Board of Directors
The Georgia Children’s Chorus has been able to “Keep Athens Singing!” for over 25 years, guided by a 16-member Board of Directors, lead by President Dr. Rebecca Atkins. Through fundraising efforts, they help to secure funds to support the staff and operations of the organization as well as to provide scholarships for chorus members in need of financial assistance.
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Rebecca L. Atkins is Associate Professor of Music Education (Vocal) at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia. Previously she was the Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Music Education at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (2013-2016). She received her Ph.D. in Music and Human Learning at The University of Texas at Austin (2013), an M.M. in Choral Conducting at Missouri State University (2008), and a B.M. in Music Studies at The University of Texas at Austin (1994). Dr. Atkins is an active clinician, adjudicator, performer, and music education researcher. Before her collegiate career, Atkins successfully directed 14 years of middle school and high school choir in the public school systems of Texas, Alabama, and Tennessee, earning superior and excellent ratings consistently at competitions.
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Ellen McLemore joins the GCC board with over 30 years of experience in all areas of choral music, piano pedagogy and as a collaborative pianist. As co-founder of Chorale des Amis, Youth Choirs of Acadiana, a non-profit children's community choir in Lafayette, Louisiana, she had oversight of the business end as well as directing and accompanying, when needed. The choirs were invited to sing at Carnegie Hall their inaugural year and sang throughout the region and traveled throughout her tenure. Ellen and her husband live in Athens where she is a realtor at 5Market Realty and Jim is CFO at Oconee State Bank. She continues to accompany and fill in as director of church choirs where needed. As an avid supporter of the performing arts, Ellen serves on the boards of the American Choral Directors Association, Southern Division, Athens Symphony Orchestra (secretary), and is excited to join the Georgia Children’s Chorus board of directors.
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Leslie Gordon is the proud mom of a 12th grade GCC singer! She is a speech and accent coach helping clients achieve personal and professional success through the use of speaking strategies, healthy vocal use and accent modification. Leslie is a retired UGA faculty member, having served as an administrator in the McBee Institute of Higher Education and adjunct faculty in the department of Romance Languages. She received a Ph.D. in Linguistics from Georgetown University. On occasion, she enjoys helping the chorus with the pronunciation of some of the international pieces! Leslie also enjoys learning new languages, traveling and exercising in her garage gym.
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Emily Escoe is an attorney at Fortson, Bentley and Griffin, P.A., with a practice concentrated in commercial real estate and corporate law. Emily received a J.D. from The University of Georgia School of Law and an M.B.A. from The University of Georgia Terry College of Business. Prior to law school, Emily earned an A.B.J. in Public Relations from The Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at The University of Georgia. In addition to serving on the Board of Directors of GCC, Emily serves on the Boards of the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and the Western Circuit Bar Association. Emily served as GCC’s President in the 2022-2023 season.
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A music educator for 30 years in Athens-Clarke County, Dr. Granum spent her career espousing the joy of children's singing at Athens Academy, David C. Barrow and Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary schools. She holds degrees from Carson Newman College (BMEd) and the University of Georgia (MMEd, EdD.) Dr Granum and her husband, Tom, both had the pleasure of leading the GCC as interim directors. Daughters Meg Granum Gurtcheff and Mary Winn Granum sang in the chorus from its founding under directors Elizabeth Kimble and Carol Reeves.
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Monica Heidesch is a proud parent of a 9th grade GCC singer who is enjoying her 7th year with the chorus. Monica is a longtime Athens resident, UGA alum, and a Business Professor at Brenau University. She received her Ph.D. in Risk Management and Insurance from the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, her Masters in Health Administration from Ohio University, and her BBA in Finance from the Stetson School of Business at Mercer University. She loves her work in higher education because it allows her to blend her knowledge, skills, passions and research to prepare students to succeed. During her personal time, Monica can be found singing loudly with her daughter in the car, spending time with her family and friends, and walking/hiking with the family dogs.
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Margaret McDonald is in her ninth year serving as an elementary music teacher. She currently works at Bramlett Elementary in Barrow County and previously worked at Gaines Elementary in Clarke County. Margaret holds a Bachelors in Music Education and a Masters in Music Education from the University of Georgia. While pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Margaret played trumpet in the Redcoat Band.
Margaret is a member of First Baptist Church in Athens where she has served on the Board of Deacons, sings in the sanctuary choir, and directs one of the children’s choirs. In her free time she enjoys watching UGA football and running.
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Tikica Platt doubles as Assistant Director of Human Resources at the Georgia Institute of Technology (where she has been for 3 years) and R&B Recording Artist. She received her BBA from Clark Atlanta University, and her MBA from Piedmont University. Prior to her time at Georgia Tech, she spent 22 years in finance and administration at the University of Georgia.
Tikica began singing at the tender age of 3 and in 2022, released her debut EP album under her stage name, IAMTIKICA, which is available on all major platforms. Her background includes gospel, choral, & R&B ensembles, theatre, music education, even sung backup to Natalie Cole in the 1994 Superbowl! That said, nothing compares to her role as adoring mom to two sons – one in the US Air Force, the other a 7th grader in Gwinnett County. Tikica is an Athens native, ecstatic to be a part of the board and looks forward to serving on the Recruiting committee.
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From 2014-2021, Wick was the coordinator of the award-winning, and more importantly "teacher and student-loved" Grow It Know It (GIKI) program. A partnership between the University of Georgia and the Clarke County School District and Barrow County School System, GIKI assisted teachers in using school gardens to teach concepts in sustainability.
Before his work with Grow It Know It, Wick was a co-author of Georgia's first sea level rise plan, which was unanimously adopted by Tybee Island City Council in April 2016. This project received the National Sea Grant Program's highest award for outreach in 2014, as well as regional and state recognitions. Prior to his return to Georgia, Wick worked for ten years in GA, TX, FL, PA, CA, and ME as an environmental educator. It was during this time that he developed an interest in teaching and mentoring youth and broadening the opportunities available to them to become environmental and civic leaders.
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Dr. Ellen Ritchey is a longtime Athens resident and Instructor Emerita at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia, where she taught and served as the Clinical Coordinator in the Music Therapy Program. She holds master's degrees in music and music therapy from Southern Methodist University and received her Bachelor of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from The University of Georgia. In addition to practicing and teaching music therapy, Dr. Ritchey has also maintained an active vocal performing career, and has a deep appreciation for choral singing. She is currently a member of the Athens Master Chorale and the Meridian Women’s Chorus. Her experiences as both a music therapist and singer have given her insight into the value and benefits of music for children, and she is happy to be supporting the mission of the GCC.
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Cubby Rupers is an Athens resident and a proud alum of the Georgia Children’s Chorus, having been an active member from 2008-2018. Staying involved in music and arts since graduation, Cubby teaches voice lessons full-time and is the Events and Rentals Coordinator at Brightstone Productions, a local community theater where she also directs. Cubby’s experience working with fundraising and business is not limited to music and theater; previously, Cubby was the assistant manager at Frenchies Modern Nail Care. Having cherished the many years of edification the GCC provided her, Cubby looks forward to seeing the choir’s success and looks forward to the opportunity to provide support for its members and staff.
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Greg moved to Athens from Charleston, SC in 2022 for a career opportunity and to be closer to his family. He is an experienced financial professional for almost 20 years, providing investment planning services through a previous firm in NJ and SC. Currently, Greg is a financial advisor with Edward Jones in Athens where his team provides financial planning to individuals and local, small businesses. His practice specializes with retirement planning, investment management, and college savings strategies. Greg received an M.B.A. from the University of South Carolina with an emphasis in finance and a B.A. from the University of Delaware. During his free time, Greg enjoys exercising, sports, and exploring Athens with his family.
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Spencer is an attorney at Cook & Tolley, LLP in downtown Athens and a lifelong Athens resident. Spencer’s practice primarily focuses on civil and criminal trial and litigation matters. He received his J.D. from The Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University and his B.S.E.D. in Sports Management from The University of Georgia. Prior to college, Spencer attended Athens Academy from the time he was three years old until he graduated high school. He now serves as the Vice President of the Athens Academy Alumni Association and is a former coach of the boys and girls high school golf teams. In college, Spencer worked for the University of Georgia football program under Mark Richt in the recruiting office. Spencer served as GCC’s President in the 2021-2022 season and is in his 5th year on the Board. Spencer is an avid golfer and tennis player in his free time.