Dr. Sherry Francis

Dr. Sherry L. Francis is a choral director, music educator, vocal adjudicator, choreographer and workshop clinician. She earned a Master's Degree in Music Education from Auburn University and holds certifications in both vocal and instrumental music education as well as technology instruction in the music classroom. Sherry Francis earned her Doctoral Degree in Music Education from Liberty University and conducted action research in the area of the benefits of music education for all students, especially students who may be considered

“at-risk.” She has taught in public schools for over 20 years, orchestrated after school programs and directed numerous community and church music venues with students of all ages, grades K-12 and collegiate levels. Currently, she is the vocal music director at Mineral Area College where she teaches applied voice classes, class piano, and conducts the MAC vocal ensembles. She also directs the MAFAA choirs for kids, teaches private studio voice classes and a variety of other music classes. Dr. Francis has presented her show choir and choreography session at the Missouri Choral Directors Association (MCDA) conferences and her doctoral research was selected for presentation at the Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) conference, January of 2024. Dr. Francis’ research is published in the Jerry Falwell Library at Liberty University and serves as a resource for music educators with global access. She has been very active in training various choirs at multiple levels for contests, festivals and performance opportunities such as the Missouri Governor's Mansion and Inaugural Prayer Breakfast, Showboat Branson Belle, opening for Branson’s Haygoods Show, SIX, and the performances in the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN. She has written lesson plans professionally as a contributing writer for the internationally acclaimed music educator magazine, Music Express and published K-12 music lesson plans online for the World's Largest Concert through the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Dr. Francis' teaching style was honored by Auburn

University through the implementation of her teaching practicum videos as part of their music education curriculum for both undergraduate and graduate level music students. Dr. Sherry Francis is passionate about music because she has seen the incredible difference it makes in the lives of people and communities in a way that no other academic discipline does. Her teaching style is motivated by her fervent

belief that music truly is the "heart" of education!