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Faculty and Staff

The School of Music, Theatre and Dance has a world-class faculty of actors, choreographers, composers, conductors, dancers, designers, directors, instrumentalists, scholars, singers and more. While the work of our faculty in the performing arts is wide-ranging, they all share a singular commitment to teaching and mentoring students. In collaboration with our faculty, students are transformed through experiences in the classroom, rehearsal space, practice room, studio and beyond.

Academic Leaders
Elisabeth Honn Hoegberg, Ph.D Director, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Professor of Music
[email protected]
Elizabeth Kattner, Ph.D. Associate Director, School of Music,
Theatre and Dance
Coordinator of Assessment and Evaluation
Professor of Dance
[email protected]
(248) 370-2917
Melissa Hoag, Ph.D.

Assistant Director, School of Music, Theatre and Dance
Professor of Music Theory
Music Theory Program Coordinator

[email protected]
(248) 370-4153
Jeffrey Heisler, D.M.A. Chair, Department of Music
Professor of Music
[email protected]
Jeremy Barnett, M.F.A. Chair, Department of Theatre
Associate Professor of Theatre
[email protected]
Gregory Patterson, M.F.A. Chair, Department of Dance
Associate Professor of Dance
[email protected]
(248) 370-3009
Office Staff
Kristina Allen Office Assistant II [email protected]
(248) 370-2033
Sean Delaney Communications Associate [email protected]
Jaime Finn Office Assistant III [email protected] 
(248) 370-2035
Lisa Hinchman Business Manager
(248) 370-2046
Alex Sellers Recruitment and Outreach Manager

[email protected]
(248) 370-2039

  Marketing Manager [email protected]
Production Staff
Joseph Beck Technical Director [email protected]
Katherine Boersma Production and Facilities Manager [email protected]
(248) 370-3012
Ellen Peck Production Manager [email protected]
Caroline Sheridan Box Office Manager [email protected]
Caroline Sheridan Assistant Facilities Manager [email protected]
(248) 370-3013
Terry Herald Technical Coordinator, Sound Technician 

[email protected] 

(248) 370-3014

Christa Koerner  Costume Shop Supervisor [email protected]
(248) 370-3011
Shelby VanOphem Costume Shop Assistant

[email protected]

Collaborative Pianists
Laura Blanchard Collaborative Pianist for Musical Theatre [email protected]
Cat Dacpano Collaborative Pianist for Musical Theatre [email protected]
Frank Pitts Collaborative Pianist for Musical Theatre [email protected]
Aran Kim Collaborative Pianist for Vocal Music [email protected]
Alissa Hetzner Collaborative Pianist for Musical Theatre [email protected]
Mike List Collaborative Pianist for Dance

[email protected]

Amanda Sabelhaus  Collaborative Pianist for Vocal Music
Coordinator of Collaborative Piano, Voice
[email protected]
Won Kyung Shin Collaborative Pianist for Instrumental Music [email protected]
Philip Solomonick Collaborative Pianist for Instrumental Music  
Marina Stojanovska Collaborative Pianist for Vocal Music [email protected]
Hannah Watson Collaborative Pianist for Vocal Music [email protected]
I-Chen Yeh Collaborative Pianist for Instrumental Music
Coordinator of Collaborative Piano, Instrumental
[email protected]
Undergraduate Advisors
Matt Prentice Undergraduate Academic Advisor

[email protected]

Marti Engman Undergraduate Academic Advisor

meengman@oaklandedu

Annie Hegedus Undergraduate Academic Advisor

[email protected]

Music Ensemble Staff
Joan Hovda Orchestra Librarian, OSO  
Sherri Martilla Orchestra Manager, OSO  
Music Theory and Musicology
Name Title Contact Information
Melissa Hoag, Ph.D. Assistant Director, School of Music, Theatre and Dance
Professor of Music
Music Theory Program Coordinator
[email protected]
(248) 370-4153
David Kidger, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Music, Musicology
Music History Program Co-Coordinator
[email protected]
(248) 370-4308
Jessica Payette, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Music, Musicology 
Music History Program Co-Coordinator
[email protected]
(248) 370-3148
Sarah Komer, Ph.D. Special Lecturer, Music
Music Theory
[email protected]
Stephen Komer, Ph.D. Special Lecturer, Music
Music Theory
[email protected]
Victoria Shively, M.M. Lecturer, Music 
Music History, Opera Coach
Music Director, opera production
[email protected]
(248) 370-3321
Music Education
Name Title Contact Information
Cat Bennett, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Music
Music Education Field Services Coordinator
[email protected]
Pamela L. Klena, D.M.A. Assistant Professor of Music [email protected]
(248) 370-2287
Joseph Shively, Ed.D. Associate Professor of Music
Senior Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
[email protected]
Deborah VanderLinde, Ph.D. Professor Emerita, Music Education,
Coordinator, Doctoral Program in Music Education
[email protected]

Lauri A. Hogle, Ph.D.

