CVSM has a long-standing, professional faculty, many of which have advanced degrees in music or the fine arts. Frequent feedback from students and parents reflect the dedication and commitment demonstrated by the CVSM faculty as they train, inspire and encourage their students.

CVSM FACULTY  

*Marlin Barnes, percussion – B.S. Mu. Ed. IUP.  Directed the string program in the Tuscarora School District and retired after 34 years in public schools.  Performs with the Shippensburg Festival Orchestra, Altoona Symphony, Mercersburg Area Community Chorus and Orchestra, Hagerstown Municipal Band, 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 over 30 years.         

*Stephen Blackstock – guitar, folk instruments. Studied guitar with Roy MacMichael.  Steve has 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).  He has performed at the Western Maryland Blues Fest and opened the concert for Phil Keaggy at the Maryland Theater. Steve has taught children’s workshops at area public schools and has taught privately 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 is Praise and Worship team leader at the Body of Christ Church in St. Thomas, PA.  

*Keith Brant, voice- B.M. DePauw University; M.M. Florida State University. He was chosen for the apprentice artist program of the Santa Fe Opera and was a resident artist with the Orlando Opera Company. Keith continued his studies in Rome, Italy and later with Carl Olsen of NYC.   He has sung with COSI Opera, Long Island, Manhattan Lyric Opera, Concert Opera Philadelphia and in Harrisburg with Capitol Opera, the Choral Society, Open Stage, the Opera Association and the Wednesday Club.  Mr. Brant has sung many roles from Opera, Operetta, and Broadway shows including Rinuccio in Gianni Schicchi, Kaspar in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Pong in Turandot,  the Duke of Dunstable in Patience, Matt in The Fantastiks and Boyd in The Big Bang.   Keith has previously taught voice at Dickinson College.

*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.

*Maggie-Kate Coleman, director, Summer Writing Workshop; Maggie-Kate is the bookwriter and lyricist of “POP!” (music by Anna K. Jacobs), winner of 3 Connecticut Critics Circle Awards and recipient of 7 Helen Hayes Award nominations. Actor Anthony Rapp (Mark from the original Broadway cast of “Rent) recently starred as Andy Warhol in Pittsburgh’s City Theatre Company production of “POP!. The rock musical has also been seen at the Yale Repertory Theatre and DC’s Studio Theatre. Coleman’s other musicals include “From A Child”, “rainsong”, and “Memento Mori”.  She is currently collaborating on other theatrical productions in New York City.  Maggie-Kate is a graduate of Ithaca College, received an MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, and trained at the National Theater Institute at Eugene O’Neill Theater Center.  She lives in Brooklyn and is originally from Hagerstown, MD.

*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.

*Tim Gotwald, CVSM Community Symphonic Band Director; Introduction to Music (Goretti).  B.S. in Mu. Ed from Susquehanna University. Tim recently retired from the Chambersburg Area School District after 37 years of service.  He taught elementary music and was the CASHS band director.  Tim is an accomplished flutist and saxophonist playing with the Hagerstown Municipal Band, the CVSM Jazz Quartet, Mercersburg Community Chorus Orchestra, theater pit (Shippensburg University, Mercersburg Academy and road shows), CVSM Big Band, Buzz Jones Big Band, Gettysburg Big Band, CVSM jazz quartet, chamber and church ensembles venues.  Tim has taught flute and sax privately for many years.

*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 has also served as a music contest judge and adjudicator in the tri-state area.   

*Brian Helman, piano - B.M. & M.M. in Piano Performance & Pedagogy both from Shenandoah Conservatory of Music.  Brian is currently finishing his internship for a Masters degree in Music Therapy from Shenandoah.  He has performed at numerous NYC venues including The Gershwin Theatre, St. James Theatre, Schubert Theatre, Don't Tell Mama's Cabaret & Circle in the Square Theatre School.  He served as accompanist in the national touring companies of: Jesus Christ Superstar and The Secret Garden.  He has accompanied Tony award winner Gretha Boston ar CVSM's Benefit Gala in 2002 and frequently accompanies Washington Opera tenor, Corey Evan Rotz.  Professional memberships includes: Music Theacher's Nat'l Assoc., PA Music Teachers Assoc.& Nat'l Federation of Music Clubs in Winchester, Va.

