Faculty

Daniel Baldwin

Professor of Music

Department Head, Director of Orchestral Activities, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, conducting

Education: D.M.A., Instrumental Conducting, University of Texas at Austin; M.M., Cello Performance, University of Texas at Austin; B.M., Cello Performance, Furman University

Learn more about Daniel Baldwin

Edwin Andereck

Professor of Music

Voice, vocal literature, opera

Education: D.M.A., Voice Performance, University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music; M.M., Voice Performance, University of Tennessee; B.M., Voice Performance, University of Tennessee

Learn more about Edwin Andereck

Heather Armstrong

Professor of Music

Oboe, double reed methods

Education: D.M.A., Oboe Performance and Literature, Eastman School of Music; M.M., Oboe Performance and Literature, Eastman School of Music; B.M., Oboe Performance, Houghton College

Learn more about Heather Armstrong

Melanie Batoff

Associate Professor of Music

Music history, Coordinator for Senior Projects in Music

Education: Ph.D. in Musicology, University of Michigan; M.A. in Musicology, University of Western Ontario; B.Mus., Queen's University

Learn more about Melanie Batoff

Andi Beckendorf

Professor of Library and Adjunct Faculty in Music

Music liaison librarian, double bass, string methods, music librarianship internships

Education: D.M.A., Double Bass Performance and Pedagogy, University of Iowa; M.A., Library Science, University of Iowa; M.A., Double Bass Performance, University of Iowa; B.A., Music, Luther College

Learn more about Andrea Beckendorf.

Rebecca Boehm Shaffer

Adjunct Faculty in Music

Horn, brass ensembles, brass methods

Education: D.M.A., University of Northern Colorado

Learn more about Rebecca Boehm Shaffer
Learn more about Brass Ensembles
Learn more about the Norse Brass Quintet

Michael Chesher

Associate Professor of Music

Clarinet, woodwind methods

Education: D.M.A., Indiana University; M.M., Northwestern University; B.M., Oberlin College

Learn more about Michael L. Chesher

Kacy Clopton

Assistant Professor of Music

Cello, string methods, chamber music, Intro to Musical Styles

Education:  D.M.A., Cello Performance, University of Maryland; M.M., Chamber Music, Hochschule Luzern Musik, Switzerland; M.M., Cello Performance, New England Conservatory; B.M., Cello Performance, University of Maryland

Learn more about Kacy Clopton
Learn more about the Luther College Piano Quartet

John Cord

Associate Professor of Music

Trumpet, brass methods, brass chamber groups

Education: D.M.A., University of North Texas; M.M.A., Yale University School of Music; B.M., University of Iowa

Learn more about John T. Cord
Learn more about the Trumpet Studio
Learn more about Brass Ensembles
Learn more about the Norse Brass Quintet

Ryan Frost

Adjunct Faculty in Music

Percussion, Percussion Ensemble

Education: D.M.A., West Virginia University; M.A., Middle Tennessee State University, B.A., University of Northern Iowa

Learn more about Ryan Frost

Deborah Gover

Assistant Professor of Music

Voice, opera

Education: D.M.A., Vocal Performance, University of Michigan

Learn more about Deborah Gover

Tony Guzman

Professor of Music

Director of Jazz programs, Jazz Orchestra, music education, ethnomusicology

Education: Ph.D., M.A., Florida State University; B.A., Luther College

Learn more about Juan Tony Guzman

Carla Hanson

Instructor in Music

Voice, opera

Education: M.M., Northern Arizona University, B.M., Northern Arizona University

Learn more about Carla Hanson

Carol Hester

Professor of Music

Flute, flute methods, body mapping

Education: D.M.A., Flute Performance, Florida State University; M.M., Flute Performance, Florida State University; B.M., Flute and Piano Performance, Samford University

Learn more about Carol D. Hester

Xiao Hu

Associate Professor of Music

Piano, class piano

Education: D.M.A., State University of New York at Stony Brook; M.M., University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music; B.M., University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music 

Learn more about Xiao Hu
Learn more about the Unison Piano Duo

Du Huang

Professor of Music

Piano, class piano, Coordinator of Piano Proficiency

Education: D.M.A., Piano Performance, State University of New York at Stony Brook; M.M., Piano Performance, University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music; B.M., University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music 

Learn more about Du Huang
Learn more about the Unison Piano Duo

Brooke Joyce

Professor of Music and Composer in Residence

Composer-in-Residence, theory, ear training, composition, electronic music

Education: Ph.D., Princeton University; M.M., Composition, Cleveland Institute of Music; B.M., Theory/ Composition, Lawrence University

Learn more about Brooke Joyce
Link to personal webpage

Miko Kominami

Instructor in Music

Theory, ear training, class piano, piano

Education: M.M., The Juilliard School; B.M., The Juilliard School

Learn more about Miko Kominami
Learn more about the Luther College Piano Quartet

Carol Kreuscher

Adjunct Faculty in Music

Voice, opera

Education: D.M.A., University of Texas, Austin; M.M., University of Wisconsin, Madison

Learn more about Carol Kreuscher

 

Joseph Kromholz

Assistant Professor of Music

Violin, string methods

Andrew Last

Director of Choral Activities and Associate Professor of Music

Director of Choral Activities, Nordic Choir, conducting, Artistic Director of Christmas at Luther, Dorian Music Camp Director

Education: D.M.A., Choral Conducting, University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music; M.M., Choral Conducting, Northern Arizona University; B.A., Music Education, K-12 Vocal, Luther College

Learn more about Andrew Last
Read Andrew Last's faculty story

Spencer Martin

Professor of Music

Coordinator of Strings, viola, Philharmonia

Education: D.M.A., Viola Performance, University of Minnesota; M.M., Viola Performance, Wichita State University; B.M., Voice Performance, Butler University

Learn more about Spencer Martin
Learn more about the Luther College Piano Quartet

Alexander Meszler

Assistant Professor of Music

College Organist, organ, church music.

