Graduate Teaching Assistants
Jackson Anderson
Masters Music Education
New Horizons Band - Jazz Band Director
Jackson Anderson is a dedicated educator and musician, known for his commitment to excellence in music education. He is an accomplished composer, conductor, clinician, and performer. He is also in high demand as a collaborative pianist throughout Oklahoma.
Mr. Anderson has spent the last 8 years as a Band Director, serving as Director of Bands at Garber Public Schools and Associate Director of Bands at Shawnee Public Schools, where his Bands consistently received Superior Ratings in Concert, Sight Reading, and Marching. He previously served as the Worship Arts Director for Emmanuel Baptist Church in Enid, OK where he oversaw the entire music department, including directing the choir and orchestra.
Mr. Anderson is a graduate of Southwestern Oklahoma State University where he received his Bachelor's in Music Education and currently attends the University of Oklahoma pursuing his Master's in Music Education. In addition to his studies, he serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. Professional affiliations include OkMEA, OBA, as well as Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Kappa Kappa Psi, Sigma Alpha Iota, ASCAP, and the International Percy Grainger Society.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Jackson enjoys traveling and taking pictures of his food. He can also be found performing with the OKC Winds and behind the piano with his band JnJ Dueling Pianos. He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife, Katherine (Katie), who is living out her passion as a Middle School Choir Director.
Aubrey Chapin is in her 2nd year of the Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance program at OU, having also completed her Master’s of Music in Voice Performance degree at the university. A current student of Valerie Bernhardt, Aubrey has recently performed a lecture recital on “The Feminine and Masculine Perspectives of Francis Poulenc” as a Texoma NATS Artist Series presenter. She was also a finalist for the OU 3-Minute Thesis competition.
Aubrey is currently the Instructor of Record for multiple sections of Experiencing Music, where she teaches 80-120 students per semester. She has served as both a Voice and Theory and Aural Skills Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Oklahoma. Additionally, Aubrey has been the Instructor of Record for Voice Studio and Group Voice classes at Oklahoma Baptist University.
A native Oklahoman, Aubrey enjoyed performing with the Tulsa Opera company for a decade. Favorite operatic roles have included Cleopatra (Giulio Cesare), Leïla (Les Pêcheurs de perles), and Marguerite (Faust). She has appeared a soloist with Canterbury Voices, Wichita Grand Opera, and Cimarron Circuit, among others.
Kenzie Heaney is a Ph.D candidate in Choral Music Education. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Susquehanna University as well as two Master of Music degrees in Choral Music Education and Vocal Performance, both from Bowling Green State University. Kenzie has held appointments as choral director and musical theater director at both Miller Fine Arts Magnet Middle School in Macon, GA, and Holly Grove Middle School in Raleigh, NC. Her educational efforts have resulted in a classroom technology grant from the Peyton Anderson Foundation, Alpha Kappa Alpha’s Community Impact Award, and nomination to the NC School Heroes roster.
Kenzie has performed regularly with the Toledo Opera and Symphony Chorus as well as BGSU’s main stage operas and MicroOperas. In 2023 Kenzie was named as a semi-finalist in Michigan’s William C. Byrd Vocal Competition and a finalist in the Detroit Opera MODO Aria Competition.
Shelby Swanson is currently a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Oklahoma, pursuing a PhD in Music Education. An Oklahoma native from Bartlesville, Ms. Swanson attended Oklahoma City University earning her bachelor’s degree in Instrumental Music Education (2015), and Masters of Music in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Arkansas (2020). Most recently, Ms. Swanson served as Assistant Band Director and Colorguard Director for Collinsville Public Schools (OK), where she taught beginning, intermediate, and advanced color guard classes, beginning and middle school bands, music appreciation, and assisted with the various district ensembles. During her time at Collinsville, she also instructed the Varsity and Junior Varsity Winter Guards, and previously marched and taught cymbals with Resistance Indoor Percussion. Ms. Swanson also volunteered as a counselor for the Music For All Summer Symposium at Ball State University (2016-2022) working with the Drum Major Institute and inaugural middle school track.
Ms. Swanson is an avid performer, having recently appeared as a guest oboist with the University of Tulsa Wind Ensemble. She also performs on various instruments with the Tulsa Winds and has performed with the University of Arkansas Bands on oboe and english horn (2019-20). She is a supporter of private lesson activities, serving as an instructor since 2010. Ms. Swanson expanded her studio from primarily oboe to include flute, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone and trombone lessons where she specializes in beginning and intermediate student level instruction.
