Benjamin bransford III

Artisitic Director

Benjamin ‘Ben’ L. Bransford III is a conductor, tenor, and US Navy Band retired veteran. He holds a Master of Music in choral conducting from Texas Tech University, a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance, and a Bachelor of Music in education. He studied Conducting at Texas Tech with Dr. John Dickson (Faculty Emeriti of Choral Studies at Louisiana State University), studied voice at Texas Tech with Grammy Award winning tenor, Karl Dent, and studied opera and music theater with the world-renowned operatic baritone, Gerald Dolter. During his 20 years of service with the Sea Chanters he performed as a tenor vocalist, conductor, and music director. With the Sea Chanters he had the opportunity to perform on national tours across the country, for all the living presidents, numerous government officials both foreign and domestic, and with world class celebrities such as Lionel Richie, Aretha Franklin, Renée Fleming, and Kathleen Battle just to name a few. The highlight of his Navy career was conducting the Sea Chanters Chorus as they performed the National Anthem on the U.S. Capitol steps for the Inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009. None of these experiences would have been possible if not for his first choir director, Michael Dean, who showed him a new world of music that would become such a blessing in his life, and two loving parents that always believed in their son.

Elizabeth Nixon

Assistant Artistic Director

Elizabeth ‘Libbi’ Nixon is a music educator, conductor, and soprano vocalist. During her teaching career with the Howard County Public School System, she has taught vocal and general music at the elementary and middle school levels. Outside of the classroom, she has worked as a church children’s choir director, and currently instructs Chorus Prep classes for the Peabody Children’s Chorus. Libbi holds a Bachelor of Music with Distinction from the University of Delaware in Vocal/ General Music Education, and is currently completing her thesis in pursuit of a Master of Arts degree in Music Education from the University of Maryland, College Park. As a teacher and director, Libbi prides herself on creating classroom environments that are learner-centered and that honor the unique strengths and needs of the musicians of all ages that she works with. As a soprano soloist and choral singer, she has performed locally and abroad, including in Aix-en-Provence, France, where she participated in the Delaware Choral Academy Symposium as a choral scholar, conducting scholar, and excursion coordinator.

Zack Henderson

Collaborative Pianist

Zack Henderson is an educator, choir director, and pianist from Columbia, MD, who is excited to serve his first concert season as accompanist for Six Degree Singers after many years of singing with the group. Zack studied Music Education and Piano (with Dr. Cleveland Page) at the University of Maryland, College Park, and has worked as a general music teacher in Montgomery County Public Schools since 2014. Additionally, he serves as the Music Director of St. Andrew Presbyterian Church in Purcellville, VA, and has served as music director and pianist for several public school and community theater productions, most recently with Gaithersburg’s Montgomery Playhouse in their production of Clue: The Musical.

Rachel Carlson

Founder of Six Degree Singers

Dr. Rachel Carlson founded Six Degree Singers in 2009 and served as Artistic Director from 2009-2022. She is the Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at Kean University in Union, NJ, where she conducts the Kean University Concert Choir and Community Chorale and teaches Aural Skills, Conducting, and Voice. From 2016-2022, she served as the Director of Choral Activities at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV. In 2014, Dr. Carlson was nominated for a Wammie (Washington Area Music Award) for best Classical Conductor/Director. She is currently serving as Past President of the MD/DC chapter of ACDA (American Choral Directors Association). Dr. Carlson presents workshops and masterclasses in schools throughout the region, and is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator, presenter, and guest conductor. She has toured the country and the world as a freelance professional choral singer and soprano soloist with many top professional ensembles, including the Oregon Bach Festival, True Concord Voices and Orchestra, Vox Humana, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Washington Master Chorale, Washington Bach Consort, Conspirare, Manhattan Chorale, and Germany’s Bach Ensemble Helmuth Rilling. Visit www.rachel-carlson.com for more information.