Lecturer, Music Education

[email protected]
248-370-2763
Niki Rose, M.Ed. Lecturer, Music Education [email protected]
P. David Visnaw II, M.M. Lecturer, Music Education [email protected]
Ensembles and Conducting
Name Title Contact Information
Gregory Cunningham, Ed. D. Professor of Music
Instrumental Conducting
Instrumental Program Coordinator
[email protected]
(248) 370-3015
Pamela L. Klena, D.M.A. Assistant Professor of Music [email protected]
(248) 370-2287
Kenneth Kroesche, D.M.A. Professor of Music
Applied Brass, Brass Band and Ensembles
Brass Program Coordinator
[email protected]
(248) 370-4303
Michael Mitchell, D.M.A  Professor of Music
Director of Choral Activities
[email protected]
(248) 370-2002
Zeljko (Bill) Milicevic, M.M. Lecturer, Music
Chamber Orchestra
[email protected] 
Music Technology
Name Title Contact Information
Edward Stumpp, D.M.A. Visiting Assistant Professor, Music
Music Technology and Composition
[email protected]
Terry Herald, M.M. Lecturer, Music
Audio Technology
[email protected]
Music for the non-major
Name Title Contact Information
Patrick Fitzgibbon, M.M. Special Lecturer, Music
World Music
[email protected]
Bret Hoag, M.M. Applied Instructor, Guitar
Special Lecturer, Music
[email protected]
Kristen Tait, D.M.A.  Special Lecturer, Music
Music for the Non-Major
[email protected]
Phyllis White, Ph.D. Special Lecturer, Music 
Music for the Non-Major
[email protected] 

Applied Music

Keyboard
Name Title Contact Information
Tian Tian, D.M.A. Associate Professor of Music
Piano Performance and Pedagogy
Graduate Program Coordinator
[email protected]
Dennis Curry, M.M. Applied Instructor, Carillon [email protected]
Laura Blanchard, M.M. Lecturer, Music [email protected]
Rebecca Happel, D.M.A. Applied Instructor, Piano [email protected]
(248) 370-4152
Lois Kaarre, M.M. Special Lecturer, Music
Keyboard Classes
[email protected]
(248) 370-2913
I-Chen Yeh, D.M.A.  Applied Instructor, Piano
Coordinator of Instrumental Accompanying
[email protected]
Voice
Name Title Contact Information
Alta Marie Boover, D.M.A. Associate Professor of Music
Applied Voice
[email protected]
(248) 370-2943
Drake Dantzler, D.M.A. Associate Professor of Music
Applied Voice
Opera Program Coordinator
[email protected]
(248) 370-2042
John-Paul White, Perf. Cert.  Distinguished Professor of Music
Voice Program Coordinator
[email protected]
(248) 370-2040
Barbara Bland, M.M. Applied Instructor, Voice  [email protected]
(248) 370-4309
Nicole Joseph Applied Instructor, Voice [email protected]
Melissa Maloney, M.M. Applied Instructor, Voice  [email protected]
(248) 370-2943
Katya Powder  Applied Instructor, Voice [email protected]
Constantine Novotny, M.M. Applied Instructor, Voice [email protected]
Katrina VanMaanen, MM Applied Instructor, Voice [email protected]
Brass
Name Title Contact Information
Kenneth Kroesche, D.M.A. Professor of Music
Applied Brass, Brass Band and Ensembles
Brass Program Coordinator
[email protected]
(248) 370-4303
Amanda Ross, D.M.A. Visiting Assistant Professor of Music
Coordinator of Jazz
Applied Trumpet
[email protected]
David Denniston, D.M.A. Applied Instructor, Horn [email protected]
Brandon Thibault, M.M. Applied Instructor, Tuba [email protected]
Woodwinds
Name Title Contact Information
Jeffrey Heisler, D.M.A.

Chair, Department of Music
Professor of Music
Applied Saxophone

[email protected]
(248) 370-2871
Erin Dowler, D.M.A. Applied Instructor, Clarinet [email protected]
Stacey Jamison, M.M. Applied Instructor, Bassoon [email protected]
Brandon LePage Applied Instructor, Flute
Flute Ensemble
[email protected]
Ben MacDonald, D.M.A.

