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Cindy L. Bell is a fifth generation Ocean Grover, growing up in this seaside resort participating in the summer youth programs. She retired from full-time teaching as Professor of Music at Hofstra University on Long Island, where she directed the music education program, conducted the 75-voice University Choir, and mentored numerous student teachers and music professionals in the New York area schools. She is keenly interested in preserving the unique history of Ocean Grove for the next generation and contributes her time and talents to the Historical Society by fundraising for restoration of the historical landmarks in town. She is busy with the OGCMA by coordinating music for daily Bible Hour in the Tabernacle and acts as Worship Coordinator for Sunday morning services in the Great Auditorium. She serves on the board of the Historic Camp Meeting Network, which will sponsor the 2026 National Camp Meeting Celebration — a collaborative worship service — to be live-streamed to Camp Meetings across the country on Sunday, July 26, at 7:30 pm in the Auditorium.
Thomas R. Berdos, B.Mus. summa cum laude, M.Mus., has directed many church and school music programs. He has served numerous times as guest conductor at the Ocean Grove Choir Festival. Mr. Berdos has performed numerous times as pianist and conductor at Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, and abroad. He is a published composer and arranger of music for piano solo and brass ensemble. He has taught on the music faculty at Taylor University, as well as other colleges. In addition to serving as Music department chair at Linville Hill Christian School, Mr. Berdos serves as Director of Music at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, along with his wife Deborah Berdos, organist.
R. Kevin Boesiger received a Bachelor of Music Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University and a Master of Music in Music Composition from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He is the Director of Music and Outreach at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska.
Boesiger previously was the Arts and Education Director at the Kroc Center in Omaha from 2017–2021 and the Creative Arts Pastor at Christ Community Church in Beatrice where he served from 1990–2017. He also served as the Choral Conductor for Southeast Community College in Beatrice where he directed the choir and served as the musical director for their stage productions for 12 years. Boesiger served as the conductor for the Beatrice Regional Orchestra for 11 years.
Boesiger is published with the Lorenz Music Corporation, Hope Publishing Company, Pavane Publishing, Lillenas Publishing, Fred Bock Music, Shawnee Press, Hinshaw Music, EasyChoirMusic.com, Excelcia Music and Choristers Guild. Kevin will be conducting a concert of his own work entitled “The Journey,” a multi-movement work based on The Pilgrim’s Progress for Choir, Soloists and Orchestra at Carnegie Hall in New York City in June 2027.
Pepper Choplin is a full-time composer, conductor, and humorist. With a diverse musical background, Choplin incorporates varied styles such as folk, Gospel, classical, and jazz. His published works includes over 350 anthems for church and school choir plus 24 church cantatas and four books of piano arrangements. Over 150 groups have commissioned him to write original works for them. An original hymn “Come to the Water” appears in the hymnal, Celebrating Grace.
He recently published his first book, A Million Notes, a collection of his best-loved lyrics and the stories behind them.
Choplin has conducted eleven New York concerts of his music at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center and Julliard with over 250 voices and full orchestra. In his hometown of Raleigh, NC, he has conducted fourteen mass performances of his cantatas at Meymandi Concert Hall (home to the NC Symphony) with over 200 voices and orchestra. Since 2019, Choplin has conducted Handel’s Messiah (Christmas portion) with the 175-voice Cary Community Choir with orchestra. He also visits churches and conferences to conduct and to entertain. Beyond his choral music, Choplin has produced two humorous CDs and an inspirational recording. In his solo concerts, he moves audiences with his powerful ballads and his clever humor.
Joseph Martin, a native of North Carolina, earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina. Subsequently he earned a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at the University of Texas, Austin. Joseph taught for five years in the Piano Pedagogy Department of the University of Texas. While at Furman University, he was accompanist for choral director and composer Milburn Price and, inspired by his teaching, Martin began to compose. In 2025, Joseph received an Honorary Doctorate from Furman University. He is a member of the staff of Shawnee Press, Inc. and the Hal Leonard Corporation as Director of Sacred Publications, with responsibilities for overseeing the editorial and creative direction of the company and also coordinating the recording and production aspects of future sacred publishing efforts.
His first solo piano recording, American Tapestry, was nominated for a Dove Award. This album, along with his other recordings (Songs of the Journey, Celtic Tapestry, A Christmas Tapestry, and A Symphony of Carols) has been enormously popular in the sacred and secular markets. He has recorded for Yamaha’s Disklavier series and has composed hundreds of commissioned works. His composition “Pieta” was honored with an award from the John Ness Beck Foundation. In 2025, Joe was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Furman University, his alma mater.
