Faculty

*Marlin Barnes, percussion – B.S. Mu. Ed. IUP.  Directed the string program in the Tuscarora School District.  Recently retired after 34 years in public schools.  Performs with the Shippensburg Festival Orchestra, Altoona Symphony, Mercersburg Area Community Chorus, Hagerstown Municipal Band, St. Patrick’s Chorale and Ritma-Cordia, a cello-marimba duo.  Former experience includes the Cumberland Valley Chamber Players, Maryland Symphony Orchestra and the Maryland Lyric Opera.  He also does marimba programs for banquets, Civil War drumming, musical shows, and percussion demonstrations.  He has taught privately for 30 years. 

*Amanda Bietsch, violin, flute -  B.M. Mu Ed, Temple University, with a concentration in flute and violin  where she studied with members of the Philadelphia Orchestra. She was section leader in the Diamond Marching Band and has played in the Wind Symphony.  A former CVSM student, she was a three time CVSM Merit Scholarship Winner and a recipient of the Benjamin Rhine Award.

*Steve Blackstock – guitar. Steve began his formal musical education at age 10 under the tutelage of Roy Macmichael. He’s studied various forms and styles of music and played guitar, bass and harmonica in local area and regional bands for over 35 years, including Southwind, Center Alley, Dem Guise, Side Street, The Toasters, Rudy and the Bluefish, and The Gospel Road Band (Nashville, TN) to name a few. He’s played numerous times at the Western Maryland Blues Fest and opened the concert for Phil Keaggy at the Maryland Theater in Hagerstown, MD. Steve has taught at children’s workshops, at area public schools, and has taught private lessons to all age students in guitar, bass, harmonica, mandolin, violin, drums and banjo for over 10 years. An experienced studio musician in the tri-state area, he also does repairs and has experience building and altering instruments. Steve has been a praise and worship team leader at the Body of Christ Church in St. Thomas, PA for 13 years.

*William Bland, piano, music composition, SMGHS Intro to Music class and SMGHS Musical Theater Class - D.M.A. Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University.  Has taught at Brooklyn College, Catholic University, Temple University  and Wilson College, among others, plus private piano teaching for many  years, including at C.V.S.M. As a composer, his work is recorded and  published, and is available commercially at Amazon and iTunes, among  other scources. His recent (2005) album of himself performing two of  his piano sonatas on Bridge Records has been called "lyrical,  technically assured... these sonatas are a magnificent addition to the contemporary piano literature" by Fanfare Magazine. Dr. Bland is a  proud WV native, and in 2001 received the state's Creative Artist award. He also is a local church musician, and has performed in musical theater both professionally and locally for many years.

*Michael Cameron, cello - received degrees in music from the University of Hartford’s Hartt School of Music, Northwestern University, Eastman School of Music and Rice University. From 1989 until 2002 he was the cellist and general manager of the award winning Marian Anderson String Quartet. He has performed at Alice Tully Hall, the Library of Congress, the Corcoran Gallery, the 1993 Presidential Inaugural Gala and Good Morning, America.  He also served on the faculties of California State University, Texas A&M University and Gettysburg College.  Currently, he is the cellist of the Camica Trio, conductor of the Mercersburg Academy String Ensemble and serves as Visiting Instructor of Cello and Chamber Music at Dickinson College.

*Julia Emig, Suzuki piano, strings - B.S. Mu Ed. West Chester University.  M. Mu. Ed. from The Hartt School.  Received Suzuki Teacher Training at various locations in the U.S. and Canada.  String instructor in the Chambersburg Area School District.  Choir Director, Solomon’s U.C.C.  She has performed extensively in the area as an accompanist and soloist.

*Eric Fisak, guitar – B.M., Mansfield University, Music Therapy. Studied rock guitar under David Levy and classical guitar under Pablo Cohen and Matthew Slatkin. He has performed solo works as well as ensemble pieces.  Currently plays electric guitar with the rock band, the Shackeltons. The Shackeltons have recently signed a record contract with Loveless Records out of Seattle, WA and had their debut release in 2007.

