Department of Music Faculty

Paul G. Davis
Associate Professor and Director of Instrumental Studies

Brass and Percussion

Erin Elstner, percussion
Adjunct Professor of Percussion

Erin Elstner, conductor, is an experienced percussion and drum set instructor who is currently the head of the Webster University percussion department. She teaches applied percussion lessons and instrumental percussion methods courses for the Webster University Department of Music. Elstner is also the conductor of the Webster University Percussion Ensemble. She received her BM in Percussion Performance at Mannes College of Music in New York (The New School University), her Music Education certification from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and her MA in Orchestral Conducting at Webster University, both of which she graduated summa cum laude with departmental honors. She has taught at the St. Louis Symphony Community Music School, the Third Street Music Settlement in Manhattan and Carnegie Hall in New York City, the Taichung School of Arts and Music in Taiwan, The Strike Institute, The Erin Elstner Percussion Studio, the Webster University Community Music School and at Maryville University. Elstner is also an active adjudicator and clinician in both Missouri and Illinois and has toured Europe with the Missouri Ambassadors of Music.

As a freelance performer, Elstner’s numerous performance achievements include playing drums and percussion for the International Women’s Brass Conference, the Joffrey Ballet, Cabaret at the Repertory Theater of St. Louis, Company at the Edison Theater, percussion with Peter Cetera of Chicago, the Grateful Dead reunion tour, Motown, Weird Al Yankovic, the Beach Boys, Ain't Too Proud Temptations at the Fox Theater, “The True Heart” performance with Glen Velez, the VH-1 Fashion Awards with De La Guarda, “Bright Lights, Broadway” Asian tour, The Who, Cirque Musica at the Hollywood Amphitheatre and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” “The Wiz,” Jerome Robbins' “Broadway,” “Mary Poppins,” “Sweeney Todd,” “Legally Blonde” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” at the Muny. She has been a member of the Brazilian groups The Sambistas and the Sambanditos, the new music ensemble Synchronia, the Swing of Hearts Jazz Orchestra, the Bach Society, and been the percussionist/drummer for blues, rock and pop bands, including vibraphonist for Champale and drummer for Hazmat Modine and RED. Elstner has performed live with artists such as David Garza and Pizzicato Five and recorded/played on many records including those of Champale, Clem Snide and Kill Henry Sugar.

Elstner is endorsed by the Zildjian Cymbal Company and Canopus Drums.

Tricia Jöstlein, horn
Adjunct Professor of Horn

Tricia Jöstlein is the Adjunct Professor of Horn at Webster University in St. Louis. She previously held posts as principal horn of the Omaha Symphony and the Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestra, as well as positions with the Honolulu and Richmond Symphony Orchestras. For the past several years, she has performed as principal horn of the Heartland Festival Orchestra in Washington, Ill.

Locally, Jöstlein frequently plays as an extra musician with the St. Louis Symphony. She has also appeared with Chamber Project St. Louis, Winter Opera, the Webster Symphony and Webster Chamber Orchestra, and as a soloist with the Alton Symphony. She has played at the Tanglewood, Sarasota, National Repertory Orchestra, AIMS in Graz and Pierre Monteoux Music Festivals. For the past eight summers she and her husband, Thomas, have performed with the Britt Festival Orchestra in Jacksonville, Oregon.

Jöstlein studied with William VerMeulen at Rice University, earning a Bachelor of Music degree (cum laude), followed by graduate studies at the University of Michigan.

Strings

Nicolae Bica, violin
Adjunct Professor of Violin

Born into a family of musicians, Romanian violinist Nicolae Lucian Bica started his violin studies in his native town, Brasov, at the age of six with Ilarion I. Galati. In 1988 he continued his studies at the George Enescu Music High School in Bucharest with Carmen Runceanu and Stefan Gheorgiu.

Bica won first prize in several major youth competitions in Romania. In 1990, he won fourth prize at the Kloster Schontal International Violin Competition (Germany), with a special award for performing a virtuoso piece. In 1992, he won the first prize at the Romania International Violin Competition. He was also awarded a scholarship at the summer music festival in Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

During the 1991-1992 season, Bica performed extensively as soloist with major orchestras and in solo recitals in Romania. During the 1992-1993 academic year he was awarded a scholarship to study with Joseph Fuchs at the Juilliard School of Music.

Bica has been a top prize winner at the 1996 National Society of Arts and Letters Violin Competition, the Boca Symphonic Pops scholarship awards and semifinalist in the 1996 Tunbridge Wells International Young Concert Artist Competition (England). He appeared twice as soloist with the Harid Philarmonia as winner of the Harid Concerto Competition.

During the summers of 1995 and 1996, Bica performed with national orchestras in Romania and Austria, including appearances as soloist with the Romanian National Radio Orchestra and the George Dima Philharmonic in Brasov, and a solo recital organized and hosted by the President of Romania, Ion Iliescu.

After receiving his Bachelor of Music degree and the Professional Studies diploma from the Harid Conservatory, Bica was awarded a scholarship from the Budder Foundation to continue his studies at Webster University under the watchful eyes of the Concertmaster and the Principal Second Violin of the St. Louis Symphony, David Halen and Alison Harney, respectively.

Since the 2001 season, Bica has been a full-time member of the St. Louis Symphony and part of the Webster University Department of Music faculty since 2013.

Deyan Bratic, guitar
Adjunct Professor of Classical Guitar

Deyan Bratic is as passionate about his commitment for teaching as he is as a performer, author and transcriber. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and Masters in Music Performance degrees from Webster University, studying classical guitar under John McClellan. He has penned innumerable transcriptions for magazines such as Fingerstyle Guitar (now Fingerstyle 360) and Mel Bay Publications. He is also a published author with four highly successful books to his credit, including the critically acclaimed, best-selling “Chet Atkins In Three Dimensions” volumes, as well as the definitive biography on legendary Argentine composer/guitarist Jorge Morel. As a musician, he has performed to countless audiences locally in his native St. Louis area and in various territories nationally and internationally. He is also an expert not only in the subtleties of classical guitar technique and flat-picking technique, but also the fingerstyle techniques of Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed and Lenny Breau.

Erik Harris, bass
Adjunct Professor of Bass

Born in New York City and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Erik Harris began his musical studies on guitar at age 5 and switched to double bass at age 13. Harris attended the Juilliard School on a full scholarship, where he studied with noted double bass pedagogue Homer Mensch.

While at Juilliard he won the double bass concerto competition and performed as soloist with the Juilliard Symphony. He went on to receive both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Juilliard, and, in 2005, was recognized as one their 100 most notable alumni in honor of the school's 100th anniversary. Upon graduation, Harris served as principal bass with the New World Symphony in Miami, Florida, during its inaugural season in 1988. The following year, at age 23, Harris was invited by Sir Georg Solti to join the Chicago Symphony.

