Special Guests

Special Guests and Entertainment

Banquet Guest Speaker, Brian Shepard
“The Keys to the Treasure: Why Music Study Matters”

Brian Shephard is Chief Executive Officer of Music Teachers National Association. Shepard first began his career at MTNA in 2003 as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations.

In addition to his work at MTNA, Shepard serves on several other nonprofit boards and committees, including the National Music Council. From 2009 to the present, Brian has served in multiple leadership roles with the American Classical Music Hall of Fame, including Board Chair and Professional Organizations Advisory Council Chair. He currently serves the Hall of Fame as Board President. Previously he held multiple executive board positions with CCMpower at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Shepard also volunteered on the Cincinnati Opera Sales and Marketing Committee and was President of the Middletown Music Club for three years.

Shepard is also an accomplished musician who performs frequently for church and community programs as a pianist, vocal soloist and choral conductor. A graduate of Miami University of Ohio, Shepard holds degrees in marketing and music education. He was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow in 2010.

Prelude music for the Saturday evening banquet:
Good Company

Good Company, a men’s ‘Four and more part” A Cappella group, started singing together in May of 2024. An offshoot of Amelia Island Singers, Good Company is directed by Christopher Porth. The group is comprised of singers ranging in age from the 30’s and into the 80’s. Present music ranges from Barbershop to Billy Joel. The group has been seen and heard around the Island at Christmas, Valentines, and Memorial Day events in 2024 and 2025. Just off their Summer hiatus, Good Company is pleased to bring their good humor and happy harmonies to the Florida State Music Teachers Conference. We hope you enjoy our time together and have many happy associations with Good Company.

Prelude music for the First General Session
Les Chemins de L'Amour (Poulenc)
May Arirang (Korean Folk Song)
O Sole Mio (Eduardo di Capua)

Soprano Sunny K. Choi is a recognized lyric coloratura soprano and artist, admired for her artistry and captivating stage presence, through which she shared her passion for the musical heritage from South Korea. As an active soloist, opera singer, and recital and recording artist, Choi has given more than 800 performances across the United States, South America, Europe, and Asia. Her representative concert venues include the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth, Texas, and the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall in Seoul, South Korea. Choi received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Voice Performance from Chung-Ang University in Seoul, Korea, and Music Pedagogy Certificate from the Vienna Conservatory in Vienna, Austria. She is currently ABD for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Church Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, where she also earned a master’s degree in Church Music. She studied with the renowned mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, Dr. Ben Caston, Dr. Heather Hawk, Dr. Angela Cofer, and Sop. Heajung Yang.

Prelude music for the Third General Session:
F. Chopin Ballade no. 1 in G minor, op. 23, transcribed for flute and piano

Yianni Iliadis is President of the Miami Music Teachers Association and a part-time Lecturer at the Frost School of Music, University of Miami, where he earned his DMA. As a soloist, chamber musician, and concerto performer, he has appeared at festivals and conferences including the Killington Music Festival in Vermont, the Florida Flute Association Convention, and the Northern Lights Music Festival in Minnesota. At the University of Miami, Yianni also serves as co-investigator and study coordinator for a research project on music therapy, brain aging, and neurological disease. In addition, he is a consultant for Royal Caribbean’s entertainment enrichment and live music programs. Originally from Greece, he holds additional degrees from California State University, Long Beach, and the University of Macedonia.

Vanessa Fourla is a versatile musical artist, performer, educator, digital media specialist, and arts administrator. Vanessa has performed and presented at numerous national and international conferences, including the National Flute Association convention, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors Conference, Puerto Rico Flute Symposium, Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention, Mid-South Flute Society Festival, Florida Flute Association convention, and has been on the faculties of the Killington Music Festival and the Frost Preparatory School at the University of Miami. In her latest transcriptions, she illuminates familiar works of Chopin for flute and piano. These transcriptions have gained attention for their creative flair and she has been invited to perform them at conventions and festivals across the United States. Her enthusiasm for organizing and promoting classical concerts, her passion for teaching, and her background in music business has led to her positions of Assistant Program Chair and Public Relations Coordinator for the National Flute Association, Publicity Vice President and Director of Marketing of the Miami Music Teachers Association, as well as Media Specialist for YOUmedia Miami. In 2022 she joined the vibrant Entertainment team of Royal Caribbean International, where she is currently Live Music Manager, overseeing music programs on 29 cruise ships around the world. Vanessa holds a DMA degree from the University of Miami's Frost School of Music.