Music at Muskingum

In serving a broad range of musical interests, the following individuals bring a wealth of musical experience and expertise to share with our students through teaching and individual lessons: 

Harsha Abeyaratne (Piano)

Instructor of Music (Piano) Email: harshaa@muskingum.edu Education: DAMus, Piano Performance, Ball State MM, Piano Performance, Ball State BA, Music, Lewis & Clark College BSc, Chemistry, Lewis & Clark College Bio:  At Muskingum, Abeyaratne has taught studio piano, group piano, music theory, music history, aural skills, and arts and humanities. He has been active in the community through his involvement in the Thursday Music Club and the Zanesville Concert Association. Prior to Muskingum, he served the keyboard departments of Manchester College, Manchester, Indiana and Marshall University, Huntington, West Virginia. He has degrees from Lewis and Clark College (BA, BSc) and Ball State University (MM, DAMus) where he studied, respectively, with the late Ann Miller and Robert Palmer. He has also worked with Peter Takacs at the Oberlin Conservatory. Courses: Piano

 

Angela Cornett (Bassoon)

Instructor of Music (Bassoon) Email: acornett@muskingum.edu Education: BA, Music, Capital University Bio: A freelance bassoonist, Ms. Cornett started playing the bassoon at the age of 11. She didn't like the instrument at all until she started taking private lessons from Dr. Robert Raker, formerly of Granville, Ohio. She soon fell in love with the bassoon and hasn't looked back since! In 1997 she graduated with a BA in Music from the Capital Conservatory of Music, Capital University, in Bexley, Ohio. Always wanting to share the bassoon with others, she started teaching privately in 1996. Ms. Cornett is the owner and operator of the Angela Cornett Bassoon Studio and currently has 12 high school and middle school students. She started working at Muskingum as an Adjunct Professor in 2020. She has been married to Matt Cornett for 23 years and they have two sons, Wes, 17, and Wyatt, 14. Ms. Cornett and her family reside on the west side of Zanesville. Courses: Double Reed Lessons Mixed Woodwind Ensemble Bassoon Reed Class

Whitney Davis (Trumpet)

Instructor of Music (Trumpet) Email: wdavis@muskingum.edu Education: DMA, Trumpet Performance, The Ohio State University MM, Trumpet Performance, Pennsylvania State University BM, Trumpet Performance, The Ohio State University Link: https://www.whitneyrdavis.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitney-davis-trumpet/ Bio: Dr. Davis joined the New Albany Symphony Orchestra as 2nd Trumpet in 2017. She has also regularly performed with the Lima Symphony Orchestra, Mansfield Symphony Orchestra, Ashland Symphony Orchestra, Central Ohio Symphony Orchestra, Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra, Nittany Valley Symphony Orchestra, and Opera Project Columbus. She has also enjoyed being a member of the British Brass Band community of Central Ohio. She was a member of the Central Ohio Brass Band for 8 years as both solo cornet and soprano cornet. In 2017, Dr. Davis was a featured soloist in 2017 where she presented a lecture-recital on the traditions of British Brass Bands. Prior to her time at Muskingum, Dr. Davis served as the Trumpet Instructor at Denison University for 5 years where she taught applied trumpet and directed the trumpet ensemble. In addition to collegiate teaching, she has maintained a private trumpet studio for all age groups for the past 12 years. She has served as an adjudicator for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra Young Musicians Competition for several years.​ Dr. Davis obtained her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree from The Ohio State University, a Master’s degree in Performance from Pennsylvania State University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from The Ohio State University. She recently completed research on “Bb and C Rotary Trumpets in Orchestras of the United States: Perspectives from Professional Orchestral Trumpet Players on the Use, Audition Considerations, and Current Makes/Models.” Dr. Davis has studied under the tutelage of Timothy Leasure, Dr. Langston Fitzgerald III, George Goad, Velvet Brown, Ginger Turner, and Jan Duga. She has had the honor of being under the baton of conductors such as Crafton Beck, David Becker, Luis Biava, Richard Blatti, Gerardo Edelstein, Dennis Glocke, Dr. William “Ted” McDaniels, Dr. Russel Mikkelson, Alessandro Sicilliani, Jessica Sneeringer, Dr. Robert Ward, Dr. Jon Woods, and Dan Yoder. Courses: Trumpet Lessons Brass Ensemble

Dawnell Graham (String Ensemble)

Instructor of Music (String Ensemble) Email:dgraham@muskingum.edu Education:  Bio:  Courses String Ensemble

 

Mark Haven (Violin, Viola, Cello)

Instructor of Music (Violin, Viola, Cello) Email: mhaven@muskingum.edu Education: MM, Violin Performance, Crane School of Music, State University of New York BA, Music, State University of New York Bio: Mark Haven earned a BA in Music from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh and a Masters of Music in Violin Performance from the Crane School of Music of the State University of New York, Potsdam where he graduated with distinction. Mark has 20 years experience directing orchestra programs in the public schools of Southeastern Ohio and has performed extensively as violinist and violist in numerous orchestral and chamber music venues in Central Ohio. Courses: Violin, Viola, Cello Lessons

 

Jim Lindroth (Percussion)

Instructor of Music (Percussion) Email: jamesl@muskingum.edu Education: MM, Percussion Performance, The Ohio State University MA, Musicology, The Ohio State University BM, Percussion Performance, University of South Carolina Bio: Mr. Lindroth, a South Carolina native, now resides in Columbus, Ohio. Mr. Lindroth has a bachelor's degree in Percussion Performance from the University of South Carolina and master's degree in Performance and Ethnomusicology from Ohio State University. Along with his extensive background in classical percussion, Mr. Lindroth is an avid fan and performer of various folk music styles, having studied steel drums, Zimbabwean mbira, Irish bodhrán, Irish guitar, Scandinavian guitar, and North and South American folk percussion. He is the Adjunct Instructor of Percussion at Muskingum University where he teaches Applied Lessons, Steel Drum Band, and Percussion Ensemble. When he’s not getting excited about music, Mr. Lindroth can be found drinking coffee, carving wood, or petting his cats! Courses: Percussion Lessons Percussion Ensemble Steel Drum Band

Steve Miller (Guitar)

Instructor of Music (Guitar) Email: stevenm@muskingum.edu Education: MM, Music, Cleveland State University BA, Music and English, Muskingum University Link: https://www.eurydicestudios.com/ Bio: Mr. Miller is an adjunct Guitar Professor at Muskingum University and owner of Eurydice Studios. He specializes in teaching rock, jazz, classical, and fingerstyle guitar as well as bass guitar. He is also knowledgeable in other musical subjects such as theory and songwriting/composition. Mr. Miller’s guitar journey began when he received a cheap electric guitar for his 13th birthday. In high school, his band director taught him classical guitar in exchange for him playing the French horn in the school's concert band. He earned his Bachelor of Music from Muskingum University and is currently attending Cleveland State University for his master’s degree. There he studied classical guitar and actively performed with various jazz and rock ensembles.  ​Currently, Mr. Miller performs around Northeast Ohio as a solo artist and as part of many community and professional groups including local bands, pit orchestras, dinner theaters. In 2019, he was a featured artist in the Southeastern Ohio Symphony Orchestra's "Concerts at the Museum" series playing a selection of baroque pieces on classical guitar. He also performs with his rock band "Grimestone" and in the acoustic duo "Downtown, Overhead." He also performs at the Congregational UCC every Sunday Morning as part of their service. As an active community member, Mr. Miller has worked with EN-RICH-MENT of Stark County, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing music education and performance opportunities to underprivileged youths in the Stark County area, and has given public presentations on topics relating to the guitar. Courses: Guitar Lessons Guitar Ensemble

Corey Rubin (Composition)

