Carl Haywood, a native of Portsmouth, Virginia, is a cum laude graduate of Norfolk State University (NSU) and a recipient of the Master of Sacred Music (organ) and Master of Music (choral conducting) degrees from Southern Methodist University (SMU). Dr. Haywood, who received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Southern California (USC), is recognized as a superb choral conductor/organist with superior musical acumen. Chair of Visual and Performing Arts and Director of Choral Activities at NSU for many years, Dr. Haywood also served as Organist and Choirmaster at Grace Episcopal Church of Norfolk, Virginia for twenty-five years. His hymns and musical settings appear in over a dozen hymnals, notably LEVAS II and Wonder Love and Praise.  Moreover, his choral and organ compositions, especially his Improvisation on “We Shall Overcome,” are performed in schools and churches throughout the world.