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Shenandoah Conservatory Welcomes 10 New Full-time Faculty

Shenandoah Conservatory has appointed 10 new full-time faculty members for the 2018/19 academic year.

“As our faculty search committees noted, all bring with them a passion for mentorship, an unwavering commitment to excellence, exceptional industry knowledge, and an embrace of innovation,” said Shenandoah Conservatory Dean and Professor of Music Michael Stepniak, Ed.D. “Put simply, they are positioned to join us in our critical work, including providing students with exceptional mentorship and preparation for career success and life-long learning, treating all students with care and respect, and recruiting and inspiring the next generation of highly talented young artists and scholars. I look forward not only to their teaching but also to their leadership as our conservatory moves boldly to meet the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

Patrick Brady

Visiting Music Director; Associate Professor, Theatre

“Patrick brings an incredible wealth of knowledge to our program from his experience conducting thousands of performances on Broadway as well as his many other professional engagements,” said Director of Musical Theatre, Associate Professor of Voice, Coordinator of Musical Theatre Voice and Artistic Director of the CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute Matthew Edwards, D.M.A. ’15. “Not only has Patrick worked at the highest level professionally, he is also an exceptional educator and a wonderful person. We are thrilled for our students to learn from him in the coming year.”

Patrick Brady has had a career in the professional musical theatre field spanning almost four decades, working in nearly every facet of the industry, as a musical director, conductor, pianist, arranger, vocal coach, singer and actor. Brady is perhaps best known as the musical director, conductor and vocal arranger for the Broadway smash, “The Producers,” winner of twelve Tony awards—including Best Musical and Best Score. LEARN MORE >

Scott Hudson

Director of Acting; Associate Professor, Theatre

“We are thrilled to bring Scott Hudson into our theatre family as the head of our acting program,” said Technical Director, Chair of Theatre Division and Associate Professor of Theatre Will Ingham, M.F.A. “Scott is a master teacher, specializing in the Meisner Technique and has worked as an associate in the Maggie Flanigan studio in New York City. We are excited to have the opportunity to work with such a great talent.”

Scott Hudson is a multi-disciplinary theatre artist and educator specializing in the Meisner Technique. He apprenticed as an instructor under master teacher Maggie Flanigan at her studio in New York City where he was an associate of six years. His teaching methods also include the works of Michael Chekhov and Joseph Campbell. Backstage magazine recognized Hudson as a top five New York City acting coach. LEARN MORE >

Bronwen Landless

Assistant Professor, Music Therapy

“The music therapy program is excited to have Bronwen Landless ’04, ’13, MMT, MT-BC, join our faculty in a full-time capacity,” said Director of Music Therapy, Coordinator of Graduate Music Therapy and Associate Professor of Music Therapy Anthony Meadows, Ph.D.

Bronwen Landless brings a rich and extensive clinical background with a focus on mental health, community practices and trauma-informed care. Landless’ teaching style is collaborative, with an emphasis on experiential training methods and interprofessional education (IPE). She has been instrumental in developing IPE training units with music therapy and nursing students focused on mental health assessment and treatment. LEARN MORE >

Fotina Naumenko

Assistant Professor, Voice

“We are thrilled to welcome Fotina to our community,” said Chair of Vocal/Choral Division and Associate Professor of Voice (Tenor) Byron Jones ’04, D.M.A. “An accomplished soprano, she brings a wonderful diversity of performing experience and a passion for teaching. She is a great addition!”

Fotina Naumenko, a soprano, is a versatile artist who enjoys performing a wide variety of vocal genres, including opera, oratorio, art song, musical theatre, early and contemporary music, both as a soloist and chamber musician. Naumenko sings with several ensembles including Grammy Award-winning Conspirare, Cincinnati’s Vocal Arts Ensemble, and Coro Volante, a vocal group dedicated to the performance and recording of music by living composers. LEARN MORE >

Matthew Oltman

Conservatory Choir Director; Choral Artist

“Matt Oltman brings such unique experiences with him: more than a decade with Chanticleer, a passion for excellent choral singing, and a depth and breadth of knowledge that will be a huge asset to the conservatory, the university and Winchester,” said Chair of Vocal/Choral Division and Associate Professor of Voice (Tenor) Byron Jones ’04, D.M.A.

