Professor of Choirs, Conducting, and Music Education
Director of Choral Activities
2022 College of Visual and Performing Arts Outstanding Student Mentor and 2016 Woman of Distinction, Dr. Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy brings to JMU a rich and diverse career in international performance and teaching. As JMU Director of Choral Activities, Dr. van der Vat-Chromy directions The Madison Singers, the JMU Chorale, the UCSA: University Chorus Soprano/Alto Ensemble, and coordinates the VMRC (Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community) Generations Choir, an intergenerational choral practicum here in Harrisonburg. A certified Kodály music educator, Dr. V is a proud faculty member of Kodály Institute at Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls, TX. The 2012-2014 Interim Music Director for the Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir, currently Dr. V is the JMU Vocal Arts Summer Camp director and serves as JMU Voice Area Coordinator. An active adjudicator, clinician, and guest conductor, Dr. V's research interests include the kinesthetic connections in conducting pedagogy, the integration of Kodály methodology into collegiate choral performance, and the sociological impact of choral cultures on student learning and the experience of flow. Recently dubbed by the renowed choral ensemble, The King's Singers, 'our collective fairy-godmother,' Dr. van der Vat-Chromy is the recipient of the 2021-2022 Shirley Hanson Roberts '56 and Richard D. Roberts Endowment for Faculty Excellence, a university-wide endowed award for excellence in student engagement, collaborative learning, growth, and self-discovery.
THE FIELD OF DREAMS
Safety is the basis;
amelioration is the strategy;
competency is the knowledge;
critical thinking is the tool;
transfer is the key;
behaviors are the power;
flow is the result.
Expression is the gift;
love is the fuel;
sharing is the opportunity;
culture is the medium;
best practices are the power;
creativity is the manifestation;
consciousness is the transcendence.
Change is the constant;
oneness is the knowing;
mindfulness is the alignment;
experience is the doing;
growth is the purpose;
wholeness is the container;
evolution is the journey.
Dreams are the field.
You are the dream.
You are the field.
You are the Field of Dreams.
Stephen P. Bolstad
Professor
Director of Bands
Ensemble Area Coordinator
bolstasp@jmu.edu
Foster Beyers
Assistant Professor
Director of Orchestras
beyersfj@jmu.edu
Amy Birdsong
Lecturer
birdsoae@jmu.edu
Chris DeVona
Assistant Director of Athletic Bands
Director of Pep Band
devonaca@jmu.edu
Chuck Dotas
Professor
Director of Jazz Studies
dotascj@jmu.edu
W. Bryce Hayes
Associate Professor
Associate Director of Choral Activities
hayeswb@jmu.edu
Scott Rikkers
Lecturer
Director of the Marching Royal Dukes
Assistant Director of Bands
rikkersd@jmu.edu
Kevin J. Stees
Professor
JMU Brass Band
steeskj@jmu.edu
Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy
Professor
Director of Choral Activities
vanderjx@jmu.edu
Yi-Ping Chen
Instructor
chenyc@jmu.edu
Greg Thomas
Instructor
thoma3gp@jmu.edu
Amy Birdsong
Lecturer
birdsoae@jmu.edu
William Dabback
Professor
Director of Graduate Studies and Admissions
dabbacwm@jmu.edu
Dr. Rachel Grimsby
Assistant Professor
grimsbrl@jmu.edu
W. Bryce Hayes
Associate Professor
Associate Director of Choral Activities
hayeswb@jmu.edu
Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy
Professor
Director of Choral Activities
vanderjx@jmu.edu
Scott Zane Smith
Class Piano Coordinator, Supervisor, Instructor
smithsz@jmu.edu
Rhonda Stees
Instructor
steesrl@jmu.edu
Laura Mulligan Thomas
Instructor
thoma8lm@jmu.edu
Sonya Baker
Professor
Voice Area Coordinator
bakersg@jmu.edu
W. Bryce Hayes
Associate Professor
Associate Director of Choral Activities
hayeswb@jmu.edu
Kevin McMillan
Professor
mcmillkj@jmu.edu
Carrie Stevens
Professor
stevencl@jmu.edu
Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy
Professor
Director of Choral Activities
vanderjx@jmu.edu
Jamison Walker
Associate Professor
walke5jl@jmu.edu
Nicole Jenkins
Instructor
jenki2nd@jmu.edu
David Newman
Instructor
newmanda@jmu.edu
Scott Zane Smith
Class Piano Coordinator, Supervisor, Instructor
smithsz@jmu.edu
Brenda Witmer
Instructor
witmerbk@jmu.edu
