Amanda Rabb Klimko spent 27 years as a music teacher and choral director in the Jefferson County School System. During that time, she taught music on the elementary, middle, junior and senior high levels. Sixteen of these years were spent as Choral Director at Hewitt-Trussville High School, where the choirs performed on many local, state, and national venues, including High Mass in the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. Her choirs consistently received superior ratings in district, state, and regional festivals.

Mrs. Klimko earned a Bachelor of Music in Education at Samford University and Orff Certifications, Levels 1 and 2, from Memphis State University. Her professional affiliations have included the Music Educators National Conference, American Choral Director’s Association, Alabama Vocal Association, Presbyterian Association of Musicians (P.A.M.), and Music Director of the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley Worship Committee.
 

Karla Hodges is the music teacher at Clay Elementary School, where she has taught since 2004. She teaches General Music to grades K-5, Fourth and Fifth Grade Choir, and Fifth Grade Recorder Ensemble. Ms. Hodges serves as President-Elect of the Alabama Orff-Schulwerk Association, and as Secretary of the Elementary Division of the Alabama Music Educator’s Association. Ms. Hodges earned a Bachelor of Music Education at the University of Montevallo in 2004 and is now in pursuit of her Master’s Degree at UM. In addition to her school commitments, Mrs. Hodges serves as Children’s Choir Director at Trinity United Methodist Church in Homewood.

Melissa Manly is a recent honor graduate of Auburn University, where she earned the Bachelor of Music Education degree. Ms. Manly performed her elementary internship at Auburn Early Education Center in early 2008 where she successfully taught kindergarten music classes and had an excellent rapport with the young students and other teachers. Ms. Manly will begin her full-time teaching career this August as Assistant Choral Teacher at Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills. In addition to her school commitments, Ms. Manly is very active in and committed to the music ministries of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church in Homewood.

Wendy Slauson teaches piano at Samford University Preparatory Department and Hunter Street Baptist Church. She is a member of Alabama Music Teachers Association, Music Teachers National Association, Birmingham Music Teachers Association, and Metro Music Forum.

Ms. Slauson graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. She obtained her Masters degree from the University of Houston in Piano Pedagogy/Performance. She is an accompanist at Samford University and at Birmingham-Southern College and a pianist at Glory Fellowship Church in Jasper.