Matthew Oltman is music director emeritus of the Grammy Award-winning male vocal ensemble, Chanticleer, and artistic director emeritus of the New York-based Empire City Men’s Chorus. He will serve as the conductor of the Conservatory Choir and teach courses in choral conducting and literature. Dedicated to the creation of new choral music, he has facilitated commissions from composers such as Stephen Paulus, Mason Bates, Steven Sametz, Jan Sandström, Peter Michaelides, Roxanna Panufnik and more. LEARN MORE >

Matt Pardo

Assistant Professor, Modern Dance

“The Dance Division is excited to have Matt Pardo join our faculty,” said Christina Halpin Chair in Dance, Chair of Dance Division and Assistant Professor of Dance Maurice Fraga, M.F.A. “With his dynamic blend of classical dance technique and smart, balanced somatic information, his work engages students with clarity, resiliency, strength and beauty. His range in performing and teaching within modern, jazz, and ballet genres makes him an excellent addition to our dance training program that emphasizes versatility and artistry for our students.”

Matthew Pardo has danced for the Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, Groundworks Dance Theater, RG Dance Projects, and the River North Chicago Dance Company (apprentice). He was recognized as one of the “Top 100 Dancers in the World for 2010–2011,” one of 10 Americans, by Dance Europe Magazine. In 2011, Pardo joined the Lucinda Childs Dance Company and spent six years touring as a member and company class instructor, performing and teaching in more than 20 countries. LEARN MORE >

Christopher Ruth

Assistant Professor, Music History

“Dr. Ruth was a standout from his performance in teaching, which was both engaging and intellectually stimulating,” said Coordinator of Music Literature and Associate Professor of Music History and Literature Laurie McManus, Ph.D.

Christopher Ruth holds degrees in music composition and musicology, including a Ph.D. in musicology from the University of Pittsburgh in 2012. His diverse areas of specialization include 19th-century German dramatic music and Renaissance vocal polyphony, as well as the broader intersections between music and philosophy, psychology and politics. He has presented his work at both national and international conferences, including the national meeting of the American Musicological Society and the North American Conference on 19th-Century Music. LEARN MORE >

Graham Spice

Assistant Professor, Music Production & Recording Technology

“Graham is a great fit for the conservatory because of his desire to inspire artistic and scholarly excellence from our students while being a caring individual,” said Director of Music Production & Recording Technology and Associate Professor of Music Production & Recording Technology Golder O’Neill ’92, M.M.E.

Graham Spice brings years of experience as both a music technologist and a musician. Spice teaches classes across a range of topics including the music industry, music production, live sound, Electronic Dance Music (EDM), sound design, remote recording, and studio design. He also has years of experience directing contemporary music ensembles. Spice is certified as an Ableton Certified Trainer, Avid Certified Instructor for Pro Tools, and is also a Sonnox Certified Instructor. LEARN MORE >

Martha Wollner

Visiting Associate Professor, Theatre

“Bringing Martha Wollner to Shenandoah’s theatre department as a visiting scholar is a wonderful opportunity for our students,” said Technical Director, Chair of Theatre Division and Associate Professor of Theatre Will Ingham, M.F.A. “Her 30 years in the performance industry will enhance our performance students’ budding careers. Martha is truly one of the kindest individuals I have had the pleasure of meeting, and I look forward to our working together.”

“For 15 years I have collaborated with Martha Wollner,” said incoming Director of Acting and Associate Professor of Theatre Scott Hudson, M.F.A. “Her teaching expertise comes from her recognized and respected work within the industry. Her talent lies in her eye, ear and heart for the uniqueness of the student artist and her ability to impart her knowledge with precision and passionate care. Martha is a gifted team player and encourages high artistic standards.”

Martha Wollner is a proud member of New York City’s LAByrinth Theater. She has studied with teachers Uta Hagen, Stella Adler and Stanford Meisner and has taught alongside Meisner teacher Phil Gushee at his New York studio. Wollners has been a New York casting director for more than 25 years, during which time she has also coached actors privately. As an actress, she has performed at many venues, including The Public Theater, 59E59th Street Theatre, The Cherry Lane Theater, The Geva Regional Theatre, Edinburgh International Fringe Festival, the Royal Shakespeare Company of London and more. LEARN MORE >

Lee Wright

Visiting Assistant Professor, Music Education (Choral Emphasis)

“We are very excited to have Dr. Wright join the music education program this year,” said Interim Director of Music Education and Associate Professor of Music Education Stephanie Standerfer, Ph.D. “He will bring a wealth of musicianship and conducting skill to share with our choral music education students. They are excited to work with him and are looking forward to the new ideas he will bring to enrich their learning experiences in our program.”

Lee Wright has spent the past three years at the University of Georgia completing a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting under the tutelage of Dan Bara and J.D. Burnett. For the previous twelve years, Wright was the director of choirs at John Carroll Catholic High School in Birmingham, Alabama. While there, the John Carroll Singers were selected to sing at the Alabama Music Educators Association State Conference in 2010 and 2015. Wright is an active member of the American Choral Directors Association and the National Association for Music Education. LEARN MORE >

Charles J. Brice ’09 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting) was one of two recipients of the Rising Star Alumni Awards for the 2018 Shenandoah Conservatory Alumni Awards. The award is presented to alumni who have already made significant contributions to their profession and show promise of becoming national-level stars within their field.

