On Saturday, July 22 , “Across the Arts with Patrick D. McCoy” hosted a special live conversation and reception with Michael Stepniak, Ed.D., in honor of his recent promotion from dean of Shenandoah Conservatory to executive dean for creativity and the arts at Shenandoah University. The entire event was created and hosted by Patrick D. McCoy ’05 (Master of Music in Church Music – Conducting) who also serves as a member of the Conservatory Advisory Board and Dean’s Circle. The intimate setting at the Gaylord Hotel and Resort in Oxon Hill, Maryland, with its breathtaking atrium view suite, provided the perfect backdrop for the gathering of arts leaders and supporters.
Supporters and representatives of the arts community included:
- Mrs. Terri Allen, executive director of the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts (CAAPA) with Ms. Pamela Simonson, co-founder
- Ms. Dana M. Anderson, Director of Strategic Initiatives of the Heritage Signature Chorale
- Dr. Arlene King-Berry, Heritage Signature Chorale board member
- Dr. Edryn Coleman ’18 (Doctor of Musical Arts in Music Education), director of choral activities at Oakland Mills High School
- Ms. Caroline Edwards, arts supporter and soprano with Trinity Chancel Choir
- Mr. Adam Graham, organist and conductor
- Ms. Linda Hall ’76 (Bachelor of Music in Music Education – Piano), choral conductor, retired music teacher from Baltimore City College High School and Conservatory Advisory Board member
- Rev. Renee Hammock, executive pastor at Leadenhall Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland
- M3 | Mitchell Media & Marketing, LLC (Dr. Ceylon Mitchell, event photographer)
- Mr. Aaron Myers, executive director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
- Dr. Alvin L. Reaves, III, Palliative Care, arts supporter and musician
- Ms. Jerilynn Payne ’79 ( Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy – Piano), Conservatory Advisory Board member
- Ms. Diedre Robinson, arts supporter
- Dr. Anne Schempp, Ed.D., PA-C, Shenandoah University’s director of the Division of Physician Assistant Studies and associate professor of physician assistant studies (wife of Dr. Stepniak)
This event marked the first independently produced iteration of “Across the Arts with Patrick D. McCoy.”