OkMEA Election Information

Suzanne Morrison is the Fine Arts Director at The Academy of Classical Christian Studies in Oklahoma City where she has taught music PK-12 since 2021, and currently conducts the District Grammar Honor Choir and the High School Choirs. She also directs the District Art, Music, and Theatre disciplines across 3 campuses. She graduated from Oklahoma Baptist University with a Bachelor of Music Education, Vocal Certificate PK-12, and is currently pursuing a Master of Music Education, Kodály Concepts at the University of Oklahoma. Morrison has taught PK-12 general music, choir, piano, and ukulele both in the US and across Asia for over 20 years. She previously pursued graduate studies in Mandarin Chinese and taught Elementary Music using her Mandarin in local and international schools while living in Asia for many years. During that time, Morrison trained Asian music educators in American music education methods and classroom management. After her return to Oklahoma, her community children’s choir “Voce Cantus” was selected as the 2023 OkMEA Elementary Honor Group. In 2024 Morrison presented an interest session at the Organization of American Kodály Educators (OAKE) National Conference for teachers across the US. She has also served as the CTSWS Region L Co-Coordinator for the past 2 years. Morrison loves making music with students under any circumstances, has a complete collection of rubber chickens, and lives in OKC with her husband, 4 children, fluffy dog, and Kawai piano.

Music educators have the miraculous opportunity to impact lives through the gift of making music. Lessons learned in the music room have lasting effects in the life of a child and instill a thirst for goodness and beauty deep within the soul. As Vice President, I would support the visions of OkMEA and its current leadership while helping teachers within our organization continue to develop and refine their skills as professional educators. Elementary music educators are making magic with children across our state every day, yet often feel isolated and unsupported. I would foster a supportive and collaborative community within OkMEA helping teachers know they are not alone. I hope to provide inspiring professional development opportunities and advocate particularly for Elementary music education in Oklahoma. Kodály once said, “only the best is good enough for a child,” and as Vice President I would desire to help our members make music the best part of a child’s day.

Joseph Wilhelm III has taught at Grove schools since his graduation from the University of Arkansas in 2012. In 2018, he took over as director of bands, replacing his father, Joe Wilhelm. His responsibilities include director of the high school marching band, high school concert band, high school jazz ensemble, and team teacher of the beginning and intermediate classes.

In his tenure at Grove, his bands have received the Oklahoma Outstanding Achievement Award with the middle school, superior ratings with the junior high jazz bands, consistent superior ratings at the OSSAA regional marching contests, OBA marching band finalist, consistent superior ratings at the OSSAA state concert band contest, an accent sweepstakes award, an honor jazz ensemble performance at the OkMEA January conference, consistent superior ratings and multiple top three finishes at the OSSAA state jazz contests.

Wilhelm is involved in numerous professional organizations such as Oklahoma Music Educators Association; serving as the OkMEA Jazz Ensemble chairperson, Phi Beta Mu; receiving the Young Bandmaster award, Oklahoma Bandmasters Association; serving as Parliamentarian and Vice-President, as well as participation in Oklahoma Jazz Educators, Northeastern Band Directors Association, and the National Association for Music Education.

He resides in Grove with his supportive wife Sarah and together they have two daughters – Emmeline and Eloise.

The OkMEA Band administration has always held high standards, second to none, in its delivery of musical experiences for honor groups at our January conferences. Over the last year there has been a concerted effort on the part of the current Band Vice-President to maintain those standards while extending the bridges to all involved under the band umbrella. Specifically, offering clinics to the winter conference that encompass jazz education and popular music studies.

It is my vision to carry this torch of growth under the said umbrella to create opportunities for band educators to learn how to incorporate these teachings into their classrooms. It is vital that we as educators are fostering relationships across the state to encourage, learn, and promote new ideas with other directors. Maintaining a collaborative environment for all will vastly improve the education of our students.

Shawn O’Kelley started his teaching career in Greenbrier, Arkansas, in 2001. Since 2004, he has been teaching in Owasso. At Owasso, has has taught sixth grade flute, clarinet, and saxophone classes, eighth grade band, Owasso High School Symphonic Band I, Symphonic Band II, Owasso Saxophone Ensemble, and assists with the Pride of Owasso marching band. In 2007, O’Kelley was the recipient of the Phi Beta Mu Young Bandmaster Award for Oklahoma, and conducted the Owasso Eighth Grade Symphonic Band at the OkMEA annual convention. In 2018, he was recognized with an Exemplary Teacher Award from the OkMEA. Under his direction, Owasso Saxophone Ensemble members have performed at North American Saxophone Alliance biennial conventions in 2016, 2018, and 2020, and regional conventions in 2017, 2019, and 2021. O’Kelley also enjoys teaching an active schedule of private saxophone lessons, and his students frequently earn positions in all region and all state bands. His professional affiliations include Oklahoma Music Educators Association, where he has served as All State Chair and Band Vice President, Phi Beta Mu, North American Saxophone Alliance, and faculty membership at the Great Plains Saxophone Workshop. O’Kelley is a 2001 graduate of the University of Arkansas and a native of Farmington, Arkansas.

As President Elect, I would remain focused on the organization’s core mission to support music teachers through staff development, support music students through the festival experience, and advocate for the value of music education.