About
The purpose of SCMEA Collegiate is to afford future music educators an opportunity for professional orientation and development while still in school and to enable them to gain an understanding of:
- the basic truths and principles that underlie the role of music in human life;
- the philosophy and function of the music education profession;
- the professional interests of members involved in the local and state levels;
- the knowledge and practices of the professional music educator as facilitated through the chapter, collegiate membership, and SCMEA activities.
Collegiate Membership Advisor – Dr. Jonathan Hall, Newberry College
Dr. Jonathan Hall is the Assistant Dean of Arts, Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Newberry College. He also serves as Chair of the Department of Music and choral director. Dr. Hall teaches courses in Conducting, Music Education methods, and Ear Training. Prior to coming to higher education, Dr. Hall taught choral music in South Carolina public schools for fifteen years and is a National Board Certified Teacher. He holds a B.M.E. and M.M. from Winthrop University and a D.M.A. from the University of South Carolina.
Previously, Dr. Hall served as the President of the South Carolina Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association in addition to serving SCMEA as the High School All State Chorus Weekend Coordinator. Dr. Hall received the Deborah Smith Hoffman Mentor Award in 2024 and the SC ACDA Leadership and Service to the Profession award in 2023.
President – Jaden Hart, University of South Carolina
Jaden Hart is a composer, performer, and educator based in Columbia & Charleston, South Carolina. He writes chamber and large works for short films, video games, and diverse ensembles, utilizing music as a means of storytelling. Hart was recently named the 2026-27 Young Composer-in-Residence for Hearing in Color, a Chicago-based organization that exists to amplify historically excluded composers and performers through collaborative concerts and events.
A passionate advocate for music education, Hart maintains membership with NAfME, ACDA, and SCMEA. He currently serves as co-secretary for the University of South Carolina ACDA Chapter and secretary for the Tuba and Euphonium Studio organization, Tau Upsilon Beta Alpha. He is excited to serve as the 2026-27 SCMEA Collegiate Division President.
Hart is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Music Education at the University of South Carolina, with a dual concentration in choral and instrumental. In addition, he is working towards performance certificates in both tuba and voice. At USC, Hart has performed with the Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, Opera at USC, Gamecock Chorale, and Carolina Band. He is committed to building and supporting the arts and artists.
President-Elect – Kailyn Abad, University of South Carolina
Kailyn Abad is from Summerville, SC and is a rising sophomore at the University of South Carolina. She will be serving as the Member-At-Large for the 2025-2026 academic year. She is pursuing a degree in Music Education with a Choral Concentration, as well as a Performance Certificate for Voice. At USC, Kailyn has been a part of the University Chorus and is currently a part of the university’s Concert Choir ensemble and Musical Theatre Workshop. She is also involved with the school’s ACDA chapter and the Cola Alpha Omega campus ministry. Currently, Kailyn is serving as a summer camp counselor at Camp Swamp, where she serves on the summer-long staff and worship team.Kailyn Abad from Summerville, SC and is a junior at the University of South Carolina. She will be serving as the President-Elect for the 2026-2027 academic year. She is pursuing a degree in Music Education with a Choral Concentration, as well as a Performance Certificate for Voice. At USC, Kailyn has been a part of University Chorus, Garnet Chorale, Carolina Alive and is currently a part of the university’s Concert Choir ensemble. She also serves as Co-Secretary for the school’s ACDA chapter and is involved with the Cola Alpha Omega campus ministry and Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity.
Advocacy Chair – Aniyah Gordon, University of South Carolina
Aniyah Gordon is a rising junior at the University of South Carolina. She is pursuing her Bachelor of Music in Education with an Emphasis in Choral Music Education at the University, alongside a Performance Certificate in Vocal Music. Aniyah is a member of several ensembles, including University of South Carolina Concert Choir, Soprano Choral and Handbell Scholar at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, and Soprano Singer with the Kings Counterpoint, a professional vocal ensemble based in Charleston, SC.
She is heavily involved in her school’s ACDA chapter, where she has served as Secretary, Communications Coordinator, Vice President, and will serve as President starting in Spring 2027. Additionally, she pledged Sigma Alpha Iota – Theta Chi in Spring 2025 and is gearing up to serve as Music Director for a second year!
She values education of all kinds but is especially looking forward to doing work in Title I schools as an educator. She is so excited to be serving on the SCMEA Collegiate Executive Board this term as Advocacy Chair and cannot wait to see what this new board has to offer!
Member-at-Large – Joshua Head, Newberry College
Joshua Head is a rising junior Music Education major at Newberry College from Gaffney, South Carolina. He is an active member of the Newberry College Wind Ensemble, Take 2 Jazz Combo, and The Scarlet Spirit Marching Band, where he will serve as Drum Major during the upcoming season. Outside of performing, Joshua enjoys working with young musicians and has served as a percussion instructor for several high school band programs. He also enjoys arranging and composing percussion music, with a particular interest in creating music for marching ensembles. As a future music educator, he is passionate about helping students grow both musically and personally while fostering a positive and engaging learning environment.