Instructor of Music (Composition) Email: crubin@muskingum.edu Education: DM, Composition, Indiana University MM, Composition, Indiana University BM, Composition, Cleveland State University Bio: The music of composer Corey K. Rubin (b. 1983) is marked by wit, clarity, a strong emphasis on counterpoint, and a deep relationship with music of the past. Known for his vocal writing, Dr. Rubin has composed a large number of choral works, which have been premiered by such ensembles as The Crossing, The Princeton Singers, the Isthmus Vocal Ensemble, Choral Chameleon, the Cleveland Chamber Choir, and C4: the Choral Composer/Conductor Collective. An avid chorister himself, he has been a member of the Cleveland Chamber Choir, NOTUS: the IU Contemporary Vocal Ensemble, and the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. Rubin’s instrumental works have been performed by such artists as the Momenta String Quartet, Ensemble Dal Niente, the Slee Sinfonietta, the Meridian Arts Ensemble, violinist Rolf Schulte, pianist Geoffrey Burleson, clarinetist Pat O’Keefe, and cellist David Russell. In addition to his work at Muskingum, Dr. Rubin currently teaches courses in composition and music theory at Cleveland State University. He holds both Doctor of Music and Master of Music degrees in composition from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where his teachers included Sven-David Sandström, David Dzubay, Claude Baker, and Aaron Travers. Before that, he earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Cleveland State University, having studied with Andrew Rindfleisch. He is also an occasional contributor of crossword puzzles to The New York Times and Los Angeles Times. He resides in Cleveland, Ohio. Courses: Composition Lessons

Stacy Russell Welker (Voice)

Instructor of Music (Voice) Email: srussel@muskingum.edu Education: MM, Vocal Performance, University of Nevada BA, Music and English, Muskingum University LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacy-russell-12ab9a216/ Bio: Ms. Russell Welker is from Zanesville, Ohio. She attended Muskingum University for her undergraduate degrees, starting as a Music Department participant in the Wind Ensemble. By her junior year, Ms. Russell Welker decided to drop her Biology major and switch to a Music major (the best decision she ever made for herself). From Muskingum, she received her bachelor’s in Music and English with minors in Music Theatre and Mathematics. She went on to complete her Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Nevada, Reno. In October 2020, Ms. Russell Welker moved back to Ohio and in May of 2021 began her 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training that was completed in November of the same year from Grass Roots Yoga Studio in Zanesville. She went on to open her own private voice studio, Stacy’s Singing Studio, in Zanesville, based out of C.A. House Music. Ms. Russell Welker maintains her private studio along with applied teaching at Muskingum University. She also began helping with sectionals for Zanesville Middle School Choirs and Maysville High School Choirs for the 2022-2023 school year. Some of Russell’s favorite roles performed include Carmen in Carmen and Helen in Fun Home. Her interests outside of vocal music include traveling and spending time with family. Courses: Voice Lessons

Alex Shinn (Bass)

Instructor of Music (Bass) Email: mhaven@muskingum.edu Education: MM, Performance and Pedagogy, University of Louisville BM, Orchestral Performance, Ohio University LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-shinn-2ba8a4273/ Bio: Mr. Shinn is a double bass player/private teacher, based out of Zanesville, Ohio. He graduated from Ohio University with a major in Orchestral Performance, and a minor in Jazz Studies and received his master’s at University of Louisville in Performance and Pedagogy. While he can play in multiple styles (including electric bass), he has a special affinity for contemporary music. Courses: Bass Lessons

Kaleigh Simmons (Clarinet, Piano Accompanist)

Instructor of Music (Clarinet, Piano Accompanist) Email: ksimmons@muskingum.edu Education:  DMA, The Ohio State University  MM, The Ohio State University  BM, Auburn University  Bio: Kaleigh McGee Simmons is a Columbus, Ohio-based performer on piano and multiple woodwinds including Flute/Piccolo, Eb/Bb/A/Bass Clarinet, Alto/Soprano Saxophone, and Oboe. She has experience as a soloist in both recital and orchestral settings. Kaleigh currently serves as the adjunct clarinet professor and collaborative pianist at Muskingum University. Kaleigh is an avid chamber musician as well, currently serving as the clarinetist in the woodwind group Zephyr Chamber Winds and Kohesion Trio. During her graduate studies, Kaleigh was honored with a University Fellowship and held a position as the Clarinet Studio Graduate Teaching Assistant at The Ohio State University. As a woodwind doubler, Kaleigh performs in several musical pit orchestras around Central Ohio. She also has experience as a rehearsal pianist for community theaters and as an accompanist for student juries and recitals. She has performed solo piano at many weddings and has a growing private studio that provides lessons on woodwind instruments and piano. She also serves as an instructor with the Community Music School at The Ohio State University. Kaleigh has recently taken on a position as vice president of the Collegium Musicum of Ohio, a local chamber group that she performs with as a soloist on various instruments. She serves as the choral accompanist at Resurrection Evangelical Lutheran Church. Beyond performing and teaching, Kaleigh has experience in musical instrument repair which she incorporates into her classes and lessons.  Courses: Clarinet Lessons Clarinet Choir Woodwind Methods and Pedagogy