*Marie Hershey, piano, accordion, Beginning Keyboard Class – 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.  Marie has accompanied various soloists, groups and choirs and has been a church organist for many years.  She was the first teacher for several accomplished local pianists, including Brian Helman and Kevin Gorman.                                                                                                                                            

*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. 

* Rochelle Kniss, Suzuki Piano - B.S. Mu Ed., Lebanon Valley College, Suzuki piano teacher training, teacher of piano for over 20 years (previously in Lancaster County and Eastern Mennonite University Preparatory Dept. in VA), lower elementary music teacher at Shalom Christian Academy, accompanist for CVSM Cumberbunds Children's Chorus, enjoys playing piano and leading worship at Marion Mennonite Church.

*Lynda Kuckenbrod, harp - Lynda is a certified clinical musician and vibro-acoustice harp therapy practitioner. As a child and young adult she played classical violin, 6 and 12 string guitars and also performed as a singer/songwriter. Lynda then discovered her passion for the harp. She is a member of the Sound and Music Alliance and the International Society of Folk Harpers and Craftsmen. Lynda taught the folk harp for many years in Huntington, PA before moving to our area. She performs bedside in hospitals, nursing facilities and for hospice patients.  Lynda is the owner of MoonShadow Harp and Sound Therapy.

*Terry Losee, viola, 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 Hartt 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 former accompanist for Towne Singers, who have made five European tours.

* Mary McGinley, (dance) Voice and Drama Camp, - Mary has been active in musical and non-musical theatre as an actor, choreographer, assistant director, and teacher with Walker Performing Arts, St. Maria Goretti High School, CVSM, and The Capitol Theatre.  She is also highly involved in music performance, having studied voice with Paula Hepfer at CVSM and Megan Monaghan at Muhlenberg College, where she participates in College Choir, Women's Ensemble, Gospel Choir, and plays cymbals in the Pep Band.

*Heather McEndree, Musikgarten, flute – B S Music Ed and B A Flute: Lebanon Valley College; M Music Ed assistantship: Temple University, including special courses in early childhood music with Dr. Beth Bolton; certified instructor for Musikgarten, trained with Leilani Miranda; teaches middle school band and general music for Washington County Public Schools; past member of the Frederick Flute Choir. Heather has had four articles published in 'Music Educators Journals.' She has received honors including 'First Year Teacher Award,' 'First-Class Teacher Award,' and Finalist for 2012 Washington County 'Teacher of the Year.' She is also a presenter and presider for the Maryland Music Educators Association.

*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.Valerie has been a member of the CVSM faculty since 1992. 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.

* Diane M. Miller, YMCA Sam's Camp choreographer, Zumba®, Zumbatonic® instructor, Diane has had numerous years of dance training and teaching.  More recently trained to instruct Zumba® for both adults and children, she has been certified since March of '09.  As a professional dancer, Diane has worked with a Canadian company and incorporated a dance/exercise business in NJ.  In addition to working with Sam's Kids, more recently she had opportunity to work with the CASHS marching band. Diane is also the CVSM Director of Student Services.

*Mark D. Miller, guitar, audio recording, Beginning Guitar Class – R.I.A. Certified Recording Engineer, I.C.S. Electronics Engineering, Music study at Montgomery College and H.J.C.  B.S. Computer Information Systems, Devry University. 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) and the Rock Group, Soulstice . He is the owner of M&M Recording Studio. visit Mark's website

Mitch Morrill - Guitar (acoustic/electric) BA Shippensburg. Having performed regionally for the past 35 years as a singer / songwriter this seasoned professional brings his own brand of guitar instruction to the table. Hosting many open mic nights has also developed into performance tips such as; proper mic technique, using a monitor, and performance preparation which Mitch shares with his students in this holistic approach.

*Edgar Myers, Snare drum, rudiments, theory and multiple drum set styles. Studied theory and basic composition with Virginia Rienoke, snare drum and rhythm reading with John Crocken, and private lessons with Dennis Chambers & Larry Bright. Edgar has been playing professionally in the mid Atlantic region for more than thirty years with popular rock, jazz and variety acts, and had stints with blues legend James Cotton and jazz great, Cyrus Chestnut.  In recent years Edgar has performed with local notables such as Maurice Arenas & Howard Burns, and currently can be seen with the standard/funky BEAT JAZZ SOCIETY. The plan for a new original album is in the works.

