Jeff Caulk

Jeff Caulk joined our Music Staff while still a student at Samford University, where he earned both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Music Education. For 12 years, he taught music in the Jefferson County school system, before assuming the role of Executive Director of the Birmingham Boys Choir in 2022. Jeff is an active member of Hunter Street Baptist, where he volunteers as a singer and teacher. Together with his college sweetheart, Caitlin, he is raising three children – Noah (BBC Chorister), Sarah Jane, and Silas (BBC Chorister). Fun fact: Because Jeff's twin brother is deaf, American Sign Language (ASL) was his first language!

Ken Berg

Ken Berg holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Education from Samford University. He was hired as Music Director of the Birmingham Boys Choir in 1978; under his leadership, enrollment has grown from approximately 13 to 150 choristers annually. The BBC has become renowned in regional, national, and international circles, touring to Japan, Costa Rica, Germany, Canada, Ireland, the Czech Republic, the U.K., and across the U.S. Its choirs have been featured ensembles at conventions for the Organization of American Kodaly Educators (OAKE), Music Educators National Convention (MENC), and American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

In addition to Boys Choir work, Ken taught choral music at John Carroll Catholic High School for 28 years and has served as Music Minister at churches across the Birmingham metro area. A prolific composer and arranger, his works have been produced by several publishing houses as well as his own label, Bella Voce Press. Ken is frequently in demand as a clinician for All-State Choirs and festivals across the U.S. He is a past president of the Alabama ACDA and served on the Training Courses Committee for the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) in America. Major accolades include induction into the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA) Hall of Fame in 2021 and being named Humanitarian of the Year in 2022 by Samford University.

Ken is married to his college sweetheart, Susan, with whom he raised two sons, Michael and David.

Tom Wilson

Tom Wilson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Montevallo and a Master’s in Choral Conducting from the University of Alabama. His love for music began with piano, and he continues to play regularly in church settings. Having student taught under Ken Berg, he served as a BBC Music Assistant for 5 years, before eventually moving abroad to serve as a musical missionary in Japan. While there, Tom directed the Nagoya Boys Choir, directed choirs for the Hallelujah Gospel Family network, and was a substitute conductor for the Ictus community choir.

After returning to the United States, he resumed work in church music ministry. In 2026, Tom was hired as the Associate Music Director for the Birmingham Boys Choir, assuming leadership of the Junior Choristers. He continues to conduct the Camerata Dothan String Chamber Ensemble in Dothan, AL. Tom is husband to Teresa and dad to Ian, Liana, and Anna. Fun fact: the BBC sang for Tom and Teresa’s wedding in 2003! The couple also served as tour coordinators for the BBC’s 2009 trip to Japan.

Christopher Ritchey

Christopher Ritchey holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). A former high school student of Ken Berg, he has been involved with choirs all his life. His engagement with the BBC began in 2010, when his eldest son joined the Choir and he became a regular volunteer. All six of his sons have now completed their tenure as BBC choristers, and Christopher joined our staff in late 2024 as Director of Development. He is married to Dunia, with whom he shares 10 adult children and nearly 20 grandchildren, all of whom actively participate in music! Christopher is very involved at St. Symeon Orthodox Church, where he serves as a tonsured reader.

Joel Megginson

Joel Megginson holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and a Master’s in Public or Private (Business) Management from Birmingham-Southern College. A former BBC parent volunteer, board member, tour chaperone, board president, and interim executive director, he now serves as our Finance & Operations Director. Recruited to sing the title role of Amahl and the Night Visitors for the University of Michigan as a 5th-grader, Joel has been involved in school, church, and civic choirs ever since. He is married to Helen; together they have two adult children – Michael & Amelia – and 3 grandchildren. Being “Papa” is Joel’s most fun role at this time!

Sarah Rich

Sarah Rich joined our Music Staff in 2022, added the role of Social Media Manager in 2024, and became our Director of Communication in 2026. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education with Honors in Vocal Performance from Samford University. Sarah regularly performs with the Iron City Singers and with the Mountain Brook Baptist Sanctuary and Handbell Choirs. Additional church service includes teaching Sunday School, serving as a Deacon, and directing the Children’s Choir programming. She is married to her college sweetheart, Matt, with whom she has two children, Micah (a BBC chorister) and Abby, and two Dachshunds, Oakley and Stella. Sarah enjoys volunteer service, teaching fitness classes, baking, reading, and puzzles of all kinds.