In 1993, Harris was appointed principal double bass of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra by music director Leonard Slatkin. As soloist, he performed the Vanhal Bass Concerto with the SLSO in 2011 with Nicholas McGegan conducting and, in 2015 he gave the American premiere of Tan Dun's Concerto for Contrabass and Orchestra “The Wolf” with music director David Robertson conducting. Harris regularly performs in chamber music groups throughout the St. Louis region and has performed at the Missouri Chamber Music Festival, the Innsbrook Festival, the Missouri River Festival of the Arts and with the Arianna String Quartet. An avid teacher, he has taught master classes at the Manhattan School of Music, New World Symphony and the Juilliard School, and currently serves on the faculty of Webster University.

In whatever spare time he has, Harris enjoys cooking, gardening and home remodeling, and recently earned his black belt in tae kwon do.

He performs on a double bass made by Johannes Gagliano in 1804.

Ken Kulosa, cello
Adjunct Professor of Cello

A native of Albuquerque, Ken Kulosa moved to St. Louis thirteen years ago at the invitation of the St. Louis Symphony. Kulosa came to St. Louis from Chicago where he played with the Chicago Symphony, the Grant Park Symphony and the Chicago Chamber Musicians. At the same time, he held the post of principal cellist for both the South Bend and Northwest Indiana Symphonies.

A graduate of the New England Conservatory and the University of Houston, Kulosa studied with Laurence Lesser and Hans Jorgen Jensen, later becoming Jensen's assistant at Northwestern University. An active pedagogue as well as performer, Kulosa is in great demand as a private teacher and in 2003 the Missouri Chapter of the American String Teachers Association named him their Artist/Teacher of the Year. He is active as a chamber musician throughout the St. Louis area with the St. Louis Symphony's Community Partnership program, the Pulitzer Foundation and as a member of the Sheldon Concert Hall's education series resident piano trio. Passionate about period performance, Kulosa is currently a member of the Kingsbury Early Music Ensemble and frequently performs music from the baroque and classical period on period instruments.

Anna Lackshewitz, viola
Adjunct Professor of Viola

Woodwinds

Jennifer Gartley, flute
Adjunct Professor of Flute

Jennifer Gartley, DMA, was born in Maine and grew up on the Isle of Palms, South Carolina, along the barrier islands of the Carolina coast. She graduated with the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with research focusing on contemporary piccolo literature. She counts Jonathan Keeble, Mark Sparks, Katherine Kemler and Tacy Edwards among her most influential teachers. As an orchestral musician, Gartley has performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Sinfonia da Camera, Colorado Music Festival, Bach Society of St. Louis, Fox Theater, Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Illinois Symphony and the Owensboro Symphony and served as the principal flutist for Winter Opera Saint Louis and Associate Faculty at McKendree University for over a decade. Additionally, Gartley is the artistic director and founding flutist of Chamber Project Saint Louis, an ensemble dedicated to the performance and commissioning of new and diverse voices in the chamber music field. Gartley also holds a teaching appointment at Washington University in St. Louis and leads their applied music division and artistic programming.

Michael Karpowicz, saxophone
Adjunct Professor of Woodwinds and Chamber Music

Michael Karpowicz, Saxophone and Woodwinds, received the Bachelor of Music Education and Master of Music Performance from Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville, where he received a Downbeat Award as outstanding jazz soloist.

He has performed with the Sessions Big Band, Kim Portnoy Big Band, St. Louis Jazz Orchestra, Jim Widner Big Band and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. He has been a member of the Fox Theatre Orchestra and the Muny Opera Orchestra for more than twenty years, and for the St. Louis Repertory Theatre at Webster University. He has performed with Louie Bellson, Jon Faddis, Rob McConnell, Clark Terry, Lew Tabackin, Toshiko Akiyoshi, Nick Brignola, Bobby Shew, Mel Torme, Michel LeGrand, Dave Pietro and Conrad Herwig. He has also performed with artists such as Henry Mancini, Johnny Mathis, Lou Rawls, The Four Tops, The Temptations, The Manhattan Transfer, Sammy Davis Jr., Natalie Cole, Barry Manilow, Bernadette Peters, Julie Andrews, Tony Bennett and Aretha Franklin. He has served as a faculty member for the International Summer Jazz Academy in Poland, the Webster Summer Jazz Camp, the Southern Illinois University Summer Jazz Camp and the Musicians Association of St. Louis Summer Music Workshop.

He has appeared on many commercial recordings and two nationally televised ABC television specials. He is director of bands at DeSmet Jesuit High School.

Eric Ring, bassoon
Adjunct Professor of Bassoon

Eric Ring, DMA, undertook his undergraduate studies at the University of Iowa, where he graduated with a BA in History and a BM in bassoon performance. His graduate education includes an MA in Bassoon Performance from Western Illinois University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Bassoon Performance and Pedagogy (with a Music Theory Pedagogy Minor) from the University of Iowa. His major professors include Ronald Tyree, Douglas Huff and Benjamin Coelho. Prior to his arrival at Webster, Ring was the third bassoonist/contrabassoonist with the Cedar Rapids Symphony. He has also performed with the Des Moines Metro Opera, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony and the Nova Singers and is a former member of the Beaufort Chamber Orchestra and the Parris Island Marine Band.

Cathy Woelbling-Paul, oboe
Adjunct Professor of Oboe

Cathy Woelbling-Paul received her Bachelor of Music Education and Performance from Lindenwood University and her Masters of Music from Northern Illinois University. Currently she is an adjunct oboe professor at Webster University and Lindenwood University. She also teaches at the Webster University Community Music School and is an applied instructor in the Mehlville School District.

For several years, she has been the double reed judge for the All District High School Band competition. Woelbling-Paul has presented a double reed seminar at several schools in the St. Louis area and at the University of Louisiana at Hammond. Woelbling-Paul currently performs with the Alton (Illinois) Symphony, Gateway Festival Orchestra of St. Louis, St. Louis Wind Symphony, University City Symphony, Webster Symphony Orchestra and the Ballet Orchestra of St. Louis and is an active freelance musician having recently performed for Idina Menzel in the newly renovated Peabody Opera House in St. Louis.

