Meet our Staff!

Michael Rose is a Charleston West Virginia native and a 2007 graduate of Capital High School in Charleston West Virginia. At CHS Mr. Rose was a member of the award-winning show choir the Voices in Perfection - or the VIPs. Before going to CHS Mr. Rose was a student at Sissonville High School in Sissonville West Virginia where he was also a member of the Touch of Class show choir. 

After graduating from high school Mr. Rose went on to receive his B.F.A. (2013) in Vocal Music Performance from Marshall University in Huntington West Virginia. After earning his B.F.A. he also attended Marshall University for graduate study and earned his M.A. in Vocal Music Performance. (2016) At Marshall Mr. Rose was a part of: The Marshall University Chamber Choir, University Chorus, Choral Union, Opera Theatre, A Capella Ensemble, The Marching Thunder, and Marshall University Colorguard. As a graduate assistant, Mr. Rose also taught applied voice to voice majors and minors as well as teaching courses in music appreciation for non-music majors. 

Outside of Marshall University Mr. Rose has been featured as a soloist with the WV Symphony Chorus and WV Symphony for their performances of Handel's Messiah, Bach's Christmas Oratorio, and Holst's Christmas Day. He has also served as music director for a number of community and regional theatre productions of Shrek! The Musical, The Addams Family, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He has also played in the pit orchestra for numerous community, regional, and high school theatre productions. 

From 2013-2015 Mr. Rose served as the assistant director and accompanist for the Hurricane High School show choir "Red Hot." He then went on to assistant direct the Cabell Midland High School "Rhythm in Red" Show Choir for their 2017, 2019, and 2020 seasons. During his time with these groups, they went on to win multiple grand championships, caption, class, and overall awards. 

After assistant directing for other groups, Mr. Rose decided that he wanted to go back to school and earn his education degree to be able to direct his own groups. In 2019 Mr. Rose graduated from Marshall University with a post-baccalaureate certification in teaching. He then went on to be hired as the show choir director at Poca High School in August of 2020. During his time at PHS Visual Volume has won numerous awards for best vocals, best choreography, best band, best costumes, best show design, class championships, and has been a consistent finalist in WV and Ohio. In 2021, 2022, and 2023 Visual Volume won the Championship in the Festival Division at the WV Show Choir Festival. 

When not at school Mr. Rose enjoys spending time with his friends and family. He currently serves as the music director and pianist/organist for Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church in Charleston, WV. He currently resides in Charleston WV with his two cats - Taz and Poe. 

Choreographer Brooke Bailey Smolder graduated from Marshall University in 2005 with a BA in education, math, and physical education, as well as an MS in Athletic Administration. At Marshall University, Brooke was a four-year member and captain of the dance team. She continued at MU to become head coach of the team for an additional five years. Brooke has choreographed and coached many high school dance teams and cheerleading squads in WV. 

Brooke choreographs for numerous middle school and high school show choirs throughout West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, and Virginia. In addition to being a choreographer and show choir adjudicator, Brooke is a devoted mother to her children. Brooke has also served as a choreographer and clinician for Show Choir Camps of America. Brooke currently resides in Teays Valley, WV with her husband Eddie and her children Braylie and Eddric.