Faculty
The Frostburg State University music faculty is known for its excellence in teaching, performance, and composition. Department members are active as recitalists, researchers, adjudicators, clinicians, as well as members in and directors of professional choral and instrumental ensembles.
Education
Theory/History/Composition
Winds & Percussion
- Dr. Donald Albrecht, Trumpet and FSU Brass Ensemble
- Dr. Mark Gallagher, Clarinet and FSU Clarinet Ensemble
- Dr. Mackenzie LaMont, Percussion and FSU Percussion Ensemble
- Anna Lorenzen, French horn
- Dr. Sarah Thompson, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
- Dr. Brent Weber, Saxophone, Bassoon and FSU Saxophone Ensemble
Strings & Piano
- Dr. Jay DeWire, Piano and FSU Piano Ensemble
- Dr. Ian Hrdlicka, Guitar and FSU Guitar Ensemble
- Dr. Karen Lau, Cello
- Dr. Ashley Lewis, Organ and Class Piano
- Peter Lewis, Bass and FSU Chamber Orchestra
- Dr. Shawn Wang, Violin and Viola
- Dr. Joseph Yungen, Collaborative Pianist
Voice, Musical Theatre Voice & Jazz Voice
Jazz
- Dr. Donald Albrecht, Trumpet
- Tom Harrison, Keyboard and FSU Jazz Combo
- Dr. Ian Hrdlicka, Guitar
- Peter Lewis, Bass
- Dr. Sarah Thompson, Trombone
- Dr. Brent Weber, Saxophone and FSU Jazz Orchestra
Bands
Choirs
Jazz Bands
- FSU Jazz Orchestra - Dr. Brent Weber, director
- FSU Jazz Combo - Tom Harrison, director
Dr. Donald Albrecht
Lecturer
Office: 209 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.4117
Email: dlalbrecht@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
D.M.A. University of Illinois
M.M. Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College
Graduate Coursework University of North Texas
B.M. Berklee College of Music
Teaching Interests
Trumpet, Jazz Trumpet
- Additional Information
Bio
Dr. Donny Albrecht enjoys an active career balancing his love of teaching and performing as a freelance trumpet player in the Washington, DC, area. Dr. Albrecht is the Adjunct Professor of Trumpet at Frostburg State University. He has held teaching positions at several musical institutions over his 14-year teaching career from coast to coast. Dr. Albrecht's students have had many careers as professional musicians.
Dr. Albrecht has had the privilege of freelancing all over the US, from coast to coast, performing with groups at the Kennedy Center, Boston Symphony Hall, Kupferberg Center for the Arts, Mondavi Center, Krannert Center, Beantown Performance Center, Murchison Performing Arts Center, JEN Conferences, NTC Conferences, ITG Conferences, Red clay Jazz Festival, Monterey Jazz Festival, Bean Town Jazz Festival, Notre Dame Latin Jazz Festival, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Louis Armstrong Museum, and others. Dr. Albrecht has performed at jazz clubs like Blue Note Nappa, Mr. Henry's, Ryles Jazz Club, Scullers Jazz Club, Wally's Café, The Beehive, Scat Jazz Lounge, Jazz UpFront, The Canopy Club, and others.
Dr. Albrecht is a graduate of Berklee College of Music. At Berklee, he studied with Charlie Lewis and Lin Biviano. Upon leaving Berklee, Dr. Albrecht moved to study with Jay Saunders at the University of North Texas. Dr. Albrecht continued his musical studies in New York City, attending the Aaron Copland School of Music under the tutelage of Michael Philip Mossman with additional studies with Tony Kadleck and Nick Marchione. Upon graduating with his Master's in Music from Aaron Copland School of Music, he would earn his Doctoral Music degree at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign under Tito Carrillo, Ronald Romm, and Charles Daval. Dr. Albrecht would also start to study with Bobby Shew at this time.