Brice, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, has shown himself to be a versatile actor dedicated to his craft. Having completed both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in performance, Brice successfully segued from student to working professional. Brice first broke into television with a co-starring role in the hit CBS cop drama, “Blue Bloods.” Soon after, he went on to book roles in two critically acclaimed HBO miniseries, “Show Me a Hero” and “The Night Of.” Brice also had roles on two NBC drama series, “Shades of Blue” and “Blindspot.” Shortly thereafter, he booked roles on NBC’s “Chicago Fire,” “The Blacklist” and the CBS court drama, “Bull.” In feature films, Brice most notably portrayed controversial relationship blogger, Ray Livingston, in Tahir Jetter’s debut feature film, “How To Tell You’re a Douchebag.” The film received its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016 and aired on BET network. In addition to his work on screen, Brice also performed on the New York stage in Layon Gray’s critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production, “Black Angels Over Tuskegee.” Brice earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Shenandoah University in 2009 and a master’s degree from The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in 2012, and is represented by MKS&D talent management and Paradigm Talent agency.

A formal presentation to honor all 2018 Shenandoah Conservatory Alumni Award recipients was held during the Celebration Luncheon on Saturday, April 14, in the Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room. The Celebration Luncheon was presented as part of the 2018 Conservatory Alumni Reunion.

Visit www.charlesjbrice.com to learn more.

Shenandoah Conservatory announces the recipients of the 2018 Shenandoah Conservatory Alumni Awards. This year, three alumni from an array of performing arts disciplines have been chosen by conservatory faculty and leadership to receive one of two awards—the Alumnus of Excellence Award and the Rising Star Alumni Award.

We’re delighted to honor these alumni who have proven to be leaders in their respective fields. They have had an extraordinary impact on the arts and they serve as an inspiration for our faculty and students.

– Dean of Shenandoah Conservatory Michael Stepniak, Ed.D.

Shenandoah Conservatory Alumnus of Excellence Award

The Shenandoah Conservatory Alumnus of Excellence Award is presented to alumni who have made exceptional contributions to their profession, attained a national level of prominence within their field, and demonstrated exceptional integrity. The 2018 recipient of the Shenandoah Conservatory Alumnus of Excellence Award is Joe Kucharski ’09 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design and Production, Costume Design).

Joe Kucharski ’09 • B.F.A. in Theatre Design and Production, Costume Design

Joe KucharskiJoseph J. Kucharski grew up in Tucson, Arizona, where he was active in theatre during middle and high school. Kucharski followed a passion for Disney to Anaheim, California, working his way up from a dresser to a costumer for Entertainment Costuming at Disneyland. He left Disney to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design & Production (Costume Design) from Shenandoah University and Master of Fine Arts in costume design from University of California, Irvine. Over the next four years, Kucharski served as an assistant professor of theatre at both Cedarville University in Cedarville, Ohio, and Baylor University in Waco, Texas. His passion to educate others and connect those within the design community led to the creation of tyrannyofstyle.com. Tyranny Of Style is a website and network of social media accounts focused on the language of clothing, and covers the latest in costume design, digital fashion technology and the history of dress. Kucharski also writes regularly for Stage Directions magazine, and has been an invited speaker at Comic-Con International, MAGIC Market Week, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology and the Costume Society of America. Kucharski has diverse design experience in theatre, film and themed entertainment. In 2016, he became Senior Costume Designer for Walt Disney Imagineering, where he designs and provides creative oversight for entertainment, character and operational costumes for international parks, resorts and special events.

Shenandoah Conservatory Rising Star Alumni Award

The Shenandoah Conservatory Rising Star Alumni Award is presented to alumni who have already made significant contributions to their profession and show promise of becoming national-level stars within their field. The 2018 recipients of the Shenandoah Conservatory Rising Star Alumni Award are Charles Brice ’09 (Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting) and Joshua Jeremiah ’02 (Bachelor of Music in Performance).

Charles Brice ’09 • B.F.A. in Acting

Charles BriceCharles J. Brice, a native of Baltimore, Maryland, has shown himself to be a versatile actor dedicated to his craft. Having completed both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in performance, Brice successfully segued from student to working professional. Brice first broke into television with a co-starring role in the hit CBS cop drama, “Blue Bloods.” Soon after, he went on to book roles in two critically acclaimed HBO miniseries, “Show Me a Hero” and “The Night Of.” Brice also had roles on two NBC drama series, “Shades of Blue” and “Blindspot.” Shortly thereafter, he booked roles on NBC’s “Chicago Fire,” “The Blacklist” and the CBS court drama, “Bull.” In feature films, Brice most notably portrayed controversial relationship blogger, Ray Livingston, in Tahir Jetter’s debut feature film, “How To Tell You’re a Douchebag.” The film received its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2016 and aired on BET network. In addition to his work on screen, Brice also performed on the New York stage in Layon Gray’s critically acclaimed Off-Broadway production, “Black Angels Over Tuskegee.” Brice earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Shenandoah University in 2009 and a master’s degree from The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University in 2012, and is represented by MKS&D talent management and Paradigm Talent agency.

Joshua Jeremiah ’02 • B.M. in Performance, Voice

Joshua JeremiahJoshua Jeremiah currently lives in New York City with his wife and artistic partner, Dana Domenick. Jeremiah was born and raised in Lebanon County in central Pennsylvania, and attended Shenandoah Conservatory from 1998 to 2002. Despite starting as a musical theatre major, he graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Music in Performance (Voice). In addition to his many operatic and ensemble performances during his time at Shenandoah, Jeremiah was a brother in Phi Mu Alpha, worked in the Smith Library media center and was a member of the Residence Life staff. He continued his education at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he earned a Master of Music in voice and an Artist Diploma in operatic studies.

Jeremiah has been described by the New York Times as “rich-voiced” and hailed by Opera Today for his “warmly appealing, burnished baritone.” In 2010, he was nominated for a Best Opera Recording Grammy as the titular character of John Musto’s “Voplone,” which was recorded live with Wolf Trap Opera Company. He has sung with numerous regional opera companies including New York City Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Arizona Opera and New Orleans Opera, and has performed internationally throughout Europe, Asia and Australia. Thanks to classical public radio, his singing has been broadcast around the globe, most recently for his portrayal of Lassiter in Arizona Opera’s world premiere of “Riders of the Purple Sage.” He will also be heard on an upcoming broadcast of Bernstein’s “Arias and Barcarolles,” recorded with New York Festival of Song in conjunction with Wolf Trap Opera Company.

A formal presentation to honor all 2018 Shenandoah Conservatory Alumni Award recipients will be made during the Celebration Luncheon on Saturday, April 14, beginning at noon in the Brandt Student Center, Ferrari Room. The Celebration Luncheon is presented as part of the 2018 Conservatory Alumni Reunion. Learn more about the 2018 Conservatory Alumni Reunion that will take place Friday, April 13, and Saturday, April 14, on the main campus of Shenandoah University at su.edu/conservatoryalumni18.

Shenandoah University and Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater (SPDT) are partnering to present a 10-day arts integration residency in Winchester, Virginia, from Monday, Jan. 29, through Wednesday, Feb. 7. The project, which reaches a range of populations on Shenandoah University’s campus and in the local community, is supported in part by an Art Works award of $15,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts, granted to SPDT in fall 2017.

The project is made possible by Shenandoah Conservatory’s Performing Arts Live series and Dance Division as well as the Shenandoah University School of Health Professions and Center for Public Service and Scholarship. It kicks off with a welcome reception and continues with artist-led workshops, masterclasses, a lecture demonstration and additional engagement opportunities, which integrate the arts into educational, healthcare and community settings. Campus workshops are designed to engage a vast range of Shenandoah University students and pre-professionals in dance, music therapy, health professions and pharmacy, among others.

SPDT is at the forefront of the arts and health care field. It has been cited as a “National Model” by The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and recognized for “Best Practices” by the National Endowment for the Arts, for its unique brand of community-inclusive work and innovative programs, such as Caring for the Caregiver; Meaning in Movement, a program for stroke survivors and their care partners; and Transforming the Doctor-Patient Relationship℠, which is designed for physicians and medical students.

Karen Schultz, Ph.D., professor of interdisciplinary studies and director of Shenandoah University’s Center for Public Service and Scholarship (one of the residency partners), was immediately drawn to the project and the company’s innovative approach to using movement to enhance learning objectives.

“Last year, I collaborated with dance faculty to integrate movement into my teaching, and I witnessed a measurable impact on student learning and retention, so I was pleased to lend the support of our center to such a robust and vital initiative,” Schultz said.

During the residency, the artists will also work with a range of community members, including local dancers, the staff of Sinclair Health Clinic and students at Garland R. Quarles Elementary School and the Kids Club of the Northern Shenandoah Valley.

“The company’s workshops explore the power of the arts to reveal our own humanity and transform our thinking, whether it’s empowering a young student to tell a story through music and movement, or transforming how a health practitioner connects to their work and the patients they serve,” said Courtney Reilly, managing director of Shenandoah Conservatory.

