Leadership
Dr. Ryan Fisher, Artistic Director
Ryan Fisher, artistic director of MCA, also serves as the Interim Dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts and Professor of Music Education at the University of Memphis. Choirs under his direction have been featured at the Arkansas Music Educators Association conference and Tennessee Music Education Association conference, and made frequent guest appearances with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Conway Symphony Orchestra, and Germantown Symphony Orchestra. He also served as the President-Elect of the Arkansas Music Educators Association and on the National Association for Music Education-Choral Council and Tennessee Music Education Association state board. He currently serves on the Tennessee ACDA state board and Update: Applications of Research in Music Education editorial committee, and is also the current President-Elect of the Tennessee Music Education Association. Dr. Fisher’s previous teaching experience also includes elementary music, middle school chorus, and high school chorus in Texas where he received numerous teaching awards.
Dr. Fisher is an active choral clinician and researcher. He earned a BME from Lee University, a MM in choral conducting and a PhD in music education from the University of North Texas. In 2016, he was recognized as Distinguished Alumnus of the Year by the Lee University School of Music. His research interests involve the male voice change, assessment in music education, and self-efficacy. His writings have been published in various journals including Journal of Research in Music Education, Bulletin of the Council for Research in Music Education, and Update: Applications of Research in Music Education.
Adrian Maclin, Assistant Artistic Director
Recently engaged by Memphis ChoralArts, Adrian made his debut with MCA in the Fall of 2022. Mr. Maclin is in his ninth year as Director of Choirs at Cordova High School. As a product of Memphis City Schools, Adrian was inspired by his middle and high school choral directors to become a music educator. He is a graduate of Philander Smith College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with emphasis in vocal performance. Adrian works hard to not only produce outstanding performing ensembles, but he is committed to education and cultivating the total musician and student.
mandy grisham, Executive Director
Mandy is the Executive Director of MCA and Executive Pastor of Christ City Church. She has been en elementary music teacher for 18 years in Memphis and the Bay Area. Mandy has a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Union University. Mandy and her family have sung in MCA choirs for over ten years.
Why Memphis ChoralArts?
“Singing in choirs was an important part of my childhood, teen years and college years. But once I became a music teacher, I found it hard to make time to sing in a choir. After ten years of not singing in one, I found that I really missed it. When Memphis ChoralArts began the Women’s Chorale in 2013, I was fortunate enough to be a part of the inaugural group. It was an escape for me as a young mom and busy teacher. When the Children’s Chorale began, my son excitedly joined. With my husband, Robert, in the Men’s Chorale, Memphis ChoralArts is a family affair and we are so grateful to experience it as it grows in Memphis.”
MCA Board Members
Janette R. McCall, President
Janette is the Human Resources and Operations Manager for Chancellor Brothers, LLC. Her over 30-year career has spanned small business ownership to business development to consulting with banks and credit unions across the country. Janette holds a BSBA in Human Resources Management from the University of Arkansas and a MBA-Finance and Banking Concentration from the University of Tennessee. Janette sings Soprano.
Why Memphis ChoralArts?
“What better way to make friends and make a difference in your community than through song? Memphis ChoralArts is a fabulous organization filled with wonderful people. We not only make beautiful music together; we bring joy to our audiences.”
Lance Willis, Treasurer
Lance is a CPA and Senior Manager in the attest practice of CBIZ/Mayer Hoffman McCann. He is a member of the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants and American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Lance holds a BBA from University of Memphis, Accounting major and a MBA from University of Memphis. In high school, Lance sang with the Germantown High School chorale. He has sung tenor with MCA for seven years.
Why Memphis ChoralArts?
“I don’t have much room for artistic expression in my professional life (it’s frowned upon, at least!), so MCA serves as my artistic outlet and a departure from my everyday life as an accountant.”
Jeanne Simmons, Librarian
Jeanne is a freelance musician and private music instructor. She has a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from the University of Memphis. Along with lending her exceptional instrumental talent to MCA performances, Jeanne sings Alto.
Moira Kelly, Secretary
Moira is a Leadership Coach with Teach for America, Memphis. She is originally from New Jersey and moved to Memphis with Teach for America and taught in Shelby County Schools for six years. She earned a BS in Elementary/Special Education from Seton Hall University. M.Ed from Christian Brothers University. Moira is a Founding Memphis of Memphis Women’s Chorale. She sings Soprano.
Why Memphis ChoralArts?
“I joined MCA to continue my passion for singing in community with people after college. I come back year after year not just for the beautiful music we make but for the friendships and connections I’ve made over the years.”
Mary whitaker
Mary is an attorney with more than 35 years experience primarily in health care settings. She received a BA from the University of Mississippi, an MSSW from the University of Tennessee and a JD from the University of Memphis. She has spent many years singing in church choirs and community choruses in the Memphis area.
Why Memphis ChoralArts?
"I love singing with Memphis ChoralArts!”
Maureen Carter
Maureen is a longtime Memphis resident and a graduate of the University of Memphis. She recently retired from an IT job with International Paper. She loves playing with yarn and does occasional gardening.
Why Memphis ChoralArts?
"I love singing alto with Memphis ChoralArts!”
Alicia Butler
Alicia is a church choir director. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education in church music from Mississippi State University. She has sung Soprano with MCA for over five years.
Why Memphis ChoralArts?
“Although I enjoy singing with the Memphis Symphony chorus, I miss the intimacy of a smaller group. MCA provides a place where I can sing all genres of music while making friends and having fun!”
Sylvia Cox
Sylvia is retired from a 35-year career as an IT professional. She has lived in Memphis for over 40 years and volunteers for several organizations including the Orpheum Theatre, Josephine Circle, Memphis Animal Services - member of Church of Holy Communion choir and handbell choir. Sylvia has a BA in Music Education and an AA in Information Technology. Sylvia sings Alto.
Why Memphis ChoralArts?
“(The) ability to sing with a community choir that performs a wide range of choral music and masterworks.”
Lizzie HORNoR
Lizzie is an account manager for Bauer Entertainment Marketing. She is originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, where she began studying music at the ripe age of 6! Elizabeth graduated from the University of Memphis in 2018 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Industry specializing in Music Business and Music Marketing. She was fortunate enough to study with the incredible Dr. Randal Rushing, sing under our amazing Artistic Director Dr. Ryan Fisher in Chamber Choir, and perform with the U of M Opera Department. When not singing with Memphis ChoralArts, she can be found on Sunday mornings as the Soprano staff singer at Grace St. Luke's Episcopal church.
Why Memphis ChoralArts?
“I joined MCA as a way to foster music in the Memphis community. Nothing brings me more joy than singing with others and watching that joy fill others as well has been extremely fulfilling.”
MAEGAN MCDANIEL
Maegan McDaniel is an Orff music teacher at Oak Forest Elementary in Memphis, TN. She holds a BME in Vocal Music Education from Arkansas State University and a MME in Music Education from the University of Memphis. She has been teaching elementary music for 7 years. She sings Alto.
Why Memphis ChoralArts?
“I sang in choir in high school, college, and just after graduating with my undergraduate degree, I joined a community choir. When we moved to Memphis, I had no clue where to sing until I began my graduate degree and was invited to sing with MCA to meet a criteria to graduate. I thought I’d join for a semester or two to get my credit and then be done, but I loved it so much I stayed! I have loved getting to know everyone in MCA and making beautiful music with them!”