Amy Gillingham, President
Email: [email protected]
Amy Gillingham is a cellist, conductor, educator, and enthusiastic arts advocate. She is Assistant Professor of Strings (Cello) and Director of Orchestras at Northern Kentucky University, where she is also String Area Coordinator and NKU String Project Director. A recipient of $200,000 in grant awards, she has served as Executive Director of the National String Project Consortium, a cohort of the Women’s Institute for Leadership Development, and has overseen a variety of events at national ASTA conferences. Dr. Gillingham is grateful for new opportunities to leverage her roles and skills in order to advance, empower, and inspire others through music.
Amy Gillingham is a cellist, conductor, educator, and enthusiastic arts advocate. She is Assistant Professor of Strings (Cello) and Director of Orchestras at Northern Kentucky University, where she is also String Area Coordinator and NKU String Project Director. A recipient of $200,000 in grant awards, she has served as Executive Director of the National String Project Consortium, a cohort of the Women’s Institute for Leadership Development, and has overseen a variety of events at national ASTA conferences. Dr. Gillingham is grateful for new opportunities to leverage her roles and skills in order to advance, empower, and inspire others through music.
Robert Dixon, President-Elect
Email: [email protected]
Robert Dixon earned his Bachelors of Music Education from the University of
North Carolina at Greensboro and his Masters in Music with an emphasis in
education from Morehead State University.
He began his teaching career directing the orchestras at Western Middle,
The School for the Arts where the program grew from nine students to fifty in the
first three years. In 2016, his 7th and 8th grade orchestra was invited to perform
at the KMEA State conference. Since the fall of 2016, Mr. Dixon has directed the
orchestras at Louisville Male High School and continued to foster the schools
tradition of excellence with his chamber orchestra consistently receiving
distinguished ratings at the KMEA District Assessment.
An avid supporter of elementary string education, Mr. Dixon also helped to create the Louisville Youth Orchestra Presto! beginning strings program and has been
primarily responsible for fostering its continuing development. He also now serves as conductor of the LYO Serenade Orchestra.
Mr. Dixon currently resides in Louisville with his wife, Angela Dixon, as well as their two amazing kids Kelsey (4) and Andrew (2).
Robert Dixon earned his Bachelors of Music Education from the University of
North Carolina at Greensboro and his Masters in Music with an emphasis in
education from Morehead State University.
He began his teaching career directing the orchestras at Western Middle,
The School for the Arts where the program grew from nine students to fifty in the
first three years. In 2016, his 7th and 8th grade orchestra was invited to perform
at the KMEA State conference. Since the fall of 2016, Mr. Dixon has directed the
orchestras at Louisville Male High School and continued to foster the schools
tradition of excellence with his chamber orchestra consistently receiving
distinguished ratings at the KMEA District Assessment.
An avid supporter of elementary string education, Mr. Dixon also helped to create the Louisville Youth Orchestra Presto! beginning strings program and has been
primarily responsible for fostering its continuing development. He also now serves as conductor of the LYO Serenade Orchestra.
Mr. Dixon currently resides in Louisville with his wife, Angela Dixon, as well as their two amazing kids Kelsey (4) and Andrew (2).
Benjamin Karp, Past-President
Email: [email protected]
Benjamin Karp has appeared as soloist, recitalist, orchestral and chamber musician on four continents. He is Professor of Cello at the University of Kentucky School of Music and principal cellist of the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. During the summer he is on the artist faulty and serves as head of strings at the Brevard Music Center. At UK he is faculty director of the ASTA student chapter. He maintains a large studio of private students in Lexington as well.
From 2009-2013, Mr. Karp was Adjunct Associate Professor of Cello at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. His first professional position was as cellist of the New College Quartet and principal cellist of the Florida West Coast Symphony.
Benjamin holds the MM degree from Indiana University, where he was a student of Janos Starker, and a BA in Philosophy from Yale University where he studied with Aldo Parisot. Mr. Karp is a Larsen Performing Artist.
Benjamin Karp has appeared as soloist, recitalist, orchestral and chamber musician on four continents. He is Professor of Cello at the University of Kentucky School of Music and principal cellist of the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra. During the summer he is on the artist faulty and serves as head of strings at the Brevard Music Center. At UK he is faculty director of the ASTA student chapter. He maintains a large studio of private students in Lexington as well.
From 2009-2013, Mr. Karp was Adjunct Associate Professor of Cello at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. His first professional position was as cellist of the New College Quartet and principal cellist of the Florida West Coast Symphony.
Benjamin holds the MM degree from Indiana University, where he was a student of Janos Starker, and a BA in Philosophy from Yale University where he studied with Aldo Parisot. Mr. Karp is a Larsen Performing Artist.
Kelly Mayes, Secretary
Email: [email protected]
Kelly J. Mayes has been a music educator in the Fayette County Public School (FCPS) District since 2001. She began teaching Orchestra at Lexington Traditional Magnet School for eleven years before coming to Bryan Station High School ten years ago. In addition to her teaching duties as Orchestra Director, Mrs. Mayes is also the Co-Director of the Station Arts Program, a small learning community focused on the arts, at Bryan Station High School. Mrs. Mayes also teaches 4th and 5th Grade Orchestra at Deep Springs Elementary School and assists with the Bryan Station Middle School Orchestra as well.
Mrs. Mayes is a member of the American String Teachers Association, Kentucky Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education. She has served as a guest conductor for FPCS Middle School Honors Orchestra as well as KMEA District 8 Middle School Honors Orchestra. Mrs. Mayes also serves as the Pit Orchestra Conductor and Music Director for the spring musicals at BSHS. As a clinician, Mrs. Mayes has presented sessions at the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) Conference, the Innovations For Learning Conference, and the Kentucky Arts Education Summit. She has also served as an adjudicator for large ensemble performance assessment as well as solo and ensemble assessment. Mrs. Mayes is currently the KMEA Orchestra Assessment Co-Manager for District 7 and is the Chair of the KMEA Commission for Performance Assessment. She has received the Outstanding Service Award from the Kentucky Chapter of the American String Teachers Association as well as the KMEA District Seven High School Music Teacher of the Year Award.
Mrs. Mayes is a graduate of Mason County High School in Maysville, KY, where she has served as a guest conductor, and was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Music Service in 2004. She holds a degree in Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University. She lives in Lexington with her husband, Alan, and two children, Braden and Ian.
Kelly J. Mayes has been a music educator in the Fayette County Public School (FCPS) District since 2001. She began teaching Orchestra at Lexington Traditional Magnet School for eleven years before coming to Bryan Station High School ten years ago. In addition to her teaching duties as Orchestra Director, Mrs. Mayes is also the Co-Director of the Station Arts Program, a small learning community focused on the arts, at Bryan Station High School. Mrs. Mayes also teaches 4th and 5th Grade Orchestra at Deep Springs Elementary School and assists with the Bryan Station Middle School Orchestra as well.
Mrs. Mayes is a member of the American String Teachers Association, Kentucky Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education. She has served as a guest conductor for FPCS Middle School Honors Orchestra as well as KMEA District 8 Middle School Honors Orchestra. Mrs. Mayes also serves as the Pit Orchestra Conductor and Music Director for the spring musicals at BSHS. As a clinician, Mrs. Mayes has presented sessions at the Kentucky Music Educators Association (KMEA) Conference, the Innovations For Learning Conference, and the Kentucky Arts Education Summit. She has also served as an adjudicator for large ensemble performance assessment as well as solo and ensemble assessment. Mrs. Mayes is currently the KMEA Orchestra Assessment Co-Manager for District 7 and is the Chair of the KMEA Commission for Performance Assessment. She has received the Outstanding Service Award from the Kentucky Chapter of the American String Teachers Association as well as the KMEA District Seven High School Music Teacher of the Year Award.
Mrs. Mayes is a graduate of Mason County High School in Maysville, KY, where she has served as a guest conductor, and was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Music Service in 2004. She holds a degree in Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University. She lives in Lexington with her husband, Alan, and two children, Braden and Ian.
Josh Rayburn, Treasurer/Communications/ Professional Development
Email: [email protected]
Josh Rayburn works for Woodford County Public Schools as the Chief Information Officer. Prior to this role, he was a District STEM Learning Coach for Fayette County Public Schools and Orchestra Director at Frederick Douglass High School, Lexington Traditional Magnet School, and assistant orchestra director at Dunbar High School. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelors and Masters in Music Education and holds a doctorate in Educational Technology and Leadership from Morehead State University. He is a cellist and enjoys playing music.