*Jaranell Fritts, piano – B.A. Dallas Christian College. Private piano instructor in Texas, Illinois, Indiana, West Virginia & Maryland for many years.  Studied piano and piano pedagogy with Mrs. Bruce, chair of the Indiana Piano Association.  Worked as a church musician and choir director and accompanist for many soloists.

*Paul Grane,  saxophone, clarinet – B.S. Mu. Ed. Messiah College, M. Mu Ed. Penn State. Retired from teaching instrumental music at the Greencastle-Antrim School District. He has taught at CVSM since 1990. His students have won over 15 Merit Awards at CVSM and have earned selections to PMEA/MENC district, regional, state, and All-East bands and orchestras. He has played with the Hagerstown Municipal Band, Harrisburg Concert Band and the Potomac Symphony. He also served as a music contest judge and adjudicator in the tri-state area.

*Brian Helman, piano – B.M. in Piano Performance, MM in Piano Pedagogy from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music.  At Shenandoah he has served as accompanist for the Theatre Department and the Summer Music Theatre for 5 years and as a piano instructor at the Conservatory Arts Academy. He has accompanied Tony Award winner Gretha Boston at CVSM’s Benefit Gala in 2002.  Professional memberships include:  Music Teachers Nat’l Assn, PA Music Teachers Assn, Nat’l Guild of Piano Teachers and The Nat’l Federation of Music Clubs in both Pennsylvania and Virginia.  He has performed at numerous NYC venues including Gershwin Theatre, St. James Theatre, Schubert Theatre, Don’t Tell Mama’s cabaret with Joy Dewing in 2002 and accompanied master classes and auditions at Circle in the Square Theatre School.  He has served as accompanist for the national touring companies of The Secret Garden and Jesus Christ Superstar and as music director for numerous regional musicals.

*Paula Hepfer, voice – B.A. Indiana University of PA and M.M. Penn State.  Co-founder and Program Director of CVSM. Past performance credits include the Pittsburgh Mendelssohn Chorus, the Shippensburg Festival Chorus, Totem Pole Playhouse, guest artist on PSU’s Alumni, St. John’s UCC, and St. Paul United Methodist Recital Series.  She has been an instructor of Music Appreciation at PSU, University Park and former director of the Wilson College Choir. She is currently co-director of the Praise Team at 1st U M Church, Chbg.

*Marie Hershey, piano, accordion, Building Keyboard Skills – B. S. Liberty University & Wilson College. M.S. in Education from Wilkes University.  Further studies at Shenandoah Music Conservatory and Westminster Choir College. Certified Yamaha classroom instructor. Has accompanied various soloists, groups and choirs and has been a church organist for many years. 

*Herm Hopple, string & electric bass, CVSM Community String Orchestra - B.S. Mu. Ed. Susquehanna University, M.Mu Ed Penn State University. Retired after 30 years as string instructor and director of the Chambersburg Area School District Symphony. Played upright bass with the Potomac Symphony, the Gettysburg College Community Orchestra, and was principal bass for many years with the Shippensburg College Community Orchestra. The current director of the CVSM String Orchestra, he is also well known as the electric bassist with the CVSM Concert Jazz Band and the CVSM Jazz Quartet.

*Linda Justice, piano – Studied at Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, Winchester, VA with Elizabeth Temple.  Linda has taught private piano at various venues since 1979.  Performing experience includes principal accompanist for “The King’s Kids”, with whom she toured throughout the tri-state area and participated in producing two albums.  She has served as organist/pianist at numerous area churches and currently serves at Lifegate Ministries, Waynesboro.

*Roy Justice, voice, beginning guitar, songwriter -  B.A. in vocal performance, Mansfield University.  Additional studies in pedagogy with Ralph Apellman, Indiana U at Bloomington. As a performer, he has appeared at Musikfest, Bethlehem, PA, International Music Festival, Schwabish Gmund, Germany, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC.  Known as the Time Travelling Minstrel, he has presented programs at the Waterloo Canal Festival, Delaware State Fair, Mayfair (Allentown, PA) and Historic Days in Belvedere, NJ and at many schools and community centers.  He has recorded and released a CD of 19^th Century Canal and Period Songs entitled Down Canal on the Lehigh.  Roy's website

*Dottie Klein, flute, beginning guitar, guitar class  – B.A. Mu Ed. The College of New Jersey. Teaches instrumental music at Cumberland Valley Christian School.  Has taught at Shalom Christian Academy as Band Director, Elementary Choral Director and General Music Teacher.  Previously she taught privately and in the Bellmawr, N.J School system.  Performance experience includes soloists for weddings, church services, and private community engagements.  She is a member of the chamber duo, Duo Plaisir (classical flute and guitar).

