Dr. Isaiah McGee

Dr. Isaiah R. McGee is the chair of the music department and director of choral music at Claflin University.

Biography

Dr. Isaiah R. McGee is the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Associate Professor of Music at Claflin University. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, S.C.; a Master of Music degree in vocal performance with an emphasis in Opera Theatre from the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C. and a Ph.D. in Music Education with choral conducting emphasis from The Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida.

In the community, Dr. McGee has been called upon to evaluate and make recommendations on how to improve the cultural arts in cities and towns throughout the state and region.  He co-founded an AAU youth basketball organization to increase character development, soft skill, and academic focus through athletics. He is the director of Leadership Orangeburg that is sponsored by the Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce and a member of the board of directors for the Orangeburg Fine Arts Center. 

Dr. McGee has received numerous awards such as the Excellence in Teaching Award by the South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, recognized by the US Congress in the congressional record, Exemplary Teacher Award by the United Methodist Church, Opera Carolina Young Artist Award given by Opera Carolina in Charlotte, NC, winner of the First Annual William L. Dawson Vocal Competition at Tuskegee AL, and Recognized by the US Congress for outstanding service and leadership listed in the Congressional Record. He was requested to conduct the full assembly of the opening session of the national meeting of The National Association of Schools of Music. Recently, the National Association of Schools of Music has appointed Dr. McGee on the National Board and made him a national accreditation evaluator. Dr. McGee has served as a South Carolina Allstate judge.

He holds membership in the American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, College Music Society, Opera America, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity, National Association of Negro Musicians, National Association of Schools of Music, Rotary International, Pi Kappa Lambda National Honorary Music Society and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC

Master of Music in Vocal Performance (Opera Theatre emphasis), University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC

Ph.D. in Music Education (Choral Conducting emphasis), Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL