EDUCATORS OF NOTE

 Dr. A.J. Merlino is an award-winning educator, workforce strategist, and arts innovator dedicated to bridging the gap between education and industry through creativity-driven learning and experiential opportunities. With a distinguished career spanning higher education, workforce development, and the performing arts, he has led transformative initiatives that equip students and professionals with the skills needed to succeed in an evolving global economy.

A five-time GRAMMY-nominated music educator, Dr. Merlino holds Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. His career as a professional percussionist includes performances with renowned artists such as Eric Marienthal, Darlene Love, Cee Lo Green, Jay-Z, and Thank You Scientist, experiences that shaped his interdisciplinary approach to education and leadership.

Dr. Merlino has held key leadership positions at organizations and institutions known for their commitment to innovation. As Executive Director of Learning Innovation & Workforce Solutions at Thinking Through AI, Dr. Merlino led efforts to harness artificial intelligence in education and workforce development, creating accessible, skills-based learning pathways that meet the needs of both learners and employers. He worked closely with industry leaders, government agencies, and higher education institutions to design AI-driven solutions that enhance career readiness, expand alternative credentialing, and improve access to workforce-aligned training. His leadership focused on integrating AI and data-driven strategies to close skill gaps, streamline professional development, and ensure that learning remains adaptable in an evolving economy.

At Harrisburg Area Community College, he served as Department Chair of Communications, Humanities, and the Arts, overseeing faculty development, curriculum restructuring, and strategic planning. His work ensured that programs remained innovative, interdisciplinary, and aligned with workforce needs while fostering a culture of collaboration and student success.

During his tenure at Harrisburg University, he served as Associate Vice President of Student Professional Development & Experiential Learning and Associate Professor of Business & Live Entertainment, where he launched university-wide experiential learning initiatives that guaranteed every student gained real-world, hands-on learning experiences before graduation. Under his leadership, student career outcomes reached new heights, and the university was recognized for its commitment to applied learning.

As Associate Dean of Student Professional Development & Experiential Learning, Director of Music Industry Studies, Music Department Chair, and Assistant Professor of Music at Albright College, he built nationally recognized programs that connected students with industry leaders, providing direct access to career pathways in the entertainment sector. Through partnerships with Atlantic Records, Warner Music Group, Universal Music Publishing, ASM Global, and Live Nation, he created unparalleled opportunities for students to gain real-world experience. His curriculum innovations and career development strategies contributed to Albright College being nationally recognized as one of the "Best Colleges for Career Development" by Colleges of Distinction.

A thought leader in the future of education, Dr. Merlino has been recognized among “The 10 Most Visionary Leaders in Education” and has presented internationally on experiential learning, alternative credentialing, and the role of artificial intelligence in workforce development. His work has helped shape higher education policies, inform workforce strategies, and bridge critical skill gaps between academia and industry.

Honored as Educator of Note by the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame, Dr. Merlino remains dedicated to championing creativity, innovation, and accessibility in education. His commitment ensures that learning remains engaging, industry-aligned, and transformative for future generations.

He expresses his deepest gratitude to his wife, Brittany, and daughter, Autumn, for their unwavering support, love, and inspiration throughout his journey. He also wishes to thank the many incredible music teachers who have shaped his path, instilling the passion and discipline that drive his work today. He believes that a teacher’s true legacy lives on through their students, and he is honored to pay forward the lessons he has learned, knowing that education, like music, resonates far beyond the classroom and shapes lives for generations to come.

Gloria Horn-Tice is a retired music teacher from Lebanon, PA. She taught elementary general music classes as well as served as the choral director for the 4th and 5th Grade Choruses in the Lebanon School District from 1999-2020. Prior to that she taught general music and served as the Choral Director for 13 years at Lebanon Catholic School, teaching at all grade levels (K-12). She is a graduate of West Chester University, West Chester, PA, with a B.S. degree in Music Education (piano and voice major). She earned her M.S. degree in Teaching English as a Second Language from the University of Turabo in Puerto Rico and Penn State University, as well as a M. Ed. Degree in Elementary Reading and Literacy from Walden University. She has done post graduate work in choral conducting from both Villanova University and the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA. Mrs. Horn-Tice has served as a Guest Choral Conductor for several county Choral Festivals.

Mrs. Horn-Tice's choirs have performed at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building during Music In Our Schools Month. Her students have participated in state choir festivals. While at Lebanon Catholic School, her choir performed in Disney World. She is very proud of the fact that many of her former students have gone on to have musical careers of their own, from teachers, church music directors, to Broadway performers and songwriters.

Mrs. Horn-Tice is a member of the Lebanon County Educators Honor Society, and the Harmonia Music Association. She was inducted into the Lebanon County Musicians Hall of Fame in 2014, along with her Aunt Catherine Deraco, a former retired music teacher who taught at the Overbrook School for the Blind in Overbrook, PA.

Mrs. Horn-Tice was very active with the Lebanon Community Theater, where she has directed, produced, choreographed, and acted in many shows. She has served in various capacities in her local churches as a cantor, choir director, and organist. She taught piano lessons privately for many years. She currently serves as the organist at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Lebanon. Prior to that she served as the Praise and Worship Director at Friedens Lutheran Church in Myerstown, PA. In addition, Mrs. Horn-Tice works part-time at the WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital as a Patient Safety Aide. She has served as vocalist with the Dave Stahl Sacred Orchestra, as well as various area cover bands.