David Mandt

David Mandt was a standout BBC chorister from 3rd-12th grade. While in college, he served as a Music Staffer during Summer Camp, and eventually took the role of Birmingham Boys Choir’s Senior Music Assistant, often conducting the choir during concerts and tours. David holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Florida State University and currently serves as Director of Choirs at Mountain Brook High School, his Alma Mater. He also travels as a choral clinician, performs with the Iron City Singers, and directs the Lessons & Carols choir for Redeemer Community Church. David is married to Aria, a music therapist and frequent chaperone for the BBC.

Melanie Stewart

Melanie Stewart joined our Music Staff in 2024 and added the role of Theory Program Coordinator in 2026. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance from the University of Alabama and a Master’s in Music Education from Texas Tech University. After 15 years of service as a public school music educator, she moved into full-time church ministry. Melanie currently serves as the Associate Music Director at Trinity United Methodist Church, where she leads the IMPACT Music and Arts program. She is wife to Brandon and mom to Ella, William (a BBC chorister), and Maggie the Goldendoodle.

Susan Berg

Susan Berg holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Samford University. She has dedicated her life to teaching and performing music across public, private, church, and community arenas. Serving alongside her husband, Ken, since 1978, she helped create and direct the Junior Choristers and Junior Music Theory program for the Birmingham Boys Choir, in addition to being the choir’s long-standing piano accompanist. A highly respected piano teacher, Susan has served as an officer in both local and state music teacher associations. Currently, she is the pianist for Shades Crest Baptist Church. Together with Ken, Susan was named “Humanitarian of the Year” by Samford University in 2022. They have two grown sons – also BBC alumni – Michael and David.

Russell Hallman

Russell Hallman joined the BBC staff in 2024. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from Georgia State University, a Master’s in Choral Conducting from Emory University, and a Teaching Certificate in Music Education from the University of Alabama. By day, Russell teaches Music at Rocky Ridge Elementary; he has also previously taught Kindermusik. A product of boy choirs himself, his singing experience includes such well-known groups as the Florida Singing Sons Boychoir, the Atlanta Opera Chorus, the Atlanta Sacred Chorale (now Atlanta Master Singers), and the Alabama Symphony Chorus. Russell is husband to Madhura and dad to Libby and Abigail, and his dog, Lucy. He enjoys volunteer work, cooking, swimming, learning Spanish, playing board games, traveling, and serving at Tapestry Church.

Michael Megginson

Michael Megginson joined the BBC as a chorister at the age of 8, continuing until graduation from high school. In 2016, as a junior in college, he joined our Music staff, and has continued teaching and singing ever since. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Samford University, where he double-minored in Computer Science and Music. His musical training includes 5 years with the Samford A Cappella Choir and several years of piano lessons with our own Susan Berg. Today, Michael works remotely as an implementation developer for a software company. He also teaches children’s choir and sings with the Sanctuary Choir at Mountain Brook Baptist Church. Michael is married to Emily, with whom he shares 3 young daughters. Fun facts: the BBC sang at Michael and Emily’s wedding in 2018, and Michael’s dad is Joel, our Finance & Operations Director.

Wylie Willis

Wylie Willis got his musical start in the Catholic Church as a young cantor. In 2010, he auditioned for the BBC and started as a Junior Chorister. With the musical training he received from the Bergs and staff, he was able to audition and be accepted into the Alabama School of Fine Arts, where he attended 6th-12th grades as Vocal Music major. Now a freelance tenor, he sings with several churches in the Birmingham area, as well as the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). Wylie is husband to Devan and father to Lewellyn. He enjoys spending time with his family and dogs, especially outside.

Eli Hollingsworth

Eli Hollingsworth joined the BBC Music staff in 2025, after 9 years as a chorister! The same year, he entered Samford University, where he is majoring in vocal/choral Music Education and performing with the A Cappella Choir and Bulldog Marching Band. Eli comes from a musical family, is active at Crosspoint Baptist Church in Trussville, and is proficient in both French horn and trumpet. He is thrilled to continue his relationship with the Birmingham Boys Choir, gain professional wisdom from the experienced music teachers on our staff, and serve the next generation of choristers.

Alex Ritchey

Alex Ritchey is a full-time student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he is pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering. Following in his brothers’ footsteps, he was a BBC chorister for 10 years, and even began teaching Junior Music Theory as a high school senior. In addition to his role as a Music Assistant for the Boys Choir, Alex works for a local show choir company and serves as the assistant music director at St. Symeon Orthodox Church, where he is heavily involved.