*Gerald Kowallis,  SMGHS Choir director – B.S. in Music Ed, Indiana University of PA, MM in Vocal Performance, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.  Recently retired as music teacher and choir director at Waynesboro Area Senior High School after 38 years. At WASHS, his chorus and concert choir received many awards. He has been guest conductor for Franklin/Fulton County Chorus, Adams County Chorus, Dauphin County Chorus, and the Pennsylvania Ambassadors of Music (with whom he toured Europe in 1975).  As a vocal soloist, he performs in a wide range of shows and concerts, and has appeared in featured roles at the Allenberry Playhouse, Maryland Theater Opera, Trinity Players, Harrisburg Opera and Mercersburg Community Chorus.

*Terry Losee, violin – BM, M Mus, Oberlin Conservatory.  Has performed on the violin for 6 years in the Chattanooga Symphony, 8 years in the Milwaukee Civic Orchestra, lots of pit orchestra work in Chattanooga and Milwaukee, many years in the Shippensburg Festival Orchestra, the Millbush Orchestra, Mercersburg Chorus Orchestra, etc.  Has taught Violin at the Hart School of Music, Hartford, Conn.; Glendale Public Schools in Milwaukee; Milwaukee Public Schools, Wilson College; Dickinson College, and private studios.

*M. Susan Matson, Suzuki piano, Music Together – B. M. Piano Performance, Peabody Conservatory.  Suzuki teacher training with Haruko Kataoka, co-founder of the Suzuki piano method, and others.  Additional training in early childhood musical development at the Center for Music & Young Children.  Guest clinician at Suzuki workshops, director of Greater Washington Suzuki Piano Institute. Has taught in private schools, K-12, directed children’s & youth choirs, and taught traditional piano. Performance experience includes chamber music, instrumental & vocal accompanying, & solo performances.

*Gloria Kelly McCauley, piano, trumpet – B.S. Mu Ed Lebanon Valley College.  Has taught music in the public school system, elementary through Jr. High.  She has been organist and pianist in various churches and is former Director of Music, Trinity Lutheran Church.  Currently serves as pianist at Chambersburg Brethren in Christ Church.  Served as musical director for many CCT productions, played trumpet and /or string bass in pit orchestras & is the accompanist for Towne Singers, who have made four European tours.

*Patrick McNamee, clarinet – B.S. Mu. Ed. Clarion University.  Director of the High School Band for the Waynesboro Area School District and previously at Scotland School for Veterans Children.  Performance experience includes soloist for church & other community events, and playing for various musicals in the pit orchestra.

*Valerie Merriman, piano – B.A.Wellesley College. Instructs piano to students of all ages and ability levels.  Performance experience includes extensive solo and choral accompanying, CCT, and Totem Pole productions, CVSM Musicales and camps and TGIF concerts at the Capitol Theatre.

*Mark D. Miller, classical guitar, audio recording – R.I.A. Certified Recording Engineer, I.C.S. Electronics Engineering, Music study at Montgomery College and H.J.C.. Advanced theory and composition with C. Randall Williams, Classical guitar study with Chris Anderson.  Hundreds of copyrighted compositions in various styles including pop, rock, jazz, and classical.  He is a member of the chamber duo, Duo Plaisir (classical flute and guitar), the CVSM Concert Jazz Band and in the Rock Group, Faze3.  He is owner M&M Recording Studio.  Mark's website

*Edgar Myers, drum set, rudimental drumming – Catonsville Community College, Reading & Rudiments with John Crocken, Basic Theory with Virginia Rienkoke, Private lessons with Dennis Chambers and Larry Bright. He played his first top 40 gig at age 17 and has played throughout MD, PA, NJ, and VA with some of the region’s most popular top 40, Jazz and Show Bands. Presently performing with the Rock group Faze3, the Doc Bodine Blues Band and pick up jazz gigs. His instrumental Rock/Jazz Band, Chakra, recently released their first CD.

