Patrick Anthony Caraveo
Southwest District - Sec/Treas
KKPsi MC Workshop
Kappa Kappa Psi
Active
SWD President
Southwest District - Sec/Treas
KKPsi MC Workshop
Kappa Kappa Psi
Active
SWD President
Ms. Erika Lynn Pope
Tau Beta Sigma
National President
TBS Ritual Workshop (Initiated Sisters only)
Music Hour - Percussion Circle
Erika Pope was initiated into the Theta Theta Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma from Henderson State University on October 25, 1999. As an active member of the organization, she served in various leadership roles including chapter Vice President and chapter President, as well as Vice President of Colonization and Membership for the Southwest District (2005-2006). She was on “The Showband of Arkansas” drum line where she was on the cymbal line, the bass line and the snare line in which she is proud to say she is one of only a few female snare players in the history of The Showband. She also was a member of the HSU Concert and Symphonic bands, and played auxiliary percussion for “The NuFusion Project,” which is HSU’s jazz fusion ensemble.
Upon graduating from Henderson in 2005, she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Media with a focus in radio/television broadcasting and a minor in music. Throughout the years, she has continued to serve Tau Beta Sigma in various capacities such as workshop presenting, advising committees, serving as a colony advisor/installing officer and from 2009-2015, served as the District Counselor for the Southwest District of Tau Beta Sigma. She is a Life Member of both Tau Beta Sigma (2007) and Kappa Kappa Psi (2016) and also holds Honorary Memberships in a variety of local chapters in both organizations. In her spare time she likes running, road trips, watching movies, reading novels and rocking out on the drums with her party band The Big Dam Horns. Erika currently lives in Memphis, TN and works for the Department of Music at Rhodes College as the Musical Arts Coordinator.
Tau Beta Sigma
Life
National President
Tau Beta Sigma
National President
TBS Ritual Workshop (Initiated Sisters only)
Music Hour - Percussion Circle
Erika Pope was initiated into the Theta Theta Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma from Henderson State University on October 25, 1999. As an active member of the organization, she served in various leadership roles including chapter Vice President and chapter President, as well as Vice President of Colonization and Membership for the Southwest District (2005-2006). She was on “The Showband of Arkansas” drum line where she was on the cymbal line, the bass line and the snare line in which she is proud to say she is one of only a few female snare players in the history of The Showband. She also was a member of the HSU Concert and Symphonic bands, and played auxiliary percussion for “The NuFusion Project,” which is HSU’s jazz fusion ensemble.
Upon graduating from Henderson in 2005, she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Media with a focus in radio/television broadcasting and a minor in music. Throughout the years, she has continued to serve Tau Beta Sigma in various capacities such as workshop presenting, advising committees, serving as a colony advisor/installing officer and from 2009-2015, served as the District Counselor for the Southwest District of Tau Beta Sigma. She is a Life Member of both Tau Beta Sigma (2007) and Kappa Kappa Psi (2016) and also holds Honorary Memberships in a variety of local chapters in both organizations. In her spare time she likes running, road trips, watching movies, reading novels and rocking out on the drums with her party band The Big Dam Horns. Erika currently lives in Memphis, TN and works for the Department of Music at Rhodes College as the Musical Arts Coordinator.
Tau Beta Sigma
Life
National President
Mr. TarShae R Odom
The Burnout
ROTHER TAR-SHAE` RA-JUN ODOM is a non-traditional student and a Spring 2018 initiate of the Zeta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at South Carolina State University. As an active brother of the Zeta Eta Chapter, he currently serves as the Service Chair. Most recently, Tar-Shae` has served the fraternity as the Southeast District President, Zeta Eta Chapter President, and as a member of the National DEIA Task Force. Brother Odom is a 2021 winner of the J. Lee Burke Student Achievement award, the highest award a student of Kappa Kappa Psi can win.
Throughout his time at South Carolina State University, Tar-Shae has played french horn in the South Carolina State Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble. He also played mellophone in the marching band, and this year, serves as one of the student conductors for the South Carolina State University Band Program.
On the South Carolina State University campus, Tar-Shae` serves as Chair of the National Interfraternity Music Council (NIMC), and is an advocate for student activities. Additionally, he is a member of Delta Phi Delta Dance Fraternity where he served as Chapter President of the Magnificent Mu Chapter, Southern Regional Director twice, and also National Vice President of External Affairs. Serving has played a major role in Tar-Shae’s life. Since high school, he has served as drum major, class president, school vice president, and tennis captain. Brother Odom never runs from the opportunity to serve others, and believes that the act of serving others is what matters most at the end of the day.
Outside of school and serving the band, is a full-time bar manager at the Orangeburg Country Club. He is a proud member of New Bethel Apostolic Church of Dillon, S.C. where he serves as an assistant choir director, and the keyboardist.
Kappa Kappa Psi
Active
National VP for Student Affairs
The Burnout
ROTHER TAR-SHAE` RA-JUN ODOM is a non-traditional student and a Spring 2018 initiate of the Zeta Eta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at South Carolina State University. As an active brother of the Zeta Eta Chapter, he currently serves as the Service Chair. Most recently, Tar-Shae` has served the fraternity as the Southeast District President, Zeta Eta Chapter President, and as a member of the National DEIA Task Force. Brother Odom is a 2021 winner of the J. Lee Burke Student Achievement award, the highest award a student of Kappa Kappa Psi can win.
Throughout his time at South Carolina State University, Tar-Shae has played french horn in the South Carolina State Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble. He also played mellophone in the marching band, and this year, serves as one of the student conductors for the South Carolina State University Band Program.
On the South Carolina State University campus, Tar-Shae` serves as Chair of the National Interfraternity Music Council (NIMC), and is an advocate for student activities. Additionally, he is a member of Delta Phi Delta Dance Fraternity where he served as Chapter President of the Magnificent Mu Chapter, Southern Regional Director twice, and also National Vice President of External Affairs. Serving has played a major role in Tar-Shae’s life. Since high school, he has served as drum major, class president, school vice president, and tennis captain. Brother Odom never runs from the opportunity to serve others, and believes that the act of serving others is what matters most at the end of the day.
Outside of school and serving the band, is a full-time bar manager at the Orangeburg Country Club. He is a proud member of New Bethel Apostolic Church of Dillon, S.C. where he serves as an assistant choir director, and the keyboardist.
Kappa Kappa Psi
Active
National VP for Student Affairs
Ben Lorenzo
University of Arkansas
Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands
Music Hour - Fundamentals of Conducting
Benjamin Lorenzo serves as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Arkansas, where he directs the 350-member Razorback Marching Band, conducts the Wind Symphony, teaches courses in conducting and music education, and assists with the Arkansas New Music Ensemble.
University of Arkansas
Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands
Music Hour - Fundamentals of Conducting
Benjamin Lorenzo serves as Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Arkansas, where he directs the 350-member Razorback Marching Band, conducts the Wind Symphony, teaches courses in conducting and music education, and assists with the Arkansas New Music Ensemble.
Katelyn Halbert
University of Arkansas
Visiting Assistant Professor, Horn
Music Hour - Women in Brass Ensembles
Hornist Katey J. Halbert’s vibrant personality and passion for music inspire both as a teacher and performer. Residing in Northwest Arkansas, she is currently the Visiting Assistant Professor of Horn at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. In addition to maintaining the studio and running studio class, she also performs with the faculty wind quintet, Lyrique Quintette, and the faculty brass quintet, Arkansas Brassworks. Previously, she has served on the faculty of Grand View University, Central College, Muskingum University, Marietta College, and Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Dr. Halbert has also maintained a successful private studio since 2009 and her students have gone on to participate in many prestigious youth symphonies, all-state ensembles, and summer programs including Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Ohio and Iowa’s All-State Ensembles, the Columbus Youth Symphony, and the Quad Cities Youth Symphony. She spends her summers on faculty at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan.
At home on the concert stage, she has performed as a soloist and orchestral musician throughout the US. During her career, she has performed with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Philharmonic, Quad Cities Symphony, Central Ohio Symphony, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Southeast Iowa Symphony, Newark-Granville Symphony, McConnell Arts Center Chamber Players, and Opera Project Columbus. As a soloist, she appeared on the international stage when she premiered a commissioned work for horn at the International Women's Brass Conference in 2019. She has been a soloist with ensembles such as the Muskingum Valley Winds, Muskingum University Collegiate Choir, Bowling Green Men's Chorus, Central College Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and the Grand View University Choir.
As a clinician, she has been a visiting guest artist at schools such as Western Illinois University, Drake University, Grinnell College, Luther College, Iowa State University, and Wright State University. Additionally, she has worked high school clinics such as the University of Iowa Hawkeye Honor Band, St. Ambrose University Honor Band, and many others throughout Ohio, Iowa, and Michigan.
An advocate for female equality in the music community, Dr. Halbert has maintained a blog entitled “Brassy Ladies” since 2019 which highlights female brass players and ensembles both currently and historically. The blog was started as a project for a class but turned into a hub for empowering stories of female brass players overcoming adversity in a male-dominated field. She also worked alongside composer Catherine McMichael to create “Borealis: An Essay in Three Movements for Horn and Piano” that was premiered at the International Women’s Brass Conference in 2019, and then recorded by Dr. Halbert in 2020. She has also presented programs of all-female representation at the College Music Society's Central Regional Conference, Grand View's Faculty Research Colloquium Series, and the Women Composer's Festival at Hartford.
Dr. Halbert received her Doctorate in Musical Arts in Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa under the direction of Jeffrey Agrell. Her previous schools include Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, and the University of Michigan. She is also the horn player and founding member of the Wild Prairie Winds, a nonprofit wind quintet.
University of Arkansas
Visiting Assistant Professor, Horn
Music Hour - Women in Brass Ensembles
Hornist Katey J. Halbert’s vibrant personality and passion for music inspire both as a teacher and performer. Residing in Northwest Arkansas, she is currently the Visiting Assistant Professor of Horn at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville. In addition to maintaining the studio and running studio class, she also performs with the faculty wind quintet, Lyrique Quintette, and the faculty brass quintet, Arkansas Brassworks. Previously, she has served on the faculty of Grand View University, Central College, Muskingum University, Marietta College, and Mount Vernon Nazarene University. Dr. Halbert has also maintained a successful private studio since 2009 and her students have gone on to participate in many prestigious youth symphonies, all-state ensembles, and summer programs including Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Ohio and Iowa’s All-State Ensembles, the Columbus Youth Symphony, and the Quad Cities Youth Symphony. She spends her summers on faculty at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Twin Lake, Michigan.
At home on the concert stage, she has performed as a soloist and orchestral musician throughout the US. During her career, she has performed with the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Philharmonic, Quad Cities Symphony, Central Ohio Symphony, Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony, Southeast Iowa Symphony, Newark-Granville Symphony, McConnell Arts Center Chamber Players, and Opera Project Columbus. As a soloist, she appeared on the international stage when she premiered a commissioned work for horn at the International Women's Brass Conference in 2019. She has been a soloist with ensembles such as the Muskingum Valley Winds, Muskingum University Collegiate Choir, Bowling Green Men's Chorus, Central College Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and the Grand View University Choir.
As a clinician, she has been a visiting guest artist at schools such as Western Illinois University, Drake University, Grinnell College, Luther College, Iowa State University, and Wright State University. Additionally, she has worked high school clinics such as the University of Iowa Hawkeye Honor Band, St. Ambrose University Honor Band, and many others throughout Ohio, Iowa, and Michigan.
An advocate for female equality in the music community, Dr. Halbert has maintained a blog entitled “Brassy Ladies” since 2019 which highlights female brass players and ensembles both currently and historically. The blog was started as a project for a class but turned into a hub for empowering stories of female brass players overcoming adversity in a male-dominated field. She also worked alongside composer Catherine McMichael to create “Borealis: An Essay in Three Movements for Horn and Piano” that was premiered at the International Women’s Brass Conference in 2019, and then recorded by Dr. Halbert in 2020. She has also presented programs of all-female representation at the College Music Society's Central Regional Conference, Grand View's Faculty Research Colloquium Series, and the Women Composer's Festival at Hartford.