Her professional experience has included principal oboe and soloist with the Haydn Festival Orchestra in Eisenstaedt, Austria performing throughout Austria and Hungary, American Wind Symphony of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), the Rockford (Illinois) Symphony, Illinois Chamber Orchestra, Illinois Symphony (Springfield), Mighty Mississippi Concert Band of St. Louis, Union Avenue Opera Orchestra, Winter Opera Orchestra, American Cantorei and the Bach Society of St. Louis and as a substitute player with the St. Louis Symphony, Fox Theater and Muny Opera orchestras. She performs chamber music with The Metro Piano Trio (oboe, bassoon and piano) and A Fifth Above Woodwind Quintet. In addition to her performance and teaching activities, Woelbling-Paul is district director for Mu Phi Epsilon, a professional music fraternity, serves on the board of directors for Gateway Festival Orchestra, is the personnel director for the Alton Symphony and is a successful grant writer for several of her performing groups.

Bennett Wood
Visiting Assistant Professor and Director of Jazz Studies

Kim Portnoy
Associate Professor and Director of Composition

Dave Black, jazz guitar, combo
Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies

Dave Black teaches guitar and courses in popular music and jazz studies at Webster and is a modern dance accompanist at Washington University and the Center of Contemporary Arts. He received the Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Webster and was voted Best Acoustic Guitarist (1996, 1997) and Best Solo Artist (1996) in the St. Louis Music Awards. Black is a very active freelance performer, teacher and arranger. He regularly performs as a solo artist and with Dangerous Kitchen and Brilliant Corners in St. Louis. He has also performed with artists including Fareed Haque, Richard “Groove” Holmes and Bucky Pizzarelli. He has two compact discs, “Alone & Together” and “Spirals,” both features Paul DeMarinis on saxophones. Black has also written works for several Mel Bay Publications.

Tom Byrne, jazz guitar, combo
Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies

An active performer, educator and composer in the St. Louis region for over 30 years, Byrne is considered to be among the city's premiere jazz guitarists. He is currently a member of the Jazz faculty at Webster University where he has taught since 1998. He received both his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Jazz Performance from Webster University and teaches jazz guitar, jazz combo, jazz theory and improvisation. During his undergraduate coursework he had the opportunity to study with guitar greats John Scofield, Lenny Breau, Gene Bertoncini and Mick Goodrick, thus gaining valuable musical insights which he eagerly shares with his students.

His performance credits include working with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and the Muny Orchestra as well as leading his own ensembles in concerts at the St. Louis Jazz Festival, the Whittaker Concert Series (Missouri Botanical Gardens), the Webster University Concert Series, Jazz at Holmes Lounge (Washington University), the Sheldon Concert Hall, Jazz at the Bistro and the Wildey Theater. Recording credits include the Tom Byrne Trio, the Yule Vibe Trio, Reggie & Mardra Thomas, and the Kim Portnoy Jazz Orchestra. Byrne continues to perform in the St. Louis region with his duos and trios, his group Have U Heard (dedicated to performing the music of Pat Metheny) and as a solo guitarist.

Visit Tom's personal website

Kevin Gianino, jazz drums
Adjunct Professor of Jazz Percussion

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Gianino attended St. Louis Community College, the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Webster University. He has served as a faculty member for the International Summer Jazz Academy in Poland, the Webster Summer Jazz Combo Camp, the Strike Institute and the Jim Widner Summer Jazz Camps. He has toured internationally and is in demand as guest artist, clinician, festival adjudicator and performer.

In addition to being on the Webster University Jazz faculty, he is also a member of the St. Charles Community College Jazz faculty, Brilliant Corners, The Dave Dickey Big Band, Jazz St. Louis Big Band and The Hard Bop Heritage Quintet.

Among the numerous artists and organizations with whom he has performed with are Michael Buble, Nancy Wilson, Diane Schuur, Idina Menzel, Christine Ebersole, Billy Stritch, Chris Potter, Billy Childs, Jon Faddis, Terry Gibbs, Rob McConnell, Bobby Shew, Clark Terry, Bob Newhart, Jay Leno, Don Rickles, The St. Louis Municipal Opera (Muny) and The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra.

Debby Lennon, jazz voice
Adjunct Professor of Voice

A member of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus for thirty-two seasons, Debby Lennon made her solo debut with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in the 1992 Carnegie Hall premiere of William Bolcom's "Songs of Innocence and Experience." The Boston Globe called her "brassily irresistible." From 1992-1999, Lennon recorded and performed with the nationally known a cappella group "Pieces of 8" of which she was a founding member.

Lennon is active in the St. Louis opera scene having performed in Winter Opera's 2012 production of “La Boheme” and with Union Avenue Opera (UAO) in their productions of Verdi's “Un Ballo in Maschera” and Puccini's “Madama Butterfly.” She played Annina in “La Traviata” and Giovanna in “Rigoletto” directed by Tim Ocel, and Mrs. Mullen in “Carousel” directed by Ken Page at UAO. She made her Opera Theater of St. Louis debut in the ensemble of “Dialogues of the Carmelites.”

She has been a featured soloist in performances of Mendelsohn's "A Midsummer Night's Dream," Vaughan Williams "Serenade to Music," "A July 4th Patriotic Celebration under the Gateway Arch" and "Disney Goes To The Movies, The Last 20 Years" with the St. Louis Symphony.

Lennon has performed several seasons at The Muny and most recently was a part of the 100th season playing the role of Dora Baily in “Singing In The Rain.” Lennon starred in Max and Louie's critically acclaimed 2016 production of “Grey Gardens” and won the Judy Award and Broadway World Award (St. Louis Division). She won back-to-back St. Louis Circle Awards for Best Actress in a Musical in 2016 for Grey Gardens and for Best Actress in a Comedy in 2017 for her portrayal of Florence Foster Jenkins in “Souvenir, A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins.” Most recently, Lennon was seen in Max and Louie's one woman show, “Love, Linda, The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter,” directed by Ken Page.

 Lennon has performed with Stages St. Louis, Insight Theater Company as well as performances in Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall and Powell Symphony Hall. She has been a featured soloist on many concert series events and recitals at The Sheldon, The Pulitzer, The Touhill, Jazz at the Bistro, Finale Music and Dining, and The Old Webster Jazz and Blues Festival. Her solo CD, "I'm All Smiles" was released in November 2005 to sold out audiences at Finale Music and Dining. Lennon is celebrating her 20th year as adjunct voice professor and director of the vocal jazz program at Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri. Lennon also serves at St. Joseph's Academy as vocal coach and maintains a private voice studio.

Carolbeth True, jazz piano
Adjunct Professor of Piano

Pianist Carolbeth True has been a very active member of the St. Louis musical community as a teacher/coach and performer. She is a long-time member of the Webster University Department of Music faculty, while also doing extensive private teaching. She is an original member of the cast of “The Jazz Story” at the Sheldon, just finishing its 25th season. She was also the pianist for the Missouri Music Program created by Paul Reuter, former Sheldon executive director, which presented all styles of music composed and performed by Missouri musicians around the eastern part of the state. She was a pianist with Variety Children’s Theatre for all rehearsals and shows for 10 years, as well as many years of rehearsals and as an orchestra pianist with The Muny.

