Meet the Conductors
The conductors and guest artists who direct Oklahoma Youth Sing! are recognized leaders in children’s music education.
KENDELL LOWRY
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CONDUCTOR
Kendell Lowry has been with OYSing! since 2013. She started as an OU intern and has had the privilege of working with all three of the OYSing! choirs as an assistant conductor. She was honored to be appointed Artistic Director in the fall of 2023!
Kendell earned her Bachelor and Masters degree in Music Education from the University of Oklahoma. She also earned her Kodály certification from OU studying under Sandy Knudson, Bev Anyan, and Joy Nelson.
Kendell has been teaching elementary general music for 9 years. She taught at Adams Elementary in Norman, Oklahoma for seven years, during which time she was named Site Teacher of the Year. She served as chair of the 5th Grade All-City Choral Event for multiple years. Currently, Kendell teaches at Ranchwood Elementary in Yukon, Oklahoma. She is a recording artist for Oklahoma Music Educators Association in which she is the vocalist for the Circle the State with Song and Children’s All-State rehearsal tracks.
LYNN HERBEL
ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR
Lynn Herbel has been with OYSing! since 2010. Mrs. Herbel directs the vocal ensembles and teaches AP Music Theory at Moore High School. Before her tenure at MHS, she taught elementary music at Winding Creek Elementary. She holds a Bachelors of Music Education degree from Oklahoma Christian University and a Masters of Music Education from the University of Oklahoma.
Lynn has earned Kodály certification in Levels I, II, and III and has earned three levels in the Choral Music Experience (CME) with Sandra Snow and Doreen Rao.
JACOB GONZALES
ASSOCIATE CONDUCTOR
Jacob Gonzales is in his 14th year of teaching Vocal Music in Oklahoma and his 9th year teaching in Norman Public Schools. He is currently the Assistant Choir Director at Norman North High School where he conducts the Norman North Chamber Singers, Women's and Men’s Choruses, and 9th Grade Treble Choir.
Jacob previously taught at Longfellow Middle School and Purcell Public Schools. His choirs have received OSSAA sweepstakes awards and superior ratings at district and state levels.
Gonzales received his Master of Music Education and Kodály certification from the University of Oklahoma, and his Bachelor of Vocal Music Education from the University of Central Oklahoma. He has studied voice training with Dr. Joel Burcham and Dr. Marilyn Govich, and was an active performer in the musical theatre program at the University of Central Oklahoma. He was a recipient of the Award of Music Excellence in 2008 from the College of Arts, Media, and Design at UCO.
Meet the Staff
Jason Clemons, Accompanist
Amber Andersen, Choir Manager
Brookelyn McWilliams, OU Intern, Da Capo
Brookelyn McWilliams is a third-year student in the Vocal Music Education program at the University of Oklahoma. She has loved her time at OU and is excited to put her knowledge into practice. Brookelyn looks forward to getting to know each student and sharing her passion for music with them.
Jennifer Walschap, Accompanist
Brittni Bilyeu, Cantare Assistant
Carla Arguelles, OU Intern, Con Brio
Carla is a junior Vocal Music Education major at the University of Oklahoma, and sings in the University's Chorale as well as being a staff singer at St. Thomas More Catholic Church. She is also a member of the Pride of Oklahoma Marching Band's Drumline and plays oboe for OU's concert ensembles.
DR. JOHNNIE-MARGARET MCCONNELL
ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR
Dr. Johnnie-Margaret McConnell joined Oklahoma Youth Sing! as Administrative Director on July 1, 2025. A four-time graduate of The University of Oklahoma, she holds bachelor’s degrees in Music and English Literature, as well as a M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Education Studies, where her research centered on amateur musicking and community engagement.
She brings over 25 years of experience in education, student development, and community leadership. Dr. McConnell currently serves as Director of Transfer Student Success at the University of Oklahoma. She is the owner of McConnell Music Studio (est. 2000), where she teaches clarinet to students in grades six through twelve. She is also the founder and director of the Norman Clarinet Choir (2011) and Norman Community Band (2018).
A passionate educator and performer, she remains committed to fostering lifelong participation in the arts through both community music and youth-focused initiatives.
