• Worship Planning
  • Drumming
  • Advanced, Intermediate, and Beginning Handbells
  • Director's Favorite Anthems  
  • Using Technology
  • Instrumental Ensemble 
  • intergenerational classes
  • and more!​

Mary J. Scifres
Workshop Pastor

​Mary J. Scifres is a United Methodist pastor and a national consultant in the areas of church leadership and visioning, worship, and evangelism.
 
After completing her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Music at the University of Indianapolis, she earned her Masters of Divinity and Master of Sacred Music from Boston University, and post-graduate certification in Organizational Development and Leadership from the Southern Methodist University.
 
Mary Scifres has become an internationally-recognized speaker, teacher & author, bringing both inspiration and expertise for 21st Century leadership. With an engaging, relational style, Mary ignites creativity and inspires hope with her enthusiasm, her unwavering faith in people, and her undaunted confidence in the future.

​As an expert in generational theory, Mary unleashes the innovative potential of leaders, both old and young, and strengthens the bonds of community and cooperation.
 
Mary has published over 75 books and continues to write extensively in the areas of growth, creativity, and change. She is most recently the author of “The Gospel According to Beauty & the Beast: A Story of Transformation”. and since 1992 the author of “The United Methodist Music and Worship Planner” and Prepare! She also co-edits The Abingdon Worship Annual with her husband B. J. Beu.

Lloyd Larson
Adult Choral Clinician

​Lloyd Larson earned a B.A. from Anderson University of Anderson, Indiana in 1976 and a M.C.M. from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary of Louisville, Kentucky in 1979. He has done additional graduate work at Southern Baptist Seminary, The Ohio State University, and Northern Baptist Seminary in Chicago,.
 
Since 1982, Lloyd has been an active composer and arranger for several major publishing companies of church and school music. His compositions and arrangements include well over 1,500 published works—including choral anthems, numerous extended Christmas, Easter and non‑seasonal works, keyboard collections, vocal solo and duet collections, instrumental works for solo and ensembles, orchestrations, and handbell settings. The resulting notoriety has placed him in constant demand as a clinician throughout North America. It is Lloyd's work in his local church that continues to be the catalyst for much of his writing. He currently directs the adult choir in his home church in addition to being involved in worship planning and leadership.
 
Lloyd and his wife, Marci, live in Maple Grove, Minnesota. They have three children: Stephanie, married to Brandt; Philip, married to Kylee; and Jeff, married to Jacquelyn. They also have four grandchildren, Addie, Eli, Izzy, and Oliver.
 

James Wells
​Youth Choral Clinician

James Wells serves at Brentwood United Methodist Church near Nashville, Tennessee, where he oversees all the choral programs of the church. Brentwood is a large congregation and has over 600 choir participants yearly.
 
He received his music training at MTSU and Belmont with undergraduate degrees in Music Ed. and Voice Performance and a Masters Degree in Music Education.
 
Mr. Wells has spent the last 20 years in public school education and church music. He is the co-director of the Nashville Children's Choir at Belmont University along with his good friend and mentor, Dr. Madeline Bridges. In his public school teaching experiences, Mr. Wells taught general music, treble and youth choirs, percussion ensembles, and directed musical theater productions.   Mr. Wells is a frequent guest director for festivals, mass choirs, and honor choirs around the southeast.
 
You may remember James as a clinician at our Youth Music Camp in 2016, or from a Music &Worship Arts Week at Lake Junaluska.
 
James has been married to his wife Amy for 21 years and has two daughters. Emily is 14 and a sophomore in high school. Molly is 18 and a sophomore at Mississippi State University. 

Robert (BJ) Jackson
​Handbells Clinician

​Robert (BJ) Jackson holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from The University of Florida (’78), with an emphasis in Vocal and Choral. Upon graduation, he took a church music position at Cason UMC, Delray Beach, Florida. In 1981 He returned to Gainesville, Florida to become Director of Music and Program Assistant, a  position he held for the next 28 years. During that time he directed The Maranatha Choir, a 75 voice college age choir, an adult choir, and started a multi-level handbell program.  In 2007, he became Director of Music at First UMC, Gainesville, serving there until he retired in 2017.
 
He has served the Florida Chapter as Dean of Boys, Dean of Youth Workshops, Dean of Adult Workshops, Chapter President, Registrar and youth and handbell clinicians.
 
During his church music career he was active in The American Guild of Handbell Ringers, now known as Handbell Musicians of America. He served in numerous leadership roles, including Area IV Chairman and on the National Board.  He has served as faculty in local, state, Area IV and national events.
 
In his retirement he volunteers some time at Gainesville Pet Rescue, travels, and binge watches Netflix series. 
 

OPENING CONCERT

RING SARASOTA