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

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

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