan
is a proficient musician who enjoys making music be it accompanying, conducting, producing or arranging. God has blessed him
with an amazing gift of music. He loves the lord with all his heart and wants to spread the gospel using the gift that God
has blessed him with.
Semora
Johns Smith - Associate Director of Fine Arts
Semora is a Georgia native and has ministered
music in the Baptist Church since the age of six. She started directing the youth choir at age 11 and because of her passion,
decided to study vocal music concepts. As a result, she earned two gold medals in vocal music from the Georgia Music Education
Association in 1983 and 1985. She received a music scholarship from Albany State University where she received a Bachelor
of Arts Degree in Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance.
She continued her leadership in the Fine Arts
as the choreographer for the university's dance group and later garnered the opportunity to dance as an NBA Cheerleader
for the "New Jersey Nets." She was crowned MISS ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY in 1989 and has held many other pageant
titles, including three national titles: "Miss Black & Gold of America", "Miss World" (National Elks
Assn.), and "Miss Black Collegiate Alumni Hall of Fame" reigning as queen of the all the HBCU institutions. She
has been featured in the EBONY, JET, and Black Excellence Magazines for her achievements. Semora has shared the stage with
celebrities such as Jo Marie Payton (Family Matters), Janet' DuBois' (Good Times), Kim Fields (Living Single), Marla
Gibbs (227), Vanessa Williams, Natalie Wilson & the SOP, and Melba Moore to name a few. She performed in the world famous
Aquarius Theatre (Home of the Original Star Search) in Los Angeles, CA, the NJ Performing Arts Center pre-show gala for Vicki
Winans, and the legendary Cotton Club in NY.
Her most honorable performances were delivering her rendition of
the National Negro Anthem for the Princeton University Cathedral inaugural worship services of two NJ governors. Upon relocating
to Maryland, she became the Director of the Young Voices of Praise of The People's Community Baptist Church in 2003 and
with her direction, the choir received 4th place honors in the Kellogg's National Gospel Sing-Off Competition in 2005.
Semora is a songwriter and innovator. She was a major contributor to the 2002 CD released by the Clear View Baptist
Church of Newark, NJ featuring the Seacoast Mass Choir. She wrote the gospel song entitled, "I'll Give Him Praise"
for the CD. She continues to provide vocal instruction for a number of young people in the metro-DC area. She is graced by
her husband, Joseph L. Smith, Jr. and two lovely daughters, D'Jenne and Demi. "To God Be the Glory."
Tamura
Upchurch - Director of Praise Power Ministry
Tamura Upchurch is
known lovingly as "Tami" has an electrifying personality and true heart of love in servant leadership. She is a
motivating leader and public speaker with an emphasis on Praise & Worship, the worth of dance in ministry, self empowerment
when living with health issues, crisis intervention, and living with homelessness.
Presently,
Tami serves as a member on the ministerial staff at the First Baptist Church of Highland Park under the leadership of Rev.
Dr. Henry P. Davis, III. In 2003, she established the Praise Power Ministry where she continues to function as the Ministry
Director. Praise Power has over 80 members in 8 groups of all ages which vary in purpose and include professionally
trained choreographers.
One of her most renowned works is Highland Park's annual presentation of the Crucifixion.
She also directs one of the first couples dance ministries in the Washington Metropolitan area. Praise Power's dynamic
ministry has birthed several dance ministries in churches nationwide and has the motto: "We dance for an Audience of
ONE, our Lord Jesus Christ" Ephesians 2:10.
Born and raised in the suburbs
of Maryland, Tami grew up in the church and accepted Christ at an early age. She sang with many nationally known Gospel
recording artist including Tramaine Hawkins, Douglas Miller, Veda McCoy, and Keith Pringle and also recorded with the Youth
for Christ Fellowship Mass choir of Washington, DC. While studying dance, vocals, and theatre throughout her youth,
Tami performed with Emmy award winning producer Dr. Rickey Payton, Sr. and co-directed many community plays including a TP
production of A Raisin in the Sun. She accepted the call to preach the Gospel of Christ at age 21 with an emphasis on outreach
to those living on the streets and at risk of homelessness.
Over the years, Tami has
been afforded opportunities to minister through word or praise dance throughout the nation, oversees, and with national recording
artist, Pastor Hezekiah Walker. She has also worked with other artist including Maurette Brown-Clark, Donnie McClurkin, Kim
Burrell, James Fortune, and the late Rev. Timothy Wright. Today, her expertise as a consultant in the ministry of dance
is requested by many who aspire to begin moving into dance ministry at their place of worship. She has instructed on
the topic of Praise Dance in Worship in many forums including the Progressive National Baptist Convention and the Shiloh Baptist
Convention.
Tami established a local Praise Dance Network of more than 100 dance, mime, and step ministries
throughout the Metropolitan Area to spread support for area dance ministry efforts and to announce ministry opportunities.
Min. Tami's email address is: tami_praise_dancer@yahoo.com
|
|
