Contact Us
Feel free to use email, fax, phone, or other means to contact us with any questions regarding the NSU Music Program:
Dr. Greg Handel, Director of the School of Creative and Performing Arts, 318-357-4522
Dr. Malena McLaren, Coordinator, Department of Music, 318-357-4522
Dr. Jeff Mathews, Director of Bands, 318-357-4450
Dr. Nicholaus Cummins, Director of Choral Activities, 318-357-5755
Dr. Douglas Bakenhus, Director of Orchestras, 318-357-5792
Dan McDonald, Associate Director of Bands, 318-357-6722
Mailing Address:
Dr. Malena McLaren, Coordinator of Music
School of Creative and Performing Arts
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
Fax: 318-357-5906
Faculty
The NSU Music Faculty are distinguished and highly respected teachers, performers, and scholars in their respective fields of music. They appear in many local, regional, national, and international venues in those capacities. Along with their impressive credentials, they are first and foremost excellent instructors, dedicated to helping students improve and achieve.
Dr. Christine AllenAssociate Professor of Music -- Piano
318.357.5854
christine@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
christine@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Dr. Christine Burczyk Allen
Dr. Christine Burczyk Allen, Associate Professor of Piano, teaches Applied Piano, coordinates Group Piano/Piano Pedagogy, and serves as the choral accompanist for the NSU Chamber Choir. She received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree is in Piano Performance from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. Dr. Allen has performed in solo and collaborative settings and as soloist with the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony as well as with several orchestras in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Idaho. She was the 1999-2000 Johanna Magale Endowed Professor and traveled to Poland to study with internationally recognized pianist/composer Andrzej Dutkiewicz. In 2009, Dr. Allen was awarded a Northwestern Enrichment Fund Grant and travelled to Warsaw, Poland, to attend Summer Music Course, a summer seminar at the Frederic Chopin Academy of Music. For the past eight years she has also served as the collaborative pianist with the Red River Chorale in Alexandria, LA. Dr. Allen is an internationally recognized teacher and clinician in Suzuki Piano Pedagogy and a registered Teacher Trainer. She has appeared at conferences across the United States, including Alaska, and Canada. An MTNA certified teacher, Dr. Allen has served on the LMTA State Certification Board and as Chair of the MTNA Collegiate Artist Performance/Chamber Music Auditions. She has collaborated on several grants awarded by the Louisiana Board of Regents Enhancement grant that recently awarded the University funding for a new electronic piano lab.
Dr. Douglas BakenhusProfessor of Music –Bassoon and Director of Orchestras
318.357.5792
bakenhusd@nsula.edu
NSU Orchestra and Strings
NSU Symphoney Facebook
Austin Baroque Orchestra Profile Faculty Biography
bakenhusd@nsula.edu
NSU Orchestra and Strings
NSU Symphoney Facebook
Austin Baroque Orchestra Profile Faculty Biography
Dr. Douglas Bakenhaus
9 years experience as a college band director at Bluffton College, OH; University of Mississippi; and Texas Lutheran University, 5 years of experience as a middle/high school orchestra director. Active performer on the modern, baroque, and classical bassoon, playing in such groups as the San Antonio Symphony, Austin Symphony, Shreveport Symphony, Longview Symphony, South Arkansas Symphony, Ars Lryica Baroque orchestra in Houston, Mercury Baroque of Houston, and Austin Baroque Orchestra. Regularly performs with NSU faculty especially Trio de Llano which has performed throughout the US and abroad. Music Director of Northeast Texas Symphony since 2002, which performs annual Independence Day concert and concerts for children. Guest conducting/clinician appearances throughout Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, with high//middle school honor orchestras and professional orchestras such as Mid-Texas Symphony. Conducted abroad with Slovak Chamber Orchestra and San Pedro Sula orchestra in Honduras.
Bill BrentDirector of Operations and Special Projects
318.357.4522
brent@nsula.edu
brent@nsula.edu
Luke BrouilletteAdjunct Instructor of Guitar
318-652-0256
brouillettel@nsula.edu
http://www.lukejazz.com Faculty Biography
brouillettel@nsula.edu
http://www.lukejazz.com Faculty Biography
Luke Brouillette
Luke Brouillette is a graduate of The Berklee College of Music (‘80) and has been a guitar instructor at NSU since 1993. He has worked as a professional performer playing popular and jazz music as a leader and as a sideman as well as performing in concerts and recitals with NSU’s ensembles, symphony orchestra, and theater department.
Paul ChristopherAssociate Professor of Music -- Cello
381.357.5802
christopherp@nsula.edu
http://www.paulchristophercello.com/ Faculty Biography
christopherp@nsula.edu
http://www.paulchristophercello.com/ Faculty Biography
Paul Christopher
Paul Christopher is Associate Professor of Low Strings and Music Theory at Northwestern State University of Louisiana in Natchitoches, Louisiana. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from the New England Conservatory of Music and his Master of Music in Cello Performance from the University of Memphis. In the summers he served as Assistant Principal Cello with the Peter Britt Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, Oregon. Mr. Christopher has performed guest artist recitals in Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico, Tennessee, Texas, Costa Rica, Honduras, Panamá, and South Korea. He has presented and performed at conferences in Alabama, Louisiana, New Mexico, North Carolina and Ohio. Mr. Christopher’s articles have been published in the Jacques Offenbach Society Newsletter, Strings, American String Teacher, and Bass World. He has appeared on numerous recordings as a member of the Nashville String Machine. He has also recorded works by contemporary composers Dinos Constaninides, Don Freund and Mark Prince Lee as well as seven CDs for the Human Metronome label devoted to the cello music of Jacques Offenbach.