Applied Instructor, Saxophone

[email protected]

Timothy Michling, M.M. M.P.A. Applied Instructor, Oboe  [email protected] 
Alex Sellers, M.M. Applied Instructor, Saxophone [email protected]
Ralph Skiano, B.M. DSO Affiliate Faculty, Clarinet [email protected]
Cornelia Sommer DSO Affiliate Faculty, Bassoon

[email protected]

Jeffery Zook, M.M.  DSO Affiliate Faculty, Flute  [email protected] 
Strings
Name Title Contact Information
Bret Hoag, M.M. Applied Instructor, Guitar
Special Lecturer, Music
[email protected]
John Kennedy, M.M. Applied Instructor, Double Bass [email protected]
Roman Kosarev Applied Instructor, Viola [email protected]
Úna O'Riordan DSO Affiliate Applied Faculty, Cello [email protected]
Elizabeth Rowin, M.M. Applied Instructor, Violin
Coordinator, Chamber Music
[email protected] 
Percussion
Name Title Contact Information
Justin Lamb, D.M.A. Visiting Assistant Professor of Music, Applied Percussion [email protected]
Mark Stone, M.M. Professor of Music
World Music and Percussion
Coordinator, World Music and Percussion
[email protected]
Patrick Fitzgibbon, M.M. Special Lecturer, Music
World Music
[email protected]
Gayelynn McKinney Applied Instructor, Jazz Percussion [email protected]
Jazz and World Music
Name Title Contact Information
Amanda Ross, D.M.A. Coordinator of Jazz
Director of Jazz Band
[email protected]
Mark Stone, M.M. Professor of Music
World Music and Percussion
Coordinator, World Music and Percussion
[email protected] 
Patrick Fitzgibbon, M.M. Special Lecturer, Music
World Music
[email protected]
Scott Gwinnell, M.M. Special Lecturer, Music
Applied Instructor, Jazz Piano
[email protected]
Marion Hayden, B.A. Applied Instructor, Jazz Bass [email protected]
Mark Kieme Applied Instructor, Jazz Saxophone [email protected]
Gayelynn McKinney Applied Instructor, Jazz Percussion [email protected]
Jay Shankar Balan Applied Instructor, Indian Raga [email protected]
Collaborative Pianists
Name Title Contact Information
Amanda Sabelhaus Collaborative Pianist accompanying Voice
Coordinator of Vocal Accompanying
[email protected]
I-Chen Yeh Collaborative Pianist for Instrumental Music
Coordinator of Instrumental Accompanying
[email protected]
Name  Title  Contact Information
Jeremy Barnett, M.F.A. Chair, Department of Theatre
Doris and Paul Travis Associate Professor of Theatre
Theatre Design and Technology Program Coordinator
Scenic Design
[email protected]

Joseph Beck, M.F.A. Technical Director
Lecturer, Theatre
Stagecraft
[email protected]
Jacob ben Widmar, M.F.A. Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre [email protected]
Laura Blanchard, M.M. Vocal Coach
Collaborative Pianist for Musical Theatre
[email protected]
Rick Carver, B.A. Lecturer, Theatre
Mime, Acting for Non-Theatre Majors
[email protected]
Cat Dacpano, B.M. Vocal Coach
Collaborative Pianist for Musical Theatre
[email protected]
Kitty Dubin, M.A. Lecturer, Theatre
Playwriting
[email protected]
Lulu Fall Vocal Coach [email protected]
Milica Govich, M.F.A. Special Lecturer, Theatre
Acting Coach
Acting for the Camera
[email protected] 
David Gram, M.F.A. Assistant Professor of Theatre
Acting, Directing
[email protected]
Anthony Guest, M.F.A. Assistant Professor of Theatre
Acting, Directing 
[email protected]
(248) 370-3023
Beth Guest, M.F.A. Special Lecturer, Theatre 
Musical Theatre History
[email protected]
Danny Gurwin, B.F.A. Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre [email protected]
Alissa Hetzner Vocal Coach
Collaborative Pianist for Musical Theatre
[email protected]
Christa Koerner, M.F.A. Costume Shop Supervisor
Lecturer, Theatre
Costume Construction
[email protected]
Kerro Knox 3, M.F.A.  Lecturer [email protected]
(248) 370-3025
Lynnae Lehfeldt, M.F.A.  Doris & Paul Travis Professor of Theatre 
Voice and Movement
[email protected]
(248) 370-2956
Whitney Locher, M.F.A. Assistant Professor of Theatre
Costume Design, Stage Makeup
[email protected]
Oscar Quiroz, M.F.A. Assistant Professor of Theatre
Acting, Directing 
[email protected]
Karen Sheridan, M.F.A.  Distinguished Professor of Theatre
Co-founder, Classical Theatre Study in Greece Program
Acting, Directing
[email protected]
(248) 370-2045
Jeff Thomakos, M.F.A. Lecturer in Acting [email protected]
Sam Transleau Visiting Assistant Professor in Design and Production [email protected]
Lynch Travis Lecturer and Director [email protected]
Sara Catheryn Wolf, M.F.A. Lecturer, Theatre [email protected]
Name Title  Contact Information 
Gregory Patterson, M.F.A.

