Graduate Teaching Assistants
Double bassist and music educator Nick Barnaby has participated in a wide variety of performance opportunities including the Miami Music Festival (FL), Norman Philharmonic, Midland-Odessa Symphony Orchestra and Chorale (TX), a Naxos recording of the music of William Grant Smith with the Fort Smith Symphony (AR), and several world premieres including a double bass ensemble with Gary Karr and additional internationally renowned double bassists at the 2021 International Society of Bassists (ISB) virtual convention.
As a music educator, Barnaby has taught double bass at Capital University (OH), as well as beginning to high school orchestra in public schools in OH and TX. Additionally, he developedBowing Drills, a free use method focused on improving technique, tone, and precision for stringed instruments, presented to both the ISB and Texas Music Educators Association conferences in 2021, and the Oklahoma Music Educators Association conference in 2023.
Barnaby holds a Performer’s Certificate from the University of Texas at Arlington, MM from Texas Christian University, and BMs in both performance and music education from Oklahoma City University. Currently, Barnaby is a doctoral student in double bass performance at the University of Oklahoma where he also teaches string and general music education courses.
Ashley Folds is a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Oklahoma where she is studying for her Masters in Vocal Music Education. While at OU, part of her duties with be teaching 2 sections of the Experiencing Music class.
Prior to attending the University of Oklahoma, Ashley taught 1 year as a teacher’s assistant in Edmond Public Schools, 1 year at a private catholic school in Guthrie, and 4 years at Western Heights Public Schools as the Middle School Choir Director and High School Assistant.
She received her bachelor's degree in Vocal Music Education from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2015 and is an active member of the National Association of Music Educators and the American Choral Director’s Association.
Lane Folds
PhD Instrumental Conducting
Brass Techniques
New Horizons Band - Concert Band Co-Director
Lane A. Folds is a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of Oklahoma, pursuing a PhD in Music Education with an Instrumental Conducting Emphasis. Mr. Folds is in his fourteenth year in education, having taught instrumental music previously as the Director of Bands at Western Heights Public Schools in Oklahoma City, OK, and Assistant Director at Montgomery ISD in Montgomery, TX. His experience ranges from all aspects of marching band in both corps and military march styles, concert bands of varying levels, small ensembles, and beginner and intermediate bands.
This past summer, Mr. Folds was able to participate in the inaugural season of the Oklahoma City Winds, performing two concerts alongside music educators from the Oklahoma City metro area. He also enjoys participating in annual Tuba Christmas performances and is an alumnus of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps (2006-2007).
Mr. Folds earned his Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music Performance degrees from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, and his Master of Music Education from the University of Oklahoma. He is a member of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, Oklahoma Bandmaster’s Association, National Association for Music Education, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Jessica Haley
MME Primary Instrument (Clarinet)
Experiencing Music
New Horizons Band - Jazz Band Director
Jessica Haley is pursuing her Master of Music Education degree at the University of Oklahoma. Prior to attending OU, she taught instrumental music for four years at Clear Fork Valley Middle and High School in Bellville, Ohio. Ms. Haley’s responsibilities included conducting the middle school concert bands, co-conducting the “Pride of the Valley” marching band, and assisting with the high school concert and jazz bands. She also led various chamber ensembles at Clear Fork with a focus on community engagement and student growth. Ms. Haley earned her bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Akron in 2017. As a clarinetist, she has performed in the UA Symphonic Band, the “Ohio’s Pride” Marching Band, various chamber ensembles, and the Ashland Community Band.
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
PhD Music Education
New Horizons Band - Concert Band Co-Director
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.
