PERFORMING ARTS JUDGES DEBOSE 2024
Maxwell Estis (Music-NonVocal)
Pianist | Producer| Arranger | Songwriter | Audio Engineer
Maxwell's mission in music is to facilitate the evolution of tomorrow's popular music by taking a multifaceted approach involving entrepreneurship, mentorship, and global networking. He is actively working to create a sonically and culturally vibrant melting pot of creative expression that has long term economic sustainability.
M. Marie Flowers(Music-Vocal)
Educator, Artist, Arts Advocate
M. Marie Flowers (educator, artist, arts advocate) is currently the Music Enrichment Teacher at The Kindezi School- Old 4th Ward in downtown Atlanta, GA, which is in the neighborhood of Dr. Martin Luther King. Formerly, Marie was the Education Programs Director for Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, servicing over 11 parishes in the state; 30 year Gifted and Talented Music Teacher in Baton Rouge, LA; ;past Director of Participating Schools for The Debose Foundation Fine Arts Festival Competition Series; Director of Choral Activities and assistant professor (voice) at Knoxville College (Tennessee).
Seynabou Diack (Theatre)
Seasoned actor, songwriter, performing artist, and blogger, using her talents to spread awareness about the power of music and the arts. Received her undergraduate degree from ULL in Music Business. Performance arenas include Upstage Theatre, The Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, The Corner, and original musical repertoire.
Samantha Smith (Dance)
Actor, Dancer, known for First Christmas (2020), Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins (2008) and Pitch Perfect 2 (2015). While at Southern she served 2 years on the Gold N’ Bluez dance team. Ms. Smith is also a teaching artist (dance) with Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge.