MARANATHA
Youth Music Academy
Directors
Youth Music Academy Orchestra Director
Todd Morrison
Todd Morrison has been directing the Maranatha YMA Orchestra since 2008.
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After 23 years of service, Todd retired from the US Navy Band, Washington, DC in 2019 as a Chief Musician and Section Leader of the Concert and Ceremonial Saxophone Section.
Todd holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Ithaca College, NY where he was twice winner of their Concerto Competition, and later earned his Master’s degree in Music Performance from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA.
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During his performing career, Todd was named Classical Soloist winner for Down Beat Magazine, Runner-up of the North American Saxophone Alliance Concerto Competition, and a finalist of the National Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. He was also a member of the National Saxophone Quartet which won 2nd Prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.
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Todd and his wife Melissa, have been blessed with six children and home educate their family on their farm in Hillsboro, VA.
Youth Music Academy Choir Director
Rod Appleton
A native of Massachusetts, Rod earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education/Voice at Biola University in La Mirada, CA. There, he studied under Loren Wiebe and was the student director of the Biola Chorale for 3 years.
He received a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from California State University, Fullerton, studying under Gordon Paine.
During and after his college years, Rod directed choral ensembles at Pacific Christian High School in Los Angeles, CA and Fullerton College in Fullerton, CA. He also served as Music and Worship Pastor at First Baptist Church, Downey, CA, South Delta Baptist Church in Tsawwassen, BC, and First Evangelical Free Church in Fullerton, CA.
Rod began a career in real estate in 1998 in Orange County, CA, and continued in it after moving the family to Virginia in 2005. Shortly after, he began conducting the Patrick Henry College Youth Music Academy choir (now Maranatha YMA choir), serving in worship leading and choral directing roles in various local churches, and in 2016 began directing the Patrick Henry College Chorale. Rod finds great joy in encouraging and mentoring the young musicians he directs in these groups.
Rod sells residential real estate in Loudoun County with Century 21 New Millennium. He and his wife, Terry, live on a dirt road in Round Hill with some goats and horses. They have 3 grown kids and 3 perfect grandchildren.
Children's Music Academy Choir
Sara Johnson
Sara Johnson, originally from Kansas City, holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Rice University in Houston, TX, and an MA in Vocal Performance from George Mason University.
Alongside participating in operas during her university years, Sara showcased her soloist talents in the DC area, performing at notable venues like the National Cathedral and the Smithsonian Institute.
Sara has 30 years of diverse music teaching experience, ranging from preschoolers to university students. Sara initiated a children’s choir called Homeschool Harmony with her friend Teena Kaspary while homeschooling her older children.
Currently, Sara serves as the youth pastor at Church of the Holy Spirit in Leesburg. Sara and her husband, Keith, have four children, spanning from teens to young adults. She is thrilled to integrate her passion for Jesus, music, and children through CMA.
Children's Music Academy Prelude Strings Director
Sydney Vaughn
Sydney Vaughn is a classically trained violinist and a fiddler with over ten years of playing and performance experience. She has been teaching music for 5+ years at the beginner and intermediate levels.
She’s always had an enthusiastic love and passion for music, working with children and praising God through the arts.
Sydney studied the violin under Christine Tigges and Nusheen Farahani. She has multiple accredited pedagogy certifications in The Suzuki Method and The Paul Roland String Technique.
In high school, Sydney was accepted into and attended the Orlando Symphony Orchestra Summer Institute. She played with the Patrick Henry College Chamber Ensemble along with the Maranatha Youth Music Academy Orchestra and graduated as Concertmaster in 2021. She also plays fiddle for the Evergreen Junction Fiddle Band.
Sydney Vaughn is grateful to be the director of the Maranatha Children’s Music Academy Beginner Strings Ensemble.
Choir Pianist
Jennifer Davis
Jenny Davis has been performing choral music as a singer, accompanist, or both, since early childhood. An alumna of the original YMA choir, she went on to pursue a degree in piano performance and a minor in voice at Liberty University. During her undergraduate studies, she played with the LU Symphony Orchestra as a Concerto Competition winner, was chosen as Senior Pianist of the Year, and both sang with and accompanied the LU Chamber Singers and Concert Choir.
In 2016, Jenny returned to Maranatha YMA to serve the choir as pianist and sectional rehearsal director. She enjoys employing her skills to equip new generations of students to make music with passion and excellence for the glory of God.
Jenny and her husband Josiah reside in Round Hill, VA, where they educate their four daughters at home.