Dr. Kristine CoreilProfessor of Music -- Horn
381.357.5765
coreilk@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
coreilk@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Kristine Coreil
Kristine Coreil has been a member of the faculty of Northwestern State University of Louisiana since the fall of 1994, teaching horn and music theory, and conducting the NSU Horn Choir. She is a member of the Shreveport Symphony, the Rapides Symphony, and the Marshall Symphony orchestra horn sections, and performs regularly with the Shreveport Opera and Ballet, South Arkansas Symphony, and Texarkana Symphony. Dr. Coreil received the Doctor of Musical Arts in Horn Performance degree from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, studying with horn professor Douglas Hill; the Master of Music in Horn Performance degree from Northwestern University in Illinois, studying with Dale Clevenger; and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from Northwestern State University, studying with Richard Jennings. She is a specialist on the Classical era handhorn, and has performed on this instrument throughout the United States and England. She is also an avid soloist, performing solo and chamber recitals annually. She has performed solo recitals at venues in Manchester, England; Brussels, Belgium; and in all regions of the United States. She has presented lectures at MidWest–International Band and Orchestra Clinic, International Horn Society Symposia, Southeast and Mid-South Regional Horn Society Workshops, and the Louisiana Music Educators Association convention.
Dr. Nicholaus CumminsDirector of Choral Activities & Assistant Professor of Music
318-357-5755
cumminsn@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
cumminsn@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Dr. Nicholaus B. Cummins
Dr. Nicholaus B. Cummins is Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at Northwestern State University, where he conducts the Chamber Choir and Lyric Women’s Chorale. In addition, he teaches courses in conducting, choral literature, and vocal music education methods. Prior to his appointment at Northwestern State University, Dr. Cummins was the Director of Choral Activities at Delta State University in Cleveland, MS. During his tenure at Delta State University, the Delta State Chorale were selected to perform for several prestigious events including a performance at Carnegie Hall, the Mississippi Music Educator’s Conference, Lenten Mass at St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans, and featured guest choir for the Mississippi Community- Junior College All-State. Dr. Cummins frequently presents at regional and state conferences, and in December 2014 his article “The Reinvention of Folk Music: an Introduction to the Choral Music of Vytautas Miškinis” was published in the Choral Journal.
Dr. Mary DeVilleAssociate Professor of Music -- Music History, Church Music, Organ
318.357.4459
devillem@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
devillem@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Mary DeVille
Dr. DeVille holds the degrees Master of Music and Doctor of Philosophy in musicology. She is active as a professor, organ recitalist, and church musician. Dr. DeVille is an active member of the American Guild of Organists, the American Musicological Society, the Cambridge Mediaeval Society, and the Association of Anglican Musicians. She is Diocesan Organist for the Catholic Diocese of Alexandria, Louisiana.
John T. DunnAssociate Professor of Fine Arts
dunnj@nsula.edu
Faculty Biography
John T. Dunn
John Dunn received his Bachelor of Music from the Louisiana Scholars’ College, his Master of Music from the University of North Texas, and his Doctor of Philosophy in Music at Louisiana State University. His research interests include film music, music and disability studies, and the compositions of Richard Wagner. John joined the faculty at NSU as an adjunct instructor in 2002, where he taught Fine Arts Survey and Music Theory. He was hired full-time in 2008 to be the supervisor for the Fine Arts 1040 course. From 2004 to 2008, John was employed as the wind ensemble director at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts. While there, he started the annual solo/concerto contest, and earned the school’s first Superior rating at the Louisiana State Large Ensemble festival. John sings tenor in the Red River Chorale based in Alexandria, Louisiana, and is a member of the choir at Trinity Episcopal Church.
Andrew EdenAdjunct Instructor of Music
edena@nsula.edu
Faculty Biography
Andrew Eden
Enlisted in the Army music program upon completion of high school. I served four years on Active duty and am currently a reserve soldier in the Army music program. Graduated from Oakland University in Rochester MI in 2011, completed a Masters degree in Trombone from Northwestern State University of Louisiana in 2013. Substitute trombonist in many regional orchestras, perform with the British Brass Band of Louisiana regularly and other volunteer ensembles to further music education of different styles to new listeners.
