Larry Becker, FJSHS Music Department Staff
Larry Becker has been the staff accompanist, assistant director, and audio specialist for the Fairfield choirs for the past 15 years. He received his BA in Music from Goshen College where he also minored in broadcast communications. Before coming to Fairfield, Larry worked in the audio business recording ensembles such as the Vesper Chorale, the Rosedale Chorale, and the Goshen Community Choir. Mr. Becker also spent 20 years working in broadcast television at WSJV & WNDU.
Contact: lbecker@fairfield.k12.in.us
Mykayla Roskos-Neilson, FJSHS Bands
Mykayla Roskos-Neilson is currently in her third year with the Fairfield Band Program. She previously was Director of Bands at Mississinewa Community Schools. There, she started the jazz program and the marching program. Ms. Roskos-Neilson is an alumna of Fairfield and received her undergraduate degree from Manchester University in Instrumental Music Education.
At Manchester, Ms. Roskos-Neilson held the Vice President’s chair of the Student Education Association, held the President’s chair of the A Cappella Choir, and the President’s chair of the Symphonic Band. Graduating Summa Cum Laude, she completed her undergraduate education in the spring of 2017.
Ms. Roskos-Neilson is the second chair trumpet of the Manchester Symphony Orchestra and plays in local performances as well. She has also created and released two singer/songwriter albums of her own, entitled ‘Cherished’ and ‘I’.
Ms. Roskos-Neilson is the Head Band Director of the jazz band, marching band, pep band, and concert bands of Fairfield Junior-Senior High School.
Contact: mneilson@fairfield.k12.in.us
Clayton Thomas, FJSHS Choirs
Clayton Thomas is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Anderson University with a degree in Music Education. He is also a 2019 Fairfield HS graduate. He serves Fairfield as the Head Choir Director as well as teaching a piano lab class. Thomas directs the show choir Fusion and Expressions as an extra-curricular, while also assisting in directing the spring musical.
Clayton spent 3 years as a member of Fusion, performed in 3 musicals, and was a 3-time member of the IMEA High School All-State Choir.
Contact: cthomas@fairfield.k12.in.us
Cadence Lehman, FJSHS Choirs
Cadence Lehman graduated Magna Cum Laude from Goshen College in 2023 with a degree in Music and Secondary Education. She is certified in choral, general and instrumental music in grades K-12. She currently directs choirs from grades 6-8, while also co-teaching the other high school curricular choirs. Lehman directs the Fall Play and Spring Musical while assistant directing the extracurricular Show Choirs.
While a student at Goshen College, Cadence studied voice with Dr. Roz Woll and conducting with Dr. Scott Hochstetler and performed in multiple ensembles including the Voices of the Earth, Chamber Choir, Parables, Steel Pan Ensemble, and Lavender Jazz as a trumpet player. She also served as a dance captain and student music director for the Goshen College’s Spring Mainstage Productions. Lehman is a member of the Indiana Choral Directors Association, Indiana Music Education Association, and the National Association for Music Educators.
Lehman currently sings as part of the Camerata Singers, while serving as the Secretary of the Board. She currently resides in Elkhart, IN.
Contact: cralehman@fairfield.k12.in.us
Tori Shearer, Benton Elementary Music/ Millersburg Elementary Music
Contact: vshearer@fairfield.k12.in.us
Jennifer Metzler, New Paris Elementary Music
Contact: jmetzler@fairfield.k12.in.us