Faculty H-R

Get to know the background of our excellent faculty and staff at SRU, specialists in music performance, music education, and music therapy.

Susan Hadley (Music Therapy)

Professor Susan Hadley, Ph.D., MT-BC, is director of the music therapy program and a board certified music therapist. She received her B.A. degree in music therapy and cello performance from the University of Melbourne, Australia. She also holds a post baccalaureate degree in special education from the University of Western Australia in Perth, Australia. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in music therapy and psycho-educational processes from Temple University, Pennsylvania.

As a music therapy clinician, Dr. Hadley has worked with a wide variety of clients including children, adolescents and adults with medical conditions, developmental disabilities, physical disabilities, sensory impairments, psychiatric disorders, a history of substance abuse, and older adults.

As a music therapy educator, Dr. Hadley's goal is not only to teach students about a variety of health conditions and music therapy approaches, but to help them to learn more about themselves in order to be more effective therapists. Her philosophy of education is that people learn by doing and that it has a longer lasting impact if people enjoy it and it is meaningful. Therefore in her classes she integrates theory, practice, and personal experiences. She also challenges students to look at the various ways that gender, race, class, age, religion, sexuality, ability, and culture impact the therapeutic relationship.

Dr. Hadley is the author of Exploring Race as a Music Therapist: Personal Narratives (Barcelona Publishers, 2013) and editor of Qualitative Inquiries in Music Therapy, Vol. 5 (Barcelona Publishers, 2010), Qualitative Inquiries in Music Therapy, Vol. 4 (Barcelona Publishers, 2008), Feminist Perspectives in Music Therapy (Barcelona Publishers, 2006), and Psychodynamic Music Therapy: Case Studies (Barcelona Publishers, 2003). She is co-editor (with George Yancy) of Therapeutic Uses of Rap and Hip-Hop (Routledge, 2011) and Narrative Identities: Psychologists Engaged in Self-Construction (Jessica Kingsley Press, 2005). Her published articles, chapters, and reviews appear in the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy, The Australian Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, The Arts in Psychotherapy, Popular Music and Society, The Dynamics of Music Psychotherapy (Barcelona Publishers), Analytical Music Therapy (Jessica Kingsley Publishers), Critical Perspectives on bell hooks (Routledge), Readings in Music Therapy Theory (Barcelona Publishers), Music Technology in Therapeutic and Health Settings (Jessica Kingsley Press), The Oxford Handbook of Music Therapy (Oxford University Press), Music Therapy Handbook (Guildford Press), Blending Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Techniques: A Guidebook for Child and Adolescent Clinicians and Educators (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), and Music Therapy Research (Third Edition) (Barcelona Publishers).

Dr. Hadley is Co-editor (with B. Stige and K. McFerran) of Voices: A World Forum for Music Therapy: www.voices.no. She has served on the editorial review board of the Australian Journal of Music Therapy and is on the editorial board of Barcelona Publishers' Monograph Series Qualitative Inquiries in Music Therapy. She is also a language consultant for the Nordic Journal of Music Therapy.

Dr. Hadley belongs to several professional organizations including the American Music Therapy Association and the Australian Music Therapy Association. She was nominated to represent the College of Humanities, Fine, and Performing Arts for the 2011-2012 President's Excellence in Teaching Award as one of four finalists at Slippery Rock University. In 2014 she was presented with one of SRU's Women of Distinction Awards. She was nominated as "a cornerstone of the music department and an accomplished scholar who challenges and supports students simultaneously. As a music therapy clinician and professor, she compassionately inspires growth and insight within the people around her. Her work in critical race studies, disability studies and feminist studies reflect her commitment to diversity and her stand against discrimination at every level. Indefatigable, she makes students' concerns and well-being a top priority and has changed their lives in often profound ways."

Dr. Hadley resides in Pittsburgh, PA, with her husband George Yancy, and her four very energetic young boys.