Leah ForsythInstructor of Oboe
318.357.5855
forsythl@nsula.edu
http://www.leahforsythmusic.com/ Faculty Biography
forsythl@nsula.edu
http://www.leahforsythmusic.com/ Faculty Biography
Leah Forsyth
Leah Forsyth currently serves as the Instructor of Oboe at Northwestern State University. Prior to joining the NSU faculty in 2011, she served as Oboist with the United States Army Field Band in Washington DC from 2007-2011, where she also performed regularly throughout the United States with the Woodwind Ambassadors Quintet. She previously held the position of solo English Horn with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra from 2005-2007.
A native of Central Ohio, Ms. Forsyth holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and a Master of Music degree from The Florida State University where she studied with Dr. Mark Ostoich and Dr. Eric Ohlsson respectively. She has performed with the Tallahassee Symphony, Charleston (SC) Symphony, Ohio Light Opera, Brevard Music Center Orchestra, and the Columbus (OH) Symphony Orchestra. She was also a member of the Favorable Winds Quintet, performing throughout Central Ohio from 2005-2007.
Ms. Forsyth holds the positions of Principal Oboe of the Rapides Symphony Orchestra in Alexandria, LA, and Second Oboe with the Texarkana Symphony. She performs regularly with the Shreveport Symphony as well as other orchestras throughout Louisiana and Texas. She is a founding member of the Three Reeds Duo with husband and saxophonist Paul Forsyth. Three Reeds performs throughout the world, building a repertoire ranging from baroque and classical transcriptions to contemporary and newly commissioned works. To read more about Professor Forsyth, visit www.leahforsythmusic.com.
Dr. Paul ForsythAssociate Professor of Music -- Saxophone
318.357.4426
forsythp@nsula.edu
Northwestern State University Saxophone Studio Faculty Biography
forsythp@nsula.edu
Northwestern State University Saxophone Studio Faculty Biography
Paul Forsyth
Equally adept at both the classical and jazz repertoire, saxophonist Dr. Paul J. Forsyth has performed recitals and taught masterclasses at numerous concert halls, universities, and conferences around the world. Dr. Forsyth has been featured as a soloist and chamber musician at North American Saxophone Alliance Conferences, World Saxophone Congresses, John Donald Robb Composer Symposiums, and International Saxophone Symposiums. He has been instrumental in commissioning several new works for solo saxophone, saxophone quartet, and saxophone/oboe duo. As a top-call saxophonist in northern Louisiana, he has performed with such performers as Regis Philbin, Lew Soloff, the Temptations, and Bobby Vinton. In 2012, Paul Forsyth was named the Collegiate Division Chairman of the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education (LAJE).
Paul Forsyth joined the faculty of Northwestern State University in the fall of 2007 and currently serves as Associate Professor of Saxophone. In the past, he has been on the faculties of Albion College, Spring Arbor University, and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. He received his doctoral and master’s degrees in saxophone performance from Michigan State University and his bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Tennessee. His primary professors include Joseph Lulloff, Diego Rivera, Ron Blake, and Mark Tucker. Dr. Forsyth is a Yamaha Performing Artist and also a member of two renowned chamber ensembles, the Three Reeds Duo and the Iridium Quartet.
Kenneth GreenAssociate Professor of Music -- Percussion
381.357.5825
greenk@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
greenk@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Kenneth Green
Ken Green is the Associate Director of Bands and Professor of Percussion at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Having received wide recognition as a performer, conductor, educator, arranger, he is in great demand as a clinician, consultant, and adjudicator. He holds degrees from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, New York, and the University of Kansas. Mr. Green is the past President of the Louisiana Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society, a member of the Percussive Arts Societies Marching Percussion Committee, Vice President of the International Association of Traditional Drummers, and Principal Timpanist with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra. He holds memberships in Phi Beta Mu, Phi Mu Alpha, Sigma Alpha Iota, Kappa Kappa Psi, and Tau Beta Sigma fraternities. Ken Green is also a member of several adjudicators associations throughout the United States and Canada. His principal instructors have been Jim Petercsak, Harold Green, Nick Attanasio, John S. Pratt, Joe Morello, and George Boberg. Ken is proud to be an Artist/Endorsee for Innovative Percussion, Grover Pro Percussion products, and Silver Fox Percussion.
Dr. Greg HandelAssociate Professor of Music -- Music Education
318.357.5777
handelg@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
handelg@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Greg Handel
Greg Handel Studied Piano and Trumpet; 3 degrees in Music Education; Teaching of Instrumental Music at all levels of public school; church musician and organist; Associate Professor; Director of Creative and Performing Arts; Interim Dean, College of Arts and Sciences.
D'nissa HesterInstructor of Voice
(318) 357-5807
hesterd@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
hesterd@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
D’Nissa Hester
D’nissa Hester is a native of Amarillo, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting and a Masters of Music with a concentration in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting from Northwestern State University. She has also studied at the Taos Opera Institute under world-renowned sopranos Mary Jane Johnson and Linda Poetschke. In 2010, she became a member of the NSU faculty teaching voice, theory, and piano to music and theatre students. In 2012, Mrs. Hester was the Louisiana representative at the regional NATSA competition. During her time at NSU, she has performed as a soloist with the Red River Choral, Natchitoches-Northwestern symphony, NSU Jazz band and orchestra, NSU Percussion ensemble, NSU Christmas GALA, and in multiple faculty recitals/concerts. She also performs locally with her husband as part of DAT Acoustic, a folk/acoustic duo, at restaurants and events around the Natchitoches area.