*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.

*Tresa Paul, guitar, It Rocks Camp – 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.

*Ragan Potts, drums - B.M.E., Shenandoah University. Potts teaches essential drumkit styles and technique and rudimental snare drum technique. He has taught drums for 18 years. Ragan studied drumkit with Bill Reichenbach in D.C. and later toured and recorded with Atlantic recording artists The Clovers for nine years. Potts performed extensively in Atlantic City casinos and is currently active in several regional bands and emphasizes the skills necessary to ensure success in any musical ensemble.

* Emily Sanders, violin - BS in Music Education at Elizabethtown College.  Has performed with the CVSM String Orchestra, the I.U.P. Symphony Orchestra, and the Elizabethtown College Orchestra.  As a vocal performer she played the part of Peggy in CCT’s production of Godspell. She is an alumnus of CVSM, having studied with Terry Losee (violin) and Margaret Weeks (voice).

*Gabrielle Sanfilippo, voice, violin-Bachelor's of Music Education from Cedarville University. While in attendance she studied voice with Mark Spencer and was a member of the Cedarville University Women's Choir and played flute in the Cedarville Symphonic Band. Gabrielle completed her student teaching requirement at St Alban's College-a highly ranked all boys high school in Pretoria South Africa. She has been involved with CVSM since a young age, taking private lessons in voice, violin, flute, cello, and piano, as well as participating in several of the summer camps offered. Gabrielle was the Choral Director for Youth Arts Initiative, a collaboration with the Chambersburg Area School District, Spring 2012.

*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, and the Mercersburg Chorus Orchestra.

*David Shearer, piano, voice – B.A. Mu Ed, Point Loma College. He has served as pianist, organist, vocalist, and choral director in numerous churches for over 40 years.  As both vocalist and pianist, he has served as soloist for numerous weddings and funerals. He has appeared in lead roles and directed many musicals, and sang with the Virginia Symphony Chorus. Currently he is choir director and organist at the Calvary United Methodist Church, Fayetteville, PA.   visit David Shearer's website 

*Richard Shoap, Acting and Theatre Improv Classes;  Musical Theater Class (Goretti); Director of Fall Play and Spring Musical (Goretti); -studied theater and drama at Bucknell University.  He is an adjunct instructor in Theater at Wilson College, and has taught acting and improvisational theater courses for CVSM for a number of years, including Young Actor’s Workshops, Acting Improv, Voice & Drama Camp, Showstoppers Musical Theater Camp, and Shakespeare Camp.  He has been active for over 25 years as an actor and director with various area theater groups, most notably with Chambersburg Community Theater and the Conococheague Players.

*Carl Sponenberg, flute, saxophone, clarinet, New Horizons Band – 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.

*Elizabeth Stahl, YMCA Sam’s Music Camp Director – B.S. Music Education & B.A. Vocal Performance, Lebanon Valley College; Masters of Music Education, Shenandoah University.  Beth is the Director of Choral Music at the Chambersburg Area Senior High School including Glee Club, Choristers, and Esquires.  Beth frequently performs at church and in the community.

*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. 

*Suzanne Sweigart, piano, voice – 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 (Humperdinck) 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 springboard 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). She also directs the flute choir at Shippensburg University.

*Deborah Weihl, Voice, Piano, Trumpet, & French horn lessons -BS in Music Education, Piano and Voice Major and French horn Minor, Towson University, MS in Curriculum and Instruction, McDaniel College, holds a current Advanced Professional Maryland Educator Certificate, a retired Choral and Instrumental music teacher in the Washington County Public Schools. Since 1995, is employed by Performance Learning Systems to teach graduate level education courses for McDaniel and Wilkes University, including Differentiated Instruction for Today’s Classroom, Purposeful Learning through the Multiple Intelligences, and Classroom Management: Orchestrating a Community of Learners. She also teaches PLS online courses including Effective Classroom Management, Multiple Intelligence, and Infusing Arts across the Curriculum for Drexel and Wilkes U, Marygrove & Rockford Colleges (IL), and The College of New Jersey. She has also led church choirs and taught private lessons in piano, voice, trumpet, and French horn.