*Jeffrey Noll, piano, Cumberbunds, Voice and Drama Camp – Bachelor of Sacred Music, Baptist Bible College.  Further study at Towson State, Md.  Accompanist for many area instrumental and vocal soloists.  Served as musical director for various children’s musical productions at CVSM and is the Minister of Music at Hagerstown Bible Church.

*Richard Overcash, voice – B.S. Mu. Ed. Elizabethtown College; M.M. Ed, Temple University.  Minister of Music, Calvary Bible Church, Greencastle.  He has studied voice with Robert Regal and Janette Ogg.  Well-known soloist in the area.  Public and private school music teacher for over 35 years and 8 years on the music faculty of Tennessee Temple University.  Studied conducting with Robert Page and Robert Morgan.  Guest conductor of the 1996 and 2004 Franklin-Fulton County Senior High Chorus, conducted similar events in NY State and TN.  Has coached vocal students and directed choirs elementary through college.

*Tresa Paul, guitar, guitar class– Tresa has been performing as a singer/songwriter for over twenty years. She has worked with several local groups and as a solo performer, and currently plays with the acoustic group Soleil.  She also serves on her church praise team as a guitarist and vocalist. She does occasional recording session work and is a free-lance art and music instructor.  Her goal as a teacher is to develop and inspire her students’ creativity in making their own music and to help develop aspiring praise team players.

*Bernie Pitkin, low brass – B.A., M.M. Mu. Ed. University of Mass. Owns “The Band Shop” an instrument repair business in Shippensburg.  Taught public school music in Massachusetts for 10 years, served on the faculty of Allegheny College in Meadville, PA (1980-87) and as Director of Bands at Shippensburg University for the 2000-2001 academic year. Local performance experience includes The Harrisburg Concert Band, Harrisburg Lyric Opera, Hagerstown Municipal Band, Allegheny Summer Music Festival and various other brass ensembles. Currently director of The Carlisle Band, plays tuba with the Cumberland Brass Quintet and with the Bandshop Brass Quintet.

*Diana Reinert, piano, 1^st Kids Chorus, Building Keyboard Skills – B.A. El. Ed. Ch.Mu. Olivet Nazarene University.  Performed with college choir, as soloist with college orchestra, and directed college handbell choir.  Taught 4^th grade at Cumberland Valley Christian School.  Has taught 8 years at CVSM.  She led the Worship Band at Chambersburg BIC church for two years and currently serves as pianist and choir accompanist.

*Emily Sanders, violin - pursuing a degree in Music Education at Elizabethtown College.  Has performed with the CVSM String Orchestra, the I.U.P. Symphony Orchestra, and is currently in the Elizabethtown College Orchestra.  She is an alumnus of CVSM having studied with Terry Losee (violin) and Margaret Weeks (voice).

*Rebecca Sariano, dance, choreography – Owned and taught at Beckie’s Dance Studio in Waynesboro for 29 years before selling the business in 2005.  Has extensive experience working with students of all ages teaching Jazz, Modern, Ballet, and other dance disciplines.  

*Cindy Scanzello, violin – BS Music Ed, West Chester University, MME, Shenandoah University, M. Ed., Wilkes University.  String teacher with the Chambersburg Area School District and Director of the CASD Symphony.   Principal 2^nd violinist with the Shippensburg University Community Orchestra, she also performs with the Shippensburg Festival Chamber Orchestra, the Mercersburg Chorus Orchestra, and recently was the guest conductor for the District 7 String Fest 2006.

*Don Schroeder, French horn – Musically active in Central PA for over 20 years.  Member of the Harrisburg Symphony and principal horn for the Harrisburg Opera Association for 14 years.  Other performance activities include the Harrisburg Choral Society, the Dickinson College Orchestra, the Grantham Oratorio Society, and the Ship. Festival Orchestra, the York Symphony, and Trinity Lutheran Church.  Prior to coming to central PA, he performed with the Columbus (Ohio) Symphony as well as a number of other groups in the central Ohio and Pittsburgh areas.  Presently a member of the Cumberland Brass Quintet.