Dr. Adam HudlowTemporary Assistant Professor of Music Theory
318-840-5294
hudlowa@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
hudlowa@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Adam Hudlow
Dr. Adam Hudlow began serving as Temporary Assistant Professor of Music Theory at Northwestern State University in the fall of 2016. There, he teaches music theory, aural skills, form, and arranging at the graduate and undergraduate levels. He also serves as the staff music arranger for the Spirit of Northwestern marching band. Dr. Hudlow has eight years’ combined college teaching experience. Before accepting his current position, he served as an Adjunct Instructor of Music theory at NSU from 2013-2016. He holds a Ph.D. in music theory from Louisiana State University, where he served as graduate teaching fellow in music theory from 2009-2012. While earning his MM from the University of Houston, he taught music theory and aural skills as a graduate teaching assistant from 2008-2009. Dr. Hudlow’s research centers primarily on the music of Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim.
Chialing HsiehAssistant Professor of Music and Collaborative Piano
318.357.5800
hsiehc@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
hsiehc@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Chialing Hsieh
An avid performer of contemporary music, pianist Chialing Hsieh is devoted to promoting new piano solo and chamber works. She has premiered about forty compositions and has performed on the premiere recordings of ten works by contemporary composers. Hsieh has been a featured pianist on seven CD’s for the Centaur, Innova, Enharmonic, and Ballpark record labels. Hsieh has received several grants to promote new American music, including an Artist Enrichment Grant from the Kentucky Foundation for Women.
A sought after collaborative pianist, Hsieh has performed with members of the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, and the symphony orchestras of Detroit, Cleveland, St. Louis, Minnesota, and Memphis. She has performed with the faculty of Julliard, Northwestern University, New England Conservatory, University of Cincinnati, and Arizona State University.
Hsieh has performed recitals in Europe, Asia, and throughout the United States. She performs regularly at universities and conferences for CMS, MTNA, NATS, SCI, North American Saxophone Alliance, National Flute Society, International Clarinet Association, International Viola Congress, World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and the Southeastern Composers’ League. Hsieh has given master classes throughout the United States and abroad and served as a judge and adjudicator for competitions and events.
Hsieh joins the faculty of Northwestern State University in 2016 as Assistant Professor of Collaborative Piano. In the summer, she is the piano instructor at the Lutheran Summer Music Festival and Academy and the Sounds of Summer Institute. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the National Taipei University of the Arts, and M.M. and D.M.A. in piano performance at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. Her principal teachers include Richard Morris, Sandra Rivers, and Tsai Chai-Hsio.
Dr. Sharon JoyAssistant Professor of Music -- Music Education
318.357.5754
joys@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
joys@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Sharon Joy
Sharon Joy is Associate Professor of Music Education at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Houston. Dr. Joy has over twenty-five years of music teaching experience in public and private schools. As a published songwriter and composer, she has composed, arranged, and produced music for performance and studio recordings, including two full-length educational recordings. Dr. Joy has presented clinics at many state, regional, and national organizations. At NSU she founded and facilitates the chapter of Phi Beta Delta Honor Society for International Scholars, exemplifying her commitment to international and intercultural education. She is a registered teacher and center director of Music Together early childhood music classes and holds Level One Orff Certification. Areas of specialty include elementary music education, creative music education, music education for students with special needs, early childhood music education, and historical/psychological foundations of music education.
Dr. Masahito KurodaAssistant Professor of Music -- Low Brass
318.357.6305
kurodam@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
kurodam@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Dr. Masahito Kuroda
Dr. Kuroda joined the NSU faculty in 2001. Originally from Japan, he holds Bachelor of Music Education from Tokyo Gakugei University, Master of Music from Morehead State University, the post graduate study at Louisiana State University, and the Artis Doctor Musica (DMA) from National Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Slovak Republic. Receiving full scholarship from Japanese Ministry of Education, he studied with many renowned low brass performers and teachers in the US and Europe. He has performed with Baton Rouge Symphony, Rapides Symphony, South Arkansas Symphony, Shreveport Symphony, Shreveport Opera, and Camerata Academica Chamber Orchestra Tokyo as a tenor tuba / trombone player. He has appeared as a guest euphonium soloist/masterclass clinician in universities and conservatories in the U.S., Europe, and in Japan. Most notably, he held the county’s first Euphonium recital/masterclass in Slovak Republic at Bratislava Conservatory of Music and Performing Arts. As a chamber artist, his Euphonium-Tuba Quartet won the third prize in the first International Colonial Euphonium Tuba Quartet Competition, and performed as a finalist in the International Euphonium Tuba Conference 2001 at Lahti, Finland. His article “Fast Runs, High Notes, and Mutes, Basic Fare for Euphonium Parts” was published in The Instrumentalist magazine March 2003 issue. He is a founding member and a leader of euphonium ensemble “Euphonium Unleashed” which utilized various euphonium family instruments such as alto horn, baritone horn, double-bell euphonium, and bass trumpet with mutes.
