Faculty & Staff

Office / Administration

Dr. Diana G. Allan

Interim Chair, Associate Professor of Music, Director of Vocal Studies

Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Texas, Austin, Austin, TX
Master of Arts in Vocal Performance from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
Bachelor of Music Education from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS

Teaching Responsibilities: Voice, Lyric Diction, Vocal Pedagogy and Literature, Musical Theatre Research Interests: Mental Strategies for Optimal Performance, Vocal Music, Vocal Pedagogy Advising Areas: Vocal Music

Office: FA 138
Email: Allan-D@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-9681

asmika guragain

Administrative Assistant

Office: FA L-04
Email: Guragain-A@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-3002

Faculty

Dr. Megan Bailey

Adjunct Professor of Music

Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance from the University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Master of Music in Trumpet Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from DePaul University, Chicago, IL

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied High Brass Research Interests: Hearing Aids for Musicians, Brass Chamber Music, Music Entrepreneurship

Email: Bailey-M@mssu.edu

Prof. Benjamin Cooper

Adjunct Professor of Music

ABD (Doctor of Musical Arts in Trombone from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK)
Master of Music in Trombone from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Bachelor of Arts from Luther College, Decorah, IA

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Low Brass, Advanced Music Theory Research Interests: Trombone Literature, Brass Pedagogy, and New Music

Email: Cooper-B@mssu.edu

Dr. Cheryl Cotter

Associate Professor of Music, Director of Instrumental Studies

Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet from the University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Master of Music Performance from the University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas, Denton, TX

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Clarinet, Applied Bassoon, Applied Oboe, Music Appreciation, History of Rock and Roll, Woodwind Pedagogy and Literature, Pedagogy of Music History, World Music, Music History Research Interests: Early Music, Music History, Klezmer Music Advising Areas: Instrumental Music

Office: FA 136
Email: Cotter-C@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-9660

Prof. James Dickey

Adjunct Professor of Theatre

Master of Arts in Theatre from Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Bachelor of Science in Speech and Theatre Education from Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO

Teaching Responsibilities: Theatre Tech Design

Email: Dickey-James@mssu.edu

dr. donald hodges

Adjunct Professor of Music

Ph.D in Music Education from University of Texas, Austin, TX
Master of Music from University of Texas, Austin, TX
Bachelor of Music Education from University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Horn, Southern Symphony Orchestra

Research Interests: Music Education, Music Cognition, Music and the Brain research, Musicians’ Hearing Health

Office: Taylor Performing Arts Center 138
Email: Hodges-D@mssu.edu
Phone: 210-323-2291

Prof. Madison King

Adjunct Professor of Music

Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Voice, Diction, Vocal Tech/Pedagogy, Musical Theatre Musical Director

Research Interests: Vocal Pedagogy, Operatic Repertoire

Office: Taylor Performing Arts Center 210
Email: King-Madison@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-3002

prof. travis kornegay

Visiting Assistant Professor, Director of Choral Activities

ABD, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley
Master of Music, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS
Bachelor of Music, Methodist University, Fayetteville, NC

Teaching Responsibilities: Concert Chorale, Chamber Singers, Applied Voice

Email: Kornegay-T@mssu.edu

prof. jackson milzarek

Adjunct Professor of Percussion

Master of Music, University of Missouri-Kansas City, MO
Bachelor of Music Education, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Percussion

Email: Milzarek-J@mssu.edu

Prof. Melissa Nance

Adjunct Professor of Dance

Bachelor of Arts in Communication - Public Relations and Mass Communication, with a minor in Vocal Music Performance from Missouri Southern State University, Joplin MO
In Progress (Master of Education – Higher Education Student Affairs from Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS

Teaching Responsibilities: Theatrical Dance, Musical Theatre Choreography

University Responsibilities: Director of Alumni and Donor Relations

Research Interests: Dance and Mental Health; Strength and Flexibility, Musical Theatre Choreography & Stage Movement

Office: Ralph L. Gray Alumni Center
Email: Holtnance-M@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-3068

Prof. Kathryn Nenadal

Adjunct Professor of Music

Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Bachelor of Piano Performance from Baldwin-Wallace University, Berea, OH
Bachelor of Music Therapy from Baldwin-Wallace University, Berea, OH

Teaching Responsibilities: Class Piano, Applied Piano, Musical Theatre Accompanist

Research Interests: Piano Pedagogy for Adults, Chamber Music

Office: FA 126
Email: Nenadal-K@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-9318

Prof. Natasha O’Brien

Assistant Professor of Theatre, Director of Theatre Activities

Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Belmont University, Nashville, TN

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Acting, Theatre History, Musical Theatre History, Playwriting, Professional Interaction, Stage Directing, Stage Management Research Interests: Psychodrama/Drama Therapy, Theatrical Anthropology, Sociometry and Actor Training Methodology. Advising Areas: Theatre Performance

Office: TPAC 243/244
Email: Obriendavies-N@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-9594

Prof. Michael Oglesby

Adjunct Professor of Music

Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
Bachelor of Music Education from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS

Teaching Responsibilities: Marching Band, Concert Band, Student Teaching Supervision, Instrumental Technique and Pedagogy

Research Interests: Conducting, Rehearsal Strategies, Classroom Management Techniques

Email: Oglesby-M@mssu.edu

Dr. Brandon Robinson

Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Instrumental Activities/Music Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Master of Music Education in Instrumental Conducting from Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR
Bachelor of Music Education from Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR

Teaching Responsibilities: Marching Band, Concert Band, Methods Courses and Conducting Research Interests: Historical Research, Rehearsal Techniques and Conducting

Office: FA 132
Email: Robinson-B@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-9633

Prof. René Spencer

Adjunct Professor of Music

Master of Science in Music Education from Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Bachelor of Music Education, Instrumental Emphasis from Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, MO

Teaching Responsibilities: Music for Elementary School, Pre-Kindergarten through Middle School General Music Methods, University Supervisor for Student Teachers, Music Theory I-IV, Applied Flute Research Interests: Kodaly Method of Music Education, Orff Approach, Elementary Music Education

Office: FA 212
Email: Spencer-Rene@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-3520

Prof. Linda Unser

Adjunct Professor of Theatre

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Bachelor of Theatre from Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Acting, Theatre Education, Theatre Appreciation Research Interests: Children's Theatre and Creative Dramatics.

Office: TPAC 246
Email: Unser-L@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-3002

dr. phillip wise

Adjunct Professor of Music

Ph.D in Music Education from The Union Institute & University, Cincinnati, OH
Master of Arts from California State University, Dominguez Hills, Carson, CA
Bachelor of Arts from William Penn College, Oskaloosa, IA

Teaching Responsibilities: Jazz Orchestra

Research Interests: Jazz, Trombone

Office: FA 124
Email: wise-p@mssu.edu

STAFF

Glenda Austin

Choral Accompanist

Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO

Email: Austin-G@mssu.edu

Lara Stamper

Color Guard Coordinator

Master of Science in Education from Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO

Email: Stamper-L@mssu.edu