Nicole Whitby 
Choral Director 

Ms. Whitby is a 2017 graduate of Manchester High School in Midlothian, Virginia. During her high school career, she was an active member of the Manchester Choral Program. She performed with Touch of Swing, their all-girl show choir, and Capital Swing, their mixed show choir. In 2021, she graduated from Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a minor in Psychology. For the 2021-2022 school year, Ms. Whitby taught at Voyager Academy HS in Durham, NC teaching their show choirs. She is excited to be returning to Clover Hill HS for her second year as a Cavalier!

Ben Eklund  
Choreographer  

Ben Eklund is a freelance choreographer residing in Omaha, Nebraska. Growing up in nationally recognized choral environments sparked his passion for working in the show choir industry. After graduating from Lincoln Southwest High School, he went on to study Music Education at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Currently, Ben designs shows, choreographs, and clinics for a number of schools across the country. These schools have earned finals appearances, best vocals, best choreography, and grand champion honors. When the choreography season slows down, Ben often spends his weekends traveling around the Midwest judging competitions and attending NBA games with his wife Melissa. Previously, he has judged for FAME, Heart of America, and many other prestigious competitions. He feels truly blessed to work with such talented directors and fine young performers. Ben would like to thank all, especially his wife Melissa, who has supported and aided his growth as a choreographer and educator.

Matt Watson  
Choreographer  

Matt Watson is a freelance choreographer currently residing in Lincoln, Nebraska. His show choir journey began at Lincoln Southwest High School, where he eventually became a dance captain and two-year member of the award-winning show choir, Resonance. He attended the University of Nebraska-Lincoln earning a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. During his time at UNL, he was a four-year member and dance captain of the nationally recognized collegiate show choir, Big Red Singers. Additionally, Matt was a member of the university’s top choral ensemble, University Singers. He spent several summers at the Nebraska Show Choir Camp as a camper, counselor, and dance captain for various choreographers. The past two years he has been selected to be a choreographer at camp.

Seven years ago he began his professional choreography career. He now choreographs over 25 competitive show choirs throughout the Midwest. Additionally, he is a clinician and assistant choreographer for another 10 groups. This year Matt has traveled throughout Nebraska, Iowa, South Dakota, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Virginia to work with various award-winning show choirs. He wants to thank all those who have helped guide him the past few years.

Brianna Gatch  
Band Director

Brianna Sklute Gatch holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master’s Degree in Wind Band Pedagogy from the University of Louisville. Brianna is the recipient of the Outstanding Music Education Young Alumni Award from the Virginia Commonwealth University, School of the Arts; Chesterfield County Public Schools Game Changer Award in 2019-2020 and 2020-2021; Teacher of the Year at Clover Hill High School; Recipient of the R.E.B. Award for Teaching Excellence; and recently received National Board Certification in Music: Early Adolescence through Young Adult. She is currently serving as the Performing Arts Department Chair at Clover Hill High School and District 3 Auditions Chair. Brianna is in her sixth year of teaching at Clover Hill High School. She is also an active clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator across the state of Virginia for both Marching Band and Concert Band.

Neil Butler AssT. Director

Neil Butler has been involved in show choir in Central Virginia since 2009 and is thrilled to be back in Chesterfield County assisting with Clover Hill students for another season. After his studies at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, Neil spent time working as a clinician and technical producer with several choral programs and church productions in VA and NC and has traveled with award winning show choirs to Nashville, Chicago, New York, Indiana, West Virginia, and Orlando. Outside of the arts, Neil works full time at Capital One, is getting a business degree from the University of Virginia, and serves as an advisor to the Governor of Virginia.

Jen Randall Show Designer

Jen Randall in her 20th year as a choral music educator. Randall is a graduate of the University of Nebraska where she was a founding member of Big Red Singers show choir. From 2005 to 2016, Jen was a 6A choral director in Texas where she started four show choirs; including Central High School's "Voices of Central.” Summer of 2016, she relocated to South Dakota to take over “Friend de Coup” show choir and vocal music duties in Mitchell. 2019 saw a move back to Texas to be near family and to create Show Collective. With her company, she tours the country doing clinic/consulting work for show choirs and provides professional development for show choir professionals. Randall’s book, The Art of Competitive Show Choir was published by GIA Publications in June of 2020. As of Fall 2022, she is the Head Choir Director at Carroll Senior High School in Southlake, TX. She and her husband Tim have two sons: Ben and Owen, and the four enjoy having family adventures in the Lone Star State and beyond.

AMIR KHOZAEI  
Tech Consult
& Historian

Amir Khozaei, MDA wears many creative and technical hats in the Central Virginia Show Choir community, commonly in Midlothian, VA. He is proud to be the Technical Director for LUXE at Randolph Macon College and for the premier show choirs in surrounding Chesterfield schools. Throughout his years within the community, he has helped bring many unforgettable show experiences through a blend of technical prowess and creative innovation to cultivate and create amazing show experiences.

Stepping beyond the spotlight of show choir, Amir, armed with a Master’s Degree in Decision Analytics, assumes the role of Technology Specialist and Recruiter at Randolph-Macon College’s Office of Admissions. Here, he passionately guides and mentors students navigating the higher education journey, ensuring their success while managing integral operations and CRM systems at RMC. Simultaneously, Amir channels his creativity into his own venture, AHK Creatives, a dynamic creative agency dedicated to helping local businesses and groups thrive through professional design. With an unwavering commitment to innovation, Amir is excited to work to push the limit of innovation on the overall show choir experience.