Artistic Staff
Anne Saxon
Founder & Artistic Director
Anne Saxon is WSCA’s Artistic Director & Manager, and has served numerous churches and schools in the NC Triad area, teaching all levels of chorus and general music. She is currently the Children’s Chorus Master for the Piedmont Opera.
Anne holds a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from UNC Greensboro (UNCG), and a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Greensboro College, Piano Applied. She has also earned a Level 3 Certification in Doreen Rao's Choral Music Experience, and Level 3 Certification in the Chorister’s Guild Institute. At UNCG she studied with Drs. Bill Carroll, Richard Cox, and Hilary Apfelstadt, and directed the Women’s Glee Club. She has completed further study in conducting with Paul Salamunovich, Anton Armstrong, Lynne Gackle, Henry Leck, Daniel Bara, and Kenney Potter.
Anne is currently the Luncheon Co-Chair of the NC Chapter of the American Choral Directors’ Association (NC ACDA). She has served in multiple roles, including NC ACDA’s President, Executive Director, and her work as the Newsletter Editor garnered two national awards. An active member of the NC Music Educators' Association, she has been a festival site coordinator and served on the Middle School Choral Board. She has been honored with a Commemorative Brick on the MENC “Walk of Fame” for her 25 years of participation at the NC Summer Institute in Choral Arts. Anne is a frequent guest conductor and collaborative pianist for Honor and Festival Choirs, and an adjudicator for choral festivals.
Founder & Artistic Director
Anne Saxon is WSCA’s Artistic Director & Manager, and has served numerous churches and schools in the NC Triad area, teaching all levels of chorus and general music. She is currently the Children’s Chorus Master for the Piedmont Opera.
Anne holds a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting from UNC Greensboro (UNCG), and a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Greensboro College, Piano Applied. She has also earned a Level 3 Certification in Doreen Rao's Choral Music Experience, and Level 3 Certification in the Chorister’s Guild Institute. At UNCG she studied with Drs. Bill Carroll, Richard Cox, and Hilary Apfelstadt, and directed the Women’s Glee Club. She has completed further study in conducting with Paul Salamunovich, Anton Armstrong, Lynne Gackle, Henry Leck, Daniel Bara, and Kenney Potter.
Anne is currently the Luncheon Co-Chair of the NC Chapter of the American Choral Directors’ Association (NC ACDA). She has served in multiple roles, including NC ACDA’s President, Executive Director, and her work as the Newsletter Editor garnered two national awards. An active member of the NC Music Educators' Association, she has been a festival site coordinator and served on the Middle School Choral Board. She has been honored with a Commemorative Brick on the MENC “Walk of Fame” for her 25 years of participation at the NC Summer Institute in Choral Arts. Anne is a frequent guest conductor and collaborative pianist for Honor and Festival Choirs, and an adjudicator for choral festivals.
Suzanne Saxon Maggs, Assistant Director
Suzanne Saxon Maggs directs WSCA’s training choir, UPBEAT!, and assists with all of our other choirs.
She has recently directed the elementary choirs at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts Community Music School program and the Children’s Choir at CUMC, where she is currently the new Theater Program Director.
“Miss Suzy” sang with the chorus during the first six years of our organization and has participated in countless choral performances, festivals, and tours. She has completed 3 levels of Dalcroze-Eurhythmics instruction and is a certified Kindermusik educator. She currently serves on the board of the NC American Choral Director's Association.
Suzanne Saxon Maggs directs WSCA’s training choir, UPBEAT!, and assists with all of our other choirs.
She has recently directed the elementary choirs at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts Community Music School program and the Children’s Choir at CUMC, where she is currently the new Theater Program Director.
“Miss Suzy” sang with the chorus during the first six years of our organization and has participated in countless choral performances, festivals, and tours. She has completed 3 levels of Dalcroze-Eurhythmics instruction and is a certified Kindermusik educator. She currently serves on the board of the NC American Choral Director's Association.
Anna Wade, Chorus Assistant
Anna Wade is a Chorus Teacher in Forsyth County at Konnoak Middle School and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts Community Music School. Anna is thrilled to be back with the Winston-Salem Choral Academy this year.
Anna holds both her Masters and Bachelors in Special Music Education and certification in the Kodaly Approach through Wichita State University studying under professors Dr. Elaine Bernsdorf and Dr. Pina Mozzani. While at WSU, she participated in choral ensembles, performed in Operas, played flute in Symphonic Band, and participated in an Opera and Italian language study abroad program in Lucca, Italy.
Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, Anna found her passion for the arts through many activities such as swing choir, being a marching band Drum Major, and many school and community theatre musical productions.
Anna is a recipient of the NC Governor's Educator’s Discovery award, a Winston Salem Foundation Grant, and the NC Symphony Educator Musician’s award to support her continued professional development in the field (23-24). She is an active member of the NC Music Educator’s Association and NC American Choral Director’s Association, now serving as a Co-Chair for NC ACDA’s MiddleFest event.
Anna Wade is a Chorus Teacher in Forsyth County at Konnoak Middle School and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts Community Music School. Anna is thrilled to be back with the Winston-Salem Choral Academy this year.
Anna holds both her Masters and Bachelors in Special Music Education and certification in the Kodaly Approach through Wichita State University studying under professors Dr. Elaine Bernsdorf and Dr. Pina Mozzani. While at WSU, she participated in choral ensembles, performed in Operas, played flute in Symphonic Band, and participated in an Opera and Italian language study abroad program in Lucca, Italy.
Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, Anna found her passion for the arts through many activities such as swing choir, being a marching band Drum Major, and many school and community theatre musical productions.
Anna is a recipient of the NC Governor's Educator’s Discovery award, a Winston Salem Foundation Grant, and the NC Symphony Educator Musician’s award to support her continued professional development in the field (23-24). She is an active member of the NC Music Educator’s Association and NC American Choral Director’s Association, now serving as a Co-Chair for NC ACDA’s MiddleFest event.
Brandon Winbush, Sforzando Boy’s Choir Director
Brandon Winbush is an active conductor, educator, and clinician here in North Carolina. He most recently served as Interim Director of Choral Activities at Appalachian State University, where he conducted the University Singers and taught courses in conducting and choral literature. He has also served as a student teaching supervisor for the choral area at UNC Greensboro.
Before teaching at the university level, Brandon was Choral Director and Lead Piano Instructor at Watauga High School, a role he held for six years. Under his direction, Watauga choirs were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, the Biltmore Estate, and conferences for the North Carolina chapters of ACDA and NC Music Educator’s Association.
Brandon is co-conductor and founding member of the Blue Ridge Consort, a professional choir based in Western North Carolina. A devoted church musician, Brandon has held leadership roles in both Catholic and Presbyterian congregations and currently serves as Music Director and Organist at First Presbyterian Church in Newton, NC.
Brandon holds degrees in Music Education/Piano and Choral Conducting from Appalachian State University (BM) and UNC Greensboro (MM), respectively. He is looking forward to another WSCA season and working with the talented young men of Sforzando Choir.
Brandon Winbush is an active conductor, educator, and clinician here in North Carolina. He most recently served as Interim Director of Choral Activities at Appalachian State University, where he conducted the University Singers and taught courses in conducting and choral literature. He has also served as a student teaching supervisor for the choral area at UNC Greensboro.
Before teaching at the university level, Brandon was Choral Director and Lead Piano Instructor at Watauga High School, a role he held for six years. Under his direction, Watauga choirs were invited to perform at Carnegie Hall, the Biltmore Estate, and conferences for the North Carolina chapters of ACDA and NC Music Educator’s Association.
Brandon is co-conductor and founding member of the Blue Ridge Consort, a professional choir based in Western North Carolina. A devoted church musician, Brandon has held leadership roles in both Catholic and Presbyterian congregations and currently serves as Music Director and Organist at First Presbyterian Church in Newton, NC.
Brandon holds degrees in Music Education/Piano and Choral Conducting from Appalachian State University (BM) and UNC Greensboro (MM), respectively. He is looking forward to another WSCA season and working with the talented young men of Sforzando Choir.
Cynthia Saylor, Collaborative Pianist
Cynthia Saylor serves as our collaborative pianist and accompanies all of our choirs in WSCA. She brings with her a life-long passion and dedication to music and accompanying.
Cynthia is a retired Medical Technologist from Novant Health and continues to serve as a church pianist and accompanist in the Triad area, including the chorus at River Landing Retirement Community. Now in her 19th Anniversary year with us, we truly appreciate her talents!
Cynthia Saylor serves as our collaborative pianist and accompanies all of our choirs in WSCA. She brings with her a life-long passion and dedication to music and accompanying.
Cynthia is a retired Medical Technologist from Novant Health and continues to serve as a church pianist and accompanist in the Triad area, including the chorus at River Landing Retirement Community. Now in her 19th Anniversary year with us, we truly appreciate her talents!