Dr. Albrecht's dissertation entitled: Lead Trumpet Style: A stylistic Analysis of Modern Lead Trumpet Playing through the Examination of Five Prominent Lead Trumpet Players features the stylistic analysis and interviews of Wayne Bergeron, Tanya Darby, Jon Faddis, Tony Kadleck, and Bobby Shew.
Personal Email: denny.albrecht@gmail.com
Dr. James (Jay) DeWire
Associate Professor
Office: 105 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.4115
Email: jadewire@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
D.M.A. University of Maryland- College Park
M.M. New England Conservatory of Music
M.A. and B.A. University of Virginia
Teaching Interests
Piano, Pedagogy, Music History
- Additional Information
Bio
Jay DeWire, piano, has performed across the United States as a soloist, collaborator, and member of the West Shore Trio, including concerts in Chautauqua, Los Angeles, New Mexico, Michigan, Troy University, St. Mary's College, the South Carolina School for the Arts, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Goucher College, the Duke Ellington School for the Arts, and An die Musik LIVE! in Baltimore. Highlights include two performances as a soloist with the Prince George's Philharmonic; a performance at the North American Saxophone Alliance in Lubbock, Texas with Dr. Brent Weber and Dr. Mark Gallagher; and frequent appearances at the Chamber Music Society of Lexington in Lexington, Virginia, including the inaugural concert of that series, performing Messiaen's Quartet for the End of Time. He teaches piano and history at Frostburg State University.
Dr. DeWire began playing piano at the age of four and gave his first solo recital at age 12. He received a B.A. with High Distinction and a Master of Arts in piano performance from the University of Virginia; a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory; and a D.M.A. from the University of Maryland School of Music (College Park). He has studied with such distinguished pianists as Joanne Haroutounian, Mimi Tung, Gabriel Chodos, Bradford Gowen, Steve Drury, John Moriarty, Larissa Dedova, and Brian Ganz, and has performed in master classes for Claude Frank, Andre Watts, Ruth Laredo, and Tigran Alikhanov.
Personal Email: jaydewire@gmail.com
Website: West Shore Piano Trio
Dr. Mark Gallagher
Associate Professor
Office: 104 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.4381
Email: mgallagher@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
D.M.A. University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.M. Eastman School of Music
B.M. Oberlin Conservatory of Music
Teaching Interests
Clarinet, Music Theory, Alexander Technique
- Additional Information
Bio
Clarinetist Mark Gallagher is a graduate of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music where he received a B.M. degree and studied with Lawrence McDonald. He also holds a M.M. degree from the Eastman School of Music having studied with D. Stanley Hasty and D.M.A degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison where he studied with Dr. Linda Bartley. Other major teachers included Robert Marcellus and Alfred Zezter, both of the Cleveland Orchestra. Dr. Gallagher has performed with the Contemporary Music Forum of Washington, Washington Opera, United States Navy Band, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, Cincinnati Ballet Orchestra, Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, Bronx Symphony, New York City Ballet Orchestra, and the Skylight Opera Theatre Orchestra.
He made his New York recital debut performing with violinist Sylvia Rosenberg at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall and is also a winner of the Artist International Competition in New York City being award a solo recital in Weill Hall. An active chamber musician and co-founder of I Venti Semplice, Dr. Gallagher has performed throughout the United States, Europe and China, with recent concert tours of the Netherlands, which included a live national radio broadcast from the Concertgebouw, and performances in Beijing and Changsha, China. He has also had solo and chamber appearances in Germany and the Czech Republic. Other performances include appearances in Washington, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Ann Arbor, Wisconsin Public Radio, as well as a concert tour of Sweden. Dr. Gallagher has recorded with the Albany Records label and can be heard on the Eastman “American Music” Series.
In addition to a busy performance schedule, Dr. Gallagher is an active teacher and clinician, lecturing on occupational health issues for musicians and the Alexander Technique. Currently he is an instructor of clarinet and music theory at Frostburg State University and has held pedagogical posts at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Carroll College. During the summer, Dr. Gallagher has been the director of faculty at the Semplice Harbor School of Music and Chamber Music Festival on Washington Island, Wisconsin and director of the Savage Mountain Summer Arts Academy at Frostburg State University.
Tom Harrison
Lecturer
Office: 138 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.4109
Email: teharrison@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
B.M. Frostburg State University
Teaching Interests
Jazz Piano, Jazz Combo
- Additional Information
Bio
Mr. Harrison has extensive performance experience in jazz and popular music as multi-instrumentalist. With jazz piano as the major focus, Tom has performed with Ray Brown, Marvin “Smitty” Smith, the Maryland Symphony, Ted Nash, John Fedchock, Eddie Gomez, Sean Jones, Jeff Coffin, Scott Wendholt, Allison Miller, Chuck Redd, Rosana Eckert, Curtis Johnson, Chris Vadala, James Moore, Gary Grainger, Paul Bollenback, and more.
Tom currently teaches jazz piano, jazz combo, and jazz theory and analysis at Frostburg State University. He is retired from the Allegany County school system as instructor of instrumental music.
Tom has presented jazz clinics/concerts through the Cultural Events Series at Frostburg State University, Allegany Community College, and the Cumberland Jazz Society. He is a co-founder and president of the Cumberland Jazz Society.
Mr. Harrison received his Music Education degree from Frostburg State University, studied classical and jazz piano at West Virginia University with James Miltenberger, music theory with former professor Asher Zlotnik of the Peabody Conservatory, and has done additional studies in music education and music technology at Duquesne University and Villanova University.
Ian Hrdlicka
Lecturer
Office: 209 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.4117
Email: ihrdlicka@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
D.M.A. Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University
M.M. and B.M. The University of Georgia
Teaching Interests
Guitar, Jazz Guitar
- Additional Information
Bio
Ian Hrdlicka is an award-winning concert guitarist who has performed in the U.S and abroad, and is noted for his expressivity, versatility, and ability to connect with an audience. Hrdlicka continually strives to redefine what guitar concerts look and sound like by performing in unique venues beyond the typical concert hall, and by crafting programs that showcase the diverse range of guitar repertoire. Equally at home on nylon or steel strings, Hrdlicka began his musical life playing Bluegrass and Jazz guitar, and often draws upon these influences in performances, pairing Bach suites with Irish reels, or Tangos with Jazz standards.
As an instructor, he seeks to develop students as both guitarists and scholars of the guitar, exploring the history and development of the instrument's repertoire across a variety of styles. Hrdlicka's research interests include guitar pedagogy, guitar history/literature, the works of Toru Takemitsu, Folk music, and producing arrangements for the guitar. Hrdlicka’s interdisciplinary experience on the instrument uniquely qualifies him to work with a diverse range of students, helping each one reach their musical goals while refining both their technical and interpretive capabilities.
Hrdlicka holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from the Peabody Institute where he studied under the tutelage of performer and pedagogue Julian Gray. He also holds a Masters of Music from the University of Georgia, where he studied with Dr. Daniel Bolshoy and Dr. Phil Snyder. He is an active performer in the Mid-Atlantic region and leads the guitar programs at Loyola University and Gettysburg College in addition to Frostburg State University.
Dr. Mackenzie Jacob LaMont
Assistant Professor
Office: 103 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.7453
Email: mjlamont@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
D.M.A. and M.M. University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
B.M. University of Indianapolis
Teaching Interests
Percussion, Music Industry, Composition, Percussion Ensemble
- Additional Information
Bio
Mackenzie (Mack) Jacob LaMont (b. 1989) is an active composer, performer (percussion), music educator, music copyist and arranger, and owner/operator of a small music recording company. His recent compositions have been focused on the environment as well as political and philosophical issues, with the sound world inhabiting a space somewhere between minimalism and post-progressive rock (with dashes of randomness here and there).
