Our Staff
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Dr. Michelle Folta, Artistic Director
Dr. Michelle Folta is an associate professor of choral/general music education at Columbus State University and the artistic director for the Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus. Dr. Folta earned her Ph.D. in Music Education at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. Previous degrees include a bachelor’s degree in Music Studies from the University of Texas at Austin and a master’s degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas.
Prior to graduate work, Dr. Folta taught middle school choir for eight years in Austin, Texas, where she was recognized as “Teacher of the Year.” While teaching in the public schools, Dr. Folta was instrumental in transforming her campus into a Fine Arts Academy, preventing the school from possible closure. Her choirs received consistent superior ratings in festivals and contests during her tenure as well as many opportunities to perform with community choruses and religious organizations. The Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus at Columbus State University has achieved excellence under Dr. Folta's direction. Voices of the Valley has been selected to perform for the West Georgia Choral Society’ Choral Festival in LaGrange, Georgia as well as the Columbus Ballet’s production of the Nutcracker. In addition to local performances, Voices of the Valley collaborated with the Columbus State University Wind Ensemble in the spring of 2017. In the summer of 2018, Voices of the Valley performed their first international tour in Norwich and Cambridge, England and performed a the Georgia Music Educators Association conference in 2019. Dr. Folta has served as the guest clinician for the GMEA Muscogee County Middle School Chorus as well as local middle schools and high schools in the Chattahoochee Valley. In 2017, she was the guest clinician for the GMEA Statewide Sixth Grade Honor Chorus in Athens, Georgia. In addition, she has served as an adjudicator for state-wide festivals and contests and as a guest lecturer at Iowa State University, the University of North Texas, and Georgia State University. Dr. Folta served as the guest clinician for the Georgia Music Educators Association Sixth-Grade Honor Chorus, and was the guest clinician for the West Georgia Choral Society's Choral Festival in the spring of 2018. In February of 2019, Dr. Folta was the guest clinician for the Region XIII Tenor Bass All Region Choir in Austin, Texas. Dr. Folta has presented research in a variety of state, national, and international venues, including Texas Music Educators Association conference, the Florida Music Educators Association conference, the Georgia Music Educators Association conference, the National Association for Music Education conference, the Society for Music Teacher Education conference, the Race, Ethnicity, and Place conference, and the Narrative Inquiry in Music Education conference. Additionally, she has published research articles in state, national, and international music journals. Dr. Folta was recently named a finalist for the 2021 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year Award and Columbus and the Valley’s “Rising Star” award. Dr. Folta and her husband, Zach, reside in Columbus, Georgia with their daughter, Lena. |
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Sam Brown, AccompanistSam Brown is the Piano Instructor and Arts Department Chair at Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts in Columbus, Georgia. In 2015 Sam graduated with a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Bob Jones University, where he won the annual commencement contest in 2012 and served as a collaborative pianist.
During his time at BJU Sam sang in the graded choral program and developed a love for choirs. In his last year as a piano accompanist, he performed with Eliezer Yanson and the University Singers on Perelman Stage at Carnegie Hall. In 2017 Sam earned his Master of Music in piano performance from Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music where he served as the collaborative pianist for the Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Michelle Folta, and the CSU Choral Union, under the direction of Dr. Ianthe Marini and Constantina Tsolainou. Sam has worked extensively as a rehearsal accompanist for choral masterworks including Verdi’s Requiem, Mozart and Haydn’s Te Deum, Bruckner’s Mass in E Minor, and Mozart’s Missa Brevis in F Major. In 2019, Sam returned to the Schwob School of Music as part-time faculty to teach secondary piano at the university level. Sam is an active member of national and regional associations (MTNA, NAfME, American College of Musicians, and Arts Schools Network) in addition to serving on the board of the Youth Orchestra of Greater Columbus. In 2017 and 2018 he received a Top Teacher award from Steinway & Sons in recognition of his establishment of the Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts piano studio and his students have received top ratings in local, regional, and state competitions. Sam’s teachers include Maureen Penix, Peter Davis, Norman Krieger, Tatiana Muzanova, and Alexander Kobrin. In his free time, Sam plays competitive badminton and enjoys spending quality time with his wife Sarah, their newborn son, and their three cats. |
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Olivia McWaters, assistant DirectorOlivia McWaters is a recent graduate of the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University where she received a degree in music education. Olivia was a student at the Schwob School of Music for four years where she performed in multiple vocal ensembles, recitals, vocal competitions, and played principal roles in two operas.