*David Shearer, piano, voice – B.A. Mu Ed, Point Loma College, San Diego, CA.  He has served as pianist, organist, vocalist, and choral director in numerous churches for over 45 years.  Accompanist for vocal and instrumental solos and choral groups, once accompanying Pat Boone.  He has appeared in lead roles, directed many musicals, and sang with the Virginia Symphony Chorus, Norfolk, VA. Currently he is choir director and organist at Calvary United Methodist Church, Fayetteville, PA.  He tunes and repairs pianos of all makes and models as the owner of David Shearer Piano Service.  David’s website:  www.DavidShearerPiano.com

*Richard Shoap, Making a Scene:  An Actor’s Workshop – retired Chambersburg attorney, studied theatre and drama as an undergraduate at Bucknell University.  He has been active over the years as an actor and director with various area theatre groups, most notably with Chambersburg Community Theatre (CCT) and the Conocoheague Players, and he has taught acting courses in the past for CVSM.  Most recently, in 2008 he directed a production of Shadowlands, a play about C.S. Lewis and his relationship with Joy Gresham, for CCT at the Capitol Theatre.

*Jennifer Kreyl Shoeman, Voice and Drama Camp, Spotlights Acting Camp - BA Theater Arts, Temple University. M Ed, Arcadia University.  A CVSM alumna, she is Creator/Director of Spotlights Acting Camp. She also serves as Youth Drama Director at Totem Pole Playhouse.  An accomplished playwright, her works have been produced at Philadelphia's Adrienne Theater, Coatesville Cultural Society, the Star Theater, Gettysburg College Theater Department and Toronto's NovaStage.  She has been published by Plays Magazine.  Her experience as an actress ranges from College Theater to Off-Off Broadway in NYC.  Favorite roles include Mary in Crystal Weeds, Jo in Little Women, Catherine in A Love Divided, and Abby in Andrew Sussman's musical Abbey Victoria.  She is the Director of the Drama Department at Renaissance Academy in Suburban Philadelphia.

*Carl Sponenberg, flute, saxophone, clarinet – B.S. Mu. Ed., Wilkes College. M.M. Mu. Ed., Eastman School of Music. He majored in flute and clarinet at both Wilkes and Eastman and has studied with William Gasbarro, William Osseck, and Joseph Mariano. He taught 34 years with the Big Spring School District, serving 18 years as department chair and 14 years as the high school band director. He was elected to the Big Spring High School “Wall of Fame” in May 2003.  He has taught privately since 1964 and given lessons to many district and regional band students.  Currently, he plays clarinet with the Dickinson College Band, the Hershey Symphony, the CVSM Community Symphonic Band, the Harrisburg Concert Band, Center Stage Opera and saxophone with the Craig Sunday Jazz Orchestra. He led and conducted the PA Ambassadors of Music Wind Ensemble on a European Tour in June 2006.  He now directs the Shippensburg, PA Town Band.

*Marsha Stine, piano - B.S. in Piano Performance from Frostburg State University.   A private piano instructor since 1980 in Pennsylvania and Maryland.  She has taught grades 1-12 music classes, served as a choir and dinner theatre director at several private schools.  She has been a piano accompanist for various soloists including an alumni performance at Frostburg State in 2004.  She has toured as a singer with Festival of Praise Singers and Band and has served as a church musician as accompanist, vocalist, choir director, praise team leader at various churches for 20 years. 

*Debbie Stotelmyer, violin – B.S. Mu. Ed, Frostburg State College.  Former Principal 2nd Violin in the MD Symphony Orchestra, Concertmistress for Mercersburg Community Chorus/Orchestra, Former concertmistress of Millbrook Orchestra and Frederick Community Orchestra.  Currently on staff at Shepherd College.  Has over 25 years experience in private teaching, 14 years in public school teaching and has had many students selected for MD All-State Orchestra, and the Central PA District Orchestra.

