OCMEA Officers

Meet our 2024-2025 OCMEA State Board!

President: Benjamin Low

University: Wooster 

Year: Junior

Email: blow@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.