Mack’s musical studies began at the age of five with private piano lessons. After discovering his father’s snare drum at the age of eleven, he went on to study percussion throughout middle and high school. During his high school studies, Mack also began experimenting with composition.
Upon graduating from Washington High School in Washington, IN, as Salutatorian of his class, he attended the University of Indianapolis in pursuit of a Music Performance degree in percussion. During his time at UIndy, Mack studied percussion with Paul Berns of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. At the end of his sophomore year, he added two concentrations to his performance degree: one in Music Technology and Recording, and the other in Music Composition. He studied composition with John Berners.
Mack’s music was performed regularly at the University of Indianapolis’ Composer’s Forum concerts. In his senior year, he gave both a percussion performance recital and a composition recital. His composition recital featured two major premiers, including The Lord’s Prayer, which required a performing force of four percussionists and over thirty vocalists. He was also invited to conduct a suite from his wind ensemble piece, Perceptions, at the University of Indianapolis’ Symphonic Wind Ensemble concert on March 8, 2012.
In May of 2014 he earned his master’s degree in music composition from the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music. During this degree, Mack had many premiers, including his Requiem Post-Modernus for chamber orchestra, rock trio, choir, and vocal soloists. He was also the recipient of multiple scholarships. After finishing the master’s degree, Mack began his DMA at UC-CCM in January 2015, completing it in April 2017.
During his DMA, Mack’s wind ensemble piece, The Sky Has Changed, was premiered in April of 2016 as the winner of the 2016 CCM Wind Ensemble Composer Competition, and his French horn solo, …across the plains, to Devils Tower, was selected to be premiered in June 2016 at the 48th International Horn Symposium. His dissertation, the wind ensemble piece Not About Posies, was the winner of the 2017 CCM Wind Ensemble Composer Competition. During his time at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (throughout both graduate degrees) he studied composition with Michael Fiday, Joel Hoffman, and Douglas Knehans, and percussion with James Culley and Allen Otte.
Mack’s music is registered with ASCAP and he publishes his music as Squashed Turnip Productions. He is a Assistant Professor at Frostburg State University (Frostburg, MD) where he teaches percussion lessons and ensemble, composition lessons and classes, and various courses within the music industry track.
Mack currently resides in Frostburg, MD, with his wife, Whitney, and his two dogs.
Visit Mackenzie Jacob LaMont's website for more informaiton on his compositions and music recording company.
Dr. Karen Lau
Senior Lecturer
Office: 206 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.7458
Email: klau@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
D.M.A. and M.M. Catholic University of America
B.M. Sichuan Conservatory of Music
Teaching Interests
Cello
- Additional Information
Bio
Karen Lau began her cello studies at the age of seven. A graduate of the Sichuan Conservatory of Music, Karen earned her Masters and Doctoral degrees in cello performance from the Catholic University of America. Her primary teachers included Michael Mermagen, Sara Male, and Shi-Dong Luo, with additional studies with Hai-Ye Ni and Amit Peled.
Karen attended the Vivace Music Festival on full scholarship from 2006-2008. From 2005-2009, Karen held the rank of assistant professor at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music. She has performed and taught at a wide variety of venues throughout Asia and the United States such as the Xiamen University Chamber Music Festival, the Kennedy Center, NPR Studios, Fairmont Chamber Music Society, Music at Penn Alps, and the National Gallery of Art. She taught orchestra classes and general music at Washington County Public School in Maryland. She also has given cello workshops at Langley High School and Patrick Henry College. She joined the Black Dimond Philharmonic as principal cello since 2018.
