Mario M. Clopton is a young conductor from Solon, Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree with honors from Capital University in Columbus, Ohio and is in the midst of completing a Masters degree in Choral Conducting at California State University-Los Angeles. Clopton is a vocal music teacher in the Cleveland Heights-University Heights School District where he directs four choirs. He also serves as the choir director at Independence United Methodist Church. He is active in arranging and composing and has composed many works with the self-founded music consultation firm, Clopton Music Consultants, who specializes in show choir arrangements. As an active baritone performer, Clopton has performed lead roles in productions of Cosi fan Tutte, The Magic Flute, The Mikado and Iolanthe. Mario is an active member of the Ohio Music Educator’s Association serving as the Middle School Honors Choir Chairperson for the 7^th district. He is also a member of the American Choral Directors Association and is an alumna of the Ohio Xi Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity.