Creating Growing in Grace began as an earnest endeavor to fulfill a significant need in today’s church music ministry. The goal was to bring together a dynamically talented creative team that could produce an innovative children’s curriculum which would engage children of different ages and multiple learning styles.

Curriculum Writers

Derry Billingsley, Preschool Writer, is Minister of Music at First Baptist Church, Alabaster, Alabama. Derry received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Church Music degree from Southern Seminary (KY). A seasoned preschool curriculum writer and composer, Derry has led preschool choir conferences at Ridgecrest and Glorieta Baptist Conference Centers, as well as throughout the country.

Susan Eernisse, Younger Children’s Writer, received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Education degrees from Berry College (GA). Susan taught in both public and private schools and has worked as a volunteer with church choirs of all ages. She is an active curriculum writer, conference leader and guest clinician for local, state, and regional training events. Currently, she directs the Young Musicians Choir at First Baptist Church of Carrollton, Georgia.

Nan Grantham, Preschool Writer, holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and a Master of Music degree from Mississippi College. With more than 30 years experience writing music and curriculum, she has taught public school music, developed a home school curriculum, and taught private and class piano. Nan directs the Preparatory Choir of the Houston Children’s Chorus and has served on church music staffs in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas.

Julia W. Haley, Younger Children’s Writer, is Associate Professor of Music Education at Oklahoma State University, specializing in elementary music methods and teacher training. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Oklahoma Baptist University, with a Master of Music Education and a Ph.D. with Kodaly Emphasis from the University of Oklahoma. Julia is widely respected for her music making with children and serves as founder and conductor of the Stillwater Honor Choir.

Charlotte McElroy, Older Children’s Writer, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Mississippi College and a Master of Music degree from the University of Mississippi. A free-lance children’s music clinician, festival leader, and curriculum writer, she has directed choirs of all ages and has taught in churches, schools, and assemblies. Her curriculum materials have been widely published and she teaches children’s choir at Calvary Baptist Church in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Keith Pate, Older Children’s Writer, holds a Bachelor of Church Music degree from Samford University (AL) and a Master of Church Music degree from Southern Seminary (KY). Directing younger and older children’s choirs for over twenty years, he is an experienced curriculum writer and trainer, as well as a conference leader throughout the southeast. Keith currently serves as Minister of Music at Eastern Hills Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama.