2022-2023 TODA MAL Candidates

All Active, Retired, and Student Members can vote.  If you are a current member, you do not have to attend Convention to vote.  Click on the VOTE button below to be taken to the ballot.

Sean Carlton

Sean Carlton is a cellist and music educator who grew up in Carrollton and Allen, Texas before attending Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. There, he received his Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education in 2012. While at Hardin-Simmons, Sean was a performing artist at the 2012 Honors and Awards Recital, the performing artist at the 2012 Commencement Ceremonies, and the recipient of the 2012 Education Deans of Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas Preservice Educator of the Year Award. Sean started his professional career as the director of orchestras for Madison Middle School in Abilene, Texas from 2012 to 2014. While in Abilene he also performed in pit orchestras for the Abilene Opera Association and Abilene Summer Musicals.

Sean then served at Newman Smith High School from 2014 to 2018; first as the assistant director of orchestras, then the head director and fine arts department chair at Newman Smith. While living in the Dallas area, Sean performed with the New Life Symphony Orchestra and as a freelance church musician.

As a guest conductor, Sean has led the Abilene All City Orchestra and the Arkansas South Zone All Region Middle School Full Orchestra. Sean has been enrolled in the private conducting studio of Dr. Clifton Evans (University of Texas at Arlington) and is currently a part of the private conducting studio of Mr. Donald Schleicher (Rice University, University of Illinois). Sean has been a sought-after clinician to help prepare orchestras of all levels in preparation for UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Evaluation across the state.

Sean Carlton is currently the assistant director of orchestras for Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas, and has led both non-varsity and varsity groups in concerts and evaluations, including a performance of the Seven Lakes High School Symphony Orchestra as the 2020 TMEA Honor Full Orchestra. Sean lives in Houston, Texas with his wife Heather and two beautiful daughters Lily (8) and Julia (5).

Candidate Statement:

I am writing this essay to announce my candidacy for the position of Member-At-Large on the TODA Board of Directors, and to humbly ask for your consideration.

I am currently in my tenth year of teaching, the last four of which have been as the Assistant Director of Orchestras at Seven Lakes High School in Katy, Texas. Previously, I was the Head Director and Fine Arts Department Chair at Newman Smith High School in Carrollton, Texas, and I started my career as the Head Orchestra Director at Madison Middle School in Abilene, Texas.

I am seeking a position on the TODA Board of Directors primarily because I love my job. I want to encourage more young musicians to seek a career in music education. I want to connect current orchestra directors in a supportive network of encouragement and empowerment. I want us to be the best teachers that we can be in a manner that is healthy and sustainable for the individual, so that we can encourage the next generation of music educators. As a father of two elementary-aged children who have already begun their journey as string players, I have a vested interest in the direction of string music education in our state.

As a long-time TODA member, I have loved attending the summer convention, presiding over sessions, leading reading sessions, and working on the Hospitality Committee. As I gain experiences in this career, I have asked myself: what more can I do to give back to my profession?

My motivation to run for a place on the TODA board now is in part due to the current makeup of the board. Sarah, Creston, Aryc, Colleen, and Sundas are examples in this profession of servant leadership and excellence, and I have admired watching the direction the board has taken over the last several years. I believe my unique skills and perspective can both complement and strengthen the wonderful work that our TODA board is already doing.

Throughout my career I have strived to see the big picture, be a team player, and put what is right for the group before my own ambitions or aspirations. My work on the TODA Board would be no different, and I humbly affirm that I would help lead this organization in a way that is financially responsible and ethically upstanding.

Thank you for your consideration for the Member-At-Large position on the Texas Orchestra Directors Association Board of Directors. If you are not already a member of TODA, then please join! It’s a wonderful supportive organization, and I hope to see you at the summer convention!
Sincerely,
Sean Carlton

Louanne Greer

Louanne Greer is the Head Orchestra Director for Young Junior High in Arlington, TX. She has taught elementary and middle school orchestra for 15 years. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree (cello performance - UT Arlington) and a Master of Music degree (musicology-University of Tennessee). Ms. Greer’s varied teaching background includes pedagogical experience in the areas of elementary, middle, high school, college, and private and group cello instruction. During her tenure at Young JH, her groups consistently received UIL Sweepstakes as well as Superior ratings at the Peak and Ovation Festival.

Ms. Greer has served as Region Chair for TMEA/UIL Region 5, Administrator for the Texas Cello Academy, and is on the faculty for the UTA Summer Strings. She conducted the Philharmonic Orchestra for the Arlington Youth Symphony. Ms. Greer also serves as a mentor for beginning teachers and coordinates the mentoring network in her district.

Ms. Greer firmly believes that by teaching children to play an instrument, we teach them critical life skills that will always be relevant and will help them become active and productive members of society. Ms. Greer’s calling in music education is to work with middle school students, and she spends time developing methods of teaching that appeal to adolescent musicians. She continually seeks opportunities for furthering her own teaching expertise through research, observation, and experimentation. In her free time, Ms. Greer enjoys playing freelance cello, reading books, crocheting, spending time with her husband, family, and especially her three dogs, Gus, Martha, and Nelson. She holds membership in TMEA, TODA, and TMAA.

