Faculty
- Average class size, introductory: 35
- Average class size, advanced: 7
Full-Time Faculty
Alec Chien B.M., M.M., D.M.A., The Juilliard School
Jennifer Dearden B.M., Ithaca College; M.M., Florida State University, D.M.A., University of North Texas
Lowell Hepler (chair) B.S., Clarion University; M.F.A., Carnegie-Mellon University; Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University
Ward Jamison B.M., Wheaton College; M.A., University of Northern Iowa; M.M.A., D.M.A., Yale School of Music
Part-Time Faculty
Rebecca Borthwick-Aiken, M.Sac.Mus., instructor in organ
Marcella Branagan, D.M.A., instructor in piano
James E. Froman, B.A., instructor in guitar, jazz improvisation, jazz history
Julie Hepler, M.M., instructor of woodwinds, appreciation, music history
Vicki Jamison, B.A., instructor in voice
Tom Leech, instructor in French horn
Wendy Plyler, B.M., instructor in piano
Aimee Reash, B.A., instructor in voice
Susanna Reilly, M.M., instructor in cello
Robert Roth, M.M., instructor in percussion.
Robert Rudolph, M.S. in Mus. Ed., instructor of strings, civic orchestra
Kelly Shellito, B.A., instructor in piano
Ronald Stitt, Ph.D., instructor of trombone and euphonium, jazz band director, music technology
Kathy Symons, B.M.Ed., instructor in voice
Selected Publications and Achievements
- All faculty members are active performing artists, both on and off-campus
- "Some Practical Considerations when Evaluating the Exceptional
Adolescent Singing Voice" (article in Learning, Speech, and Hearing
Services in Schools)
- "Bach's St. John Passion-A Look at the Text and a New Numbering
System" (article in The Choral Journal)
- Prize winner at Gina Bachauer, Paloma O'Shea and Sydney International
piano competitions
- Performances at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Saratoga Performing Arts
Center
- Concerto soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Pittsburgh, Atlanta
and New Zealand Symphonies, the Hong Kong and Buffalo Philharmonics, and
others
- Jury member of Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition
- Pennsylvania State Chair of the College Band Directors National Association
and Officer of Pennsylvania Music Educators Association
- Principal tuba for the Erie Philharmonic and Erie Chamber Orchestras
and the Lake Erie Ballet Company
- Featured in the PBS film Bach to the Future
- Choral and band directors have served as guest conductors for Pennsylvania
All-State Chorus and Pennsylvania All-State Band in addition to other festival
ensembles