OkMEA Election Information

OkMEA elections will open on September 5th. You will receive an email with an individualized voting link from Election Buddy. Be sure to check your junk/spam folders. This system ensures that only active, life, introductory, and retired members vote and that they only vote one time. Reminders will be sent throughout the elections process. Elections will close on October 1 at 11:59pm.

To view the candidates biographical information, click the plus button next to their name below. 

Elementary VP - Moriah Holmes

Moriah Holmes is a passionate and fun-loving elementary music teacher who has been spreading the love and joy of music in and out of the classroom since 2014. Her creative and child-centered approach is driven by her National Kodály Certification, love of picture books, and passion for folk dancing and movement. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from Oklahoma Christian University (2014) and National Kodály Certification at the University of Oklahoma (2018). Holmes was named site Teacher of the Year in 2019, the OkMEA Outstanding Young Music Educator in 2020, and the Oklahoma Christian University Distinguished Music Alumna in 2021. She strives to promote that music is for everyone and provide an inclusive and safe learning environment for all students.

OkMEA Vision Statement

My goal as Elementary VP would be to facilitate a diverse and inclusive group of presenters to support and further enhance our beautiful music teacher community here in Oklahoma. Being able to provide as many immersive and thought provoking learning opportunities for our music teachers means our students are the true beneficiaries and lays the foundation for a continually evolving music program beyond the elementary music classroom. I would make it a priority to be visible and approachable at as many OkMEA events within reason and be available for all OkMEA members but especially our new and upcoming elementary music teachers. In an ideal world, I would also want to create partnerships with the elementary music education programs at the major colleges to collaborate and create workshop opportunities with master teachers for our incoming elementary music educators (that can also be open to local OkMEA members). I am a big believer in the power of community and we are very lucky to have a wonderful music teacher community here. Finding any chance to nurture and grow this community through workshops, social events, and our conferences will only result in positive outcomes for our organization and our students!

Band VP - Jonathon Knopfel

Jonathon Knopfel is an assistant band director for Mustang Public Schools. He is a past member of the OkMEA All-State Band Committee, serving as the committee chair for the 2023-2024 school year. His previous instrumental teaching positions include Edmond Public Schools, Blackwell Public Schools, and Bartlesville Public Schools. Knopfel is honored to have been selected as the Madison Middle School Building Teacher of the Year in 2022 and the Blackwell Public Schools District Teacher of the Year in 2015. His professional affiliations include Oklahoma Music Educators Association, Oklahoma Bandmasters Association and Phi Beta Mu. Knopfel is a National Board Certified Teacher (2017) and holds both a Bachelor of Music Education (2011) and a Bachelor of Science (2007) from Oklahoma State University.

OkMEA Vision Statement

As a music educator, my primary mission has always been to ensure students receive a high-quality musical experience. I also believe it’s important to give back to organizations that have influenced my life, OkMEA being one of them, ensuring they are there for future generations. Spending 4 years on the OkMEA All-State Band Committee allowed me to see the incredible impact of the many stakeholders who continually help create great musical experiences for our OkMEA student-centered events. If elected, my vision is to continue the work of OkMEA stakeholders by helping ensure we are always doing what is best for students while continually looking for ways to improve for the future. I am most excited about continuing the great work of the current and past OkMEA board members by working to impact music educators across the state through programming of engaging professional development opportunities that, in turn, will have a greater impact on the music education classrooms across Oklahoma. I have grown as a teacher and a person from the influence of many wonderful individuals I have met through OkMEA. It would be an honor to follow in those footsteps, giving back to an organization through service that has impacted me on such a high level as an Oklahoma music educator.

President Elect - Marjorie Green

Marjorie Green has been in music education for 24 years. Currently, she is the Assistant Vocal Music Director at Edmond Memorial High School where she conducts the Treble Choruses and assists with Act II Show Choir. Before moving to Edmond in 2023, Green was the Vocal Music Director at Bartlesville High School for 10 years where she also served as the district Vocal Department Chair 6-12. She also served as Traditional Worship Director for East Cross Methodist Church while living in Bartlesville. Green has been married to her husband Brad who is the Division Director of Special Services for the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation for 23 years. She and Brad have two sons, Cooper and Colton.

OkMEA Vision Statement

As an active member of OkMEA, I have served this organization for many years-NE Quad Chair, the All-State Chorus Committee, and Vocal Vice President. I have genuinely loved my time in each of these roles because the people in our organization are so incredible! I have met so many fine people in all disciplines and have seen first-hand how OkMEA’s community is vital for Oklahoma music education. As President-Elect, I would love the opportunity to continue being a voice for our membership. Despite the constant challenges and changes we face as music educators, our OkMEA organization offers high standards of success and excellence for our students and essential, top-tier professional development for our teachers. I will uphold these high standards while thinking creatively about how we can be progressive for the future. As President-Elect, I would be honored to continue serving this organization, lifting up the music educators of Oklahoma, and boldly advocating the vital role music plays in the lives of our students.

Elementary VP - Suzanne Morrison

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.

OkMEA Vision Statement

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.

Band VP - Joseph Wilhelm

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.

OkMEA Vision Statement

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.

President Elect - Shawn O'Kelley

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.

OkMEA Vision Statement

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.