Her group Two Times True, with Dave True (drums), Larry Johnson (saxophones), and Glen Smith (bass), performs around the St. Louis area in festivals and services. The group is heard on multiple recordings, including “Two Times True” (2007), Larry Johnson’s “Circles” and “I’m Just Sayin’,” and released “True Christmas,” a cd of jazz/contemporary settings of Christmas hymns in 2018. The Carolbeth Trio, with Glen Smith (bass) and Kevin Gianino (drums), is heard on the cd “True,” as well as with vocalist Debby Lennon on her cd “I’m All Smiles.” True is a member of The Oikos Ensemble directed by saxophonist Reverend Cliff Aerie. She has backed many jazz artists and performed a dozen concertos with various orchestras from 1991–2005.

True's awards include the Excellence in the Arts Award from the Arts and Education Council, Jazz Musician of the Year by Riverfront Times, St. Louis Musician of the Year by St. Louis Magazine, and Rock Hill Citizen of the Year. True is in her twelfth year as rehearsal and performance pianist for the Missouri Choral Directors Association Jazz Vocal Ensemble and worked this July with noted director David Cannon.

Visit True's personal website

Willem von Hombracht, combo, jazz bass
Adjunct Professor of Jazz Studies

Willem von Hombracht teaches bass, directs combos and a bass ensemble, and performs with the faculty jazz ensemble. He studied at the Arnhem Conservatory of Music in the Netherlands, and privately with Buell Neidlinger and Charlie Haden. He has performed in orchestras, chamber groups, jazz, rock and blues bands.

Von Hombracht has over 30 years of experience in all jazz styles, and is in great demand as a bassist with groups ranging from traditional, to bebop, to free form improvisation. His performing credits include Billy Higgins, Andrew Hill, John Hicks, Howard Johnson, Herb Jeffries, Richie Cole, Bobby Shew and Don Preston. He is an inventive composer, drawing on a variety of elements in his works. He directs bass master classes and jazz/improvisation workshops in the U.S. and in Europe, and has been on the faculty of the International Summer Jazz Academy in Poland since 2001, where he was named artistic director in 2008.

Jeffrey Richard Carter
Professor and Director of Music Direction for Musical Theatre

Michael Horsley, piano
Adjunct Professor of Piano

Michael Horsley began his studies as a concert pianist studying in Louisville throughout his young adult life. He attended the prestigious summer Tanglewood Festival and continued his studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He worked in San Francisco as rehearsal pianist, vocal coach, musical director and conductor. In 1994, he began working as a music director at The Muny, where he conducted more than 50 productions. He was appointed music supervisor in 2013 and continues his work there every summer. Horsley is also on staff at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music working within the opera department where he musical directs the Broadway show each semester.

On Broadway he has played keyboards in the pit for several productions and conducted “Chicago” after touring the first national tour with Chita Rivera and Ben Vereen. Among his other notable national tours are “White Christmas” (for the past 10 years), “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “42nd Street,” “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers” and “Cinderella.” Solo concerts include music directing and playing piano for Lee Roy Reams, Judy Kaye, Luci Arnaz, Shirley Jones, Karen Mason and Tovah Feldshuh. Vocal direction credits include Christmas Concert Series for the Detroit Symphony, National Symphony and Birmingham Symphony Orchestras with maestro Jack Everly.

Nationally his work as a music director includes Kansas City Starlight, Theatrezone (Naples, Florida), Pioneer Theatre (Salt Lake City), Music Theatre Wichita, North Carolina Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse (Milburn, New Jersey), Guthrie Theatre (Minneapolis) and Theatre Under The Stars (Houston). He spent six months in Tokyo creating and music directing the dance musical “Bryant Park” which played in Tokyo and Kobe.

Nina Ferrigno
Visiting Assistant Professor and Director of Keyboard Studies and Chamber Music

Tali Allen, musical theatre coach/accompanist

Lisa Campbell Albert, musical theatre coach/accompanist

Joseph Clegg, collaborative piano

Stephen Eros, collaborative piano

Stephen Eros graduated from Webster University with the degrees Master of Arts in Choral Conducting and Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance with departmental honors in music. As assistant conductor of the Webster University Choirs, he assisted in preparing small and large scale works for concerts, tours and for a choral pedagogy DVD published by GIA Publications. In addition to his primary studies with William Partridge and Trent Patterson, he studied voice with Robert Ayllón, jazz piano with Carolbeth True and collaborative piano with Joe Neske.

Eros has been the assistant conductor of the Bach Society of Saint Louis, St. Louis’s oldest continuing choral organization since 2013. He regularly conducts the Bach Society Chorus and Orchestra in performance and serves as music director for the annual gala and performances within the St. Louis Bach Festival.

Having worked in the field of sacred music for nearly two decades, Eros has held the position of director of liturgy and music at St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church in O’Fallon, Illinois, since 2015. He is responsible for the formation and training of over 400 volunteers and leads nearly 100 volunteer singers in the parish choir and two children’s choirs in a robust, diverse repertoire. On the diocesan level, he has served as organist and choirmaster for pontifical liturgies at the Cathedral of Saint Peter in Belleville. Collaborative piano engagements include work as a rehearsal and performance pianist for The Muny, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and Union Avenue Opera.

Professional memberships include AFM Local 2-197, NPM, AGO, ACDA and Chorus America. Eros is a lifelong resident of Belleville, Illinois. He resides with his wife and four children in his grandparents’ former home, next door to his favorite neighbors, his parents.

David Erwin, organ
Adjunct Professor of Organ

David Erwin has been Minister of Music at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church in Ladue, Missouri, since 2005. Prior to that he held prestigious church appointments in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Alexandria, Virginia. He studied at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where he received undergraduate and graduate degrees in Church Music. His principal organ professor was Joan Lippincott, with Joseph Flummerfelt for conducting. He studied interpretation of French organ music with Marie-Louise Langlais from the Conservatoire de Paris (CNR). He has been heard in recital throughout the United States and France, conducted choirs at the Kennedy Center, in England and France, and his solo organ performances have been heard on the radio programs "Pipedreams" and "King of Instruments."

Matthew Galik, Webster Jazz Singers accompanist

Sandra Geary, Opera Studio accompanist and coach

A native of Ireland, Sandra Geary received piano performance diplomas from the Royal College of Music; Trinity College, London, England; the Cork School of Music, Ireland; and a bachelor's degree in Music from the St. Louis Conservatory of Music where she studied with Joseph Kalichstein.

Geary is a member of the piano faculty of Washington University where she also accompanies the chamber and concert choirs. She is a piano faculty member of Webster University's Community Music School and is the accompanist for the Bach Society of Saint Louis. She frequently accompanies for recitals, competitions and auditions and also for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Winter Opera and Union Avenue Opera.

Mieko Hironaka Bergt, collaborative piano
Adjunct Professor of Piano, collaborative piano

A native of Japan, Mieko Hironaka Bergt graduated from the acclaimed Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo where she studied with Yoshimi Tamaki.

Under the direction and mentorship of Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Hironaka Bergt continued advanced studies in France, studying with Lucette Descaves at the Conservatoire National de Région de Rueil-Malmaison, with Olivier Gardon at the Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris-CNR, as well as working with Bruno Rigutto and Eric Heidsieck.

While in France, Hironaka Bergt was awarded the Prize of Virtuosity, the Premier Prix at the Conservatoire National de Région de Rueil-Malmaison and at the Conservatoire Supérieur de Paris-CNR, first prize at the Claude Kahn Piano Competition, the Maurice Ravel Medal at the Académie Internationale de Musique Maurice Ravel in voice accompaniment, and The France Lions Club’s Competition of Music Interpretation prize.

Significant performances also included Moments Musicaux at the Château de Champs organized by the French Ministry of Culture.

Since moving to St. Louis, Missouri in 1997, Hironaka Bergt has been a winner of the prestigious Artist Presentation Society Award, and is an established soloist and chamber musician, frequently performing with the American Kantorei Orchestra, Arianna String Quartet, members of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, and Chamber Project Saint Louis.

In 2022, Hironaka Bergt released a CD album called “Poésie” with violinist Takashi Aoki in Japan. It received the “Critic’s Choice of the Month” award from the important classical music magazine, Record Geijyutsu. In addition to receiving acclaim as a duo recording, Hironaka Bergt’s beautiful performance has also received praise: “Mieko Hironaka Bergt is an extraordinary pianist whose brilliant playing and interpretations shine in her collaborations, creating truly exceptional concert performances.” (Jiji Press, Japan) Aoki and Hironaka Bergt presented a recital in Tokyo in the summer of 2022 to celebrate the release of their CD and continue to regularly perform throughout Japan.

In addition to performing as coach and pianist for the University of Missouri-St.Louis, Hironaka Bergt is on the teaching and collaborative piano faculty for the Department of Music at Webster University.

Caroline Hixson, piano
Adjunct Professor of Piano

Caroline Hixson holds a BM in Piano Performance, Webster University (2004) and an MM in Piano Pedagogy and Performance Studies, University of Idaho (2008). Hixson previously lived in New Orleans where she worked at Loyola University, accompanying college and preparatory ballet classes and teaching private and class piano in the preparatory piano division.

Hixson joined the piano faculty at Webster University in 2014 and serves an an applied piano instructor and collaborative pianist. She is also an active collaborative pianist in the St. Louis area and maintains a private studio.

Visit the Hixson Piano website

Michael Horsley, piano
Adjunct Professor of Piano

Michael Horsley began his studies as a concert pianist studying in Louisville throughout his young adult life. He attended the prestigious summer Tanglewood Festival and continued his studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He worked in San Francisco as rehearsal pianist, vocal coach, musical director and conductor. In 1994, he began working as a music director at The Muny, where he conducted more than 50 productions. He was appointed music supervisor in 2013 and continues his work there every summer.

Horsley is also on staff at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music working within the opera department where he musical directs the Broadway show each semester. On Broadway he has played keyboards in the pit for several productions and conducted “Chicago” after touring the first national tour with Chita Rivera and Ben Vereen. Among his other notable national tours are “White Christmas” (for the past 10 years), “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “42nd Street,” “Seven Brides For Seven Brothers” and “Cinderella.” Solo concerts include music directing and playing piano for Lee Roy Reams, Judy Kaye, Luci Arnaz, Shirley Jones, Karen Mason and Tovah Feldshuh. Vocal direction credits include Christmas concert series for the Detroit Symphony, National Symphony and Birmingham Symphony Orchestras with maestro Jack Everly.

Nationally his work as a music director includes Kansas City Starlight, Theatrezone (Naples, Florida), Pioneer Theatre (Salt Lake City), Music Theatre Wichita, North Carolina Theatre, Paper Mill Playhouse (Milburn, New Jersey), Guthrie Theatre (Minneapolis) and Theatre Under The Stars (Houston). He spent six months in Tokyo creating and music directing the dance musical “Bryant Park” which played in Tokyo and Kobe.

Nate Jackson, collaborative piano

Susan Martin, piano
Adjunct Professor of Piano

Susan Martin joined the piano faculty of Webster University in 1990. She teaches Applied Piano, Beginning Class Piano and Intermediate Class Piano. She is also on the faculty of the Webster University summer Classical Piano Camp.

As an undergraduate, Martin studied piano with professor Mary Mottl at St. Louis University, earning the Bachelor of Arts in Music. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a Master of Music in Piano Performance. Her teachers there included Kenneth Drake and Ian Hobson.

Professional affiliations include the Music Teachers National Association, the St. Louis Area Music Teachers Association, the National Federation of Music Clubs and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians. Martin maintains a private piano studio for children and adult learners, is an adjunct professor of Piano at St. Louis University and is director of wedding music and pianist at St. Francis Xavier College Church.

Nancy Mayo, piano, collaborative piano
Adjunct Professor of Piano and Collaborative Piano

Nancy Mayo is a collaborative and solo pianist. She has been a prize winner in several solo competitions, including the South Carolina Music Teachers Association (SCMTA), Music Teachers Southern Region Association, the Clara Wells Competition in Pittsburgh and the Columbia (S.C.) Philharmonic Young Artist Competition, which included a performance with the Columbia Philharmonic. After graduating summa cum laude with a BA and MA in piano performance from Bob Jones University, she worked as a repetiteur at the Columbia (South Carolina) Lyric Opera and Hamburgische Staatsoper (Germany), and also served as ballet and orchestral pianist at the Staatsoper and Hamburgische Philharmonic.

Mayo has taught at Newberry College, Columbia College and Columbia International University. In St. Louis, she has served as pianist for the Saint Louis Women's Chorale, Sheldon Chorale, and as an extra keyboardist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. She is a vocal coach in the Opera Theatre of St. Louis Artists-in-Training program and repetiteur for the Opera Theatre of St. Louis Festival, Union Avenue Opera and Winter Opera St. Louis. In addition she serves as chorus master for Winter Opera St. Louis and rehearsal pianist for the Muny. Mayo also maintains a private piano studio and enjoys an active schedule as a coach, soloist and collaborator.

Ron McGowan, collaborative piano, musical theatre
Adjunct Professor of Collaborative Piano

Ron McGowan has a BA (cum laude) in Music History and Performance from Pomona College, Claremont and has studied with Peter Hewitt and Alan Boehmer in Los Angeles and with Stephen Sondheim in New York. McGowan has returned to his hometown of St. Louis after thirty years in Los Angeles, where he served as an accompanist for singers including Joanna Gleason, Dale Kristien, Susan Egan and John Raitt. He was resident accompanist for Musical Theater West, Fullerton Civic Light Opera, Remsen Bird Hillside Theater, South Coast Repertory Theater and the Pasadena Boys Choir and served as faculty instructor, staff accompanist and vocal coach for Cal State–Los Angeles, Occidental College, UC–Irvine and Pomona College, Claremont.

McGowan is currently a vocal coach for the Webster University's Sargent Conservatory of Theatre Arts and staff accompanist for the Webster University Department of Dance, as well as for the Center for Creative Arts (COCA) and Dance St. Louis. He also teaches piano at the Community Music School of Webster University and throughout the St. Louis area.

Charlie Mueller, collaborative piano

Charlie Mueller is a music director, educator and pianist who works throughout the St. Louis area. He is currently the education programs manager at The Muny, where he also serves as the music director and arranger for the Muny Teens. Mueller is also a collaborative pianist and adjunct faculty member at Webster University. He has served as a music director and arranger for many local theater companies and universities. He previously served as the director of Vocal Music at Christian Brothers College High School and the artistic director of Allegro, a vocal music company at COCA, where he has also served as a member of the vocal music faculty. Mueller received his BA from St. Louis University in Communication and Music and then went on to receive his MA from Webster University in Choral Conducting.

Stephen Neale-Oestreicher, collaborative piano

Zach Neumann, collaborative piano

Carol Schmidt, piano
Adjunct Professor of Piano

Carol Schmidt, adjunct professor of Piano at Webster University, is a graduate of Webster University, having completed the MM in Jazz Studies/Piano Performance and the BM in Theory/Composition. At Webster University, she teaches classical piano and other music related courses, and she maintains a very active life as an educator, composer and musical director. Schmidt has served as director of the Webster Jazz Singers and as a faculty member for the International Summer Jazz Academy in Krakow, Poland. As a current faculty member of the Webster University Jazz Camp, she conducts piano master classes, performs with the Webster University Jazz faculty and directs a six-person combo.

Most recently, Schmidt was the creative and musical director/performer for the “The French Connection: Impressionist Music and Jazz,” as part of the Jazz at Webster concert series. The performances highlighted the influence of French Impressionist music on American Jazz composition, and featured six Webster pianists, including Daniel Schene and Kim Portnoy.

Schmidt is particularly interested in the music of Thelonious Monk, and has transcribed many of Monk's compositions and solos. Her composition, “Joie de Vivre,” composed as a homage to Thelonious Monk, was performed by Schmidt and her jazz trio, as part of the Concert Series, “The Faculty Composers Concert.” She was also featured on the Webster University Jazz CD, “Jazz Spoken Here, Volume Two” where she recorded “Four in One,” a Monk composition, as a duet with Paul DeMarinis, saxophonist and director of Jazz Studies.

Schmidt is very active in the St. Louis jazz and cabaret scenes, serving frequently as both musical director and as a musician, performer and composer. For many years, she was the performer/composer and co-leader of the award winning nationally touring group, Jasmine.

Carolbeth True, piano
Adjunct Professor of Piano

Carolbeth True has been a very active member of the St. Louis musical community for many years. She is adjunct faculty at Webster University, teaching jazz and classical piano, accompanying Webster Jazz Singers, maintaining an extensive applied lesson student roster. She performs with Two Times True with son Dave True on drums, Larry Johnson (saxophones), Glen Smith (bass); The Carolbeth Group; The Randy Holmes Quintet; The Oikos Ensemble led by Reverend Cliff Aerie (saxophones) and Wind of the Spirit Praise Band at Webster Groves Christian Church.

True and Randy Holmes are original cast members of "The Jazz Story," a one-hour overview of jazz history at the Sheldon, now in its 22nd season. True has been the pianist for the MCDA All State Jazz Vocal ensemble for nine years and rehearsal and orchestra pianist for Variety Children's Theatre's world-class fall musical production for ten years.

True received the Excellence in the Arts Award from the Arts and Education Council; the Riverfront Times and St. Louis Magazine's Best Jazz Artist Award; and the Citizen of the Year Award for Rock Hill, her home community. Two Times True has recently released “True Christmas,” jazz stylings of traditional Christmas carols. She is heard on several CDs: “True,” “Two Times True,” Larry Johnson's “Circles” and “I'm Just Sayin'” and “I'm All Smiles” with vocalist Debby Lennon.

Visit True's personal website

Donna Bowen Vince, piano
Adjunct Professor of Piano

Donna Bowen Vince joined the piano faculty at Webster University in 1981 after returning from a year of study at L'ecole Normale de Musique in Paris, France. Her love of French music was influenced by former teacher Gail Delente at Webster University, but was sealed by Jules Gentil at L'ecole Normale. Through the Institute for Advanced Vocal Studies in Paris, France, Vince has also coached with highly esteemed vocal accompanists Noel Lee, Irene Aitoff and Dalton Baldwin. Acceptance to the 2010 Amalfi Coast Music Festival in Italy offered Vince the opportunity for private coachings and master classes with internationally renowned artists Luiz de Moura Castro, John Perry and Logan Skelton. Recent doctoral studies at the University of Kansas included work with Steven Spooner and Richard Reber.

Vince currently teaches piano, class piano, piano pedagogy and is collaborative pianist for the vocal and instrumental programs at Webster University. In 2000, Vince formed the professional piano duo, Duo Albireo, with colleague Patricia Eastman. They perform regularly in and around the St. Louis area. Together they direct the Webster University summer classical piano camps and Autumn Piano Ensemble Festival.

Additional collaborative performances have included concerts at The Sheldon, KFUO radio broadcasts “Live from the Garden,” the Webster University Symphony Orchestra, the Webster University Concert Series, The Art Song Festival (Springfield, Missouri), the St. Louis Alliance Française Fête de la Musique and Salle Cortot (Paris, France).