Nicole Hahna (Music Therapy)

Faculty Nicole Hahna Nicole Hahna, Ph.D., MT-BC is an Associate Professor in the Music Department at Slippery Rock University. She teaches in the music therapy program and serves as the Coordinator for Undergraduate Music Therapy Program. Nicole received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Therapy from Appalachian State University and her Master of Science Degree in Music Therapy from Radford University. She received her Ph.D. in Expressive Therapies from Lesley University. Her dissertation topic was the use of feminist pedagogy in music therapy education. Her current research interests include music therapy pedagogy as well as the use of technology in music therapy. Nicole's professional service within the field includes serving as the Chair of the Student Affairs Advisory Board for the American Music Therapy Association as well as serving as Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania State Task Force on Occupational Regulation.

Nicole's clinical experience includes work with children with special needs, older adults, adults with mental illness, children and adults in the medical setting, children and adult survivors of domestic violence, and healthy adults seeking personal growth. Nicole is a Fellow of the Association for Music and Imagery (FAMI), graduating from the Mid-Atlantic Training Institute. She studied Guided Imagery & Music (GIM) with Jim Borling, Carol Bush, and Sierra Stokes-Sterns. In addition to teaching at SRU, Nicole provides music therapy and GIM through Music Journey, LLC.

Nicole has presented, researched, and published on a variety of topics, including music therapy with survivors of intimate partner violence as well as the use of Guided Imagery & Music (GIM) with survivors of intimate partner violence. Additionally, she has presented on the role of empowerment in clinical practice, feminist perspectives in music therapy, feminist pedagogy in music therapy, and the use of music technology in clinical practice. Additionally, she received the Changemaker Award from the American Music Therapy Association in 2015.

Jonathan Helmick (Director of Bands, Euphonium)

Jonathan Helmick headshot

Dr. Jonathan Helmick serves as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Slippery Rock University. Part of his responsibilities include directing the Slippery Rock University "Marching Pride", the Wind Ensemble, Concert Band, and the Tuba and Euphonium Ensemble. He also teaches assigned courses such as Fundamentals of Conducting, Advanced Conducting, Brass Methods, Marching Band Field Charting, and Applied Euphonium. Under his direction, the Slippery Rock University Wind Ensemble has achieved national acclaim having been named a finalist for the prestigious American Prize in Wind Ensemble and Concert Band Performance (college/university division). Most recently, the two hundred-member Slippery Rock University Marching Pride was invited to perform in Ireland at the 2019 Dublin St. Patrick's Festival Parade and the 2019 Limerick International Band Championship. During these internationally televised performances the ensemble received the honor of being named Best Overall Band, Best Adult Band, and Best International Band.

Dr. Helmick holds the Doctor of Musical Arts Degree in Conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi. He earned a Master of Music degree in Euphonium Performance with a cognate area in Music Theory from The University of Akron in Akron, Ohio. Both his Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree and Bachelor of Arts in Business and Organizational Communications degrees were received from the University of Akron with honors. Prior to his college teaching career, Dr. Helmick taught in the public schools of Ohio and Mississippi, most recently the All-Superior Sweepstakes Award winning Oak Grove Band program. He has also served as Assistant Conductor and member of the Board of Trustees for the Freedom Brass Band of Northeast Ohio and performed as a member of the Brass Band of the Western Reserve on both euphonium and baritone.

Prior to his position at Slippery Rock University, Dr. Helmick served as the Director of Bands and Low Brass Instructor at Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, MS. At Jones, he conducted the Jones County Junior College Symphonic Band and was the Director of the "Maroon Typhoon" Marching Band. Courses he taught included Applied Trombone, Euphonium, and Tuba. During his time at Jones, the marching band gained national attention when invited to perform in the 2015 McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago, IL. Under his direction, students have had the opportunity to work in both performance and masterclass settings with national and international performing artists such as Tucker Jolly, Dr. Richard Perry, the Maniacal 4 Quartet, Harmonic Brass, and Travis Scott. Further, he served as co-founder and site coordinator of the "Roger Bobo Festival of Brass," a summer brass symposium featuring international brass pedagogue and tubist Roger Bobo as clinician.