Chair, Department of Dance
Associate Professor of Dance

[email protected]
(248) 370-3009
Denise Caston-Clark

Lecturer, Dance

[email protected]
Deavondre Jones

Lecturer, Dance

[email protected]
Eliza Lanham Jones, B.F.A.

Lecturer, Dance

[email protected]
Thayer Jonutz, M.F.A.

Associate Professor of Dance
Director, OU Repertory Dance Company

[email protected]
(248) 370-2804
Elizabeth Kattner, Ph.D.

Associate Director, School of Music,
Theatre and Dance
Coordinator of Assessment and Evaluation
Professor of Dance
Doris and Paul Travis Associate Professor of Dance
Dance History and Dance in Culture
Dance Education Program Coordinator

[email protected]
(248) 370-2917
Amanda Lehman Lecturer, Dance
Dance for Musical Theatre
[email protected]
Mary Murphy, M.A.T. Lecturer, Dance [email protected]
Teresa Muller, M.F.A. Special Lecturer, Dance [email protected]
Renee Petkovski, B.A. Lecturer, Dance [email protected]
Elizabeth Riga, M.F.A. Special Lecturer, Dance
Director, Oakland Dance Theatre
[email protected]
Christina Tasco, M.S.  Special Lecturer in Dance [email protected] 
Ali Woerner, M.F.A.  Associate Professor of Dance
Director/Founder of Take Root
[email protected]
(248) 370-3604
Production Staff
Jeremy Barnett Set Design [email protected]
Joseph Beck Set Construction  [email protected]
Kerro Knox Lighting Design [email protected]
Christa Koerner Costume Construction [email protected]
Dance Accompanists
Mike List Accompanist for Dance  
Patrick Fitzgibbon M.M. Lecturer [email protected]
Degree Program Name Email
  Guitar Bret Hoag [email protected]
  Jazz Studies Amanda Ross [email protected]
  Strings Elizabeth Rowin [email protected]
  World Music Studies Mark Stone [email protected]
BA Music Melissa Hoag, Jessica Payette, David Kidger [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
BM Instrumental Performance Jeff Heisler, Ken Kroesche [email protected], [email protected]
BM Piano Performance and Pedagogy Tian Tian [email protected]
BM Voice Performance John-Paul White, Drake Dantzler, Alta Boover [email protected], [email protected]
BM Choral Music Education Mike Mitchell [email protected]
BM Instrumental Music Education Pam Klena [email protected]
BM General Music Education    
MM Choral Conducting Mike Mitchell [email protected]
MM Instrumental Conducting Greg Cunningham [email protected]
MM Instrumental Performance Jeff Heisler, Ken Kroesche [email protected], [email protected]
MM Piano Performance & Piano Pedagogy Tian Tian [email protected]
MM Voice Performance & Vocal Pedagogy Drake Dantzler, John-Paul White, Alta Boover [email protected], [email protected]
MM World Music Performance Mark Stone [email protected]
MM Music Education Cat Bennett, Pam Klena [email protected], [email protected]
MM Graduate Program Coordinator Tian Tian [email protected]
Minors Theatre Lynnae Lehfeldt [email protected]
Transfers Theatre Jeremy Barnett [email protected]
BA Theatre Lynnae Lehfeldt [email protected]
BFA Acting David Gram [email protected]
BFA Musical Theatre

David Gram
Anthony Guest

[email protected]
[email protected]
BFA Theatre Design & Technology Whitney Locher [email protected]
BA, BFA, & minors Dance and Dance Education Elizabeth Kattner, Gregory Patterson, Thayer Jonutz, Ali Woerner [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Laurie Eisenhower Professor Emerita of Dance
Robert Facko Professor Emeritus of Music
Michael Gillespie Professor Emeritus of Theatre
Adeline G. Hirschfeld-Medalia Professor Emerita of Theatre
Marvin D. Holladay Professor Emeritus of Music
Deborah Vanderlinde Professor Emerita, Music Education
Flavio Varani Professor Emeritus of Music
Jackie Wiggins Distinguished Professor Emerita of Music

School of Music, Theatre and Dance

Varner Hall, Room 207
371 Varner Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4485
(location map)
Academic Office: (248) 370-2030
Box Office: (248) 370-3013
Fax: (248) 370-2041