We are saddened to share the loss of past FVA President Phyillis J. Merritt. She passed away on August 3, 2025.
After receiving a B.S. in Music Education from East Tennessee State University, she taught elementary music in Kingsport, Tennessee, before moving to Florida, where she taught elementary, junior high, and high school choral music. She also served as choir director in several churches. Phyllis completed her Master’s of Music Education at Florida State University in 1972. She was also honored as an Outstanding Secondary Educator of America in 1975. Phyllis served as the past President of Florida Vocal Association from 1970–1973.
During her teaching career, she conducted honors and all-state choruses throughout the United States. Eight choirs under her direction performed for the state, regional and national conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and three choirs made adjudicated European tours. She was chosen as Teacher of the Year for Okaloosa and Escambia counties as well as for Niceville High School, Meigs Junior High School, and Escambia High School. In addition to FVA, Phyllis served as president of Florida ACDA and Southern ACDA. She received the Wayne Hugoboom Distinguished Services Award (Florida ACDA, 1989), the Award for Excellence in Choral Arts (Southern Division ACDA, 2000), and the Distinguished Alumna in the Arts from East Tennessee State University in 1990.