Staff



Dr. Lindsey Cope (Camp Director, Music Director)
Lindsey has been a part of Truett Camp since 1995 and it is her favorite place in the world! She believes that God is always at work at Youth Music Week and this is the place He has taught her the most. As a kid, she always loved and wanted a career in music. It was at Youth Music Week she found a love of choral music under the direction of John Tagliarini and pursued Choral Music Education at Mars Hill College. She taught 10 years in public education, then attended the University of Tennessee for her Masters in Music Theory as a Graduate Teaching Assistant, and also earned a second Masters in Choral Conducting. She earned a Doctorate of Music Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina in 2018. She is now the Associate Director of Choral Activities at the University of Tennessee. Go Vols!


Caleb Parham (Camp Pastor)
Caleb lives in Franklin, NC. He graduated from Western Carolina University with a degree in elementary education. He has been involved at Truett as a camper or a staff member since 1996. He is married to his beautiful wife Elise Parham and is a father to two wonderful kids. Truett Camp has always been a home away from home for Caleb his entire life. One thing he wants to make sure this year is that each person goes home from camp with a hunger for spiritual growth throughout their lives.






Emma Pullium (Camp Accompanist and Counselor)
Emma is from Marble NC and has attended Truett as a camper since 5th grade. It's her favorite week of the whole year! Emma has taken piano since 2nd grade and serves as pianist at Marble Springs Baptist Church. She is especially fond of Classical music and will pursue piano studies in college. Emma loves learning more about Jesus and music at Truett Camp and she can't wait to be back another year!



Samantha Blanton (Camp Pastor and Counselor)

Samantha lives in Sylva, NC. Truett Camp is one of her favorite places on Earth, and she can't wait to spend part of her summer there.  She has been on staff at Youth Music Week since 2008.  She loves to see teenagers form a true relationship with Christ.  Over the years, her Truett Camp experiences have been some favorite memories.



Carol Moss (Camp Staff)
Carol lives in the big city of Marble, NC. She teaches K-8 music at Martins Creek and Ranger Elementary/Middle Schools. For Carol, Youth Music Week is a great place to spend a week in the summer with Christian friends from all over Western NC while learning more about worshiping God through music. Why, she loves it so much she's been going to camp since the 80's! Carol loves to teach and play handbells, not only at camp, but also at church and with the middle school students at her school. Her favorite color is purple.




Ben McKinnon (Camp Staff)
Ben currently lives in Charlotte, NC. Music is his life. He has a Music Education Bachelors concentrating in voice from Gardner-Webb University. Singing and playing the piano/organ nearly consume his free time. Over the years Truett Camp has become Ben's second home. He is now the chorus teacher at Belmont Middle School in Charlotte, NC.


 

Elise Parham (Camp Staff)
Elise lives in Franklin, NC. She is happily married to Caleb Parham and together they have two beautiful children. Elise has a love of music that stems back to the early developments of her life. She feels a deep connection with the Lord especially when worshiping through music. She has been involved at Youth Music Week since 2016 and is excited to see what God has in store for this summer.




Rebekah Huff (Worship Leader)
Rebekah is from Mars Hill, NC and works at Madison Middle School, teaching math and coaching. She loves anything music, whether it's drums and guitar or classic Bach.  She can't wait for Youth Music Week!  Camp combines God and the pursuit of Him with music. In her opinion, it's the perfect way to spend a week in the summer.


Elizabeth Seastrunk (Camp Staff)
Elizabeth is a graduate of Clemson University where she earned a degree in Financial Management. She later earned her Master of Arts and Teaching in Business Education through Winthrop University. Elizabeth taught in the Cherokee County school system for 12 years and currently teaches middle school in Henderson County. Elizabeth has been a part of Youth Music Week vicariously through her children since 2007. Both of her children impatiently waited for music camp each summer. Youth Music Week played an important part in her children’s Christian walk and also helped to foster their love of music. She is so excited to be on staff and to experience first-hand the incredible ways God works through the music created in this special place.



Randy Glass (Camp Counselor)
Randy lives near Murphy, NC and works as a custodian for Cherokee County Schools. He's married to his wife, Pam, and they have 2 kids, Randi Kaye and Andrew.  His family is involved in their church, Murphy First Baptist, where he teaches Sunday School.  Randy is an intense Florida Gator fan. He is heavily involved with High School sports, helping out in volleyball, varsity football and basketball. Randy has worked at Youth Music Week since 1998. For him, Youth Music Week provides an opportunity to learn more about music, reconnect with friends, and grow closer with God without all the distractions of the outside world.



Evan Dillard (Camp Counselor)
Evan lives in Murphy, NC. He loves being outdoors, going on hikes, and sight seeing, especially from the tops of mountains. He currently attends Tri-County Community College pursuing an associate's degree in General Education and a bachelor's in Business Administration. He has been a part of Truett since 2014 and he's so excited to be working there. Youth Music Week has made him much more confident in his faith!