Josh Rayburn enjoys technology, wood working, and spending time with his wife and children.
Josh Rayburn works for Woodford County Public Schools as the Chief Information Officer. Prior to this role, he was a District STEM Learning Coach for Fayette County Public Schools and Orchestra Director at Frederick Douglass High School, Lexington Traditional Magnet School, and assistant orchestra director at Dunbar High School. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelors and Masters in Music Education and holds a doctorate in Educational Technology and Leadership from Morehead State University. He is a cellist and enjoys playing music.
Josh Rayburn enjoys technology, wood working, and spending time with his wife and children.
Tze-Ying Wu, Collegiate Chapter Chair
Bio coming soon
Mary Elizabeth Henton, Newsletter Editor/ Professional Development
Email: [email protected]
Mary Elizabeth Henton is the orchestra director at Model Laboratory Schools in Richmond, KY. She was previously the orchestra director at Lexington Traditional Magnet School and assistant orchestra director at Henry Clay School. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Music Education. Mrs. Henton is currently pursuing her doctorate from the University of Kentucky.
Mrs. Henton is currently an active member of the KY Chapter of American String Teachers Association and Kentucky Music Educators Association, and is currently the Orchestra Chair Elect for the State and will be Orchestra Chair in 2020. She has served as the District 7 orchestra chair for KMEA for 2015-2017. She is also the Fayette County Honors Orchestra Co-Chair since 2012. Mrs. Henton has also been a clinician at the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference in 2015, and has been an adjudicator for the Louisville Solo & Ensemble for the past five years.
Mrs. Henton taught both violin and viola for the Friends in Music Program through the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra at Bryan Station Middle School and Lexington Traditional Magnet School from 2011-2015. She plays violin in the Kentucky Bach Choir, Lexington Chamber Orchestra, and has performed violin/fiddle for numerous musical shows in Lexington and surrounding areas including Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wiz, Sweeney Todd, Beauty and the Beast, and Honky Tonk Angels.
Mrs. Henton won the 2013 ASTA Studio Teacher of the Year award, and currently teaches private violin/viola lessons out of her home on the family farm in Woodford County. She helped jump start the Woodford County after school strings program in 2010, and has taught Appalachian Music classes at The Living Arts and Science Center. When she isn’t teaching, Mrs. Henton loves to run half and full marathons or get away to the mountains!
Mary Elizabeth Henton is the orchestra director at Model Laboratory Schools in Richmond, KY. She was previously the orchestra director at Lexington Traditional Magnet School and assistant orchestra director at Henry Clay School. She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelors and Master’s degree in Music Education. Mrs. Henton is currently pursuing her doctorate from the University of Kentucky.
Mrs. Henton is currently an active member of the KY Chapter of American String Teachers Association and Kentucky Music Educators Association, and is currently the Orchestra Chair Elect for the State and will be Orchestra Chair in 2020. She has served as the District 7 orchestra chair for KMEA for 2015-2017. She is also the Fayette County Honors Orchestra Co-Chair since 2012. Mrs. Henton has also been a clinician at the Kentucky Music Educators Association Conference in 2015, and has been an adjudicator for the Louisville Solo & Ensemble for the past five years.
Mrs. Henton taught both violin and viola for the Friends in Music Program through the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra at Bryan Station Middle School and Lexington Traditional Magnet School from 2011-2015. She plays violin in the Kentucky Bach Choir, Lexington Chamber Orchestra, and has performed violin/fiddle for numerous musical shows in Lexington and surrounding areas including Jesus Christ Superstar, The Wiz, Sweeney Todd, Beauty and the Beast, and Honky Tonk Angels.
Mrs. Henton won the 2013 ASTA Studio Teacher of the Year award, and currently teaches private violin/viola lessons out of her home on the family farm in Woodford County. She helped jump start the Woodford County after school strings program in 2010, and has taught Appalachian Music classes at The Living Arts and Science Center. When she isn’t teaching, Mrs. Henton loves to run half and full marathons or get away to the mountains!
