DEBORAH L. CHANDLER

Director of Choral Activities / Associate Professor
Email: chandler@ulm.edu | Phone: (318) 342-1592

Deborah Lynn Chandler Deborah Chandler is Director of Choral Activities at the University of Louisiana at Monroe where she directs the Concert Choir, University Chorale and the Chamber Singers and teaches choral literature, conducting, and serves as advisor to all graduate conducting majors. She also is musical director and conductor of the Monroe Symphony Chorus, the Louisiana Lyric Opera, and is the host of “Vocal Vibes” on KEDM radio. She also serves as Minister of Music at Northminster Church in Monroe.

Dr. Chandler received her Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education/Conducting at Florida State University in 2004 where she also received her Master in Music Education. She received her Bachelor of Music Education at Valdosta State University in 1981. For over eighteen years, she served as a Director of Music in the Presbyterian Church (USA) denomination. She also taught music history and chorus at Tallahassee Community College.

Dr. Chandler Conducting

At Florida State, Dr. Chandler studied with Dr. André Thomas, Rodney Eichenburger, Dr. Judy Bowers, and Dr. Kevin Fenton. She is conductor emeritus of the Tallahassee Civic Chorale and a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Music Educators National Conference, Pi Kappa Lambda, Alpha Chi Honor Society, and an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Phi and Tau Beta Sigma.

In 1993, She received the Guardian Ad Litem Exemplary Service Award and the Corinne Holleman Gridley Achievement Award in 1996. A music scholarship was established anonymously in her name at Florida State University in 1994. In June 2003, She was chosen as one of ten conductors selected internationally to study with German conductor, Helmuth Rilling, at the Oregon Bach Festival. She was also selected in 2004 to conduct withMaestro Rilling at the first Toronto Bach Festival at the University of Toronto. She also remains active as a clinician, guest conductor and adjudicator. In 2007, Deborah was selected as Louisiana American Choral Directors Association state chairperson for colleges and universities.

JARROD D. RICHEY

Assistant Director of Choral Activities / Instructor
Email: richey@ulm.edu | Phone: (318) 342-1592

Jarrod D. RicheyJarrod Richey joined the Division of Music Faculty as Instructor and Assistant Director of Choral Activities in the Fall of 2011. Mr. Richey earned his BA in Vocal Performance from Louisiana Tech University before recently completing his Master of Music in Choral Conducting from ULM. Mr. Richey is also the Assistant Chorusmaster for the Monroe Symphony Chorus as well as the radio host of MidDay Classics each Tuesday and Thursday at noon on KEDM Public Radio.

Mr. Richey is actively involved in the Monroe Symphony Orchestra, American Choral Conductors Association, the Piano Technician's Guild, and the Organization of American Kodály Educators. In addition to his duties at ULM, Mr. Richey also teaches Music & Choir on a part-time basis at Geneva Academy in Monroe and also works with the choir at Auburn Avenue Presbyterian Church in Monroe, LA a well.

JULIAN J. JONES

Instructor of Voice / Staff Accompanist
Email: jujones@ulm.edu | Phone: (318) 342-1579

Julian J. Jones

Julian Jones serves as both Instructor of Voice and Staff Accompanist at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. His accompanying responsibilities include all university choirs, and private voice and instrumental studios in the ULM Division of Music, where he has performed, conducted, accompanied, and directed in a number of music programs and events. He has served the ULM Division of Theatre as rehearsal and performance pianist for such productions as Batboy (2009), Cabaret (2010), Pecos Bill (2011), andin the Theatre Department’s collaboration with the Louisiana Lyric Opera in Miss Saigon (2009). He also serves the ULM Division of Dance as collaborative artist in their semi-annual Dance Fusion recital series.

Mr. Jones has been active as a vocalist in both University and community theatre productions since his student years, starring in such classics as Jesus Christ Superstar, Die Zauberflöte, A Forever Plaid Christmas, and Le Nozze di Figaro. Other stage work includes vocal solo performances in collaboration with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra and Twin City Ballet Company. His musical work extends into the surrounding region through his positions as choirmaster, performer, and accompanist for various houses of worship, schools, and community centers. He serves the Northeast Louisiana Arts Council Board as a Representative Liaison to Professional Musicians. Mr. Jones also maintains a private voice and piano studio in Monroe.

Mr. Jones’ professional memberships include the American Choral Director’sAssociation (ACDA), Music Teacher’s National Association(MTNA), Louisiana Music Teacher’s Association (LMTA), The Music Guild of Monroe, and the Monroe District Music Teacher’s Association(MDMTA).