Director Biography

Wendy Bledsoe-Payne is a Nashville native and graduated from McGavock High School in 1992.  At McGavock Ms. Payne and was a member of the McGavock Madrigal Singers under the direction of Mr. Bob Binkley.  While in high school Ms. Payne had the extraordinary opportunity to sing with the Nashville Symphony Chorus for the performances of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and Carmina Burana under the direction of Kenneth Schermerhorn and Dr. Raphael Bundage.  Ms. Payne is a graduate of MTSU with Bachelor degrees in Vocal Performance - 2005, Music Education - 2011, and completed a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting this past spring.  While at MTSU, Ms. Payne was a member of the Chamber Chorus, Schola Cantorum and the Nashville Opera Chorus for the performances of Die Fledermaus, La Traviata, and The Magic Flute, all under the direction of Dr. Raphael Bundage.  For the MTSU Opera, Ms. Payne sang the roles of La Ciesca in Gianni Schicci, Countess Almaviva in Le Nozze di Figaro, and Elizabeth in The Crucible. In 1997 Ms. Payne Earned 2nd place at the Beethoven Competition in Memphis, TN and earned the Encouragement Award at the Metropolitan Opera Regional Competition.  Ms. Payne has studied voice with Dr. Vigil Hale, Dr. Gerald Pope, Dr. Christine Isley-Farmer, and Margy Bredeman.  Ms. Payne served as a Music Counselor for Governor’s School for the Arts from 1995-1998.  Ms. Payne has been a soloist/section leader for Vine St. Christian Church, West End Methodist Church, and First Presbyterian Church in Nashville.  Ms. Payne is the former Music Director at Trinity United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro, TN.  Ms. Payne was the Assistant-Choir Director and General Music teacher at Siegel High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee from 2012-2017. Ms. Payne served as the Female Dean of Students for GSFTA from 2014-2020 and 2021.  Ms. Payne taught at Legacy Preparatory Academy in Tampa, FL. and Whites Creek High School in 2017-2018.  Ms. Payne is a member of NAfMe, MTVA, TMEA, and ACDA. Ms. Payne lives in East Nashville with 7 dogs and 3 cats and the 3 horses live in Franklin, KY.  Ms. Payne enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking, reading, and watching movies.  Ms. Payne is super excited about year 5 at Blackman High School and is happy to be serving as the Fine Arts Department Chair!