Recognized throughout the United States for his many choral compositions, both sacred and secular, Joseph’s music is published by numerous publishing houses. Over 2500 compositions are currently in print and the list continues to grow. Joseph lives in Austin, Texas with his wife Sue.
Dr. Anne Matlack (BA, Yale University; MM, DMA in Choral Conducting, University of Cincinnati College — Conservatory of Music) has served as Artistic Director of Harmonium Choral Society since 1987, leading the 100-voice ensemble to recognition for its musical excellence, innovative programming, and community partnerships. She is also in her 36th year as organist and choirmaster at Grace Episcopal Church in Madison, directing adult and children’s choirs and the Grace Community Music concert series. Grace and Harmonium singers have served as Choir-in-Residence at Wells Cathedral (2024) and Winchester Cathedral (2015).
An active conductor, clinician, and adjudicator, Dr. Matlack has taught at RSCM Summer Camps, Drew, Kean, and Lafayette, conducted the Yale Freshman Chorus, and performed with the Robert Shaw Festival Chorus at Carnegie Hall. She has held leadership positions with the American Choral Directors Association. “Dr. Anne” believes that choral music can reach across cultures, grow empathy, and enriches the lives of singers and listeners alike.
Everett McCorvey, Conductor, a native of Montgomery, Alabama, and University of Alabama graduate, has given performances at the Metropolitan Opera, Kennedy Center, Radio City Music Hall, Teatro Comunale, Florence, Italy, Queen Elizabeth Hall, London, England, and in over 23 countries.
He is the Founder of the American Spiritual Ensemble, Artistic Director of the National Chorale in New York City, and the Principal Guest Conductor for Opera Columbus.
He is the Chairman of the Kentucky Arts Council and an advisory panelist for the National Endowment for the Arts. He has served on the faculties of the New York State Summer School of the Arts, American Institute of Musical Studies, Graz, Austria, and Bay View Music Festival as co-opera conductor and co-director of the American Negro Spirituals Intensive Program. He holds the Endowed Chair of Opera at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. In 2021 he conducted the National Chorale and the US Army Field Band and Soldiers’ Chorus’ in the 20th Anniversary 9/11 Commemoration at Liberty State Park.
Dr. David M. Tripold has been a Professor of Music and the Director of Choral Activities at Monmouth University since 1999. There, he directs two collegiate ensembles and teaches voice and choral conducting. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education (1981) from Westminster Choir College, a Master’s degree in Sacred Music from Westminster Choir College of Rider University (1996), and a Ph.D. in Liturgical Studies from Drew University (2006).
From 1995 until June 2026, Dr. Tripold served as the Organist and Sanctuary Choir Director at Colts Neck Reformed Church. He is the author of the book Sing to the Lord a New Song: Choirs in the Worship and Culture of the Dutch Reformed Church in America, 1785-1860, part of the Historical Series of the Reformed Church in America (#74), published by Eerdmans (2012). Additionally, he composed the choral anthem “As This Grain Has Been Gathered,” included in the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship Music Series and published by GIA Publications (2019).
Dr. Tripold is married to Margaret Anne (Maggie) Tripold. They have two adult children, Amy and Greg.
Dr. Jason C. Tramm is celebrating his twentieth season of musical leadership with the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association, currently serving as Artistic Director. Sacred music has been central to his career from a very early age, beginning at age five as a boy soprano soloist at St. Thomas Lutheran Church in West Nyack, NY. His work in the choral, symphonic, and operatic realms have received acclaim both nationally and internationally. Dr. Tramm currently serves as an Associate Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Seton Hall University, where he also serves as the Chair of the Department of Communication, Media, and the Arts.
He currently holds the following musical leadership positions: Artistic Director: Light Opera of New Jersey, President/Conductor: MidAtlantic Artistic Productions and the MidAtlantic Philharmonic Orchestra, Music Director: Taghkanic Chorale and the Putnam Chorale. Dr. Tramm has conducted in many prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Merkin Hall, NJPAC and David Geffen Hall, to name a few. An in-demand guest conductor, Dr. Tramm has led symphonic and operatic performances in Italy, Romania, Albania, Hungary and throughout the United States. Upcoming guest conducting engagements for the 26–27 season include performances in Italy, Austria, the Czech Republic and throughout the United States.
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