We are very happy to announce that Alexandra “Zippy” Hood is going to be joining the St. Philip’s ministry staff this summer as the Associate Music Director!

In the music department’s March 15 video announcement, Zippy  said, “One of the things I love about life is getting to know our community. I love getting to know our children, the people here, the families––so I’m looking forward to a great musical season with all of you ... I’m just super blessed to be here.”

Organist and Choirmaster Chris Walchesky said that once the children’s choirs resume in the fall, he and Zippy are going to hit the ground running. “I’m super excited about the fall and for all the things God has in store, and ... I think it’s going to be really fun,” he said.

“It’s going to be amazing,” Zippy agreed.

About Zippy Hood: Zippy is a native of Toronto, Canada, but she moved to Charleston at a young age. She is an alumna of the St. Philip’s children’s choir program, and she  directed the St. Cecilia Choir for several years under Capers Cross.

As a professional musician and educator, Zippy brings a wealth of experience in directing choir, band, orchestra, guitar, and general music programs. She has experience in teaching both the primary and secondary levels in private and public schools in South Carolina and Maryland.

A highly skilled professional oboist and an active performer in the Charleston area, Zippy regularly plays with Charleston Symphony members. She has served as an adjudicator for the tricounty area band clinics and as judge for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra League Scholarship Auditions. 

While earning her Bachelor of Music in both oboe performance and music education from the Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, Zippy studied under the principal oboist of the Baltimore Symphony, Katherine Needleman. She earned her Master of Music in music education from the University of Maryland, College Park. 

Zippy married her high-school sweetheart, Billy, at St. Philip’s Church. They have a beautiful six-month-old daughter named Elizabeth “Libby” Rose (born on Labor Day) and a handsome spotted dog named Hunley.