FINE ARTS STAFF BIOGRAPHIES

Ronald D. Johnson, Eastern Division R&S Chair for Multicultural and Ethnic Perspectives, is a long-time choral conductor from the state of Maryland. Mr. Johnson has taught vocal/general music at the elementary, middle and high school levels.

Mr. Johnson has presented his high school choruses at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., choral festivals and choral adjudications throughout the east coast. From 1994 - 2003, Mr. Johnson was the Coordinator for the Visual and Performing Arts Center at Suitland High School in Prince George's County, Maryland. During Mr. Johnson's tenure at Suitland High, he was the administrator for the music, television production, dance, theatre and visual arts department.

Mr. Johnson's professional career has enabled him to adjudicate high school and elementary choral festivals. Since its inception, Mr. Johnson has taken a contingency of students from the Washington and Baltimore region to Ithaca College for its Gospel Choral Festival whereby students have been exposed to some of the country's most prominent African American choral conductors. At present, Mr. Johnson is the director of Vocal/Choral Activities at Rockville High School in Rockville, Maryland.

In addition to Mr. Johnson's public school duties, he is the Minister of Fine Arts at the First Baptist Church of Highland Park in Landover, Maryland where he oversees seven choirs and a liturgical dance ministry. In 1997 and 1998, Mr. Johnson was one of the guest conductors for the Washington Performing Arts Society, "Children of the Gospel," who perform annually at the Kennedy Center.

For the last eleven years Mr. Johnson has worked with the choirs' summer vocal camp. Mr. Johnson received his Bachelor of Science degree from Hampton (Institute) University and his Master of Music degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. Mr. Johnson has done additional studies in education administration at Trinity College in Washington, D.C

Tedde Gibson enjoys the unique capability of being accomplished in the classical realms of music as well as more contemporary styles. He plays classical and jazz piano, classical and theatre organ, and Hammond B-3. Originally from Washington State, Mr. Gibson began his piano studies at age four with Gail Brooks and later with Dorothy Bade of Tacoma, WA.

He studied organ with former American Guild of Organists president the late Dr. Edward Hansen of the University of Puget Sound and then with Dr. Carol Terry and Dr. Mel Butler of the University of Washington. He has also studied organ improvisation with David Dahl of Pacific Lutheran University and orchestral transcriptions and theatre organ styling with Jonas Nordwall of Portland, OR.

Tedde relocated to the East Coast in November 2003, and he began serving as Assistant Director of Music/Musician-in-Residence at the First Baptist Church of Highland Park (FBCHP) Tedde directs the youth choir in addition to being the main accompanist for six of the of the eight choirs. He also is the music teacher for the Highland Park Christian Academy, a ministry of FBCHP.

Nathan Rooks, a native of Portsmouth, VA, is a magna cum laude graduate from Norfolk State University where he received his undergraduate degree in music education. While attending NSU, he has held the positions of Student Conductor and Bass Section Leader for the NSU Concert Choir under the leadership of Dr. Carl Haywood.

He also was the Choir Director of the NSU Gospel Choir "Voices of Inspiration." Mr. Rooks has been the music director for the NSU Theatre, sequencing music for musicals such as: Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope, Jesus Is Alive and Well, The Wiz and Bubbling Brown Sugar. He also worked as piano accompanist at Booker T. Washington High School in Norfolk, VA. Currently, he is the Associate Musician of Fine Arts at First Baptist Church of Highland Park. He also is the Musical Director for national recording artist Patrick Riddick and D'vyne Worship.

Nathan has been playing the piano since he was five years old and directing choirs since he was 13. He has accompanied a many of notable preachers and national recording artist such as: Bishop C.E. Blake Sr., the late Bishop G.E. Patterson, Supt. Derrick Hutchins, Pastor Anthone White, the late Pastor Timothy Wright, Dr. Rance Allen, Pastor Norman Hutchins, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Ricky Dillard, Vicki WInans, Detrick Haddon, and the legendary Caravans, just to name a few.

Nathan has been a Hammond organist and workshop clinician for the Hampton University Minister's Conference the past three years. He placed 2nd in the NANM Hampton Roads Pipe Organ Competition in March 2008. He won 1st place in the Tidewater Area Musicians Classical Piano Competition and was a 3rd place finalist in the NANM Regional Piano Competition in April 2010.

Nathan is a proficient musician who enjoys making music be it accompanying, conducting, producing or arranging. God has blessed him with an amazing gift of music. He loves the lord with all his heart and wants to spread the gospel using the gift that God has blessed him with.

Semora is a Georgia native and has ministered music in the Baptist Church since the age of six. She started directing the youth choir at age 11 and because of her passion, decided to study vocal music concepts. As a result, she earned two gold medals in vocal music from the Georgia Music Education Association in 1983 and 1985. She received a music scholarship from Albany State University where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance.

She continued her leadership in the Fine Arts as the choreographer for the university's dance group and later garnered the opportunity to dance as an NBA Cheerleader for the "New Jersey Nets." She was crowned MISS ALBANY STATE UNIVERSITY in 1989 and has held many other pageant titles, including three national titles: "Miss Black & Gold of America", "Miss World" (National Elks Assn.), and "Miss Black Collegiate Alumni Hall of Fame" reigning as queen of the all the HBCU institutions. She has been featured in the EBONY, JET, and Black Excellence Magazines for her achievements.

Semora has shared the stage with celebrities such as Jo Marie Payton (Family Matters), Janet' DuBois' (Good Times), Kim Fields (Living Single), Marla Gibbs (227), Vanessa Williams, Natalie Wilson & the SOP, and Melba Moore to name a few. She performed in the world famous Aquarius Theatre (Home of the Original Star Search) in Los Angeles, CA, the NJ Performing Arts Center pre-show gala for Vicki Winans, and the legendary Cotton Club in NY.

Her most honorable performances were delivering her rendition of the National Negro Anthem for the Princeton University Cathedral inaugural worship services of two NJ governors. Upon relocating to Maryland, she became the Director of the Young Voices of Praise of The People's Community Baptist Church in 2003 and with her direction, the choir received 4th place honors in the Kellogg's National Gospel Sing-Off Competition in 2005.

Semora is a songwriter and innovator. She was a major contributor to the 2002 CD released by the Clear View Baptist Church of Newark, NJ featuring the Seacoast Mass Choir. She wrote the gospel song entitled, "I'll Give Him Praise" for the CD. She continues to provide vocal instruction for a number of young people in the metro-DC area. She is graced by her husband, Joseph L. Smith, Jr. and two lovely daughters, D'Jenne and Demi. "To God Be the Glory."

Imogene is a native of Newport News, VA. She attended Norfolk State University and Prince Georges Community College where she received her Associates Degree in Business Administration. In 2008, she retired from the Federal Government, US Geological Survey as Chief of the Minerals Data Section. Imogene was a member of Toastmasters International for eight years where she served in several offices and won local and division awards.

Imogene has been a member of First Baptist Church of Highland Park since 1989. She has been a member of the Drama Ministry for more than 10 years; and originally served as a character actor under the direction of Mary Smith. Shortly after joining the ministry, she stepped into the role of President. She has worked in all facets of the production process, and attributes her success to her trust in God, skills acquired in Toastmasters, and help from members of the church who have drama experience.

Imogene is committed to helping others to acquire leadership skills, build confidence, and minister through drama. As the Drama Coordinator, she plans the Ministry's activities for its annual Easter and Christmas productions; as well as, other activities of the Church such as the Women's Ministry, the Sunday School Program, and activities outside of the church.