The project also includes an opportunity for campus and community members, 9 years of age and up, to perform with the company in “Terra Incognita,” a new work by SPDT Artistic Co-director Suzanne Costello, which blends movement, video and voice to explore the emotional underpinnings of the natural seasons as metaphors for the stages of life. This new work features SPDT company artists and an intergenerational chorus of community members that harken the change of seasons. V. Paul Virtucio’s film design and Merritt Rodriguez’s scenic elements elaborate on this movement montage that travels from fiercely physical to serene and sublime. Individuals interested in being a part of this new work should contact Alisa Daum at adaum12@su.edu for further details.

The community-wide residency culminates on Tuesday, Feb. 6, and Wednesday, Feb. 7, with performances of “Terra Incognita” and an evening of works that span the company’s 40-year history.

RESIDENCY INFORMATION:

For a schedule of public residency activities, visit su.edu/performs/event/stuart-pimsler-dance-theater.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION:

Event: Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater
Where: Glaize Studio Theatre, Shenandoah University (Winchester, Virginia)
When: 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 6, and Wednesday, Feb. 7

Tickets for the performance are $28 general admission, $26 senior citizens and $12 for military, students, and youth. Tickets and information are available at the Shenandoah Conservatory Box Office, (540) 665-4569, located in the lobby of Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre and online at conservatoryperforms.org.

For a full calendar of events at Shenandoah Conservatory, visit conservatoryperforms.org or on Facebook under Shenandoah Conservatory.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Media Information

  • High-resolution photography, including artist headshots and a selection of production images, are available upon request. Full artist biographies are also available upon request.

Shenandoah Conservatory ​is home to more than 700 students enrolled in baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral programs in the areas of music, theatre and dance. Virginia’s oldest and premier center for performing arts training, the conservatory is led by a dynamic faculty composed of performers and scholars of national and international repute.

Shenandoah University was established in 1875, and is headquartered in Winchester, Virginia, with additional educational sites in Clarke, Fairfax and Loudoun counties. Shenandoah is a private, nationally recognized university that blends professional career experiences with liberal education. With nearly 4,000 students in more than 100 academic programs in seven different schools, Shenandoah promotes a close-knit community rich in creative energy and intellectual challenge. Shenandoah students collaborate with accomplished professors who provide focused, individual attention, all the while leading several programs to be highly nationally ranked. Through innovative partnerships and programs at both the local and global level, there are exceptional opportunities for students to learn in and out of the classroom. Shenandoah empowers its students to improve the human condition and to be principled professionals and leaders wherever they go. For more information, visit su.edu.

Grayson Jarvis ’20 was awarded the 2017 William Averitt Prize for Excellence in Composition for his piece, “Coax.” His composition for solo piano will be performed by Assistant Professor of Piano Ieva Jokubaviciute, M.M., during the EDGE Ensemble concert at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, at Bright Box Theater in Old Town Winchester.

“While writing ‘Coax,’ I explored the piano as if I were discovering it for the first time. My goal was to write a work where the piano sounded ‘prepared,’ without actually preparing the instrument with external objects. With these additional sounds and textures now at my disposal, I present my own interpretation of the story of Adam and Eve,” said Jarvis.

The William Averitt Prize for Excellence in Composition is awarded each year to an outstanding undergraduate student in the composition program at Shenandoah Conservatory. Named in honor of Professor Emeritus William Averitt, one of the founders of the program in composition at Shenandoah, this award recognizes outstanding talent in composition at Shenandoah Conservatory. All works submitted for composition juries throughout each academic year are eligible, and will be judged based on (1) excellence of compositional craft; (2) artistry and creativeness of ideas; and (3) clarity of execution in score preparation.

Upon the completion of the jury process, faculty review all jury scores and submitted works. They select single composer/work by consensus to be awarded the prize. Winners receive a certificate of achievement and a performance of the winning work by a Shenandoah Conservatory ensemble.

Jarvis is also currently working with working with Associate Professor of Theatre J.J. Ruscella, M.F.A., to score a production of “The Exonerated,” which is directed by Ruscella and will be presented Oct. 20, through Oct. 22, in Glaize Studio Theatre.

Shenandoah Conservatory has appointed Harris Ipock, M.M., as a visiting choral artist and Conservatory Choir director beginning August 2017.

“I’m delighted that Harris will be joining our conservatory to direct our wonderful Conservatory Choir and work with colleagues in further shaping our choral community,” said Shenandoah Conservatory Dean and Professor of Music Michael Stepniak, Ed.D. “Whether conducting at Harvard or Boston University, or singing in some of the finest choirs in the country, he has received broad accolades for exceptional artistry, highly collaborative work, and a demonstrated passion for mentoring student musicians.”