Olivia has been active in her community through music education including being a guest clinician for the Wynnton Arts Academy's Fine Arts Day in 2018, leading performances with Voices of the Valley such as Keyboards for Kenya, and performing in musical community outreach experiences with Schwob's Opera Theatre. Olivia has been with Voices of the Valley since August of 2015 where she worked alongside Dr. Folta to build the program. She started as a volunteer and has been promoted through Undergraduate Assistant, Senior Staff Member, and is now proud to be the Assistant Director of Voices of the Valley. As Assistant Director, she directs the newest choir, Prima Voce. She will direct them on their upcoming tour in May throughout the Atlanta area. Olivia is from LaGrange, Georgia but currently resides in Columbus, Georgia with her fiance Brandon and her two dogs, Roxy and Valerie. |
EMILY MOORE, UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANT
Emily Moore is a Junior at Columbus State University studying Music Education with a focus in choir. Emily grew up in Douglasville, GA and attended Chapel Hill High School. This is Emily’s third year with Voices of the Valley. She has been apart of the Columbus State Opera department, helped with the Schwob Summer Music Festival, and has been a member of the Columbus State University Singers, Choral Union, and Chamber Singers. “I have loved every second being apart of the VOV family and I can not wait to see what all the choir does! These kids are so talented and kind, It is an honor to be apart of this staff.”
Emily Moore is a Junior at Columbus State University studying Music Education with a focus in choir. Emily grew up in Douglasville, GA and attended Chapel Hill High School. This is Emily’s third year with Voices of the Valley. She has been apart of the Columbus State Opera department, helped with the Schwob Summer Music Festival, and has been a member of the Columbus State University Singers, Choral Union, and Chamber Singers. “I have loved every second being apart of the VOV family and I can not wait to see what all the choir does! These kids are so talented and kind, It is an honor to be apart of this staff.”
JOSHUA BUTLER, UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANT
Joshua Butler is currently a junior at Columbus State University majoring in Music Education. Growing up, Joshua lived in Newnan, GA where he attending East Coweta High School. Being heavily involved with the theatre and the musical aspects of the fine arts, it was very easy for him to forge the dream of both teaching and creating a safe haven for all to enter. He joined Voices of the Valley early November of the last school year. There, he found his new family in which he intends to help nurture and grow in any way he can.
Joshua Butler is currently a junior at Columbus State University majoring in Music Education. Growing up, Joshua lived in Newnan, GA where he attending East Coweta High School. Being heavily involved with the theatre and the musical aspects of the fine arts, it was very easy for him to forge the dream of both teaching and creating a safe haven for all to enter. He joined Voices of the Valley early November of the last school year. There, he found his new family in which he intends to help nurture and grow in any way he can.
BRANDON THARP, UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANT
Brandon Tharp is a sophomore at CSU and the Schwob School of Music and was born in Hastings, MN and currently resides in Griffin, GA. He is pursuing a Bachelor in Music Education. Brandon has had roles in both the Schwob Operas (you would have seen him as Triathlon Dan and Prince Charming.) Brandon is an avid Atlanta and Minnesota sports fan, loves the outdoors, and spending time with friends.
Brandon Tharp is a sophomore at CSU and the Schwob School of Music and was born in Hastings, MN and currently resides in Griffin, GA. He is pursuing a Bachelor in Music Education. Brandon has had roles in both the Schwob Operas (you would have seen him as Triathlon Dan and Prince Charming.) Brandon is an avid Atlanta and Minnesota sports fan, loves the outdoors, and spending time with friends.
CASSIDI JACKSON, UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANT
Cassidi Jackson is a Junior at Columbus State University studying Music Education with a choral focus. She is originally from Augusta, Georgia where she attended Evans High School, graduating with a scholarship. Cassidi has been involved with CSU’s Schwob Singers, Schwob’s Chamber Singers, and CSU’s Choral Union. She is the president of CSU’s CNAfME organization, and has been volunteering for Voices of the Valley since Spring of 2019.
Cassidi Jackson is a Junior at Columbus State University studying Music Education with a choral focus. She is originally from Augusta, Georgia where she attended Evans High School, graduating with a scholarship. Cassidi has been involved with CSU’s Schwob Singers, Schwob’s Chamber Singers, and CSU’s Choral Union. She is the president of CSU’s CNAfME organization, and has been volunteering for Voices of the Valley since Spring of 2019.
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SIERRA REIS, UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANT
Sierra Reis is currently a freshman at Columbus State University, majoring in Music Education with a concentration in voice. Sierra was born and raised in Columbus, GA and graduated from Columbus High School. Her accolades include being a vocal major at the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program as well as the local Page One Scholarship winner in the area of music. She has participated in choir and solo singing since she was a child, and is excited to begin working with Voices of the Valley to share her love for music with the singers and staff. |