 Mr. Greg Hutchison has been the Band Director at Lower Dauphin Middle School in 

Hummelstown, PA since the beginning of the 2002-2003 school year. At Lower Dauphin, he 

teaches a 6th Grade Concert Band, a combined 7th and 8th Grade Concert Band, the Jazz Band, 

and a music class. He also serves as the assistant director for the High School marching band.

Since beginning his career at Lower Dauphin, Mr. Hutchison has served as the President of the 

Dauphin County Music Educators Association, as well as Vice-President, President, and 

Immediate Past President of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s District 7. In 2013, 

he was the recipient of the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s “Citation of 

Excellence”, awarded to an outstanding Middle School music teacher. 

Mr. Hutchison is a graduate of Penn State University, where he studied trombone under 

Professor Mark Lusk and received his B.S. in Music Education. He also holds a Masters of 

Education from Cabrini University. 

Mr. Hutchison resides in Mechanicsburg, PA and is grateful to live and work in wonderful 

communities that support their arts programs.

 Richard Miller currently teaches middle school bands and classroom music at Hershey Middle School in the Derry Township School District, where he served as coordinator of the K-12 music department for a decade. He also serves as an ad hoc adjunct at Lebanon Valley College, where he has conducted the LVC Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble, and supervised graduate students. He holds degrees from Penn State, Duquesne (MM), and Boston Universities (CAGS/ABD), and has also studied at the University of Michigan, which causes some friction in his family during football season (he always roots for Penn State when they play Michigan, though). He was fortunate enough to be a member of the Blue Band in the 1986 National Championship season.

As a high school band director, Mr. Miller has taught in the Palmyra, Cocalico, Central Dauphin school districts, and once directed the Warwick HS Marching Band for a season. His ensembles were responsible for numerous commissions, including exciting works from Andrew Boysen, Jr., Rodney S. Miller, and SGM Douglas Richard. Ensembles under his direction have performed at the PMEA Annual Conference, and have been demonstration ensembles at PMEA Clinics.

Mr. Miller lives in Lititz, where he spends his time playing with his grandchildren, making pizza, trying to bake the perfect loaf of sourdough bread, and sinking money into his new addiction/hobby: his saltwater reef tank.

 Dr. Barry Atticks is director and creator of the Clair Brothers Music Business Technology major at Millersville University and teaches music technology courses. Dr. Atticks holds degrees in Business Management/Piano (B.S.), Commercial Music Composition (M.M), Intelligence/Terrorism (M.S.) and Music Education (Ph.D) from Elizabethtown College, California State University-Los Angeles, American Public University and Penn State University, respectively. Additionally, he has studied music technology at Berklee College of Music and the University of Oslo. Before embarking on his educational career, he worked as a sound designer and a music engineer in New York and a sound effects and music editor in Los Angeles.

Dr. Atticks was granted a prestigious Fulbright award to study the effects of spatial sound and 3-D animation in Norway for his doctoral dissertation. He created the music industry program at Drexel University in Philadelphia, which became the most competitive and successful program of its kind in the country under his leadership. The curriculum he developed was recognized as one of the most innovative by Rolling Stone Magazine. He has also taught music technology courses at the Art Institute of Philadelphia, University of the Arts, Lincoln University and Elizabethtown College.

In 2021, he received the national Instructional Technology Initiative Award from the College Music Society for his work during the pandemic in Speed Test Online Assessment in Recording Studio Courses. He also was awarded a 2021 NAMM fellowship. He is the current President of the national organization: Association for Technology in Music Instruction (ATMI) and sits on the advisory board for Montgomery County Community College, Lehigh Carbon Community College, and NAMM’s GenNext. His passion outside of teaching is playing synthesizers and keytars with MauveStröm, a hard rock cover band consisting of his current and former Millersville students. The band received the CPMA spot award for 2020’s best collegiate band and were nominated for best cover band in this year's awards.  

Dr. Atticks has produced international videoconferences and developed one of the first international distance learning courses in music education technology. He is also a published author and an international presenter in the area of contemporary electronic spacemusic, 3-D animation and education.  He was the music director and sound editor for the award winning documentary, Ricki’s Promise and has been active producing live concert events and music videos with his students. He presents regularly on the future of music industry education.

His passion is for all students to have international music experiences to better understand and appreciate different cultures in the world. Since 2015, he has taken his students to the Dominican Republic, Norway, Iceland, Italy, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. This summer, his class will be traveling to study the music and cultures of Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. In addition, he coordinates annual spring break trips for his students to experience Nashville and winter trips to the NAMM show in Los Angeles. 

He lives in the Lehigh Valley with his wife, Amie.  He has two children in college, Brendan and Brynn, and two dogs, Oslo and Mungo Jerry. In addition to his music career, he is also a high school and college football official.

During his 25-year tenure at Lebanon Valley College, Professor Jeff Snyder created and directed the Music Business Concentration, served as the Music Department Chair, and led students in creating the award-winning VALE Music Group.  In 2019 he was awarded the first annual “Educator of Note” award by the Central Pennsylvania Music Hall of Fame. In the summer of 2023, Professor Snyder retired from Academia and was awarded Professor Emeritus status. He currently is a member of various organizations--including the Audio Engineering Society, The Recording Academy, College Music Society, and Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association.