Erika Pope was initiated into the Theta Theta Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma from Henderson State University on October 25, 1999. As an active member of the organization, she served in various leadership roles including chapter Vice President and chapter President, as well as Vice President of Colonization and Membership for the Southwest District (2005-2006). She was on “The Showband of Arkansas” drum line where she was on the cymbal line, the bass line and the snare line in which she is proud to say she is one of only a few female snare players in the history of The Showband. She also was a member of the HSU Concert and Symphonic bands, and played auxiliary percussion for “The NuFusion Project,” which is HSU’s jazz fusion ensemble.
Upon graduating from Henderson in 2005, she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Mass Media with a focus in radio/television broadcasting and a minor in music. Throughout the years, she has continued to serve Tau Beta Sigma in various capacities such as workshop presenting, advising committees, serving as a colony advisor/installing officer and from 2009-2015, served as the District Counselor for the Southwest District of Tau Beta Sigma. She is a Life Member of both Tau Beta Sigma (2007) and Kappa Kappa Psi (2016) and also holds Honorary Memberships in a variety of local chapters in both organizations. In her spare time she likes running, road trips, watching movies, reading novels and rocking out on the drums with her party band The Big Dam Horns. Erika currently lives in Memphis, TN and works for the Department of Music at Rhodes College as the Musical Arts Coordinator.
Siobhan Wilkes Bratcher, National Vice-President for Membership & Expansion
She / Her / Hers
Beta Zeta, Stephen F. Austin State University
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Siobhan Wilkes Bratcher (Pronounced shiv + awn) is a Life Member of the Beta Zeta Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at Stephen F. Austin State University. She graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a degree in Hospitality Management with a marketing minor, was a member of the Lumberjack Marching Band in the color guard, and a member of the University Concert Bands. She is a past Chapter President, and Vice President of Membership of Beta Zeta, and was very involved on the District Level as a student and an alumnus.
Siobhan was appointed as a Chapter Visitation Assistant in 2015 where she visited chapters within the Southwest District of Tau Beta Sigma to assist with chapter operations, interpersonal relations, and membership concerns. In 2017, Siobhan was elected as the National Vice President for Communication and Recognition for Tau Beta Sigma with a focus to increase conversations amongst our members, as well as used recognition to increase member and chapter participation in National initiatives.
Siobhan Wilkes Bratcher is a goal-driven hospitality professional with experience in customer relations, group sales, rooms management, and hotel revenue management. Currently, Siobhan works for Hilton Worldwide as a Hotel Revenue Manager where she supports eight hotels nationwide with growing revenue and impact over their competitors. In her free time, Siobhan likes to travel, watch college band performances, cook, and collect houseplants.
Dr. LaToya Webb, National Vice-President for Professional Relations
She / Her / Hers
Epsilon Sigma, Norfolk State University
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Dr. Webb is the newly appointed Assistant Director of the Longhorn Band and Assistant Professor of Practice in Conducting at the University of Texas at Austin. In this role Dr. Webb is an active presenter and writer on topics of bias, diversity, equity, and inclusion in music education. In 2021 alone she will have appeared as a speaker at meetings of NAfME, the College Music Society, and the Midwest Clinic. She recently co-founded the organization I See You: Affirming Representation in Music. Its mission states: “All minoritized students deserve to see themselves reflected and affirmed in and through the music community.” As a conductor, she was the recipient of a Reynolds Conducting Institute Fellowship in 2019. Dr. Webb holds degrees from Norfolk State University, George Mason University, and the PhD in Music Education from Auburn University.
Dr. Webb is a Life Member of the Epsilon Sigma Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at Norfolk State University.
Leslie Gartin, National Vice-President for Special Projects
She / Her / Hers
Zeta Nu, University of Northern Iowa
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Leslie was initiated in the Zeta Nu chapter at the University of Northern Iowa, and served in various chapter leadership roles, such as Ritualist, Secretary, and President. On the district level, Leslie served as Sec/Treas for one year, and Vice President of Membership for one year.
Upon graduation with her Music Education and French Horn Performance degrees, Leslie was actively involved in the Midwest District Alumni Association, serving as president for three years. In 2011, was appointed Finance Chair for the Tau Beta Sigma Alumni Association Executive Committee, a role in which she served until her appointment to the District.
In “real life,” Leslie is the K-6 General Music, Instrumental Music, ESL and TAG Coordinator for the GMG Community School District in Garwin, Iowa. She keeps busy in the school with music classes, Talented & Gifted classes, beginning band and lessons, as well as serving as coach for the Junior and Regular Robotics leagues at her school, in addition to serving as the District Union President. She received her Master’s degree in TESOL studies from Drake University in 2013. She lives in Marshalltown, Iowa, with her husband, Justin, a computer engineer, and their dog, Charlotte. Their free time activities include camping, fishing, and home improvement projects that last forever.
Allison Leemann, National Vice-President for Communication & Recognition
She / Her / Hers
Eta Gamma, Boston University
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Allison is a Life Member of the Eta Gamma Chapter of Tau Beta Sigma at Boston University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy with a minor in Public Health in 2012 and a Master of Public Health degree in Global Health in 2014 from the Boston University School of Public Health. While attending school Allison participated in the Concert, Pep, and Marching Bands playing bass clarinet and alto saxophone. She served as the Boston University Marching Band Drum Major her senior year.
As a student leader Allison served in several leadership positions at the Chapter level and as the Northeast District Vice President for Special Projects (2011-2012) and District President (2012-2013). As a Life Member Allison served as Northeast District Counselor (2015-2021) and currently sits on the Curriculum Development and Assessment Committees and the Health and Safety Task Force. She was elected to the Vice President for Communication & Recognition position in 2021.
In her professional life, Allison has focused on public health and healthcare management, overseeing medical scribes in the emergency department and hospital setting. In 2020, Allison completed a professional certification in Organization Development. She is an active member of the American Public Health Association and the Organization Development Network. In her free time Allison enjoys exploring new places, seeing live music performances, going to the beach, listening to audiobooks/podcasts, and spending time with family and friends.