Dr. Andrej KurtiAssociate Professor of Music -- Violin and Viola
318.357.5796
kurtia@nsula.edu
http://www.andrejkurti.com/
Follow me on Facebook Faculty Biography
kurtia@nsula.edu
http://www.andrejkurti.com/
Follow me on Facebook Faculty Biography
Dr. Andrej Kurti
Internationally acclaimed violinist Andrej Kurti was born in Belgrade, Serbia, where he began his violin carrier in the studio of professor Djula Tešenji. He continued his studies in Moscow “Tchaikovsky” Conservatory in studios of professors Levon Ambartsumian and Zorya Schikmurzaeva. Kurti finished his graduate studies in the University of Georgia, where he received a doctorate degree in violin performance. He was a recipient of five first prizes in competitions in Yugoslavia, four first prizes in competitions in Georgia and Florida, and a finalist of the MTNA (Music Teacher National Association) Competition in 1998.
In 2000, Kurti became a recording artist for classical label Blue Griffin Recording, for which he later recorded Six Sonatas for Violin Solo by Eugene Ysaye, op. 27. In 2004, Kurti became a professor of violin at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. He appeared as a soloist with many symphony orchestras in the United States, Serbia, Montenegro, Italy, Greece, Russia and France. He also appeared as a chamber performer in Spain, France, Latvia, Canada, and South Korea.
In non-classical music world, Kurti performed and arranged on more than forty albums of popular and modern music, which he recorded for many different music labels in the United States. Kurti has been invited to several international music festivals where he most often performed music written for solo violin. In 2015, Kurti performed Ysaye’s op.27 in Road to Carnegie nation-wide recital series, culminating with his Carnegie Hall debut.
Most recently, Kurti has remained a very active concert violinist, where, besides solo and chamber recitals, he appears as a soloist with chamber and symphony orchestras in United States and abroad, performing masterworks by Tchaikovsky, Mozart, Williams and Sarasate. For more information visit www.andrejkurti.com
Dr. Jeff MathewsAssociate Professor of Music -- Director of Bands, Music Education
318.357.4450
mathewsj@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
mathewsj@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Jeffrey Matthews
After receiving his Bachelor’s degree from Northwestern State University in 1990, Dr. Mathews taught high school band for seven years in the public schools of Louisiana and Texas. Dr. Mathews’ received the Master of Music Education degree from the University of North Texas, where he served as a Teaching Fellow. He continued his studies with Thomas Fraschillo at the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in conducting pedagogy. He has been on the faculty of Northwestern State University since 1998 where he is the Director of Bands and an Associate Professor of Music. He has served as Assistant Director of Bands, Director of Athletic Bands, Director of Student Activities and Organizations, and Associate Director of Bands while at Northwestern State. He has taught Band, Marching Band Techniques, Music Theory, Conducting, and Music Education. His research has been published by the Journal of Band Research and he has presented clinics at the Louisiana Music Educators Association Convention and the Texas Music Educators Association Convention. He is also a regular guest conductor with the Royal Northern College of Music Wind Orchestra in the United Kingdom. Dr. Mathews served for 15 years as the Commander and Conductor of the Texas Air National Guard Band. He led this band on a tour of the Czech Republic during the summer of 1999 and to Afghanistan and Iraq in 2007. In 2011, he was appointed Chief, Air National Guard Bands. In this capacity he advises, directs policy, and provides budgets for all the Air National Guard Bands in the United States.
Dr. Dennette McDermottProfessor of Music -- Flute, Graduate Studies
318.357.5761
mcdermottd@nsula.edu
Orchestra Website Faculty Biography
mcdermottd@nsula.edu
Orchestra Website Faculty Biography
Dr. Dennette McDermott
Dennette Derbisova McDermott is Professor of Flute and Coordinator of Graduate Studies at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. She made her European debut in 1992 in the Czech Republic with the Czech premiere of Jindrich Feld’s solo flute work, Introduzione, Toccato e Fuga. Dr. McDermott has performed in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, England, Canada, Honduras, Russia, Spain and throughout the United States, including numerous performances at National Flute Association Conventions, and also featured as a winner of the Conventions Performers Competition in 1994, 96, and 99. In 2008 she traveled to Moscow and recorded for www.classicalrecords.ru, a CD of “Trios for Flute, bassoon and piano,” with Katerina Zaitseva and, Douglas Bakenhus. In June 2015 her interest in baroque flute led to the opportunity to participate in the Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute in 2015, 2017, an intensive training program on historical instruments, where she studied flute with Claire Guimond and Jed Wentz. In addition in 2016 and 2017 she participated in the Twin Cities Baroque Music program, where she studied with Wilbert, Hazelzet. She plays baroque flute with the Austin Baroque Orchestra, a period music ensemble that specializes in music of the renaissance, baroque and classical periods. She has been published by The Flutist Quarterly and Flute Talk with articles on Czech music. As an active researcher, she has compiled and edited the only edition of the Czech flute sonatas of Jiri Czart published by Little Piper, Trio Sonatas published by Alliance Publications, Inc. 2011. She has identified manuscripts of Jiri Czart in the Giedde Collection, of Copengahen, including one of his flute concertos and sonatas. In 2016 after almost went years of researching, she published the first Thematic Catalog for the baroque Czech composer, Jiri Čart (Georg Czarth) A Thematic Catalog. Her flute studies have been with Ervin Monroe, Isreal Borochoff, Clement Barone, Judith Bentley, Renée Siebert, Mary Karen Clardy and Arnošt Bourek. She hold degrees from Michigan State University, The University of Michigan and The University of North Texas.
