OCMEA Officers
Meet our 2024-2025 OCMEA State Board!
President: Benjamin Low
University: College of Wooster
Year: Junior
Email: blow26@wooster.edu
Dream Job: Collaborative Pianist
Fun Fact: Ben is also a certified Soccer Referee!
Most Looking Forward To: Reworking the OCMEA meetings at the PDC, and meeting music education students from all over the state!
President-Elect: Jamie Chester
University: BGSU
Year: Junior
Email: jamieac@bgsu.edu
Dream Job: K-12 General Music and Band
Fun Fact: She just recently started painting along to Bob Ross videos!
Most Looking Forward To: Planning the Fall Conference with the rest of the State Board.
Secretary: Micaela Runion
University: Wright State
Year: Junior
Email: runion.4@wright.edu
Dream Job: College Professor teaching Wind Band Conducting
Fun Fact: Micaela is the only musician in her family!
Most Looking Forward To: Helping to strengthen the collegiate music education community at our upcoming conferences!
Membership Chair: Xavier Bucher
University: BGSU
Year: Junior
Email: xbucher@bgsu.edu
Dream Job: Middle and High School Band
Fun Fact: He broke both of his arms at the same time on a trampoline when he was ten years old!
Most Looking Forward To: Continuing the work of our previous State Board, specifically helping OCMEA chapters across the state improve their programs and connect with each other.
Director of Communications: Amari Junkins
University: Ohio Northern
Year: Junior
Email: a-junkins.1@onu.edu
Dream Job: Middle and High School Band, and OMEA Leadership.
Fun Fact: She loves to sew her own clothing!
Most Looking Forward To: Helping advance OCMEA organization and communication across Ohio.
Advisor: Dr. Laura Kitchel
University: Capital
Email: lkitchel@capital.edu
Dream Job: She's living it as a Professor of Music Education.
Fun Fact: She is in a Sweet Adeline Quartet (Endeavour) that was 8th in the world in 2023!
Most Looking Forward To: The State Board invigorating and assisting the next generation of music teachers.