Hayden Swanger (Camp Counselor)
Hayden lives in Waynesville, NC where he serves at Woodland Baptist Church as a worship leader and a college ministry leader. Hayden has worked in church planting, camp ministry, and local church ministry since he was 16. Hayden enjoys all things outdoors, sports, and Broadway. Hayden has been involved at Youth Music Week almost every summer since 2007, and he cannot wait to see the way God moves in the hearts and minds of both campers and staff alike.



Madison Sugg (Camp Counselor)
Madison Sugg is from Canton, NC. She is a Junior at Western Carolina University where she is pursuing a degree in Clinical Social Work. She is passionate about ministry where she has experience serving on the worship teams as well as leading collegiate and youth ministries. Madison has had the opportunity to serve on mission in Kenya, Honduras, and New York City. Madison is also passionate about discipling young women and helping people find their freedom in Christ. Youth Music Week at Truett Camp is one of Madison's favorite places and she looks forward to counseling with some of her best friends this year!



Brian Gatti (Camp Counselor)
Brian graduated from Western Carolina University earning a degree in Middle Grades Math, as well as playing in the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band. He plays a variety of stringed instruments, such as guitar and banjo, as well as percussion instruments such as drum set. Brian has been a member of the John C. Campbell Folk School Clogging team for the past 15 years, and their Morris Dance team for 5 years. He now teaches Math at Murphy Middle School. Brian first attended Youth Music Week in the summer of 2012, and has loved every second of it. At Camp, he enjoys the music, fun, friends, and food. But most importantly, he enjoys the presence of the Lord and the study of the Word.


Elisabeth Souderes (Camp Counselor)
Elisabeth is from Waynesville, NC and recently moved to Carnesville, GA. She first attended Truett in 2010, and fell in love with the camp and its people. Since then, Truett has been one of her favorite places to go in the summer, as it has been a place of spiritual rest, renewal, and revival for her. Elisabeth is pursuing a degree in Occupational Therapy. She is passionate about singing, playing piano and guitar, and leading people in worship. Elisabeth thoroughly enjoys hunting, fishing, anything outdoors, and hash browns. She cannot wait to see what God does this year in the heart of each camper and staff at Youth Music Week.


Mylie Sparks (Camp Counselor)
Mylie "Mo" Sparks grew up in Andrews, NC with two older sisters. Her love of music began with her first Kindermusik class at 6 weeks old. Mo started attending Truett Camp as a 3rd grader and has enjoyed attending almost every year since, but is especially excited to come to camp as a counselor this year! Mo attends Marble Springs Baptist Church where she is a vocal soloist, is active in the youth group, and is passionate about serving on mission trips. She has also been in several plays and musicals with the Community Youth Players. Mo can't wait to help ignite passion for God and music in the new generation of Truett Campers!



Mark Allen (Camp Counselor)
Mark lives in the booming metropolis of Murphy, NC. Music is his passion and he plans to attend the University of North Georgia in the Fall of 2019, to pursue a bachelors in music. Mark is a composer and pianist in training. He cannot sight read worth a darn and can only sing as good as Ben (and everyone knows what that sounds like, sorry Ben). Mark has been attending Truett Music Week since 2015 and has regretted every year. Now he is here to give back and do his part. Mark is super happy and excited to be a part of the wonderful thing that is Truett Music Week.




AnahBelle Hall  (Camp Counselor)
AnahBelle lives in Maggie Valley, NC. She has attended Balsam Baptist Church most of her life. She is currently a senior at Mars Hill University working toward a degree in Criminal Justice. She has been clogging for 16 years  and is currently a member of the Bailey Mountain Cloggers. She was singing before she was talking and was a member of several area children's choirs as well. She first attended camp in 2010 and fell in love with it immediately. Music has always been a part of her life and she is so excited to see what God has in store for her through this wonderful ministry. 


Andy Tirro (Camp Counselor)
Andy lives in Knoxville, TN, and is pursuing a Master’s in Choral Conducting at UT Knoxville. He is an active member of UT’s choral groups and his church choir. He has also technically been playing the piano since he was seven, but don’t expect him to be that good. He has dabbled in musical theater, opera, and solo vocal performance, and served several times as a counselor for Win Our World Urban Ministries, his church’s Summer outreach program. He is married to the lovely Kate, and is the proud parent of two dogs, Zoey and Fancy! This year will be his first at Truett, and he is very excited to participate in the community and have fun!


Abi Souderes (Camp Counselor)
Abigail grew up in Waynesville, NC and started attending camp in 2012. It soon became the highlight of her summer every year! She has a passion for music and serving the Lord through song. She and her sister Elisabeth recently moved to Carnesville, GA and lead worship at their church. Abigail plays piano, guitar, and occasionally dabbles on the fiddle and ukulele. She loves coffee, chocolate, and most importantly getting to share the love of Jesus with others! She is so excited to get to be a part of the Truett Staff this year!




Wendy Britt (Camp Staff - unable to attend 2019)

Wendy lives in Murphy and teaches at Hiwassee Dam High School. She went to college at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and East Carolina University. She served as an International Mission Board missionary in Bordeaux, France.  Wendy has been an integral part of Truett Camp for many years.