Active as a musician and educator, Dr. Helmick has served as a guest clinician, artist, and adjudicator in Pennsylvania, Florida, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, Idaho, New Mexico, Texas, Sicily, Austria, and the Czech Republic. At Slippery Rock University, he has earned the honor of being named recipient of the 2017-2018 President's Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2019, he was honored to receive the Citation of Excellence from the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, representing District 5.

Primary teachers of conducting and music education include Dr. Thomas Fraschillo, Dr. Mohamad Schuman, Professor Robert D. Jorgensen, Dr. Galen S. Karriker, and Dr. Jody Besse. Principal euphonium teachers include Dr. Richard Perry and Professor Tucker Jolly.

Micah Holt (Trumpet)

Micah Holt headshot

Principle Trumpet with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and Instructor of Trumpet at Marietta College and Slippery Rock University, Dr. Micah Holt is a dynamic performer and educator. Dr. Holt earned his DMA at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and moved East to study with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony at Carnegie Mellon University. In addition to his position as Principle Trumpet of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, Dr. Holt is 2nd Trumpet with the Johnstown Symphony and performs regularly with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Charleston (SC) Symphony, Akron Symphony, Canton Symphony, Wheeling Symphony, CityMusic Cleveland and formerly with the New World Symphony. Dr. Holt is a member of the versatile Pittsburgh based brass ensemble, The Brass Roots.

Dr. Holt performs actively as a soloist. Recent performances include the Hummel Trumpet Concerto and Bohme Sextet with The Brass Roots and the Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. On the competition circuit, he was a national finalist in the MTNA Young Artist Competition, finalist in the Jan and Beattie Wood Competition, and winner of the UNLV Concerto Competition.

Dr. Holt is a dedicated educator. In his doctoral thesis, "Applied Anatomy in Music: Body Mapping for Trumpeters," he explores misconceptions trumpeters and other musicians carry regarding their body structure, and how this effects their approach to practicing and performing on their instrument. Dr. Holt guides students through a curriculum designed to educate students on healthy productive practice and effortless musicality. His students have placed as finalists in the National Trumpet Competition.

Dr. Holt is based out of Pittsburgh, PA. He received his BA at the University of Northern Colorado, MM at the University of Louisville, DMA at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and an Advanced Musical Studies Certificate at Carnegie Mellon University. His primary teachers include Neal Berntsen, Justin Emerich, Dr. Mike Tunnell, and Dr. Robert Murray.

Yoona Jeong (Violin, Viola, Orchestra)

Jeong Headshot

Dr. Yoona Jeong is a conductor, violinist, and musicologist. She serves as Director of Orchestra and Assistant Professor of Music at Slippery Rock University where she teaches violin, viola, and other courses. After receiving her Doctorate in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Texas at Austin, she won First Prize at the Denver Philharmonic Conducting Competition. She also won the Best Interpretation Prize at the 17th Khachaturian International Competition and was a finalist at the Arthur Nikisch Competition. Dr. Jeong has worked with professional orchestras including the Armenian State Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Denver Philharmonic Orchestra, Austin Symphony Orchestra, and Korean Symphony Orchestra.

She was a music director of the University of Texas University Orchestra and an assistant conductor of the University of Texas Symphony Orchestra. In addition, she actively worked with the Sarah and Ernest Butler Opera Center, where she conducted Jonathan Dove’s contemporary opera Mansfield Park, as well as the world premiere of Audition Fever. She assisted several operas, including Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, of which she took lead in preparing the musicians for James Conlon, the music director of the Los Angeles Opera. She also worked as an assistant conductor of the Austin Symphony under Peter Bay.

