Beth Perkinson McCoy, Artistic Director of MECCA and Music Director of HYE

The MECCA program is under the direction of Beth Perkinson McCoy of Abingdon, Va., a diaconal minister in the United Methodist Church.  Mrs. McCoy holds a master's degree in music education from Peabody of Vanderbilt University and is a published author and composer. She teaches private piano and vocal lessons and is in frequent demand as a clinician and adjudicator.

ETCC has grown in size and quality over her 10 years as Artistic Director. Parents credit her with their children's growth in skills, discipline, and lifelong interest in music. She envisions feeder choirs across the region for younger children. The vision of Mountain Empire Children's Choral Academy, comprised of ETCC, HYE, and the feeder choirs, shows her vision for the region to stimulate and develop young singers. She frequently serves as a clinician and adjudicator.

In 2000 McCoy received the Conductor's Award from the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra and in 2001 the Composer of the Year Award from the Appalachian Music Teachers Association. She has been a featured composer in area concerts, including King College's “Concert of Women Composers” in 2003 and the Greater Tri-Cities Area Composers Consortium's “Artistic Reflections” in 2004. McCoy wrote a musical for the ETCC titled “The Ghosts of Featherstone Castle and Other Tales of the Border Country,” which was performed throughout the Tri-Cities in the spring of 2005. The musical was commissioned by the Johnson City Area Arts Council and the Tennessee Arts Commission.  Under her direction the ETCC has accepted repeated invitations to sing with the area symphonies and for the Biltmore Mansion's Christmas Candlelight Tours, the HYE has sung in Carnegie Hall and in May of 2007 sang in the 20th International Chamber Choir Competition in Pecs, Hungary.

Jane DeLoach Morison, Music Director of the ETCC and Da Capo, and Accompanist for the HYE

Jane DeLoach Morison, Director of the East Tennessee Children's Choir, received the Bachelor of Music Education (summa cum laude) from East Tennessee State University , and received the Master of Music degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro .  She has also studied at L'Académie de Musique de Sion in Switzerland .

Jane studied choral conducting with Thomas Jenrette, piano with Donald Conflenti, and voice with Robert LaPella at ETSU.   The recipient of a four-year performance scholarship, she was twice named Most Outstanding Music Student.  As a member of the Delta Omicron music fraternity, she was also named to the academic honor society of Phi Kappa Phi.  She studied with Joseph DiPiazza at UNC-Greensboro where she was inducted into the musical honor society of Pi Kappa Lambda.  Jane has also studied with Barbara Lister-Sink and Clifton Matthews.

For nine years Jane was on the faculty of the Southern Park Music School in Charlotte , North Carolina .  While living in Charlotte Jane also taught at Central Piedmont Community College , was a guest lecturer at Winthrop University , and twice served on the faculty of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Summer Music Camp.  As a member of the North Carolina Music Teachers Association Jane was awarded the Certificate of Professional Advancement.  She also holds permanent national certification with the Music Teachers National Association.  She served as President of the Charlotte Piano Teachers Forum and also held the office of state Secretary for NCMTA.  

Jane is on the faculty of the Virginia Suzuki Institute at Emory and Henry College , and for the past two summers has been on the faculty of the ETSU Piano Camp.

A licensed Kindermusik teacher for the past twelve years, Jane was the Director of the School of Music at Sullins Academy in Bristol from 2001-2007 and taught piano and Kindermusik there beginning in 2000.  Before her tenure at Sullins Academy Jane taught at the St. Anne Catholic School in Bristol , where she directed and wrote semi-annual concerts in addition to teaching general music, piano and Kindermusik.  During her first year there she also directed the middle school in a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with ETCC alumna Hilary Ginther in the title role!  In addition to directing ETCC and Da Capo Jane maintains both a private piano studio and a Kindermusik studio.

Jane is a member of the Organization of American Kodály Educators, Music Teachers National Association, and the American Choral Directors Association.  She and her family are members of Central Presbyterian Church in Bristol , Virginia, where she serves as en elder.

Angelia Woody graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.  She holds a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in Sacred Music.  Angee received the Grace Moore Memorial Scholarship and a Roy Acuff Scholarship in Choral Music. A member of Sigma Alpha Iota, Chorister's Guild and the American Choral Directors Association, Angee studied with Dr. Dolly Hough Davis and Dr. David Stutzenburger while at UTK 

Angee has served as organist/choirmaster at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Morristown, TN, Director of Music Ministries at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Knoxville and at First UMC in Alcoa, TN.  Most recently, Angee served as Director of Ministries with Children and Youth at Cherokee United Methodist Church in Johnson City, TN.

For twelve years, Angee served as a staff member with the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church.  During her tenure there, Angee was the director of Holston's ambassador youth ensemble, “Salt & Light.”  Touring across Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina with the choir provided Angee with a wealth of experience - musically and relationally. 

Angee and her family reside in Greeneville, TN, and attend Asbury United Methodist Church, where her husband David serves as senior pastor.  Angee co-owns an event planning business known as “The Main Event.”

Patricia Denmark has been an avid participant in choral music and music education for 20 years. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Texas A&M University. She did additional coursework, and received certification in All-Level Music Education through East Texas Baptist University. Before moving to Tennessee with her family, she taught music in grades 3-12 at the Trinity School of Texas in Longview, Texas, including the direction of Middle School and High School choirs.

Patty feels honored to have been selected to participate as a chorus member in the Carnegie Hall Professional Choral Workshop on several occasions. She has attended the week-long workshop twice as a chorister under the leadership of the late Robert Shaw, once with Andre’ Previn, and most recently as a choral alternate with Helmut Rilling. Each event was a significant educational experience in choral conducting and culminated in a memorable concert in Carnegie Hall.

Patty currently serves as Director of Music at St Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Kingsport. She sings soprano in The Civic Chorale, and also enjoys occasional opportunities to sing in smaller chamber ensembles. Patty is a member of the Dobyns-Bennett Orchestra Guild, the Choristers Guild, and also serves as Sub-Dean for the Northeast Tennessee/Southwest Virginia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. Patty is employed by Kingsport City Schools as an Instructional Assistant at Andrew Johnson Elementary School.

Patty is excited about the opportunity to share her love of choral music with the children of Kingsport and is looking forward to meeting these young singers.

Nancy Hopson, Administrative Assistant

Board of Directors

Tom Corum, Chair
Kenton Coe
Bonnie Haskins
Dr. David Hendricksen
Dr. Helen King
Dr. Maria Niederberger
Roger Bailey
Lauretta Lynn-Merrill

Artistic Director
Beth Perkinson McCoy

Advisory Council
Nancy Arnold
Anita Crawford
Dr. Pat Flannagan