Ipock is currently the resident conductor of the Harvard Glee Club at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He previously served on the faculty of Boston University, where he conducted the Boston University Singers and the Symphonic Chorus and was the interim director of undergraduate choruses from fall 2016 through spring 2017. In addition to a full conducting schedule, Ipock remains active as a soloist and professional chorister, singing in some of the country’s leading choirs. As a member of Conspirare, led by Craig Hella Johnson, he served as a section leader on the Grammy Award-winning album “Sacred Spirit of Russia.” He has also performed regularly with Santa Fe Desert Chorale, led by Joshua Haberman, and has appeared with Yale Choral Artists, Publick Musick, Cambridge Concentus, La Donna Musicale, Voices, Vox Lumine, Virginia Chorale, Norfolk Chamber Consort, and North Carolina Symphony Baroque Choir. His credits as a soloist include “Dover Beach” (Victoria Bach Festival), “St. Matthew Passion” (Conspirare), Monteverdi’s “Vespers” (Cambridge Concentus), J.S. Bach’s “Magnificat” (Back Bay Chorale) and Haydn’s “Paukenmesse” (Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus). He recently served as choirmaster for Odyssey Opera’s debut performance of Wagner’s “Rienzi,” and is the male choir chair of the Massachusetts American Choral Directors Association.

“We are thrilled to welcome Harris to our community this year,” said Vocal/Choral Division Chair and Associate Professor of Voice (Tenor) Byron Jones, D.M.A. “I know our singers will benefit from the depth and breadth of the experience he brings to Shenandoah Conservatory. I look forward to watching (and hearing!) their development under his direction.”

“Harris Ipock’s recent tenure with the Harvard Glee Club, whether at home in Cambridge and in tours world-wide, has carried on an extraordinary tradition of excellence while constantly raising the profile and skill of this prestigious ensemble,” reflected outgoing director of the Shenandoah Conservatory Choir Scott Allen Jarrett, D.M.A. “The Shenandoah Conservatory Choir has long enjoyed such exceptional leadership, and I’m thrilled that Harris will guide the next chapter with these wonderfully talented students.”

Ipock is currently completing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He received a Master of Music in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance from East Carolina University, in Greenville, North Carolina, and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has studied choral conducting with William Weinert, Daniel Bara and Susan Klebanow, and voice with Robert McIver, John Kramar and Stafford Wing.

Ipock’s appointment to this one-year visiting position precedes a fall search for a full-time career contract appointment for Conservatory Choir director, for which he will be enthusiastically invited to apply.

Learn more about Ipock at www.harrisipock.com.

In its first year, the Dean’s Circle at Shenandoah is making an exceptional impact, with 24 members raising $47,376 for academic excellence in the arts. Coinciding with an extraordinary time of growth and development at the conservatory, the Dean’s Circle brings together an influential group of arts lovers and supporters, providing members with exclusive arts-themed social events, and further advancing excellence in arts training and performance.

Through the generosity of its members, the initiative provided substantial support in five areas:

  1. Student Development Grants
  2. Faculty Scholarship Release for Exceptional Projects
  3. Special Initiatives
  4. Conservatory Innovation and Entrepreneurship Grants
  5. Staff 200 Grants

Beyond making a marked impact on student training and artistic excellence at Shenandoah Conservatory, members of the Dean’s Circle enjoy access to exclusive social events and performances, including special excursions, receptions, meet-and-greets and other opportunities to engage with renowned and innovative guest artists, as well as our conservatory students, faculty and leadership. Highlights from the inaugural 2016-2017 year included

  • Setting the Stage 2016/17 season preview event with Shenandoah Conservatory faculty in September 2016
  • A pre-concert reception with John Corigliano, featured composer for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize Composer Festival in November 2016
  • A pre-concert reception with Gidon Kremer, artistic director and soloist with Kremerata Baltica in January 2017
  • A post-concert reception with Doug Varone and Dancers in March 2017
  • A year-end celebration event at Village Square Restaurant in May 2017

“It has been truly wonderful to feel and see the energy and care that this special community of arts lovers and supporters have for excellence in both the arts and arts training,” said Shenandoah Conservatory Dean and Professor of Music Michael Stepniak, Ed.D. “As a faculty member remarked just recently, ‘the success of the Dean’s Circle is having a disproportionate impact on the quality of our community!’”

Learn more about the students, faculty and staff supported by the Dean’s Circle by clicking on each of the toggles below.