Dr. Jeong is a well-rounded musician with a diverse musical background. She graduated with honors from Busan Arts School as a violin performance major. She performed E. Lalo’s Symphonie Espagnole with the Czech Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and has continued to play the violin in ensembles such as the American Prize-winning Baylor Symphony Orchestra and the Monteux Festival Orchestra. She has had unique experiences teaching violin for a disabled orchestra in South Korea. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Musicology at Seoul National University in South Korea where she graduated summa cum laude and received the Chancellor’s Award. In 2014, she matriculated at the University of Southern California and earned a Master’s Degree in Choral Music at the Thornton School of Music. In 2018, she earned a second Master’s Degree in Orchestral Conducting at Baylor University.

Adding to her international experience, Dr. Jeong has been invited to the Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music, the Princeton Festival, Medomak Music Festival, and the Pierre Monteux School and Music Festival. She was also invited to participate in the 1st Korean Symphony Orchestra International Conducting Competition and the 11th International Conducting Competition Jeunesses Musicales Bucharest.

Heather Johnson (French Horn)

Faculty Heather Johnson Heather Johnson attended The Curtis Institute of Music at age seventeen. Her major teachers include Myron Bloom, Dr. Fred Ehnes, Mason Jones, William Purvis, and Frøydis Wekre. In addition to studying extensively with teachers from the Norwegian Academy of Music, she holds degrees in horn performance from The Curtis Institute of Music and Stony Brook University, and a masters in conducting from The Dana School of Music.

A native of Muncie, Indiana, she has attended several music festivals, including Tanglewood BUTI, Interlochen Arts Camp, Eastern Music Festival, Rencontres Musicales d'Évian, Le Domaine Forget de Charlevoix, Ashlawn-Highland Opera Festival, HfM Franz Liszt Weimarer Meisterkurse, and the Banff Centre. Her past ensemble experiences include The Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, Philadelphia Ballet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia; and the Columbus, Charleston, Syracuse, and Jupiter Symphonies. Current positions include the Youngstown Symphony, Cleveland Pops, Opera Western Reserve, Warren Philharmonic, and the Pittsburgh Academy Chamber Orchestra.

Heather performs extensively in Pennsylvania and Ohio. She is on the faculty of Slippery Rock University, the Luzerne Music Center summer festival, and maintains two private studios. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, a luthier and Juilliard-trained double bassist.

Jason Kush (Saxophone)

Faculty Jason Kush Dr. Jason Kush is an active saxophonist, educator, and scholar. Kush earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Miami after obtaining his Master of Music degree in Jazz Pedagogy from the University of Miami and his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education, magna cum laude, from Slippery Rock University.

Kush has performed as a soloist and ensemble member in wide variety of genres in the United States and Europe. As a free-lance jazz/commercial saxophonist, Kush has performed with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra, the Woody Herman Orchestra, the MCG Big Band, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, the South Florida Jazz Orchestra, Paquito D'Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, Eddie Daniels, Christian McBride, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Benny Golson, Sean Jones, Freddy Cole, Kevin Mahogany, Wayne Bergeron, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Dave Koz, Andrea Bocelli, Barry Manilow, Megan Hilty, Patti LuPone, Michael Feinstein, Johnny Mathis, Freddy Cole, Bernie Dresel, Michael Bolton, the Temptations, the Supremes, the O'Jays, and the Four Tops, among many others. Additionally, Kush has extensive experience as an orchestral musician, performing many concerts with the New World Symphony, the Russian National Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (including a 2013 European tour). Kush's Carnegie Hall debut occurred in 1998 with a performance by the All-Eastern U.S. High School Honors Band, with a return visit in 2008 to premier Christopher Rouse's "Wolf Rounds" for wind ensemble. In addition to live performances, Kush recorded with the South Florida Jazz Orchestra, Hector el Father, the South 9 Ensemble, the Nathan Douds Ensemble, as well as Eddie Daniels, Tom Scott, and the Henri Mancini Institute Big Band, a project that received a two Grammy Nominations in 2006. In January 2014, the Jason Kush/Billy Test duo released Intersecting Lines on New Focus Recordings (Naxos).