Dr. Halbert received her Doctorate in Musical Arts in Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Iowa under the direction of Jeffrey Agrell. Her previous schools include Ohio State University, Bowling Green State University, and the University of Michigan. She is also the horn player and founding member of the Wild Prairie Winds, a nonprofit wind quintet.
Shalyn Michele Guthery Nystrom
Music Hour - Music Discussion (Spicy Spotify)
Tau Beta Sigma
Life
MWD Counselor
Music Hour - Music Discussion (Spicy Spotify)
Tau Beta Sigma
Life
MWD Counselor
Sarah Nicole Griffith
Joint - Goal Setting Workshop - Sarah Griffith
Tau Beta Sigma
Life
Chapter Visitation Assistant
Joint - Goal Setting Workshop - Sarah Griffith
Tau Beta Sigma
Life
Chapter Visitation Assistant
Edward Joseph Savoy
Shogun
Chapter of Muppets
Edward Savoy was initiated into the Eta Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania on November 10, 2002.During his time at Eta Alpha, he served a term as Recording Secretary, two terms as Treasurer, and a term as President. Under his leadership
as President, the Chapter assembled a successful bid to host a regional Northeast District meeting, implemented plans to host the Chapter’s 30th anniversary, and continued the growth that would see it awarded the John P. Ross Governor’s Cup for Most Improved Chapter in 2006. Ed graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in English in 2005.
During his time at Lock Haven and later during his time in graduate school at James Madison University, Ed served three terms on the Northeast District Council. During his first two terms as Secretary/Treasurer, he organized a District-wide fundraiser and wrote a comprehensive fundraising guide - one that is still in use. During his term as President, he wrote a guide for running for District office - also still in use. He was awarded the J. Lee Burke Student Achievement Award at the 2006 Northeast District Convention and had the privilege of addressing the 2003 Northeast District Convention and the 2005 National Convention as a keynote speaker. He graduated from JMU with an M.A. in English Literature in 2007.
As an alumnus, Ed served as the colony advisor for the Mu Nu Chapter at Christopher Newport University. Starting in 2009, he served as a member of the KKPsi Alumni Advisory Committee (known today as the KKPsi-AA Board of Directors) as an Alumnus-At-Large. During his term, he was in charge of writing and publishing The Encore, the newsletter of the KKPsi-AA.
In 2011, Edward was appointed as the Chair of the Board of Directors. As Chair, he presided over a structural overhaul of the BOD, instituting the Vice Chair structure in place today, which helped increase Board efficiency. He also helped to oversee the formation and implementation of the Alumni Giving Program, which continues to enable Brothers to contribute monthly to the Fraternity and earn Life Membership credits, and the Scott Stowell Alumni Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding alumni.Additionally, he was the first Board Chair to serve as a non-voting member of the National Council.
In 2017, Edward was elected to the Board of Trustees. During his term, he has served as Board Secretary, taking and distributing minutes for all meetings. He has twice coordinated the “Boh’s Birthday Bash” initiative, which celebrates the birthday of our Guiding Spirit with a one day only discount of Life Membership to $400. In 2018, he served as the colony advisor and installing officer for the Theta Tau Chapter at Fayetteville State University. He also currently serves on the Curriculum Committee.
Kappa Kappa Psi
Life
National VP for Programs
Shogun
Chapter of Muppets
Edward Savoy was initiated into the Eta Alpha Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi at Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania on November 10, 2002.During his time at Eta Alpha, he served a term as Recording Secretary, two terms as Treasurer, and a term as President. Under his leadership
as President, the Chapter assembled a successful bid to host a regional Northeast District meeting, implemented plans to host the Chapter’s 30th anniversary, and continued the growth that would see it awarded the John P. Ross Governor’s Cup for Most Improved Chapter in 2006. Ed graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in English in 2005.