Student Development Grants

Student Development Grants (SDG) were created to further support and promote exceptional and innovative student work, and strengthen the profile of Shenandoah Conservatory. These grants are awarded in two major categories: (1) Traditional, which supports students performing or presenting at a major competition or conference, and (2) Conservatory in the Community, which supports student projects that reach new audiences in new places. Given the success of the Dean’s Circle membership drive for this year, a third category was added late in the year: Conservatory Students at Major Summer Festivals, which provides support to needy and advanced performance students to attend and participate in premier music, dance or theatre festivals during the summer. (List of recipients still being finalized.)

Master of Music in Performance (Piano)

BO GAO

Won the Virginia Music Teachers Association Young Artist Competition in his instrument category and as a result represented Virginia in the Virginia in the Music Teachers National Association Southern Division Competition – Regional Finals in South Carolina in January 2017

Master of Music in Performance (Piano)

AARON CHOW

Selected as a semifinalist to participate in the 2016 Schubert International Piano Competition in Dortmund, Germany, in September and the 2017 International Piano Competition hosted by Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota, Florida

Master of Music in Performance (Piano)

MINJI LEE

Selected to participate in the James Mottram International Piano Competition in Manchester, United Kingdom

Bachelor of Music in Performance (Violin)

GERSON MEDINA

Won the Virginia Music Teachers Association Young Artist Competition in his instrument category and as a result represented Virginia in the Music Teachers National Association Southern Division Competition – Regional Finals in South Carolina

Bachelor of Music in Music Education (Saxophone)

DRAKE STOUGHTON

Selected to represent Virginia in the Music Teachers National Association Chamber Winds Competition – Regional Finals in South Carolina in January 2017

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre

JORDAN McCASKILL

Invited to present on the topic of diversity in theatre at the Musical Theatre Educators Alliance Conference in New York City

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting

SAMANTHA PYNE

Directed “The Colored Museum,” a satire by George C. Wolfe at Shenandoah Arts (ShenArts) Council in February 2017 as part of Black History Month programming

Bachelor of Music in Performance (Piano)

RANDY MARTONO-CHAI

Selected to participate in the National Association of Teachers of Singing – Mid-Atlantic Region Voice Competition at the University of North Carolina

Faculty Scholarship Release for Exceptional Projects

The Faculty Scholarship Release for Exceptional Projects was created with an eye to pursuing four central goals: (1) to further strengthen equity among faculty scholars (performance and research); (2) to increase the conservatory’s quality and profile as a vibrant intellectual community and place of excellence in both performance and research scholarship; (3) to further strengthen support for the success of those students and faculty focusing on scholarship; and (4) to further pursue a world-class learning environment within a financially appropriate framework.

Keith SalleyCoordinator of Music Theory and Associate Professor of Music Keith Salley, Ph.D., received a Faculty Scholarship Release Award to further support his role as the new co-editor of Gamut, the Online Journal of the Music Theory Society of the Mid-Atlantic.

 

 

 

Stephanie StanderferAssociate Professor of Music Education Stephanie Standerfer, Ph.D., received a Faculty Scholarship Release Award to further support her work related to a book project for Oxford University Press in the area of music education.

Special Initiatives

Doug Varone and Dancers at the Boys and Girls Club of Northern Shenandoah ValleyDOUG VARONE AND DANCERS MASTERCLASS

Doug Varone and Dancers presented six illuminating masterclasses and workshops to Shenandoah Conservatory dance students as well as kids in the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Shenandoah Valley in March 2017.

 

JJ Ruscella Presents at Lincoln CenterJJ RUSCELLA

Director of Acting and Associate Professor of Theatre JJ Ruscella, M.F.A., presented research on immersive learning at Lincoln Center in New York City in March 2017.

 

nexUS PerformanceTIFFANIE CARSON

Assistant Professor of Dance Tiffanie Carson, M.F.A., presented nexUS, which features seven male dancers from Shenandoah Conservatory, at showcases in College Park, Maryland, and New York City in February 2017.

Conservatory Innovation & Entrepreneurship Grants

Conservatory Innovation and Entrepreneurship Grants support innovative and bold faculty projects that promise to make a significant impact on both the vitality and financial strength of the Shenandoah Conservatory learning community. These grants are awarded in one of three categories: (1) the development of workshops, institutes or summer programs, (2) the radical overhaul of a course to increase the innovativeness and quality of instruction and strengthen student success, and (3) a financial project that makes an innovative tweak to an academic program, overhaul of policies and processes within a program or area, or an otherwise innovative change that significantly strengthens net revenue within one or more program areas.

Hakeem Leonard and Anthony MeadowsAssistant Professor of Music Therapy Hakeem Leonard, Ph.D., and Director of Graduate Music Therapy Studies and Associate Professor of Music Therapy Anthony Meadows, Ph.D., to develop Continuing Education Unit (CEU) workshops for music therapists, increasing program profile and revenues.