Kush's scholarly work includes a dissertation on the life and innovations of Belgian inventor François Louis, as well as feature articles and interviews in various magazines and journals pertaining to saxophone performance and pedagogy, including in Saxophone Journal, Polyphonic.org, The Instrumentalist, and PMEA News. In addition to extensive performance and scholarly activity, Dr. Kush held positions at Barry University and the New World School of the Arts, in Miami, Florida. Currently, Dr. Kush is an Assistant Professor at Slippery Rock University where he teaches Applied Saxophone, Improvisation, Computer Technology in Music, and directs the SRU Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos, Saxophone Quartets, and Saxophone Ensemble.

In 2013, Kush established the Three Rivers New Music Consortium, an internationally reaching non-profit organization whose goal is to unite musicians, arts enthusiasts, and musical composers in a common quest for newly composed music. The first commission by this organization premiered in 2014 - a trio for alto saxophone, cello, and piano.

Kush proudly endorses the Selmer (France) and Conn-Selmer (USA) instrument companies, as well as the fine mouthpieces, reeds, and ligatures of François Louis.

Timothy Little Trần (Director of Choral Studies, Music Education, Music Theory)

Timothy Little Tran Headshot Louisiana native, Timothy Little Trần is a singer/songwriter, conductor, church music minister, and educator. Currently, Dr. Little Trần is the Director of Choral Studies and Assistant Professor of Music at Slippery Rock University where he conducts choral Chamber Singers and Concert Choir. In addition, Dr. Little Trần teaches music education and music theory courses within the academic music curricula.

Prior to Slippery Rock, Timothy was Executive Director of Performing Arts and Professor of Choral Music at Notre Dame College, where he shaped the department into dynamic performing divisions of music, theatre, and dance, as well as created majors in music and theatre entrepreneurship. Timothy also served as the Coordinator of Arts in Residences and Area Coordinator for the Senior Experience at Oberlin Conservatory and the Resident Director at the School of Creative and Performing Arts-Manhattan [SOCAPA], where he was one of the founding members of the Music Program. Dr. Little Trần has also held positions in Student Life & Development and Arts Marketing & Communication at Interlochen Arts Academy, the Shenandoah Conservatory, Columbia Choirs of Metropolitan Seattle, and Louisiana State University, where he also was a photographer for LSU Football and the LSU Tiger Marching Band.

Timothy holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington, a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting & Literature from Louisiana State University, and a Bachelor of Music degree with Vocal and Music Education studies from the Shenandoah Conservatory.

Timothy is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity and is passionate about LSU Football; his nephews and nieces; and using the arts as a medium to support students academically, artistically, and socially.

Timothy Little Trần: Artist Statement:I believe music is central to the human experience. As a music educator, choral conductor, and researcher, I aim to connect the learning of music from song literature to a deep immersion of artistic literacy and individualized expression. My educational and artistic approach to music is not sustained by the assessment of ability and talent alone. If this were true, my own musicianship may never have come to fruition. As a multicultural person, I focus on how practical learning techniques in rehearsal and on-stage help develop emotional intelligence and relationship building for students with multiple identities. The collaborative process of establishing common terminology and gestural meaning is the culmination of my creative process; here I find that pitch, rhythm, and text are analyzed and applied literally, internally, and interpersonally. The relationship between instructor and student, conductor and singer, or peer and peer are equally as important as the common language used to understand, apply, and interpret music.

Kathy Melago (Music Education)

Dr. Kathleen Melago serves as Professor of Music Education at Slippery Rock University and head of the music education program. Kathy joined the faculty at SRU in August 2009, and teaches Introduction to Music Education, Woodwind Methods, Guitar Methods for Music Education, Instrumental Methods, Instrumental Rehearsal Techniques, and Introduction to Music courses and supervises music student teachers and field students. Kathy received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Slippery Rock University, her Master of Music in flute performance from the University of Northern Iowa, and her Doctor of Musical Arts from The Ohio State University. She has taught music in Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Ohio, both in schools and privately.

