The Chorus

R. Martino Avery:   Director/Chair of Jazz-Arts Programs Youth Committee; Graduate of Howard University- Fine Arts Studies with concentration in Classical and Jazz Piano;  Music Director /Stage Manager for Plays & Musicals in the US & Europe; serves as Writer/Producer/Arranger/Music Director for "Live" performances in London, Scotland, Ireland, France, and the US. He enjoys working with youth, adult musicians and vocalists - and has performed in various theatre productions at the Lincoln Theatre and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts;  and is an affluent sign language interpreter

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Daron Burks: Officer/Secretary/Chair of the Hospitality Committee; a Graduate Benedict College, with a B.A. in Mass Communications; provides news updates  for the Newsletter Editorial for Performing Arts; serves as Vice-Chair, of Traveling  Exhibit Display Committee; and a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity (Cue's) - the first Black Fraternity founded on Historically Black College Campuses.

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 Cynthia Bulger: Graduate Valdosta State, B.A. Business Administration, Graduate of Leadership Georgia. Chair of Phonographic Music Equipment Collectables; and Chair of Music Equipment Resources Committee.

 

Frenchie Burnett: Director/Chair of Research and History Committee; retiredMilitary; and a former Law Enforcement Officer; is the Deputy Director of the American Legion Boy State Program in Virginia.

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Jean Burnett: Director/Co-Chair of Youth Music-Arts Program Committee; and a musician. Jean is retired military; an RN (Nurse); and serves as the Medical Director of the American Legion Boy State Program of Virginia. In her spare time, Jean performs with the Fredericksburg Big-Band Orchestra.

 

Gail Armstead: Officer: Interim Treasurer: Chair, Community Volunteer Committee; is a prolific Lead Vocalist performing both locally and regionally; organizes local volunteers for events and serves as Co-Chair, of Community Events & Marketing Committee.

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 Shannon S. Golphin: Graduate Valdosta State; has earned a B.A. History; and a Masters in Library Media; serves on the Research & History Committee.

 

John S. Holmes: Director - serves as Chaplain. He is former Military; a former Law Enforcement Officer; a former Law Enforcement Chaplain; and serves on the Exhibit Transport Committee and Exhibit Build. 

 

James H. Patterson: Director/Advisor: Supplies musical instruments for Exhibits; is a Graduate of Clark Atlanta University; Professor Patterson earned his Masters in Music; received an Honorary Doctorate-at Morris Brown College; serves as the Music Director of the CAU Jazz Band; he is Chair of JEN (Jazz Educators Network) for Charlie Parker. Has and continues to perform at Carnegie Hall in New York (unless on hold due to Covid-19).

 

Demetrius Smith: Director/Chair of JOCADA's National Youth Music-Arts Program Committee. A Graduate of  Valdosta State; with a B.A. in Political Science; a B.A. in History; and is a Graduate University of Georgia earning his M. Ed in Personal & Higher Education.

 

Diana Wimbish: Advisor: Graduate University of Southern California; Founder of the Leimert Jazz Festival in Compton; Producer of east coast Jazz events; Co-producer for Jazz Ensemble "NZinga"; Producer, Drew University Legacy Jazz Series -Los Angeles; and Board Member, Hartford Jazz Society.

 

Callye Holmes: President & Founder of Jewel of Celebrated Artistry DA, Inc.; a Vocalist & Percussionist; having toured the US & Europe; released five (5) single records to 37 European countries; is a Graduate of Corporate Education at Oglethorpe University, and Business through MaryGrove College.  After tour season ended with Martha Reeves (of Martha & the Vandellas), studied at the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) - a Photography Major (for museum studies); 2-D Design; 3-D Design, Sketching, Black & White Film; Digital Photography; Photo Editing; Digital Editing; Lighting; Perspective Drawing; Public Speaking; Western Art History; and under the tutelage of Ambassador Boha 'Phi of Namibia - and Ma 'Lick Cisse, of Senegal, studied West African Art & Culture. 

  

*JOCADA Directors bring a minimum of 45 years of Jazz education & relative experience*