During his time at Lock Haven and later during his time in graduate school at James Madison University, Ed served three terms on the Northeast District Council. During his first two terms as Secretary/Treasurer, he organized a District-wide fundraiser and wrote a comprehensive fundraising guide - one that is still in use. During his term as President, he wrote a guide for running for District office - also still in use. He was awarded the J. Lee Burke Student Achievement Award at the 2006 Northeast District Convention and had the privilege of addressing the 2003 Northeast District Convention and the 2005 National Convention as a keynote speaker. He graduated from JMU with an M.A. in English Literature in 2007.
As an alumnus, Ed served as the colony advisor for the Mu Nu Chapter at Christopher Newport University. Starting in 2009, he served as a member of the KKPsi Alumni Advisory Committee (known today as the KKPsi-AA Board of Directors) as an Alumnus-At-Large. During his term, he was in charge of writing and publishing The Encore, the newsletter of the KKPsi-AA.
In 2011, Edward was appointed as the Chair of the Board of Directors. As Chair, he presided over a structural overhaul of the BOD, instituting the Vice Chair structure in place today, which helped increase Board efficiency. He also helped to oversee the formation and implementation of the Alumni Giving Program, which continues to enable Brothers to contribute monthly to the Fraternity and earn Life Membership credits, and the Scott Stowell Alumni Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding alumni.Additionally, he was the first Board Chair to serve as a non-voting member of the National Council.
In 2017, Edward was elected to the Board of Trustees. During his term, he has served as Board Secretary, taking and distributing minutes for all meetings. He has twice coordinated the “Boh’s Birthday Bash” initiative, which celebrates the birthday of our Guiding Spirit with a one day only discount of Life Membership to $400. In 2018, he served as the colony advisor and installing officer for the Theta Tau Chapter at Fayetteville State University. He also currently serves on the Curriculum Committee.
Kappa Kappa Psi
Life
National VP for Programs
Mrs. Sami Raquel Kinnison
The Belford Group
Client Services Coordinator
TBS - Lessons of Love & Service from Encanto - Sami Kinnison
Arkansas-native, Sami Kinnison, is a skilled speaker, writer, reader, leader, brainstormer, event planner, encourager, and learner, and she has a plethora of other hidden talents. During her time as an active member of the Psi Chapter at the University of Arkansas, Sami served in a variety of positions at the local and district levels. Since graduating, she has served on the board for SWDAA and has been initiated as an honorary to the Southwest District of both Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. After she graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2016 with two degrees in Communication and Ad/PR, she began working for the Walton Family Foundation and now works as the Legal Coordinator, where she now spends her time as a project manager and executive assistant for the Legal Department and General Counsel. Outside of work, Sami spends time organizing TEDx events in her area, helping bring together community members around ideas worth sharing. Sami fills her free time with bike rides with her husband, Chris; trips to the dog park with her golden retriever, Teddy; and hours of snuggles with her son, Henry.
Tau Beta Sigma
Life
Chapter Visitation Assistant
The Belford Group
Client Services Coordinator
TBS - Lessons of Love & Service from Encanto - Sami Kinnison
Arkansas-native, Sami Kinnison, is a skilled speaker, writer, reader, leader, brainstormer, event planner, encourager, and learner, and she has a plethora of other hidden talents. During her time as an active member of the Psi Chapter at the University of Arkansas, Sami served in a variety of positions at the local and district levels. Since graduating, she has served on the board for SWDAA and has been initiated as an honorary to the Southwest District of both Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi. After she graduated from the University of Arkansas in 2016 with two degrees in Communication and Ad/PR, she began working for the Walton Family Foundation and now works as the Legal Coordinator, where she now spends her time as a project manager and executive assistant for the Legal Department and General Counsel. Outside of work, Sami spends time organizing TEDx events in her area, helping bring together community members around ideas worth sharing. Sami fills her free time with bike rides with her husband, Chris; trips to the dog park with her golden retriever, Teddy; and hours of snuggles with her son, Henry.
Tau Beta Sigma
Life
Chapter Visitation Assistant