Kathy has been published in periodicals including Music Educators Journal, Teaching Music, Flute Talk, The Instrumentalist, National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors (NACWPI) Journal, and Canadian Music Educator/Musicien éducateur au Canada. She was the first-place winner in the Arts Division of the 23rd Annual Ohio State University Hayes Graduate Research Forum in 2009. She has presented for National Association for Music Education Research and Teacher Education National Conferences, The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conferences, National Association for Music Education Eastern Division Conferences, Outreach Scholarship Conferences, Pennsylvania Music Educators Association Conferences, National Flute Association Annual Conventions, and music education conferences in numerous states. Kathy's book, Modal Exercises for Double- and Triple-Tonguing Mastery, published by ALRY Publications in October 2012, received distinction as a finalist in the National Flute Association's Newly Published Music competition. As a flutist, Kathy remains active by presenting annual recitals and participating in a variety of other performances. In 2014, Kathy and Jennifer Laubenthal, associate professor of clarinet at Eastern New Mexico University, premiered six new works for flute and clarinet that they had commissioned from six different composers. Kathy has performed as a soloist and with ensembles at National Flute Association conventions, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association conference, the Iowa Bandmasters Association conference, and the Ohio Music Educators Association conference. She was the flute soloist with The Ohio State University Collegiate Winds, performing Cecile Chaminade's Concertino, Opus 107, in May 2010. Additionally, Kathy has performed with the Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra, Dubuque (Iowa) Chamber Winds, National Flute Association Professional Flute Choir, National Intercollegiate Band, Butler (Pennsylvania) Symphony Orchestra, and numerous college ensembles at Slippery Rock University, the University of Northern Iowa, and The Ohio State University. Her principal flute teachers include Katherine Borst Jones, Angeleita Floyd, Stacey Steele, and Vanessa Candreva. Kathy served as the District Director for the Eastern Great Lakes 2 District of Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity from 2010-2014 and was named Mu Phi Epsilon International Music Fraternity District Director of the Year in 2012-2013. She currently serves as the Exhibitor Concert and Showcase Coordinator for the National Flute Association (2013-2018) and as the State Collegiate Advisor for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (2014-2016, 2016-2018). At Slippery Rock University, she serves as the faculty advisor for the Slippery Rock University Chapter of the Pennsylvania Collegiate Music Educators Association and on numerous committees, including the College of Education Accreditation committee, the College of Education Teacher Education Advisory Council, and the College of Liberal Arts and University Curriculum Committees. Kathy enjoys serving her church as flutist at St. Teresa of Avila Parish in Pittsburgh. While earning her doctorate at Ohio State, Kathy worked as the graduate assistant for The Ohio State University P-12 Project, a university-wide initiative created to assist in improving Ohio's schools, with a special focus on the education of Ohio's underserved children and youth through the development of strong partnerships and the fostering of effective research and practice in P-12 education. Other past appointments in higher education include teaching flute and establishing and directing the flute choir at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa, where she served from 2001-2006. From 1999-2001, Kathy served as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Northern Iowa, teaching the Flute Techniques class for music education majors and applied flute lessons.

Vern Miller (Music Therapy)

Vern Miller Photo Vern Miller, MMT, MT-BC is the Coordinator of the Equivalency Music Therapy Program as well as the Coordinator for Clincial Integration at Slippery Rock University. Vern received his undergraduate degree in music therapy from Slippery Rock University and his master's degree in music therapy from Temple University. He joined the Slippery Rock University Music Therapy Faculty in Fall 2016. His music therapy clinical experience includes working with adults with behavioral health needs at the Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute as well with children and adults with developmental disabilities at Living Unlimited. He has published and presented on the music of technology in music therapy both regionally and nationally.

