OCMEA Officers

Meet our 2025-2026 OCMEA State Board!

President: Jamie Chester

University: Bowling Green State University

Year: Senior

Email: jamieac@bgsu.edu

Instrument: Tuba

Dream Job: Teaching K-12 General Music and Band

Fun Fact: She enjoys painting along to Bob Ross Videos! 

President-Elect: Ryleigh Jones

University: Ohio Wesleyan University

Year: Junior

Email: rmjones@owu.edu

Instrument: Saxophone

Dream Job: Middle School Band Director

Fun Fact: She ran her first 5k within the first week of this semester!

Secretary: Patrick Wiseman

University: Capital University

Year: Senior

Email: pwiseman@capital.edu

Instrument: Trumpet

Dream Job: Band

Fun Fact: His favorite memory in band is when his band director used to tell any story, and he would always start off by stating "little Johnny or little Susie" to reference former students mistakes.

Membership Chair: Maria Hisey

University: Miami University

Year: Senior

Email: hiseyma@miamioh.edu

Instrument: French Horn

Dream Job: Middle School/High School band directing and music education research. 

Fun Fact: She's been learning Chinese for 11 years!

Director of Communications: Amari Junkins

University: Ohio Northern

Year: Senior

Email: a-junkins.1@onu.edu

Instrument: Trombone

Dream Job: Middle and High School Band, and OMEA Leadership. 

Fun Fact: She loves to sew her own clothing!

Advisor: Dr. Laura Kitchel

University: Capital

Email: lkitchel@capital.edu

Instrument: Vocal

Dream Job: She's living it as a Professor of Music Education. 

Fun Fact: She loves musical theater and has seen over 60 shows in NYC!