 

Austin Spillman (Saxophone)

Instructor of Music (Saxophone) Email: aspillma@muskingum.edu Education: MM, Saxophone Performance, The Ohio State University BA, Music Education, Eastern Illinois University Bio: Austin Spillman is a performer, educator, and arranger based in Columbus, OH. He currently serves as the Operations and Education Assistant for the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra and as Adjunct Professor of Saxophone at Muskingum University. He is an active arranger, arranging music for his chamber group as well as several others throughout the Midwest. Austin also serves as the Saxophone instructor of Eastern Illinois University’s Music camp and leads both saxophone and theory classes for the duration of the camp. He is also an active performer and chamber musician and has performed at conferences and venues across the Midwest and parts of Canada. He has made appearances at the NASA regional and OMEA conferences as a featured performer. Austin is also a two-time alumnus of the prestigious Fred L. Hemke Saxophone Institute, where he received additional instruction from John Sampen, Gail Levinksy, Josh Heaney, Nathan Nabb, as well as the guest artists Masato Kumoi, Paul Bro, Jonathan Helton, and Gerard McChrystal. Austin holds a Bachelor of Music in Education with a minor in Jazz Studies from Eastern Illinois University and a Master’s of Music in Saxophone Performance from The Ohio State University. His primary teachers are Dr. Sam Fagaly and Dr. Michael Rene Torres. Courses:  Saxophone Lessons

 

Justin White (Trombone & Tuba/Euphonium)

Instructor of Music (Tuba/Euphonium) Email: jmwhite@muskingum.edu Education: MM, Tuba Performance, The Ohio State University BM, Tuba Performance, University of Akron Bio: Mr. White earned a bachelor’s degree in Tuba Performance from the University of Akron and a master’s in Tuba Performance from The Ohio State University. Principal teachers include Tucker Jolly, Christopher Blaha, and James Akins. In addition to his work performing and teacher in the Columbus area and at Muskingum, Mr. White currently serves as Orchestra Personnel Manager for the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. Courses: Tuba/Euphonium Lessons

Sheryl Wise (Music Theatre)

Instructor of Music (Music Theatre) Email: swise@muskingum.edu Education: MA, Education, Muskingum University BME, Music Education, Otterbein LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryl-wise-0a68b022/ Bio: Ms. Wise recently completed her final year of teaching at Franklin for a total of 42 years with the district. While at Franklin Local she taught general music, high school and junior high choir, high school theatre, was the director of the drama program, and for several years was the district technology coordinator. Her passion is teaching, but she has also had a long tenure with several church congregations where she has served as a director of music, organist, choir director, and accompanist. She also served as national conference coordinator and state president of her church association. Currently she is the director of music and office assistant for Trinity Episcopal in Newark, Ohio. She recently joined the staff at Movement on Main (MOM) in Zanesville and developed a new musical theatre curriculum for students K-12. At MOM she also directs the grades K-3 children’s choir. Ms. Wise also maintains a private studio where she offers lessons in piano, voice, theatre, and multiple instruments. Ms. Wise earned her bachelor’s degree from Otterbein College in Music Education and her master’s degree in Education with a Music concentration from Muskingum University. She also completed post graduate studies in Curriculum and Instruction at Ohio University. Ms. Wise is married to Muskingum alum Jillian Von Gunten. They live in Zanesville with their menagerie of seven cats and two dogs. Courses: Voice Lessons Musical Theatre Ensemble