Dr. Meg Stohlmann, Appalachian Youth Chorale Director
Brandon Winbush, Assistant Choral Director and Collaborative Pianist
Brandon Winbush is a graduate of Appalachian State University, where he studied piano with Dr. Rodney Reynerson and choral conducting with Dr. Stephen M. Hopkins. A member of both the American Choral Directors' Association and the National Association for Music Educators, Mr. Winbush is frequently invited to serve as a collaborative pianist for various school and honor choirs around the state of North Carolina. In addition to serving as choral director at Watauga High School, Mr. Winbush runs his own private piano studio and is also the principal organist and choirmaster at St. Elizabeth of the Hill Country Catholic Church in Boone.
Dr. Nicole Sonbert, Director
Dr. Nicole Sonbert, Director of the Community Music School and a member of the voice faculty at Appalachian State University is recognized for work as an administrator, performer, clinician, guest presenter, adjudicator, and guest conductor. She is a graduate of University of Kentucky with a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance. Her research area encompasses Evaluating Appropriate Repertoire for Developing Singers: An African-American Art Song Anthology. Sonbert was previously the Youth & Family Programs Manager for Seattle Opera, as well as a part of the voice faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In 2006, she was the recipient of the "My Teacher, My Hero" award, honoring her as a teacher and mentor for young voices.