MMEA is excited to present the slate of candidates for the 2025 MMEA Board elections.
The MMEA voting window will be February 10 - March 12.
Make sure your membership is active and up-to-date by January 30 to vote.
Candidate for Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA), President-Elect
Otis L. Eldridge Jr. - Baltimore City
Otis Eldridge was born in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2009, he obtained a bachelor's degree in music then immediately pursued an MAT at the graduate level. He initially became a full-time public-school music teacher in 2011. In 2016, he began course work toward a doctorate in urban educational leadership from Morgan State University. He is currently the band director/music teacher at Hamilton Elementary/Middle School.
Chan'nel Howard - Baltimore City
Chan’nel Williams Howard was born in Baltimore City and is a proud product of the Baltimore City Public Schools. Chan’nel received her bachelor’s degree from Frostburg State University, her Master’s degree from University of Phoenix, and is in pursuit of her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Walden University. Chan’nel has proudly served Baltimore City Public Schools for 22 years where the bulk of her work was as a middle school band director.
Candidates for Maryland Choral Educators Association (MCEA), President-Elect
Kevin Lewis - Prince George's County
Kevin A. Lewis, Sr. attended Prince George’s County Public Schools and graduated from Morgan State University with his B.A. in Vocal Performance and M.A. in teaching. He previously taught in Dorchester County and currently teaches Vocal Music and Piano at Laurel High School. He served as President of the E.S.C.D.A. (2016-17) and this year’s TB Demo Chorus Manager. Mr. Lewis serves as Minister of Music at Emanuel UMC in Catonsville, MD.
John Pusateri - Baltimore County
John is in his 24th year of teaching choral & orchestral music at Perry Hall High. Since becoming chair of the department in 2014, John has maintained a vibrant choral program. His ensembles regularly receive superior ratings at festivals, present sessions at the state conference, and many students are accepted to all state choir yearly. He is currently the Tri-M Chair of MMEA and the Tri-M Chapter Advisor at Perry Hall. John and his wife Mandi have three children, El, Lewey and Maryana, all of whom participate in the arts through dance and vocal performance.
Candidates for Maryland Orchestra Directors Association (MODA), President-Elect
Mark Schuppener - Montgomery County, Private School
Mark Schuppener is in his seventh year at Holton-Arms School in Montgomery County, where he is the Director of Strings, Chamber Orchestra & Chamber Music for grades 3-12 and has also served as the Director of Fine and Performing Arts. He is currently the private school representative for MODA and has been an ensemble presenter at the MMEA Annual Conference in recent years. Mark has enjoyed a diverse career as a university music professor, performer, and youth symphony conductor for over 20 years in Michigan, Florida, Texas, and Maryland. Mark holds a DMA, MM and BM from the University of Michigan and University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Dr. Jeannine A. Sturm - Washington County
Dr. Jeannine A. Sturm currently advises Tri-M, teaches orchestra, guitar, IB Music, piano and pre-k music at North Hagerstown HS in Washington County. In her 16th year teaching, she has taught in AZ, NY, VA and WV prior to coming to Maryland. She is a current member of the ASTA k12 committee. She holds a Ph.D. in Music Education from The University of Arizona