Daniel McDonaldAssistant Director of Bands, Spirit of Northwestern
318.357.6722
mcdonaldd@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
mcdonaldd@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Daniel C. McDonald
Dan McDonald is Assistant Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. At NSU, he directs the “Spirit of Northwestern” Marching Band, the “Purple Haze” Basketball Band, Wind Ensemble, Magale Concert Band and teaches courses in student leadership, music education and conducting. Mr. McDonald is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in instrumental conducting at the University of Washington where he served as Graduate Assistant Director for the Husky Marching Band, conductor of Campus Band and was an assistant conductor for the Wind Ensemble. He earned a B.A. in Music (Saxophone) and a M.M. in Instrumental Conducting from the University of Connecticut. At UConn, Mr. McDonald was assistant conductor for the Symphonic Band, Concert Band and assisted with undergraduate conducting. Prior to his graduate work, he taught in Ashford, CT and was Director of Instrumental Music at The Norwich Free Academy in Norwich, CT. He has conducted and directed ensembles that have performed at Benaroya Hall, Chunghwa Clarion Shanghai Spring International Wind Music Festival, Fight Hunger Bowl, Alamo Bowl, Tostito’s Fiesta Bowl, NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship and on international tour in Beijing, China. Dan is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, National Band Association, National Association for Music Education, Kappa Kappa Psi, Tau Beta Sigma, College Music Society and Washington Music Educators Association.
Dr. Marcy McKeeAssistant Professor of Voice, Director of Opera Theater
318.357.5753
mckeem@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
mckeem@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Marcy McKee
Marcy McKee received her Doctorate of Musical Arts in 2016 from Arizona State University. She earned her Master of Music and Bachelor of Music from West Texas A&M University. She is an assistant professor of voice, directs the Northwestern State University opera theater, and teaches aural skills I. Dr. McKee has also taught at Bemidji State University, Arizona State University, West Texas A&M University, and Central Arizona College.
Marcy’s primary voice teachers include, Dr. Jerry Doan, Gordon Hawkins, and Dr. Cloyce Kuhnert. She has sung throughout the United States, mainly in Texas, Minnesota, California, and New York. Ms. McKee has also sung abroad in Germany and Italy.
She is a two-time winner of the North Dakota division of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. Marcy is a member of National Association of Teachers of Singing, Pi Kappa Lambda music honor society, and Mu Phi Epsilon.
Ms. McKee enjoys helping students create and perform roles for operas and recitals. She is also interested in learning styles and how they facilitate a student’s learning ability.
Dr. Malena McLarenDepartment Chair and Associate Professor of Clarinet
(318) 357-4522
mclarenm@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
mclarenm@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Malena McLaren
Malena McLaren, Department Chair and Professor of Clarinet at Northwestern State University, received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees at the University of New Mexico with Keith Lemmons and her D.M.A. from the University of North Texas with James Gillespie. As a member of Trio de Llano, Malena has performed throughout the US, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, England, and Spain. She is Second Clarinetist with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra. In July 2007 she received the second place prize in the ICA Research Competition at the ClarinetFest®, and has since been published in The Clarinet. Malena has performed in solo recitals at the 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014 International ClarinetFest® conferences and as a member of Trio de Llano at the 2009 National Flute Association Conference and the 2011 ClarinetFest®. In 2011 she was awarded the Magale Endowed Professorship to perform and continue research in Madrid, Spain. Having served as the Coordinator of the Research Presentation Competition, she was also chosen to perform a lecture recital at the 2015 ClarinetFest® in Madrid, Spain.
Oliver MolinaAssistant Professor of Music, Assistant Director of Bands - Percussion, Music Education
318.357.5989
molinao@nsula.edu
olivermolina.com Faculty Biography
molinao@nsula.edu
olivermolina.com Faculty Biography
Oliver Molina
Oliver Molina is an Assistant Professor of Music and Assistant Director of Bands at Northwestern State University of Louisiana. At NSU, he teaches the marching band percussion section, applied percussion lessons, an introduction to music education, conducts a concert band, and co-directs the percussion ensemble.
Currently, Mr. Molina is pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Percussion Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Iowa under Dr. Dan Moore. He earned a master in music from the University of Arkansas and a bachelor in music education from the University of Central Florida.
Mr. Molina is an active percussion performer, educator, arranger, adjudicator and clinician. He has performed at various state Day of Percussion events, PASIC, and other music education conferences. He has served as a clinician for the “Yamaha Sounds of Summer” percussion camp and has adjudicated many marching contests and state solo and ensemble festivals. Mr. Molina also has articles published in the PAS Journal Percussive Notes and has percussion ensemble and steel band arrangements through Alfred Publications.