 

 

Laurie McManusAssociate Professor of Music History and Literature Laurie McManus, Ph.D., to oversee the development of online doctoral-level review modules for music history remediation.

 

 

Kevin CovertDirector of Musical Theatre and Assistant Professor of Theatre Kevin Covert, B.F.A., to investigate musical theatre summer camp models to begin shaping an exceptional one at Shenandoah Conservatory.

 

 

David EdelmanDirector and Associate Professor of Performing Arts Leadership and Management David Edelman, M.F.A., to pursue the development of online models that might further elevate the profile and revenue of the Performing Arts Leadership and Management program.

 

 

Robert LarsonHarrison Endowed Chair in Piano and Associate Professor of Jazz Piano Robert Larson ’08, D.M.A., to explore the viability and potential shape of a new track within the Music Production & Recording Technology program focusing on popular music.

 

 

Golder O'NeillDirector and Associate Professor of Music Production and Recording Technology Golder O’Neill ’92, M.M.E., to investigate viability of creating an industry-leading Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Sound Production & Design degree.

Staff 200 Grants

In recognition of the great impact staff members have on the success of student learning, faculty work and the culture of the conservatory, Staff 200 Grants were established to provide funding toward equipment and tools that strengthen workplace comfort and productivity. Recipients of the Staff 200 grants include Elizabeth Albert, Amber Connors-Merino, Alisa Daum, Jennifer Green-Flint, Barbara Huffman, Kristen Lynn Pugh, Joanna Short, Megan Smallwood, Carolyn Thompson and Cheryl Woleslagle.

 

Members of the Dean’s Circle celebrated the success of the first year with a special reception at Village Square Restaurant on May 21. Following a special performance of Schubert’s Trio for Strings in B-flat, D.471 featuring Victor Brown Chair in Violin and Associate Professor of Strings Akemi Takayama, M.M., Dean Stepniak and retiring Professor of Cello Clyde Thomas Shaw, M.M., attendees learned about the impact of their generosity, conversed with faculty and students who were directly supported by their giving, and provided feedback on how to further improve this powerful initiative.

MEET THE 2016/17 DEAN’S CIRCLE

 CREATOR ($5,000 – $9,999)

Mr. & Mrs. Bruce E. Hunter
Ms. Susanne S. Jackson
Gigi R. & Barry J. Washington

ENTHUSIAST ($2,500 – $4,999)

Dr. & Mrs. Jordan B. Casteel

MEMBER ($1,000 – $2,499)
Dr. & Mrs. Eric Benson
Mr. & Mrs. Scott R. Bergeron
Ms. Rebecca A. Bowman
Dr. Peter G. Bullough
Drs. Laura N. Dabinett & Russell B. McKelway
Ms. Amy Fielder
Dr. Hunter M. Gaunt, Jr.* & 
Mrs. Shirley H. Gaunt
Mr. & Mrs. Burgess L. Hoffman
Dr. & Mrs. James C. Laidlaw
Mr. & Mrs. John P. Lewis
Lena Scott Lundh & Lennart K. Lundh
Mrs. Jacqueline B. Mars
Mrs. Eleanor P. Monahan
Mr. & Mrs. Mitchell L. Moore
Mrs. Mary Potter Robinson
Dr. Michael J. Stepniak & 
Ms. Anne E. Schempp
Deanna & Tom Stouffer
Mr. & Ms. Randy R. Stoughton
Mrs. Gail Longo Tanguay

*in memoriam

Want to learn more about the Dean’s Circle? Contact Kristol Bond at (540) 545-7252 or kbond11@su.edu.

The Conservatory Academics Division hosted its first-ever Celebration of Scholarship on April 7 in Ruebush Hall, Room 146. The event featured presentations from students in the graduate pedagogy and music therapy programs. Topics included:

  • “Temporomandibular Disorder Symptom Prevalence in Undergraduate Singers”
    by Jane Clukey ’20 (Doctor of Musical Arts in Pedagogy – Voice)
  • “The Impact of Two Music Therapy Interventions on Vital Signs, Pain and Anxiety for Adult Patients in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU)”
    by Ray Leone ’17 (Master of Music Therapy)
  • “Developmental Music Therapy Programming for Post-term Infants in the NICU: A Pilot Study”
    by Lelia Emery ’17 (Master of Music Therapy)
  • “How Do I See You, and What Does That Mean for Us? The Autoethnographic Adventures of an Uncertain Unprofessional”
    by Kerry Cornelius Devlin ’17 (Master of Music Therapy)
  • “Academic and Cultural Adjustment Among Asian Students in Graduate Music Therapy Programs: The First Three Years”
    by Huei-Yi Whitney Lan ’17 (Master of Music Therapy)