Candidate Statement:

Over the years, TODA has given so much to our profession and to me personally - Teaching strategies, ideas, inspiration, friendships, professional connections, and so much more! I want to take the opportunity to give back to this organization by serving on the TODA board.

I have taught orchestra at the middle school/elementary level for 15 years. Prior to being in the public school classroom, I spent seven years teaching private and group lessons to students of all ages, as well as three years teaching courses and private lessons at the college level. I am currently Director of Orchestras at Young JH in Arlington, where I lead a team of 3 directors and 5 orchestras, and serve as a co-teacher at our 4 feeder elementary schools. I work hard to be an organized and positive leader in my cluster. I served as Orchestra Region Chair for TMEA Region 5, and am currently our region’s TODA representative.

I have experience working at summer music camps in every role from dorm counselor to the camp director. I have organized and directed private lesson programs and solo and ensemble festivals. I am creative in my teaching and am always on a quest to find new and meaningful ways to motivate middle school musicians. I strive to be proactive and communicative as a teacher and as a mentor for younger teachers, and as a result I have built strong relationships with my peers, with my students, and with their families, and our community. I currently coordinate the mentorship program for our district fine arts department.

I think I would be a great addition to the TODA Board because of my varied levels of experience, my leadership and communication skills, and my dedication to the craft of teaching and learning music. I hope you will consider voting for me, Louanne Greer, for the next Member-At-Large for TODA. Thank you.

 Jamie Romo

Jamie Romo is in her ninth year as the head orchestra director at Maus Middle School in Frisco, Texas. Under her direction, the Symphony Orchestra at Maus Middle School received a sweepstakes award at UIL in 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. Prior to teaching at Maus, she was head orchestra director in Richardson, Texas for 9 successful years. Under her direction the WWJH Orchestra in Richardson received the honorable UIL Sweepstakes Award for six consecutive years as well as many Best in Class Orchestra Awards.

Prior to teaching in Texas, Mrs. Romo taught both high school and middle school orchestra in Oklahoma. Her former orchestra students performed in such exciting places as the Oklahoma State Capitol, the Winter Park Music Festival in Colorado, the Galveston Isle Orchestra Festival, and the Disney World Music Festival in Orlando, Florida. Many of Mrs. Romo’s former students have earned college scholarships and have pursued careers in music education.

Mrs. Romo earned her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Central Oklahoma, where she received a violin scholarship to perform with the UCO Orchestra for four full years on violin. She was fortunate enough to study violin privately with Dr. Roger Strong. Mrs. Romo holds a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from East Central University. While completing her thesis, Mrs. Romo completed a yearlong research study which evaluated the Effects of Violin Instruction on the Spatial Temporal Reasoning Skills of kindergarten students.

Mrs. Romo has performed with community orchestras, in musicals and operas, and as a violinist in a professional quartet. Additionally, Mrs. Romo owned and operated Romo's Music Studio where she taught Suzuki String Classes, Kindermusik Classes, and vocal performing ensembles. Mrs. Romo is a member of the Texas Music Adjudicators Association (TMAA), Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA), Texas Orchestra Directors Association (TODA), and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). Mrs. Romo enjoys judging music festivals and UIL Contests as well as serving as a clinician for groups in the area. After work, Mrs. Romo spends time with her husband Carlos, and their three children: Christian, Ava, and Abigail.

Candidate Statement:

When I first began teaching in Oklahoma, I was taken to my first TODA Convention by my first orchestra teacher ever. After that, the TODA Convention in the summer became a staple for me as I looked forward each summer to the fellowship and learning. I felt like I learned so much about music and teaching and I also enjoyed traveling to San Antonio. When some of my students began considering teaching, I brought them to the TODA Convention from Oklahoma. They loved the classes and came as students to the classes. I think those TODA Conventions helped them make their decision to become string educators.

After moving to Texas, I have continued being involved with TODA over the years. Each year at TMEA, I like to see TODA Members from all over the state at the convention. Every summer I have been able to, I have attended the convention. Now, I hope to help share the TODA experience with others. I love to scrapbook and take pictures and I am hoping to help keep the history for TODA over the next five years. I would also like to help TODA celebrate their history and the future. I feel like I could help with planning for events and hospitality. I love when educators can come together and share their love for teaching. We all need another time to meet and join together. This allows for future collaboration and for a healthy future for new teachers coming into string education.

I have been fortunate enough to teach orchestra for 24 years, and I want to continue to help develop future teachers in our field. I believe that TODA membership and volunteer work is a great opportunity to seed into the future of strings education in the State of Texas. There is no time better than this to help with TODA. I want to encourage others and serve in this capacity if chosen. Thanks so much.