As an active soloist and chamber ensemble musician Mr. Molina seeks new literature from composers and commissions new works. He has joined several consortiums including composers Alejandro Vinao, Baljinder Sekhon, Steven Snowden, Ivan Treviño, and Marc Mellits. Mr. Molina has teamed up with Dr. Joe W. Moore III to form the Omojo Percussion Duo. The duo was formed in 2013 and they have presented clinics and performed recitals throughout the southeastern United States.
Mr. Molina is an education endorser of Vic Firth Sticks and Mallets, Remo Drum Heads, Sabian Cymbals and Black Swamp Percussion. His professional affiliations include the Percussive Arts Society, College Music Society, National Association for Music Education, and the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society.
Matt PettyAdjunct Instructor of Music
pettym@nsula.edu
Faculty Biography
Matthew Petty
Matt Petty is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and video artist based in Louisiana. He is a graduate of Northwestern State University, where he received degrees in Music Education and Trombone Performance. Matt is an alumnus of New York’s Watermill Center, where he was influenced by a widely varied group of artists such as theater director, Robert Wilson, filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, and the American electronica band CocoRosie. He is also a founding member of the electro-acoustic collective Kisatchie Sound; a group that creates new music with a sense of place. As a collaborative artist, Matt has worked with numerous visual artists and musicians across the U.S. performing concerts and making video artworks. He has screened experimental media in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, California, New York, Vermont, and Taiwan. Additionally, Matt is the creator of the feature documentary Sacred as Folk about the life of Louisiana artist, Brother Michael David Elvestrom. His current production, a collaboration with composer Eve Beglarian titled LIGHTEN UP, is a multimedia song cycle about visionary visual artists whose lives and work re-define the American Dream in imaginative, powerful, and healing ways. Most recently, Matt was one of 25 international artists selected as Lucas Artist Fellows in Music at Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, CA.
Galindo RodriguezAssociate Professor of Music -- Trumpet, Jazz Studies
318.357.5799
rodriguez@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
rodriguez@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Galindo Rodriguez
Galindo Rodriguez earned the Bachelor of Music and the Master of Music Education from the University of North Texas. He performed as Principal Trumpet of the Chicago Civic Symphony from 1978-1980. From 1980-1984 he held the position of Principal Trumpet of the Boise Philharmonic and taught Applied Trumpet at Boise State University. In 1987 he earned the Certificate in Performance from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. His teachers include Adolph Herseth, Vincent Cichowicz, John J. Haynie, and Dr. Leonard Candelaria. He has performed with the Fort Worth Symphony, the Chicago Chamber Orchestra, and the Shreveport Symphony.
He joined NSU as Applied Trumpet Professor in 1988. In addition to applied trumpet he has taught, Techniques of Conducting, Brass Methods and directed the Brass Ensemble, The Baroque Trumpet Choir, and currently directed the Jazz Orchestra. He established the Jazz Concert Series in 1997 and the Annual Jazz Artist Series. Under his direction the University Jazz Orchestra has performed with Ellis Marsalis, Byron Stripling, Mike Williams, Mike Tomaro, Graham Breedlove, Mike Vax, Astral Project, Tony Dagradi, Matt Niess, Bill Watrous, Ingrid Jensen, Rodney Whitiker, and Rodger Ingram, Jessy J., Warren Wolf, and Allen Vizzutti. Rodriguez is Past-President of the Louisiana Association for Jazz Education and is currently Treasurer. He is a member of the LAJE Hall of Fame. The University Jazz Orchestra has twice received superior ratings at the Loyola Jazz Festival New Orleans. He continues to perform locally and regionally in both classical and jazz settings His students include three trumpet players as former members of the world-famous Once O’clock Lab Band from the University of North Texas, and a number of members of the United States Coast Guard Band and the United States Marine Drum & Bugle Corp.
Michael RorexAssociate Professor of Music -- Choral, Voice
318.357.5803
rorexm@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
rorexm@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Michael Rorex
Mr. Michael Rorex has worked as a singer/soloist with Chattanooga Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Shreveport Opera, Corpus Christie Opera, Pensacola Opera and Symphony and St. Louis Opera. He has also sung with the Rapides Symphony, East Texas Symphony and St. Louis Symphony. He has performed as a Musical Director for Granbury Opera House, Granbury,Tx., Cortland Repertory Theater, Cortland, New York and McCleod Summer Theater, Carbondale, Il. Mr. Rorex has been a guest artist/clinician at Wesley College School of Music, Wilmington, DE, California State University, Sacramento, CA., Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Il., Lee College, Cleveland, TN., and Bryan College, Dayton, TN.