Since 2013, Karen has been teaching strings-related courses at Frostburg State University, where she founded the Frostburg State University Summer Music Academy in 2016. In addition to her performing and teaching activities, Karen has been training in Alexander Technique since 2014, and is now an internationally certified teacher of the Alexander Technique. In 2023, she presented a lecture on Alexander Technique at the XIX World Saxophone Congress in Las Palms, Spain. She has also trained in Craniosacral Therapy and is licensed in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Dr. Ashley Lewis
Lecturer
Office: 205 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.4119
Email: alewis@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
D.M.A. West Virginia University
M.M. Bowling Green State University
B.M. University of Alabama
Teaching Interests
Organ, Piano, Voice
- Additional Information
Bio
Originally from Chelsea, Alabama and now based in Buckhannon, WV, Ashley Lewis has trained in piano from the age of 6 and in ballet from the age of 4. Today, she is a classical pianist and musician. Her studio, In Harmony Music, offers lessons in piano, voice, and organ to Buckhannon and the surrounding communities. She holds a Bachelors of Music from the University of Alabama, a Masters of Music from Bowling Green State University, and is currently a doctoral candidate at West Virginia University pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance under the guidance of Dr. Peter Amstutz. In her time at WVU she worked as a Graduate Assistant teaching Class Piano, Written Theory, and Aural Skills. She also does further work in Buckhannon, serving as staff pianist and organist at Chapel Hill United Methodist Church and teaching ballet and jazz at Studio 33 Dance Center.
Ashley is thankful to have been afforded various opportunities to connect with, learn from, and perform alongside musicians and artists from all walks of life. Some personal highlights include attending the Piano Plus Festival in Xanthi, Greece, in 2022, serving as vice president of the Ohio Music Teachers Association BGSU Chapter from 2022-2023, and serving as music director of Buckhannon Community Theatre's 2026 production of Matilda the Musical.
Ashley’s deepest passion is teaching, and she has over a decade of experience as a music teacher. Across her career, she has worked with students of all ages and ability levels. She is especially passionate about the inclusion of disabled and neurodivergent students in music and is dedicated to creating an inclusive classroom and studio space. To that end, her doctoral research focuses on intersections of disability, music, and learning. In her free time Ashley enjoys cross-stitching, reading, and powerlifting.
Peter B. Lewis
Lecturer
Office: 208 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.7452
Email: pblewis@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
M.M. University of Massachusetts Amherst
B.M. Kent State University
Teaching Interests
Director of Bands, Instrumental Music Education, Jazz and Classical Bass (acoustic & electric), String Ensemble
- Additional Information
Bio
Peter B. Lewis is the Director of Bands and Lecturer of Music Education at Frostburg State University where he conducts the Marching Bobcats, Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble, as well as teaches coursework in conducting and music education. Additionally, he serves as the studio teacher for bass and banjo at FSU. Previously, he served as the Associate Director of Bands at the SUNY Potsdam Crane School of Music in Potsdam, New York.
Professor Lewis holds dual bachelor's degrees in performance (percussion) and music education from Kent State University where he studied conducting with Wayne Gorder, and dual Master of Music degrees in research in music education and wind conducting from UMass Amherst where he studied with Malcolm W. Rowell, Jr. He has additional study in conducting with Shanti Simon, Mark Davis Scatterday, Courtney Snyder, Craig Kirkhhoff, Michael Haithcock, Emily Thrienen, Col. Jason Fettig, and H. Robert Reynolds.
He is the founder of the chamber wind ensemble, Bay State Winds, and served as their artistic director and conductor from 2016 until 2022. As a champion of new music for winds and percussion he commissioned several new works for chamber winds including compositions by composers Robert Spittal (Winsome Variations - 2020) which premiered in Boston, and Jake Gunnar-Walsh (Tower of the Winds - 2018).
Under his leadership, Prof. Lewis’ ensembles have performed at state conferences including the Maryland Music Educators State Conference in Baltimore, MD., Boston Symphony Hall, twice at Chicago Symphony Center, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. His ensembles also had the privilege to work with composers/conductors John Mackey, Frank Ticheli, Brian Balmages, Robert Spittal, Anthony Maiello, Malcolm W. Rowell, Jr., and Lt. Col. Arnold Gabriel.