In demand as a teacher, Vince maintains a private studio of all ages. Her students are often recipients of prestigious awards and are regularly accepted to leading university music programs. Many are currently building successful careers in music. Professional affiliations include the Music Teachers National Association, the St. Louis Area Music Teachers Association (currently serving as vice president of programs) and The National Federation of Music Clubs. Vince has presented workshops in Missouri and Illinois covering a broad range of topics in piano pedagogy and is a regular adjudicator for competitions and festivals.

Vince holds a Bachelor and Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Webster University. She is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) through the Music Teachers National Association.

Jeffrey Richard Carter
Professor and Director of Music Direction for Musical Theatre

Jacob Lassetter
Professor and Director of Vocal Studies and Opera Studio

Robert Ayllón, voice, diction
Adjunct Professor of Voice

Elizabeth Ducey-Moss, voice
Adjunct Professor of Voice

Elizabeth Ducey-Moss, DMA, is an experienced voice teacher with over 15 years of teaching experience. She is adept in a variety of singing styles and techniques, including classical, musical theatre and commercial styles. Ducey-Moss is dedicated to helping students reach their vocal potential. Originally from Canada, she began her musical studies at Acadia University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music. She holds a Master of Music from Binghamton University and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Illinois. Committed to training the 21st century singer, Ducey-Moss completed additional training in 2017 at the CCM Vocal Pedagogy Institute at Shenandoah University. In addition to her role at Webster University, she serves in the Commercial Voice Program at Missouri Baptist University and previously served five years as assistant professor of Voice at McMurry University.

Performance credits include leading roles in “The Magic Flute,” “Così Fan Tutte,” “Don Giovanni,” “Les Contes d'Hoffmann,” “Hänsel und Gretel,” “The King and I,” “Amahl and the Night Visitors,” Beethoven's “Missa Solemnis,” Brahm's “Ein Deutches Requiem,” Mendelssohn's “Elijah” and Mozart's “Requiem.” Ducey-Moss has been a national semi-finalist in the NATSA Competition, the Louis Alba Aria Competition, and a finalist in the American Prize in Voice. She has been a featured artist presenter in the Heavenly Rest Chamber Music Concert Series, the Rocky Mountain Region College Music Society Conference and in the Artist Series of the Texoma Region National Association of Teachers of Singing Conference. She performs regularly with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and continually seeks to expand and diversify her repertoire by performing a variety of programs from new music to chamber and oratorio works. Ducey-Moss is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and an honorary member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity.

Karen Kanakis, voice, opera
Adjunct Professor of Voice

Soprano Karen Kanakis, DMA, is hailed for her fine vocal technique and dramatic flair. Her bright-timbered, powerful voice conveys rich emotion, displays brilliant agility and soars to a thrilling high extension, making her ideal in both the bel canto repertoire and that of the Italian spinto soprano. Critics have called her singing “strong and smoothly superb,” “drop-dead gorgeous,” and “engaging,” and said she “lights up the stage ... timing and expressions were priceless” and “her voice and her stage presence are a delight.” Of her 2020 role debut as Minnie in “La Fanciulla del West,” critics said “her powerful voice easily penetrates the incredible wall of sound generated by the orchestra.”

In 2022, Kanakis returned to the stage at Union Avenue Opera as Alice Ford in “Falstaff” and made her role debut as Magda in Puccini’s “La Rondine” with Winter Opera St. Louis. Her portrayal of Magda earned her a second nomination for "Outstanding Achievement in Opera" from The St. Louis Theatre Circle, having previously been nominated in 2020 for her turn as Minnie in “La Fanciulla del West.”

Previous seasons have included the title role in Puccini’s “Suor Angelica” and Rosalinde in “Die Fledermaus,” both with Winter Opera St. Louis, the soprano soloist in the Verdi “Requiem” with The Missouri Symphony, Anna in “Nabucco” with Union Avenue Opera, the soprano soloist in The Missouri Symphony annual holiday concert, “A Symphony of Toys,” and a series of recitals in Missouri and Illinois sponsored by St. Louis Art Song. Additional operatic credits include Giorgetta in “Il tabarro,” Donna Elvira in “Don Giovanni,” Countess Almaviva in “Le nozze di Figaro” and Violetta in “La traviata.”

Kanakis has been a featured soloist with symphony organizations performing the Verdi “Requiem,” Mendelssohn’s “Elijah,” Brahms’ “Ein Deutches Requiem,” Haydn’s “Lord Nelson Mass,” Handel’s “Messiah,” both the Mozart and Fauré “Requiem” and Orff’s “Carmina Burana.” She is a frequently sought-after solo recitalist and made her Carnegie Hall debut in the Weill Recital Hall performing a joint program with her husband, baritone Jacob Lassetter.

Currently, Kanakis teaches voice and serves as vocal coach for the Opera Studio at Webster University, teaches voice and is the interim director of Opera Workshop at University of Missouri-St. Louis, teaches for Opera Theatre of Saint Louis' Artists-in-Training program, and maintains a private studio teaching aspiring and current professional classical singers. Her students frequently win competitions, attend top graduate schools for voice and opera performance, and enjoy successful professional singing careers.

In competitions, Kanakis has produced district and regional winners, a national semi-finalist in the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, and finalists and winners of other competitions, including the Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation, The Richard Tucker Foundation, Queen Sonja International Music Competition (Norway), Palm Beach Opera Competition and the American Institute of Vocal Studies Meistersinger Competition (Graz, Austria).

Her students have appeared in young artist programs and on the mainstage with the Metropolitan Opera, Santa Fe Opera, The Lyric Opera of Chicago, Glyndebourne Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Wolftrap Opera, Seattle Opera and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. Two of her former students (Emily Fons, mezzo-soprano and Andrew Stenson, tenor) were featured on the October 2015 cover of Opera News magazine as two of “Opera’s 25 Top Rising Stars.”

A recipient of the National Association of Teachers of Singing “Emerging Leaders” Award, she earned her DMA from the University of North Texas, her MM from Stephen F. Austin State University, and her BM cum laude from Missouri State University, where she studied viola and piano in addition to voice. As a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar, she studied abroad at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Detmold, Germany.

Debby Lennon, voice
Adjunct Professor of Voice

A member of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus for 32 seasons, Debby Lennon made her solo debut with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra in the 1992 Carnegie Hall premiere of William Bolcom's "Songs of Innocence and Experience." The Boston Globe called her "brassily irresistible." From 1992-1999, Lennon recorded and performed with the nationally known a cappella group "Pieces of 8" of which she was a founding member.

Lennon is active in the St. Louis opera scene having performed in Winter Opera's 2012 production of “La Boheme,” and with Union Avenue Opera (UAO) in its productions of Verdi's “Un Ballo in Maschera” and Puccini's “Madama Butterfly.” She played Annina in “La Traviata” and Giovanna in “Rigoletto,” directed by Tim Ocel, and Mrs. Mullen in “Carousel,” directed by Ken Page at UAO. She made her Opera Theatre of Saint Louis debut in the ensemble of “Dialogues of the Carmelites.”