Terrie SandersAssociate Professor of Music -- Voice, Pedagogy
381.357.5762
sanderst@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
sanderst@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Dr. Terrie Sanders
Terrie S. Sanders received a BA degree in Music Performance from Lee University in 1989 and completed a MM in Voice from Northwestern State University in 1991. Sanders has since trained with the McClosky Institute of Voice Therapy to work as a vocal technician. Sanders is on the Seminar faculty for MIV and received special recognition as a Master Teacher in 2010. As part of the McClosky Institute of Voice, Sanders has worked to teach voice professionals how to use the McClosky Method to maintain a healthy speaking and singing voice. She has also worked with professional voice users to help rehabilitate specific voice disorders. Sanders has been invited to speak at various venues on the McClosky Method including an invitation to present at the International Congress of Voice Teachers in Brisbane Australia. This training has also been helpful in the recruiting of students to Northwestern State University.
David SteeleAdjunct Instructor of Music
steeled@nsula.edu
Faculty Biography
David Steele
David Steele is a founding member of the chamber ensemble, Kisatchie Sound. While clarinet is his primary instrument, David plays the chalumeau, various woodwind instruments and several folk instruments. He plays an active role as an instructor, choreographer, and visual technician throughout the Louisiana/Mississippi Color Guard and Percussion Circuit. He has studied music at Northwestern State University, the University of New Mexico, and the University of North Texas. He has worked for Popejoy Hall, New Mexico’s premiere performing arts venue, in the Education and Outreach Department. David has performed with several professional groups such as the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Rosewell Symphony Orchestra, Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, South Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, the Many Chamber Orchestra, and the Northwestern Faculty Quintet. He has also performed as musician and artist at the Alley Theater in Houston, and as a woodwind specialist and technician in the pitorchestras at Long Lake Camp of the Arts in New York. As a recording artist, David has recorded with brass players Joe Alessi, Sam Pilafian, Marshall Gilkes, and J.D. Shaw. He has recorded with composer, Eve Beglarian, and the chamber ensemble, Kisatchie Sound. David’s playing is featured in the sound track of the documentary film, Sacred as Folk and the multimedia production of Lighten Up.
Dr. Samuel StokesAdjunct Faculty, Music Composition/Arranging
816.509.2207
stokess@nsula.edu
samuelstokesmusic.com Faculty Biography
stokess@nsula.edu
samuelstokesmusic.com Faculty Biography
Dr. Samuel Stokes
Earned PhD in Music Composition in 2013 from Louisiana State University as a student of Dinos Constantinides. Dissertation included an original symphony, entitled “Symphony no. 1: Eustace the Monk,” which was premiered by the LSU symphony orchestra. Have had several new musical works performed since being hired at NSU, both at NSU and at a number of other locations around the country. Commissioned by the Louisiana Music Teachers Association to compose an original work, “Rondeau for solo piano,” and performed the piece at the 2015 LMTA convention.
Sofiko TchetchelashviliAdjunct Instructor of Violin/Viola
318.357.5796
sofiko@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
sofiko@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Sofiko Tchetchelashvili
Native of Republic of Georgia, Ms. Tchetchelashvili completed Music Gymnasium for gifted students “Z. Paliashvili” in 2005. Prior to that, she became the recipient of several fist prizes in the national competitions (1997, 1998, 1999, 2003). In 2003, she also became a recipient of the prestigious “President’s Award” in her homeland of Georgia. In 2010, Ms. Tchetchelashvili completed the BM in violin performance at the Tbilisi State Concervatory, and in 2015, she completed the MM in violin performance at the Baylor University. From January of 2016, Ms. Tchetchelashvili serves as the Adjunct Professor at the Northwestern State University of Louisiana. Throughout her musical career, Ms. Tchetchelashvili remains a very active concert violinist and violist.
Dr. J. Mark ThompsonProfessor of Music -- Low Brass
318.357.5791
thompsonjm@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
thompsonjm@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Dr. J. Mark Thompson
J. Mark Thompson is Professor of Music at Northwestern State University. He holds degrees from Murray State University, University of Southern California, and University of Iowa; his teachers include Ray Conklin, John Hill, George Krem, Charles Vernon, and Arnold Jacobs. A charter life member of the ITA, Dr. Thompson chairs its Advisory Council on Literature and served a six-year term on its Board of Advisers. Editor and co-author of French Music for Low Brass Instruments, he also produced Solos for the Student Trombonist, 2d ed. Dr. Thompson was a featured soloist with the South Arkansas Symphony, Shreveport Symphony, and the U.S. Army Orchestra, and he was a Participant at the Alessi Seminar. Formerly Principal Bass Trombone of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, he performs with the Shreveport Symphony, Drei Bones (trombone trio), I-49 Brass Quintet, South Arkansas Symphony, Lancaster Festival, and Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestras.
Kelsey WrightAdjunct Instructor of Flute
Dr. Francis YangAssistant Professor of Music -- Piano
318.357.5763
yangf@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
yangf@nsula.edu Faculty Biography
Dr. Francis Yang
Dr. Yang has performed in numerous cities including London, Paris, Montevideo, Quito, Buenos Aires, Vancouver, and Montreal. He has given masterclasses and served as a jury member internationally, nationally, and locally. Dr. Yang studied at the University of Michigan, the University of Kansas, and the University of Montreal.