Amy Nam

Adjunct Faculty in Music

Harp

Cory Near

Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands

Interim Director of Bands, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Conducting, Music Education

Education: D.M.A. Wind-Band Conducting, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities; M.M., Instrumental Conducting, Temple University; B.M., K-12 Music Education and Tuba Performance, The Ohio State University

Learn more about Cory Near

Jill Phillips

Visiting Assistant Professor of Music

Voice

Education: D.M.A. Voice, University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music; M.M. Voice, University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music; B.A. Music, Luther College 

Emma Plehal

Adjunct Faculty in Music

Bassoon

Lynne Postudensek Hart

Adjunct Faculty in Music

Saxophone, clarinet

Education: M.F.A., Woodwind Performance, University of Iowa; B.M., Music Theory/ Composition, University of Minnesota

Learn more about Lynne Postudensek Hart

Mark Potvin

Assistant Professor of Music

Norskkor, Cathedral Choir, conducting, choral methods

Education: D.M.A., Music Education, Boston University; M.M., St. Cloud State University (St. Cloud, MN); B.A., Luther College

Learn more about Mark Potvin

Beth Ray Westlund

Professor of Music

Associate Department Head, Coordinator of Voice, voice, opera, vocal literature

Education: D.M.A, Vocal Performance, University of Texas; M.M., Vocal Performance, University of Texas; B.A., Music/ Music Education, Luther College; B.A., Psychology, Luther College, 1989

Learn more about Beth Ray Westlund

Kathy Reed

Instructor in Music

Harpsichord, ear training, Paideia Director

Education: A.B.D., Musicology, University of Michigan; B.M., Lawrence University

Learn more about Kathryn Reed

Lynne Rothrock

Adjunct Faculty in Music

Voice & Musical Theatre

Education:  M.M., Western Michigan; B.A., Luther College

Learn more about Lynne Rothrock

Nicholas Shaneyfelt

Associate Professor of Music

Vocal coach, collaborative arts, vocal and instrumental accompanying, opera

Education: D.M.A., University of Michigan; M.M., University of Massachusetts-Amherst; B.A. Music, B.S. Computer Science, University of Notre Dame

Learn more about Nicholas Shaneyfelt
Learn more about Vocal Coaching
Learn more about Collaborative Piano

Corey Silberstein

Staff Collaborative Pianist

Staff Collaborative Pianist, theory

Education: D.M.A., Accompanying and Chamber Music, Eastman School of Music; M.A., Theory Pedagogy, Eastman School of Music; Performer Diploma, Solo Piano Performance and M.M., Solo Piano Performance, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music; B.A., Music, Swarthmore College

Learn more about Corey Silberstein
Learn more about Collaborative Piano

Michael Smith

Professor of Music

Low Brass, brass ensembles, brass methods

Education: D.M.A., Trombone Performance and Literature, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; M.M.E., McNeese State University; B.M., Trombone Performance, Stephen F. Austin State University

Learn more about Michael Smith
Learn more about the Low Brass Studio
Learn more about Brass Ensembles
Learn more about the Norse Brass Quintet

Rachel Storlie

Adjunct Faculty in Music

Voice, opera

Education: M.M., University of Northern Iowa; B.A., Luther College

John Strauss

Professor of Music

Coordinator of Keyboard, piano

Education: D.M.A., Piano, University of Texas at Austin; M.M., Piano, State University of New York at Stony Brook; B.A., Music and English Literature, Oberlin College

Learn more about John F. Strauss

Jonathon Struve

Adjunct Faculty in Music

Voice, opera

Education: D.M.A., Vocal Literature, The University of Iowa; M.M., Northwestern University; B.A., Luther College

Learn more about Jonathon Struve

Adrianna Tam

Assistant Professor of Music

Aurora, Collegiate Chorale, theory

Education: D.M.A., Choral Conducting, University of Michigan; M.A., Choral Conducting, Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz (Austria); M.M., Choral Conducting, Yale University; S.B., Music, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Learn more about Adrianna Tam

    Andrew Whitfield

    Professor of Music

    Coordinator of Opera, voice, opera, vocal pedagogy

    Education: D.M.A., Vocal Performance, Louisiana State University; M.M., Vocal Performance, Wichita State University; B.M., Vocal Performance, Butler University

    Learn more about Andrew Whitfield

    Jill Wilson

    Associate Prof in Education and Coordinator for Music Educat

    Music education, clinical experiences in Music Education, Elementary general music methods, Middle school general music methods, Music Education curriculum and strategies, Music Education internship, advisor for the Future Music Educators Association (FMEA)

    Education: D.M.A., Music Education, Boston University; M.M.E., Music Education, University of Northern Iowa; B.M., Music Education, St. Olaf College

    Learn more about Jill Wilson
    Read Jill Wilson's faculty story