She has been a featured soloist in performances of Mendelsohn's “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” Vaughan Williams' “Serenade to Music,” “A July 4th Patriotic Celebration under the Gateway Arch” and “Disney Goes To The Movies, The Last 20 Years” with the St. Louis Symphony.

Lennon has performed several seasons at The Muny and most recently was a part of the 100th season playing the role of Dora Baily in “Singing In The Rain.” Lennon starred in Max and Louie's critically acclaimed 2016 production of “Grey Gardens” and won the Judy Award and Broadway World Award (St. Louis Division). She won back-to-back St. Louis Circle Awards for Best Actress in a Musical in 2016 for “Grey Gardens” and for Best Actress in a Comedy in 2017 for her portrayal of Florence Foster Jenkins in “Souvenir, A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins.” Most recently, Lennon was seen in Max and Louie's one-woman show, “Love, Linda, The Life of Mrs. Cole Porter,” directed by Ken Page.

Lennon has performed with Stages St. Louis, Insight Theater Company as well as performances in Avery Fisher Hall, Carnegie Hall and Powell Symphony Hall. She has been a featured soloist on many concert series events and recitals at The Sheldon, The Pulitzer, The Touhill, Jazz at the Bistro, Finale Music and Dining, and The Old Webster Jazz and Blues Festival. Her solo CD, "I'm All Smiles" was released in November 2005 to sold-out audiences at Finale Music and Dining. Lennon is celebrating her 20th year as adjunct voice professor and director of the vocal jazz program at Webster University. She also serves at St. Joseph's Academy as vocal coach and maintains a private voice studio.

Jermaine Manor, voice
Adjunct Professor of Voice

Jermaine Manor enjoys a versatile career as an instructor of voice, a conductor and collaborative pianist. He is a native of Miami, Florida, a graduate of the prestigious New World School Of The Performing Arts and an alumnus of Auburn University where he earned his Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Pedagogy, as well as his Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance and Choral Conducting. He has also completed certifications in Commercial Music from Berklee College of Music and Church music from The Royal School of Church Music (Croydon, England).

As a former student of Juilliard School Of Music alumni Elisabeth Braden and Eric Caldwell, Manor brings to his singing and voice instruction a special understanding of the way the voice and body works. This knowledge sets him apart in his ability to communicate pedagogically and artistically. As a singer, it has allowed him a large musical vocabulary and success across genres, from opera to jazz, classical, gospel, pop, folk and musical theatre.

In addition to his work at Webster University, Manor has many ties to the performing arts community in St. Louis and abroad. As the co-artistic director of the Vocal Company at COCA, he is able to shape, mentor and challenge the musical palettes of many young artists. He also has a solid working relationship with The Repertory and Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. He is often called to coach, create and work on various projects. From coaching a pianist in Noël Cowards' three-act play, “Private Lives,” to composing, arranging and recording original music for "James And The Giant Peach" and Edward Tulane for the The Reps ITC program.

As a clinician, Manor is often brought in to not only teach on vocal technique, pedagogy and health, but he is sought after to present on racial inclusion and diversity in the arts. He’s a strong proponent of diverse musical representation and believes you should not be put in a box based on your race. Music has no color, only styles, he says, “Sing what you want to sing, no matter what color you are.”

As an active composer, his music is sung regularly by ensembles throughout the United Stated and abroad. He has published and arranged many songs with his longtime friend and collaborator, Dr. Brandon Boyd. These compositions appear in the catalogs of Gentry Publications, Hinshaw Music Company, GIA and Kjos Music Press. He is member of Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity, Inc., American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Educators and National Association of Teachers Of Singing.

Manor lives by the mantra, “What I do is a get to, not a have to.”

Leann Schuering, voice, diction
Adjunct Professor of Voice

“Blessed with a voice that is lovely and rich” (St. Louis Post Dispatch), soprano Leann Schuering was highly praised for her 2018 turn as leading lady Josephine in Union Avenue Opera's “H.M.S. Pinafore,” a production that was “highlighted by [her] magnificent soprano” (Ladue News). Schuering has charmed audiences in a wide range of roles, from Don Giovanni's “Zerlina,” in which she “sailed through a refined performance with ease” (Ann Arbor News), to Zerbinetta in Strauss' “Ariadne auf Naxos,” in which she “consciously acted every single note she sang, finding some sort of meaning in each coloratura run written in the score. Her showstopper aria was astounding” ([art]seen).

Recent career highlights have included Vivaldi's “Gloria” with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas McGegan; Miss Wordsworth in Union Avenue Opera's acclaimed 2017 production of “Albert Herring” starring Christine Brewer, for which Schuering was applauded for her “splendid work” (KDHX); Händel's “Messiah” with the Toledo Symphony Orchestra, the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra and others; and two solo concerts at LOFTRecital in Minneapolis. Additional stage credits include The Queen of the Night (Die Zauberflöte), The Fairy Godmother (Cendrillon), Susanna (Le nozze di Figaro), Yum-Yum (The Mikado), Monica (The Medium), and Laurey (Oklahoma!).

In 2009, Schuering was awarded a Stern Fellowship to attend SongFest, the nation's premier art song festival, where she studied and performed with pianists Martin Katz, Margo Garrett and Graham Johnson and American composers Lori Laitman, Tom Cipullo, John Musto and Jake Heggie. In 2017 she was one of ten singers from across the country chosen to attend the Art Song Festival at Baldwin Wallace, and she continues to champion the performance of art song in her own community.

Schuering is a two-time district winner and third place regional winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. In 2013 she was awarded third place at the International Czech and Slovak Singing Competition in Montréal, and in 2014 she was an International Semi-Finalist at the Hans Gabor Belvedere Opera Competition in Düsseldorf.

Schuering has over eight years of teaching experience at the collegiate level, including applied voice, opera workshop, diction and vocal literature. She has taught at Millikin University, the University of Michigan and the University of Illinois. Schuering enjoys teaching all styles of applied voice, including classical, musical theatre and commercial music. She has a Level I certification in Somatic Voicework and is a certified yoga instructor through the National Exercise Trainer's Association, and her teaching reflects a holistic, whole body approach. She holds a BA in Environmental Studies from the University of Chicago, an MM in Voice from the University of Illinois and a DMA in Voice from the University of Michigan.

Visit Schuering's personal website
Bachianas Brasileras No. 5 "Cantilena"
Joseph Marx "Nocturne"

Amanda Taylor, voice
Adjunct Professor of Voice