Peter has had the distinct privilege to share the stage with performers such as jazz piano legend Hank Jones, Irish Tenor Ronan Tynan, and Nexus Percussion Ensemble founding member Bob Becker. Many of his students have enjoyed successful careers in music working as educators at the public school and university levels, and as performing artists, including Selmer-Paris artist Stephanie Clark, and Sean Rosati, guitarist for pop music stars Ava Max and Doja Cat.
Peter is an active member of Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA), National Association for Music Educators (NAfME), and the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), and is a sought-after clinician and conductor throughout the region.
Anna Lorenzen
Lecturer
Office: 209 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.4117
Email: alorenzen@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
Graduate Performance Diploma Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University
M.M. Ball State University
B.M. Shenandoah Conservatory
Teaching Interests
French horn
- Additional Information
Bio
Originally from York, Pennsylvania, Anna Lorenzen now lives in Baltimore as a freelance horn player. Anna moved to Baltimore in 2021 to begin coursework at the Peabody Institute after completing a Master of Music degree in music performance from Ball State University where she held a Graduate Assistant position with the Beneficence Woodwind Quintet as an artist-in-residence. Previously, Anna completed a Bachelor of Music in music performance degree at the Shenandoah Conservatory. Anna now holds a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Institute.
Her highlights as a performer include being named as a first prize winner in the Charleston International Music Competition for a performance with the Beneficence Woodwind Quintet, participating in the International Horn Competition of America, and touring Argentina with the Shenandoah Conservatory Symphony Orchestra. Anna currently performs with the Cortina Brass Quintet in the greater Baltimore area and teaches French horn and trumpet. Anna has two cats, Diego and Percy, who love listening to her play horn.
Meghan Nelson
Lecturer
Office: 205 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.4119
Email: mknelson@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
M.M. University of Maryland
B.M. James Madison University
Teaching Interests
Voice, Opera
- Additional Information
Bio
Meghan Nelson is a native of Fairfax, Virginia. Meghan holds a Master of Music degree in Opera Performance from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from James Madison University. While at the University of Maryland, Meghan premiered the role of Acolyte in Ashi Day’s new chamber opera, The Fishwife. She has also performed the roles of Serpetta in Mozart’s La Finta Giardiniera and Selena in Jake Heggie’s If I Were You. While at JMU, Meghan has sung roles in several JMU opera productions including Anne Trulove in Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress and Phyllis in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe. She also covered for Queen of the Night in JMU’s online production of The Magic Flute during COVID-19. Meghan has also participated in the Opera Roanoke Young Artist Program from 2021-2023. This summer, Meghan will perform the roles of Kate, Samantha, and cover the title role in The Ballad of Baby Doe with Opera North as a Resident Artist.
As a soloist, Meghan enjoys performing in frequent recitals. Her solo recital repertoire spans over 10 languages. She also enjoys performing frequently as a concert soloist. Meghan has sung as the soprano soloist in John Adams’ Grand Pianola Music with the University of Maryland Wind Orchestra and in Mahler’s 4th Symphony with the JMU Symphony Orchestra. She has also been featured as a soprano soloist in Felix Mendelssohn’s Psalm 95 and Psalm 42 with the Arioso Chorale and Orchestra in Washington, D.C. In addition, she frequently sings the soprano solos in Handel’s Messiah. Meghan is passionate about exploring diverse and challenging repertoire.
In addition to performing in opera productions, Meghan has also participated in many national and local vocal competitions. In 2023, Meghan placed 1st in the NATS National Student Auditions Classical Division. In 2022, Meghan was a finalist in the CS Music National Competition in Chicago. She also placed 1st in the 2022 Sue Goetz Ross Competition in Bethesda.