*Andrew Sussman, jazz, songwriting – University of the Arts. Executive Director of CVSM, composer, pianist.   His songs have been performed and/or recorded by singers Rene’ Marie, Nancy Reed, Gwen Howard, Mary Jayne Raleigh, Jim Van Slyke, and the Washington D.C. Cabaret Network, and Chicago Cabaret Professionals.  Other projects include the musicals Pollyanna,  Abbey Victoria: A Musical Daydream (both performed in NYC and locally), A Touch of Bourbon, and Follow Your Dreams (one act) and incidental music and songs for Phoenix: The Burning of Chambersburg, A Love Divided, and Nellie Was There.  Performs with CVSM Jazz Quartet and Concert Jazz Band. Andrew's website

*Suzanne Sweigart, piano, voice, voice class – B.M. Piano Performance, Houghton College. M.M. in Voice Performance, Westminster Choir College of Ryder University.  Solo performing experience in voice in the greater NY, Phila. and Gettysburg areas.  Recently sang the Mother role in Hansel and Gretel (Humperdink) with Center Stage Opera. Has performed with the Westminster Choir at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center under conductors Leonard Bernstein and Richardo Muti.  Also teaches voice and piano at Mt. St. Mary’s University in Maryland. Experienced teaching all ages, emphasizing the fundamentals as a spring board for advancement.

*Suzanne Thierry, flute, piano – B.M. University of Alabama.  M.M. Bowling Green State University.  Five-year tenure on the faculty of BGSU and administrator for BGSU’s MidAmerican Center for contemporary music.  An active flutist and piano accompanist, she has performed as a soloist and chamber musician on a variety of venues nationally.  Has worked with composers throughout the U.S. as a specialist in the performance of contemporary music. Active with the Nat’l Flute Assn. Studied with Sheryl Cohen and Judith Bentley, has participated in the master classes of Jean Pierre Rampal, Alain Marion and Samuel Baron.  A former faculty member of Wilson College and Dickinson College.  A certified public school teacher in PA & OH, she currently teaches with CASD and is a reader for the AP National Music Theory Exams administered through the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

*Elisabeth Turchi, voice, voice class – BFA Carnegie-Melon University, MM Shenandoah University.  She studied at the International Institute of Vocal Arts and is an alumna of the International Opera Academy of Rome and the Ezio Pinza Council of American Singers of Opera.  She sang the role of Alice in Falstaff in her Rome debut.  She has sung principal roles with the Harrisburg Opera, the Pittsburgh Opera, and the Carnegie-Mellon Opera.  She has also performed with NYC’s Gotham Chamber Opera.  Oratorio credits include Gabriel in Haydn’s Creation in Vienna and Budapest with Grammy-winning conductor Robert Page.  She served as Choral Director of the Central PA Youth Opera and is the current Director of the Wilson College Choir. 

*David Wenerd, Community Symphonic Band, Concert Jazz Band – B.S. Mu. Ed., Temple University.  M.Mu. Ed. Catholic University of America.  CASD Music Department Chairman, CASD 6^th Grade Band at CAMS, Conductor of the Towne Singers, the CVSM Concert Jazz and Community Symphonic Bands and Director of Music at Falling Spring Presbyterian Church, Trombone/Euphonium Section Leader & Soloist with Hagerstown Municipal Band.  Freelance trombone.

*Susan Whitelock, Musical Kaleidoscope - B.S. Elementary Education with music minor, Keuka College, New York. Masters in Education, Shippensburg University  Susan has taught for 36 years in the education field, at all grade levels, pre-school through college. She also taught the gifted seminar program in the Chambersburg Area School District in Grades 3-7. She has always incorporated music in all facets of her creative teaching. She has been a CVSM faculty member for 20 years since the opening of the school in 1989. She initially developed and continues to teach the Preschool and Kindergarten Music Program at CVSM. She has also served on the CVSM Board of Directors. She has been an adjunct professor of education for Wilson College for 14 years, supervising the Wilson College student teachers in the Education Department. She is a member of the CASD Pre-School Collaboration Team and the National Association of the Education of Young Children. She was a former private piano teacher, former member of the Harrisburg Choral Society, and former member of the Grantham Oratorio Society.

Cumberland Valley School of Music  •  1015 Philadelphia Avenue, Chambersburg, PA 17201  •  (717) 261-1220