Amanda Morrison (Clarinet)

Faculty Amanda Morrison Dr. Amanda Morrison is Instructor of Music, teaching clarinet and additional courses, at Slippery Rock University and operates a private teaching studio in Pittsburgh, PA. She has served on the staff of Fairmont State University, West Liberty University, Florida State University, Gulf Coast Community College, and the Red River Chamber Music Festival. As a performer, Amanda has given performances and lectures at the International Clarinet Association's ClarinetFest, the NACWPI National Convention, the Music by Women Festival, the West Virginia Music Educators Association Conference, the American Musicological Society's National Conference, and numerous colleges and universities throughout the United States. Her chamber music activities include being a founding member of the Milano Duo clarinet ensemble and the PM Woodwind Project (a flute and clarinet duo committed to sharing education-based chamber and solo music performances). Ms. Morrison has been a clarinetist with the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Butler Symphony Orchestra, and the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival.

As a fierce new music advocate, Dr. Morrison has commissioned and premiered clarinet works by Scott McAllister, James David, Karen Amrhein, Tara Islas, Nicole Chamberlain, Matthew Harder, Gay Kahkonen, Kurt Knecht, David Martynuik, and Alan Tormey. Her latest musical explorations employ interdisciplinary arts; combining the practical study of modern dance and movement with the creation of new music compositions and the revisioning of existing musical works. Having a strong interest in extended techniques for clarinet, Morrison's research focuses on the music of clarinetist/composer Eric Mandat, publishing numerous articles on his life and works in the Clarinet Journal, NACWPI Journal, and Vandoren Newsletter.

Dr. Morrison is a Vandoren Artist-Clinician and a registered Music Together early childhood music teacher. She earned a BM degree from Duquesne University and MM and DM degrees from Florida State University with her principal teachers being Mark Nuccio, Dr. Deborah Bish, and Dr. Frank Kowalsky. www.amandarmorrison.com.

Freddy Perkins (Music Therapy)

Freddy Perkins, MMT, MT-BC is an adjunct faculty member within the Slippery Rock University Music Therapy department. He received his undergraduate degree in music therapy from Appalachian State University and his master’s degree in music therapy, with an endorsement in clinical mental health counseling, from Slippery Rock University. Additionally, he is currently an advanced trainee in Analytical Music Therapy, a level 2 trainee in the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, and a trainee in narrative therapy. Freddy has clinical experience working in community mental health, LGBTQ+ trauma and identity work, and school settings. In the context of music therapy, he has published and presented on sociocultural issues. He strives to work as a social justice-orientated supervisor and clinician in the context of music therapy and clinical mental health counseling with LGBTQ+ folx, particularly queer and trans African, Asian, Indigenous, and Latin American people. Freddy joined the Slippery Rock University Faculty in Fall 2022.

Paige Riggs (Cello)

Faculty Paige Riggs Cellist, Dr. Paige Riggs grew up in the Boston area and moved in Pittsburgh in 2002. She holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, Indiana University (Bloomington), and the State University of New York at Stony Brook, where she was awarded a doctorate of musical arts in 2000. Recently appointed to teach at the music department at Slippery Rock University, she has also served on the music faculties at the University of Virginia and Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. Her major teachers include Paul Katz, Janos Starker, and Timothy Eddy.

Dr. Riggs has been principal cellist and soloist at the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival since 1999, and performed and taught for many years at the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina. She has been a guest artist at numerous music festivals and concert series including the Music on the Edge Series in Pittsburgh, the Foothills Music Festival in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the Garth Newel Music Festival in Warm Springs, Virginia, the June in Buffalo Festival in Buffalo, New York, and the Embassy Concert Series in Washington, D.C. While a student she received fellowships from the Spoleto Music Festival, the Bach Aria Festival, and the Tanglewood Music Center, which awarded her the C. D. Jackson memorial prize in 1997. She has performed as principal cellist of the Pittsburgh Ballet Orchestra and currently holds that position in the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and the McKeesport Symphony. Dr. Riggs lives with her husband and two daughters in Mt. Lebanon, Pennsylvania.

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