Currently, Meghan teaches voice lessons in person and online through NM Productions run by Laurie Nelson. As a teacher, Meghan seeks to help her students find the fun in making music while fostering a safe environment for discovery and learning.
Dr. Scott Rieker
Lecturer
Office: 203 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.4110
Email: serieker@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
D.M.A. University of Southern California
M.M. University of Nebraska - Lincoln
B.A. Saint Gregory the Great Seminary
Teaching Interests
Choirs, Voice, Choral Music Education
- Additional Information
Bio
Dr. Scott Rieker is Director of Choral Activities and Choral Music Education at Frostburg State University, conducting the Chamber Singers, University Chorale, Troubadours tenor/bass choir, Altissia treble choir, teaching conducting, music education coursework, and supervising student-teachers. Choirs under Rieker’s direction have been selected to perform at the Maryland Music Educators Association (MMEA) Conference and the Northeastern Division Conference of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), as well as being finalists for the 2021 American Prize for the Performance of American Music and the American Prize in Choral Performance. Rieker’s doctorate in Choral Music is from the University of Southern California (USC). Rieker taught music in the Des Moines (Iowa) Public Schools for eight years at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. An active composer and arranger, with his works published with Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Rieker studied composition with Morten Laurdisen. Rieker’s Ted Kooser Suite was a finalist for the American Prize in Composition. His research has been published in The Choral Journal, and he has presented several times at the at the MMEA and National NAfME Conferences. Rieker is Priest-In-Charge at St. George’s Episcopal Church, Mount Savage, Maryland, and Past-President of the Iowa Music Educators Association (IMEA).
Dr. Shawn Wang
Lecturer
Office: 207 Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.4132
Email: swang@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
D.M.A. The Boston University
Graduate Certificate The New England Conservatory
M.A. & B.A. The Boston Conservatory
Teaching Interests
Violin, Viola
- Additional Information
Bio
Dr. Shawn-Shuo Wang recently joined the violin faculty of Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University and Elizabethtown College. His 2022-23 season highlight includes performances with The Baltimore Symphony, The Baltimore Chamber Orchestra, and The Boston Festival Orchestra as well as his Asia-North America tour as the co-founder of the Atlas Duo with his colleague Dr. Justin Badgerow.
Dr. Wang has been on stage with The Boston Philharmonic Orchestra, The Boston Chamber Orchestra, The Boston Symphony, and The New World Symphony in Miami. He enjoys summer travel as well as performing with the Tanglewood Music Festival, the Pacific Music Festival, the Sarasota Music Festival, and Aurora Music Festival in Sweden.
As an active chamber music player, Dr. Wang has had the honor of sharing the stage with wonderful musicians such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera David Chan, the principal violin of the Cleveland Orchestra Steve Rose, and Jorja Fleezainis, the former concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra. He has also had the privilege to work with members from The Julliard String Quartet, the Borromeo String Quartet, the Boston Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic orchestra, the Metropolitan Opera, and the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
A passionate educator, Dr. Wang has been on faculty at The Boston University Tanglewood Institute, The New England Conservatory Prep School, The Winsor School, The Chestnut Hill School, and guest coaches the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra. In the summer of 2010, Wang started The American New Music festival week as the Artistic Director in Chengdu China, collaborating with the Sichuan Conservatory of Music. The festival premiered (in Asia) Dr. Samuel Adler’s “All Natural Play” with Dr. Adler himself rehearsing, and Dr. Emily Brown conducting with the Chengdu Philharmonic Orchestra, and gave master classes in the conservatory. The same year, his piano trio world premiered the trio Jeder Engel ist Schrecklich by Dr.James Kallembach from the University of Chicago in 2010.
Other highlights of Dr. Wang’s career include performing with renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma at the Kennedy Center Honors honoring Maestro Seiji Ozawa. His major musical inspiration and mentors include Lynn Chang, Joseph Silverstein, James Buswell, Malcolm Lowe, and Lucia Lin.
