Church & Community Vice President Candidates

Patricia Neighbors is in her seventh year as Director of Music and Worship at First United Methodist Church in Hurst. Ms. Neighbors served as choral director at Richland High School in Birdville ISD for a total of 25 years. Her choir was selected to be a performing choir at the 2010 TMEA convention, shortly before her retirement in 2014. In addition to her current position, Patricia also served as full-time Associate Music Minister at North Richland Hills Baptist Church from 1988-1999. In total she has 29 years experience in the classroom and 18 years experience in church music. She holds a BME from the University of Central Oklahoma and a MME from the University of Oklahoma. Ms. neighbors is also an accomplished pianist and accompanist and a Life member of ACDA.

Ideas for assisting TCDA to live into the mission and purposes of the organization:   I have always loved and appreciated TCDA. For much of my career I have depended on the summer conventions to guide me to good repertoire, give me ideas that would assist me in my professional goals, and help me develop a vision for my students. TCDA offers tremendous opportunities to build one-on-one relationships with our heroes; and no matter how many years you have been “in the business” there is still so much to be learned from those we esteem.
In our changing world I believe our needs are still the same; we are looking for good resources, good ideas and fresh ways to do what we do to inspire our people and keep them encouraged and engaged. People want to sing. As so many churches are trending away from choral music, many people are lamenting that they have no place to sing. How do we keep them engaged? In the past year in my area there have been several community choirs pop up. People want to sing. How can we help them? As church and community musicians we need to continue to find new ways to share ideas, whether in person or online. We all need the encouragement of others who continue our ministry through music.

Nyadia Thorpe is a busy mom of 3 little boys. When she's not trying to sneak in a quick nap in the carpool lane during after school pick up, she's planning worship services and thinking of new and fresh ways to engage the community. She finds great joy in directing worship services and conducting choirs. She sparks ideas for children and youth music and activities, using her 16 years as public school music educator and 4 years as choral director in higher education. Her heart is found either at home with her family or in worship. She's served in 3 different churches across her 20 years in the profession of music ministry and music education.

Ideas for assisting TCDA to live into the mission and purposes of the organization:  It was so good to be a part of the inaugural Worship & Community Choir during the 2024 Winter Conference in Plano. I've had a heart for seeing this division of TCDA more visible. We're a quiet force. I have always enjoyed plugging in to the sessions and witnessing the community of like minded individuals. I only longed to have more time and experiences together.

Over the next few years, I would like to see TCDA become more whole. Meaningful work at it's fullest, no corners cut, no groups marginalized. Whatever division you register for their track at convention, it will be entirely an immersive experience. Imagine going to worship sessions that moved you as you would at a worship service? Imagine speakers who inspired you to take action and live out loud, unapologetically. Imagine TCDA being the platform that undergirded, and fully supported all divisions and all sub groups and interests purposely.

Wow, what a convention. That's what I dream about for not only myself, but for all of us. Convention isn't only a time we reconnect with old friends and make new ones. I desire to see convention become a call to action. I would like to be a leading player in curating content that not only engages and excites us, but is moving and makes you want to tell others, you simply cannot miss - this is different! This is what is missing. It's a deep connection that reaches the heart and touches the soul.

As artists, musicians specifically, we have purpose and most of us find great meaning in our work. Convention is also a time of refreshing. I would like you see TCDA be the therapy session we need during a hard season. This idea may not be for everyone, and to that I say, it's ok. There's a convention for you. But for the others, this one's for you. This one is where your needs will be met. We see you and we see you are wanting more. You are desiring more. You're coming and praying and waiting for things to be different.

Now is the time when we put our anthems into action. I'm very excited about what could be. Will you join me?