Crystal DiGiacomo (she/her)

VP Ritual 

Initiation Chapter/Year: Beta Psi, Eastern Carolina University, 1995

Awards: Sword of Honor

Field of Performance: Clarinet

Profession: Sr. Branch Office Administrator

Sequina DuBose (she/her)

Initiation Chapter/Year: Kappa Xi, Morgan State University, 2001

Field of Performance: Voice

Profession: Voice Professor at University of North Carolina - Charlotte

Bio: An interpreter of contemporary and hybrid works, Dr. Sequina DuBose launched her debut album entitled Blurred Lines: 21st Century Hybrid Vocal Literature on the Albany Records label in 2022. She also performed in the same season as Donna Elvira in Eve Summer’s modern adaptation of Mozart’s Don Giovanni with Opera Carolina, as well as with the Virginia Arts Festival in two chamber operas, Companionship by Rachel Peters and Tales From the Briar Patch by Nkeiru Okoye. She returned to Opera Carolina as Clara in Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess in 2023. Dr. DuBose regularly performs with prestigious ensembles such as The American Spiritual Ensemble (Dr. Everett McCorvey, Dir.) and Chorale Le Chateau (Damien Sneed, Dir.). Other notable engagements include performances with the Michigan Opera Theater (now Detroit Opera), Tulsa Symphony and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO), Royal Danish Opera, Ojai Youth Opera Company, and as a soloist and ensemble member with Kathleen Battle in Underground Railroad: A Spiritual Journey at the Metropolitan Opera. 

Dr. DuBose has presented her research, which focuses on performance practice and pedagogy for 21st -century hybrid vocal literature, at the 2021 NATS Summer Workshop, the 2021 Music by Women Festival, the 2nd International Scientific and Practical Conference (Azerbaijan National Conservatory), and through several masterclasses and lecture recitals with academic institutions and conferences. Dr. DuBose currently serves as Assistant Professor of Classical and Contemporary Voice, and Coordinator of the Musical Theater Certificate program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. An avid arts advocate, in addition to her role as Faculty Advisor for the Mu Psi SAI chapter, she serves on the WDAV (89.9 FM Classical Public Radio) Community Advisory Board, with The International Florence Price Festival (Board Vice-President), and as a founding board member with Baltimore-based, African-American-led theatre company, ArtsCentric. 

When she is not teaching or performing, she and her husband enjoy spending time with their teenage daughter, Jogo the schnauzer, and Maaco the cat. www.SequinaDuBose.com

Duda França-McGuire (she/her)

Corresponding Secretary

Initiation Chapter/Year: Eta Theta, Western Carolina University, 2021

Field of Performance: Voice, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele

Major: Marketing

Bio: Duda is from Brazil. She is married to CP and has a furbaby named Roxy. Her favorite thing about SAI is being able to connect with music and to connect with people that who share the same passion.

Heather Gering (she/her)

President

Initiation Chapter/Year: Kappa Upsilon, Kansas State University, 2011

Major: Clarinet Performance

Field of Performance: Clarinets, Saxophones, Flute

Profession: College Music Instructor

Bio: Heather is a college music instructor and teacher of clarinet. She is currently ABD for her DMA in Clarinet Performance and Pedagogy. In the summer of 2022, she moved to Gastonia, NC, with her boyfriend. Together, they make up the steel pan and clarinet duo, Duo Nuummite. In her spare time she likes drinking coffee, going on hikes and walks, playing video games, reading, and watching bad teen dramas and reality TV.

Caitlin Griffin (she/her)

Initiation Chapter/Year: Mu Psi, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2021

Awards: Sword of Honor

Major: Psychology/Criminal Justice

Field of Performance: Flute & Piccolo

Jessie Holbrook (she/her)

Initiation Chapter/Year: Eta Theta, Western Carolina University, 2009

Awards: Sword of Honor

Major: Interior Design

Field of Performance: Clarinet

Profession: Medical Coder

Bio: Jessie and her husband met at Western Carolina University and have been married since 2014. They have a two children, a dog, and three cats. She enjoys reading, sewing, and other crafts. She is originally from the Raleigh area where she was a gymnast for 10+ years growing up.

Amy Hollar

Initiation Chapter/Year: Eta Beta, University of North Carolina - Pembroke, 2010

Major: Music

Field of Performance: Voice - Soprano

Profession: Administrative Assistant

Bio: Amy and her husband have two fur babies: a terrier mix dog named Charlie and a cat named Black Beauty. She loves reading and going on hikes. She is originally from the coast and loves getting to go to the beach when she can!

Hannah McGuire (she/her/hers)

Initiation Chapter/Year: Kappa Gamma, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, 2021

Awards: Sword of Honor

Major: Bachelor of Music in Music Education - Choral K-12

Field of Performance: Voice - Mezzo-Soprano

Miranda Melton (she/her)

Initiation Chapter/Year: Epsilon Theta, Appalachian State University, 2015 

Major: Instrumental Music Education

Field of Performance: Viola, Violin, Cello, Double Bass, Piano

Lily Moore (she/her/hers)

Initiation Chapter/Year: Mu Psi, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2020

Awards: Sword of Honor

Major: Music/Political Science

Field of Performance: Clarinet

Profession: Administration

Bio: Lily is single and happy! She has a precious cat/child named Maximus. Lily's favorite thinga bout SAI is the support she has received from all the friends she has made. During her time in the Mu Psi, the chapter felt like family to her and she deeply cares about each and every one of them.

Nicole Morris (she/her)

Treasurer

Initiation Chapter/Year: Gamma Theta, Georgia Southern University, 2006

Awards: Sword of Honor, Rose of Honor

Major: Early Childhood Education

Minor: Music Education

Field of Performance: Piano, Flute, Oboe, Percussion, Tenor Saxophone

Profession: Accounting & Purchasing

Bio: Nicole's love for music began when she started playing piano at 7 years old. Throughout the years, she added flute, oboe, percussion, and tenor saxophone to the list of instruments she enjoys playing. Nicole joined Sigma Alpha Iota during her freshman year at Georgia Southern University. One of her proudest achievements during her time in the chapter was the creation and chairing of the Annual Benefit Concert Fundraiser. Nicole loves spending time with her husband, Andy, and huskies, Nisha and Sylvie. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, driving, gardening, reading, and watching movies. 

Madelyn Palko (she/her)

VP Membership

Initiation Chapter/Year: Mu Psi, University of North Carolina - Charlotte, 2020 (Charter Member)

Major: Communication Studies

Minor: Legal Studies; Women's and Gender Studies

Field of Performance: Flute

Liz Peeples

Initiation Chapter/Year: Epsilon Theta, Appalachian State University, 2018

Awards: Sword of Honor, Ruby Sword of Honor, Collegiate Honor Award

Major: Elementary Education with a Concentration in Music

Minor: Sociology

Field of Performance: Tuba

Profession: 4th Grade Teacher

Bio: Liz is originally from Clearwater, Florida, but grew up in the South Charlotte area. She attended Appalachian State and loved living in Boone! While in college, she was a member of both Sigma Alpha Iota and Kappa Kappa Psi. She loves Disney and has two cats named Kermit and Kylo! She is a 4th grade teacher as well as the maker space specialist at a local summer camp. Liz is also a graduate student at East Carolina University working towards a Master of Arts in Elementary Education. She loves Sigma Alpha Iota and loves continuing her Sisterhood at the Alumnae level!

Mary Pickhardt

Sergeant-at-Arms

Initiation Chapter/Year: Epsilon Theta, Appalachian State University, 2017

Awards: Sword of Honor, Ruby Sword of Honor

Major: Elementary Education with a Concentration in Music

Field of Performance: Clarinet

Profession: Kindergarten Teacher

Bio: Mary graduated from Appalachian State University and teaches Kindergarten! She has six siblings and plays the clarinet. In her free time, you can find her reading in her hammock, going on a walk, or visiting a museum! She has two generations of native Charlotteans in her family, so ask her for a tour!

Jessi-Anna Reed

Patroness with Training 

Initiation Chapter/Year: Patroness Initiate of Charlotte Alumnae Chapter, 2022

Awards: Outstanding Member

Major: Psychology

Graduate Degree: Cloud Engineering

Field of Performance: Voice

Profession: Technical Analyst II / Support Engineer

Bio: Jessianna loves listening to music and picking out every instrument in the song. Concerning vocal work, she has done voice overs, DJ tags and infomercials. While she has a passion for music and technology, her first love was marine biology. She is always down for a trip to the aquarium or beach!

Erin Salzlein

Initiation Chapter/Year: Epsilon Theta, Appalachian State University, 2016

Major: Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry

Minor: Biology

Field of Performance: Saxophone, Voice

Profession: Medical Laboratory Scientist 

Bio: Erin is always here to help either break or fix things! By day, she can be found asleep and by night, she can be found in a hospital blood bank.  When she isn’t collecting old musical instruments, in her free time she enjoys crochet, Star Wars video games, and fandom trivia nights.

Corey Small (she/her/hers)

Recording Secretary

Initiation Chapter/Year: Beta Zeta, Meredith College, 2001

Major: Music

Minor: English

Field of Performance: Voice

Profession: MLIS Grad Student at UNC Greensboro

Bio: Corey is married to Tony and they have two fur-babies, Kaylee Jayne (a very sweet lab mix) and Osgood Rose (also a very sweet lab mix with some extra energy reserves). Corey was named after the song "Corey's Coming" by Harry Chapin. She is an avid knitter and is willing to help anyone who wants to learn!

Gabby Stiltner (she/her)

Initiation Chapter/Year: Mu Psi, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2022

Major: Exercise Science

Field of Performance: Alto Saxophone, Mezzo Soprano Voice

Profession: Chiropractic Assistant

Bio: Gabby has a fur baby named Dante (cat) and has been dating her boyfriend, Tyler, for 2.5 years. She has been in marching band on and off since 3rd grade (2009), totaling 10 seasons! Her favorite thing about SAI is the sisterhood. Some of the greatest friends Gabby has are fellow sisters.

Aleena Tashjian (she/her)

Initiation Chapter/Year: Mu Psi, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2020 (Charter Member)

Major: Psychology

Minor: Dance & Criminal Justice

Field of Performance: Trumpet

Damaris Tolentino (she/her)

Initiation Chapter/Year: Mu Psi, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2020 (Charter Member)

Major: Psychology and Sociology

Field of Performance: Clarinet

Profession: Behavioral Modification Technician

Bio: Damaris comes from a family with three siblings, two brothers and one sister. She has a Chihuahua/Terrier mix, named Bear. She is currently completing her Masters in Forensic Psychology and her dream job is to be a special agent of the FBI. Damaris' favorite things about SAI are the family aspect and that we are all so unique and bring different perspectives to the table. 

Bee Wade (she/they)

Initiation Chapter/Year: Epsilon Chi, Mississippi State University, 2017

Field of Performance: Clarinet, Guitar

Major: Wildlife, Fisheries, and Acquaculture

Bonnie Wall (she/her)

VP Programs

Initiation Chapter/Year: Mu Psi, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 2020 (Charter Member)

Major: Nursing

Field of Performance: Clarinet

Profession: Nurse at Atrium CMC Main