MENTORS and ADVISORS

A leader’s job is not to know everything but to attract people that know things they do not. John C. Maxwell

DAN JONES, LEADERSHIP MENTOR, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Dan moved to Nashville in 1982 to perform as a singer and dancer at Nashville’s Opryland USA theme park for two seasons. He has produced, written, and directed shows with casts of 5 to 500. He provides oversight to all aspects of the work of OneStage, with special attention given to student and volunteer training and support.

REID HALL, LEAD MUSIC ADVISOR AND MENTOR Reid is the Senior Music Composer and Sound Designer at Turner Broadcasting in Atlanta. In addition to composing arena music for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Reid’s music been heard on CBS, CNN, ABC, The Oscars, NBC, Turner Classic Movies, TNT, Paramount Pictures, TruTV, WCW, Fox, CNNI, Universal Pictures, Warner Brothers, SciFi Channel, History Channel, Cartoon Network, A&E, Tribune Entertainment, CMT, PBS, Discovery Channel, Speedvision, Turner Sports, Superdeluxe, the Weather Channel, NBC Sports, NFL Sports, NBA, Sports, and SEC Sports. Reid has received four Emmy® Awards for his work.

GARY GRIBBLE, LEAD PEER LEADERSHIP TRAINING ADVISOR AND MENTOR, INSTRUMENTAL CONDUCTING MENTOR Gary is one of the premier Peer Leadership trainers and conference leaders in the country. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps and on the Board of Directors of the National Band Association. He was the founding band director at Pope High School in Marietta, GA, where he served 31 years. In 1992 the Pope Marching Band was awarded the Sousa Foundation Sudler Shield of Marching Excellence, becoming one of the first 20 bands in the nation to receive this honor. He has been singled out for his work as a designer, adjudicator, guest conductor, and clinician across the US and Canada. He was named to the Sousa Foundation Bandworld Legion of Honor in 1999, becoming one of the first 100 band directors world-wide to receive this prestigious award since its inception in 1989.

RODDY WHITE, SPECIAL EVENTS ADVISOR Roddy is the founder of RFW Solutions. Roddy has served as the Vice President for Events with the Atlanta Falcons, Director of Special Events for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Coordinating Producer for World Cup Soccer, Video Producer of the NCAA Men’s Final Four, Video Director for the Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver, BC, Director of Game Enhancement of Super Bowl XXXIX, and Producer of Ceremonies at Super Bowl XXXVII, as well a Video Coordinator for the Kentucky Derby, and the NCAA National Football Championships.

REX SCHNELLE, AUDIO RECORDING PRODUCER, LEAD MENTOR Rex is the long-time producer and duet partner for guitar virtuoso Phil Keaggy. Most recently he produced the first solo album for Jeff Coffee, the lead singer for the legendary band Chicago.

TIM TAN, LEAD ENGINEERING ADVISOR AND MENTOR Tim’s credits as lead sound designer and audio producer include such notable movies as Enemy of the State, Jack Frost, Wolf, Disney’s Tarzan, and Pleasantville. His credits as the audio and recording engineer for major artists include Ice Cube, LL Cool J, Sheryl Crow, Steven Curtis Chapman, Sheena Easton, Tupac Shakur, Stevie Nicks, CeCe Winans, Vanessa Williams, Calvin Miller, Gospel Gangstas, Dean James, Angelique, Jon B, Az Yet, Devante, Peabo Bryson, George Benson, Richard Marx, Johnny Mathis, Randy Newman, The Spinners, Montell Jordan, Sir-Mix-Lot, Bob Mamet, Moraes Morieras, Ricky Nelson, Nils, Joe Strummer, Trevor Rabin, Robbie Robertson, and Danny Saber.

JOHN SCHLITT, LEAD VOCAL MENTOR As lead singer for the band “Head East” in the 70’s, John shared the stage with top rock bands including Queen, Kansas, Aerosmith, Styx, Journey, Yes, Foreigner, Little River Band, Toto, Heart, The Marshall Tucker Band, Foghat, REO Speedwagon, Ted Nugent, Van Halen, Rush, KISS, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Peter Frampton. From 1986 to 2007 John was the lead singer of the rock band Petra. John has received four Grammy® Awards and 10 Dove® Awards.

MATTHEW MCDONALD, LEAD BACKGROUND VOCALS MENTOR AND CHORAL CONDUCTING MENTOR Matthew attended the Sydney Conservatorium of Music before pursuing a degree in Vocal Performance at St. Olaf College, home of the famed St. Olaf Choir, where he studied choral conduction with world renowned conductor Anton Armstrong. After graduating he founded a small business that focused on educational outreach, grant writing for underfunded fine arts programs around the US, and masterclass workshops with choirs and chamber ensembles. In addition, Matthew performed over 900 concerts with his vocal ensemble InPulse, opening for Huey Lewis & The News, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Grand Funk Railroad, Sugarland, and many more. InPulse was named “Band of the Year” by College Magazine in 2006 and was awarded Runner-up in the 2004 International Harmony Sweepstakes Competition. He has conducted over 100 choirs in 39 US states and around the globe. 

HOWIE KLAUSNER, VIDEO PRODUCER, LEAD VIDEO PRODUCTION MENTOR Howie is a writer, producer and director of film, television and literary content. His career began as the writer of the Clint Eastwood blockbuster, SPACE COWBOYS. Most recent produced credits include GOD’S NOT DEAD 3 and THE SECRET HANDSHAKE, starring Kevin Sorbo and Amy Grant , SOUL SURFER, starring Dennis Quaid and Helen Hunt, THE IDENTICAL, starring Ray Liotta, Ashley Judd and Seth Green, and THE LAST RIDE, starring Henry Thomas and Kaley Cuoco.

ANDY GULLAHORN, LEAD SONGWRITING MENTOR AND GUITAR MENTOR. Andy is every Nashville Songwriter’s favorite songwriter. “…a freak of nature. Very few writers can write songs that bring tears of both laughter and pain… I’m consistently fascinated by his music.” - Dave Barnes. “Only a few writers can create songs that are hilarious, inspiring, happy, sad-and sometimes all at once.” - Pierce Pettis. “I love his song writing, his guitar playing, his singing, the way he makes his records, and the way he makes me laugh right after he has made me cry.” - Buddy Greene.

MATT ROYKA, FITNESS ADVISOR, FITNESS MENTOR Matt is the Fitness Trainer that major music stars turn to. His client list includes Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Lee Ann Womack, Ronnie Dunn, Alison Krauss, Clay Walker, Jason Aldean, Clint Black, Caleb Followill of Kings of Leon, Jamey Johnson, Julie Roberts, Chris Cagle, members of the Tennessee Titans cheerleaders, and NFL football legend and Hall of Fame member Eddie George. Royka’s “One Minute and a Matt” snapchat-based customizable fitness program is a perfect fit for the irregular schedules students have.

BUSINESS ADVISORS

CHARLIE REDMOND, NONPROFIT MANAGEMENT Charlie is the Executive Director of Steven Curtis Chapman’s nonprofit, Show Hope. He has been a leader in the music and entertainment industry for the past 35 years and is known for his innovation in artist and event management and marketing.

DAVID JAMIESON, BUDGETING AND RESOURCES CPA David Jamieson is the Comptroller for the United Methodist Publishing House in Nashville. He served LifeWay Resources in Nashville for 15 years as a Cost Analyst.