Gwen Witten Upchurch
Ms. Witten Upchurch is director of Sounds of South, as well as South Sensations, and Mixed Choir at Bloomington High School South. She graduated with honors from the University of Louisville with a bachelor’s degree in music education and vocal performance. In the same year, she received the Presser Award for Outstanding Senior Musician. Gwen earned a Master of Music degree from Indiana University and completed more than 80 doctoral hours in vocal performance with Gianna d’Angelo, also at IU. Gwen has been a music teacher at BHSS since 1985.
Keaton Springfield
Mr. Springfield is accompanist and Starbucks enthusiast for Sounds of South, South Sensations, and Mixed Choir at BHSS. Keaton holds degrees in piano performance from the University of Oregon and James Madison University. This is Keaton’s second year working full-time for MCCSC music programs. He is glad to be of service in aiding the musical development of today’s youth. Outside of his work with choirs, Keaton also writes original compositions which may be sampled on YouTube and purchased in collaboration with Songburd Music.
Ethan Upchurch
Ethan is Sounds of South’s stage director and vocal coach. He graduated from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with a bachelor’s degree in vocal performance and music education under the tutelage of Dr. Brian Horne. Ethan completed his student teaching at Center Grove Middle School, and is currently pursuing a master’s degree vocal performance. For IU Opera, Ethan sang in the choruses of L’incoronazione di Poppea and HMS Pinafore, performed the roles of Masetto in Don Giovanni, St. Brioche in Die lustige Witwe, and
Sam in Trouble in Tahiti.
Ken Upchurch
Mr. Upchurch is technical director for Sounds of South and has worked alongside Gwen since 1985. After team-teaching together at Batchelor Middle School for 18 years, Ken and Gwen taught at Jackson Creek Middle School until 2001. Ken continued to teach choir at JCMS, preparing countless students for choir at the high-school level until his retirement in 2020. He graduated from University of Louisville with a bachelor’s degree in music education and trombone performance before going on to earn a master’s degree from Indiana University, including an additional 30 hours in trombone performance.