Dr. Brent Weber, Chair
Associate Professor
Office: 202B Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.4116
Email: bmweber@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
D.M.A. and M.M. University of Georgia
B.A. Southern Oregon University
Teaching Interests
Saxophone, Jazz Orchestra, Jazz History and Theory, Music Theory
- Additional Information
Bio
When he's not at home playing with his Airdale Terrier, Toby, BRENT WEBER can be found in a variety of musical settings. Brent advocates for his students to be open to all types of music. He enjoys performing modern saxophone and bassoon music around the Mid-Atlantic region. Equally Brent presents jazz concerts in Western Maryland with his colleagues in the Frostburg Jazz Quintet. He also plays professionally with several local rock and funk bands. Dr. Weber has performed in China, Croatia, Slovenia, Grand Canaria, Spain and all across the United States. Brent had the opportunity to work alongside Darmon Meader, Jeff Coffin, Derek Brown, Dave Liebman and Randy Brecker. Currently, Brent is collaborating with composer Mackenzie Jacob LaMont to bring new works to the saxophone repertoire.
Brent Weber has enjoyed a diverse musical journey as performer and educator. After earning degrees in saxophone performance from Southern Oregon University (BA) and University of Georgia (MM) Brent joined the faculty at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in Chengdu, China. After two incredible years teaching and freelancing in Southwest China, Dr. Weber returned to the U.S. to pursue his Doctorate in Musical Arts at the University of Georgia. From 2009-2012 he had the opportunity to study with Kenneth Fischer, Eugene Rousseau, Joseph Wytko, and Connie Frigo. These experiences have uniquely shaped Dr. Weber into the artist and pedagogue he is today.
Dr. Weber is currently Department Chair and Professor in the Department of Music, Theatre & Dance at Frostburg State University in Western Maryland where in addition to maintaining the saxophone and bassoon studios he also directs the Jazz Orchestra.
Personal Email: brent_weber@hotmail.com
Dr. Joseph Yungen
Collaborative Pianist
Office: 127A Performing Arts Center
Phone: 301.687.4245
Email: jsyungen@frostburg.edu
Degrees:
D.M.A. The Juilliard School
M.M. Eastman School of Music
B.A. Southern Oregon University
Teaching Interests
Piano, Collaborative Pianist
- Additional Information
Bio
JOSEPH YUNGEN is a musician who happens to play the piano. He has established an international reputation for his consistent excellence as soloist and collaborator in a wide variety of musical contexts and repertoire, including chamber music, art song, opera, new music, as well as choral and orchestral music. His performances and teaching appearances have been met with acclaim across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Known for his insatiable curiosity, Joseph is constantly expanding his musical knowledge, most recently by playing harpsichord and organ, studying piano technology, and exploring unconventional tunings and unequal temperaments. When it comes to piano tuning, he is particularly fond of Young's Temperament, which he has featured in many of his performances.
Joseph was the featured soloist in the Hans Abrahamsen Concerto for Piano and Orchestra at the Eastman School of Music. He also performed regularly with the New Juilliard Ensemble and AXIOM. Joseph has served as faculty at the Music Academy of the West, the New Jersey Young Artist Piano Competition, and Frostburg State University.
Winner of the “Audience Favorite” and “Best Performance of the Music of Szymanowski” awards in the Seattle International Piano Competition, Joseph received First Prize in the Schubert Club Piano Competition in Minneapolis, the Pianist’s First Prize in the Jessie Kneisel Lieder Competition, and the Barr Award for Excellence in Accompanying at the Eastman School of Music.
Joseph studied with Jonathan Feldman at The Juilliard School, where he earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree. He received Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance & Literature and in Accompanying & Chamber Music from the Eastman School of Music, where he studied with Jean Barr and Douglas Humpherys, and the Bachelor of Arts degree in Piano Performance at Southern Oregon University under the instruction of Alexander Tutunov.