The campus community of Carson-Newman University, as well as our NATS family, is mourning the loss of Angela Holder. Holder died early Sunday morning. “One of the great privileges I have had for the past four years is having her serve as Region Governor for the Mid-South Region of our professional association," said NATS Executive Director Allen Henderson. “Her positivity, humility, energy, grace, leadership, creativity, and can-do attitude were evident throughout her four years which was just coming to an end in June.” C-NU Interim University President Paul Percy added, “Dr. Holder was a professional educator, a student mentor, and a true friend to our campus community. Her love of music and her students could be seen every time she performed or helped direct a performance.”

Holder was a professor of music and department chair who joined Carson-Newman’s faculty in 2003. She was director of Redemption, the University’s Christian contemporary group sponsored by the Music Department.

"A couple of years ago I asked her what she would think if we had the 2020 NATS National Conference in Knoxville. She said 'really?' with wide and excited eyes. She excitedly accepted the role of program chair and set about in her usual efficiency assembling a team of individuals to begin planning," recalled Henderson (pictured on right with Angela). "This past Thursday we had a long phone conversation in which we excitedly exchanged plans and discussed some options to make the event truly unique. Friday night I followed up our conversation with a summary of what we discussed and Saturday morning had a one line email from her ‘I AM SO EXCITED!’ Although she will not be physically present now for this event her spirit and fingerprints will be embedded in it."

“Angela Holder was one of the best people that I have known,” said Dr. Clark Measels, professor of music and colleague. “In addition to being warm and caring, she loved C-N and went way above and beyond to help all of our students."

The Knoxville native taught for eight years at Georgetown College in Georgetown, KY. Holder received a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Carson-Newman, a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Tennessee, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY.

A service of remembrance for Angela will be held at 7 pm on Friday May 17 at Wallace Memorial Baptist Church in Knoxville, TN, with visitation prior to that from 4-7 pm. 

LINKS

https://www.wvlt.tv/content/news/Music-department-chair-at-Carson-Newman-campus-dies--509828291.html 

http://www.stevensmortuaryinc.com/obituary/Dr.-Angela-Easterday-Holder/Knoxville-Tennessee/1846287