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 masters and Ph.D. in Music Education at the University of North Texas and a bachelor’s degree in Music Studies from the University of Texas at Austin.
Graduates of Dr. Folta have pursued excellence after earning their degrees. Several have earned the title of Teacher of the Year on their campuses and have been named finalists for their district’s top educator award. Other graduate accolades include the GA-ACDA Young Director Award and performances at GMEA. The Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus at Columbus State University has achieved excellence under Dr. Folta's direction. In addition to local performances, Voices of the Valley has performed internationally, at the Georgia Music Educators Association conference, and the ACDA Southern Conference. Dr. Folta has served as the guest clinician for a variety of honor choruses across the state and nation. In addition, she has served as an adjudicator for state-wide festivals and contests and serves on the GA-ACDA board of directors as the Repertoire and Resources Chair for Children’s Choirs. Dr. Folta was named a finalist for the 2021 GRAMMY Music Educator of the Year Award, was also the recipient of Columbus State University's Faculty Service Award, and named Columbus and the Valley's 5 Under 40. |
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Rachel Massey, assistant DirectorRachel Massey is a recent graduate of the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University where she received a degree in music education. Rachel was a student at the School of Music for five years during which she performed in multiple vocal ensembles, recitals, and vocal competitions. Rachel is new to the Voices of the Valley family, but is excited to be taking on the role of Assistant Director. As such, she will be directing Prima Voce beginning in August. Rachel has been teaching art and music since 2013 both in her home town of Dothan, Alabama, and here in Columbus. In addition to working with Voices of the Valley, she is a voice instructor with the Schwob School of Music Preparatory Division where she teaches private lessons for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. Rachel is also a choir member with St. Thomas Episcopal Church, soprano section leader for the Schwob Singers and Choral Union, and a freelance artist focusing on portraiture. Rachel currently resides in Columbus, Georgia with her dog, Gershwin.
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James Camp, Accompanist
James Camp is a LaGrange native and a 2013 graduate of LaGrange College with a degree in vocal performance. James currently serves as a staff pianist and singer at the First United Methodist Church of LaGrange. He has also served as music director and pianist at FUMC Pine Mountain, as worship pianist at Loyd Presbyterian, LaGrange, and as a cantor in the Diocese of Metuchen, New Jersey. At Rider University, James worked as a staff accompanist and sang in Kantorei, the early music ensemble of Westminster Choir College. Growing up, he sang for seven years in what is today the Young Singers of West Georgia. As he now pursues a degree from Columbus Technical College, James is glad to be representing the community alongside these Voices of the Valley.
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NATALIE CROSBY, UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANT
Natalie Crosby is a freshman music education major at Columbus State University. She recently graduated from Howard High School where she was a student of theater, chorus, and guitar. She formerly attended the Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts in Columbus, GA, where she was a classical guitar major and earned the school’s top award for high schoolers, the Rainey Award, as a freshman. Natalie was a member of the Voices of the Valley Children’s Chorus in Columbus where she participated in both the Bella Voce and Sola Voce ensembles and earned the director’s choice award, giving her an opportunity to conduct the choir during a performance. She performed as a soloist with the choir and toured England with the ensemble where they sang in some of the world’s finest cathedrals. She has been active in both traditional choirs and contemporary worship music throughout her high school career. Natalie is looking forward to a career in music education. |
BRANDON THARP, GRADUATE ASSISTANT
Brandon Tharp is a second-year Master of Music student in choral conducting at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University where he studies with Dr. David Hahn. At the Schwob School of Music, Brandon serves as Assistant Conductor to the Schwob Singers and Choral Union and works as the graduate assistant to the choral activities area. In 2022, Brandon graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from the Schwob School of Music, where he studied voice with Dr. Michelle DeBruyn and music education with Dr. Michelle Folta.
In addition, Brandon is a staff singer at First Presbyterian Church of downtown Columbus and assists with the Voices of the Valley Children's Choir. He also completed a year of student teaching in the Muscogee County School System. During this time, he held a long-term substitute position at Columbus High School in Spring 2023, where he taught and prepared the choir for various performances including their LGPE performance, Spring Concert, and Regional and State Literary Meet.
Brandon Tharp is a second-year Master of Music student in choral conducting at the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University where he studies with Dr. David Hahn. At the Schwob School of Music, Brandon serves as Assistant Conductor to the Schwob Singers and Choral Union and works as the graduate assistant to the choral activities area. In 2022, Brandon graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from the Schwob School of Music, where he studied voice with Dr. Michelle DeBruyn and music education with Dr. Michelle Folta.
In addition, Brandon is a staff singer at First Presbyterian Church of downtown Columbus and assists with the Voices of the Valley Children's Choir. He also completed a year of student teaching in the Muscogee County School System. During this time, he held a long-term substitute position at Columbus High School in Spring 2023, where he taught and prepared the choir for various performances including their LGPE performance, Spring Concert, and Regional and State Literary Meet.