"Just don't give up trying to do what you really want to do . . . Where there's love and inspiration, I don't think you can go wrong."

- Ella Fitzgerald

This year the Vocal Majors and Minors were fortunate enough to work with two wonderful teachers, Dr. David Johnson and Mrs. Suann Strickland.

Dr. David Lee Johnson

David Lee Johnson was born in El Paso, Texas. He holds Bachelors and Masters degrees, and a doctorate in music education. He's a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, the American Choral Directors Association, and the Georgia Music Educators Association, of which he was the past college chairman.

Currently, Dr. Johnson works as Director of Choral Activities at Valdosta State University. He lives with his wife Susane and three dogs, Hannah, Phoebe, and Lizzie.  He has three children, Deidra, Davide, and Emily.  He enjoys reading, beef tartar, and his job (he's been at it for 18 years). His favorite movie is the Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood. His pet peeves are having people talk while he is talking, people who are chronically late, and those who ignore him when he talks to them.                             return to top

Mrs. Strickland

Suaan A. Strickland grew up in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She holds a Masters degree and a world music certificate from Florida State University where she also completed extensive graduate study in choral conducting. She also holds a Bachelor's degree in piano performance from Meredith College and a Bachelor's degree in sociology from Wheaton College. Currently she teaches classical piano and accompanies guest artists at Mercer University in Macon, where she will also direct the development of a music prepatory program in the fall of 2003. Suann has directed music over 60 theatre productions including professional work in Chicago with such directors as Robert Falls. she has directed group keyboard classes for all ages from Yamaha schools for preschoolers to piano improvisation classes for adults. Suann has performed as a soloist with the Raleigh Symphony, sung under the direction of Robert Shaw, and had one of her vocal compositions chosen for performance at the 2001 Festival for Women Composers. She was privileged to tour Russia with International Arts for Peace in August 1991 during the downfall of the soviet Union.

Suann lives in Warner Robins with her husband Charles Anderson who is a trombonist and singer with The Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve and their 3 cats and dog. Suann's favorite movies include Guess Who's Coming to dinner, Out of Africa, and My Dinner with Andre.Her favorite writers include P. G. Wodehouse, Osak Dinesen and Joseph Campbell. She likes latin, classical, and pop music, desert sunsets, kein-chi, jalapenos, Ella Frank, the Beatles, and all things Star Trek.                       return to top