Music Faculty

Lecturer of Music
Collaborative Piano

Office: 232 Fine Arts

Phone: (731) 881-7409

Email: cjean@utm.edu

Chan Mi Jean is Lecturer in Music at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she specializes in Collaborative Piano. Jean is an emerging chamber musician, vocal pianist, and opera coach who has performed internationally in Austria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Italy, Thailand, and the U.S.

As an active chamber musician, Jean has performed with various instrumentalists on a wide range of repertoire and appeared in venues such as Aspen Music Festival and the pianist for the prestigious Perlman Trio in 2016-17. She was also the winner of the Irving Shain Woodwind-Piano Duo Competition with oboist Emily Knaapen. As a soloist, she has given solo recitals and won numerous competitions. She also has performed multiple concertos with orchestras.

In addition, Jean has established herself as an opera coach through years of training and worked on many operas in Europe and the U.S. with world renowned conductors such as David Effron, Jane Glover, Andrew Bisantz, and Ari Pelto. She was a recipient of the Opera Coach Fellowship for Aspen Opera Center for one of the mainstage shows La Clemenza di Tito in summer of 2017 with the invitation for the same position for Trouble in Tahiti in 2018. Jean has also worked at the Virginia Opera House as an Apprentice Coach for 2017-18.

As a passionate believer in outreach and education, Jean has served as the pianist for the Reimagining Opera for Kids (ROK) in Bloomington, IN in 2012-14, and is currently serving as the pianist and musical director for The Magic Flute Outreach with the UTM Music Department.

A native of Seoul, Korea, Jean received her D.M.A. in Collaborative Piano from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, M.M. and P.D. in Piano Performance from Indiana University, and B.A. in Music Performance from Asbury University. Jean’s teachers include Donald Zent, Jean Louis-Haguenauer, and Martha Fischer.

D.M.A., Choral Professor
Office: 123 Fine Arts
Phone: 731.881.7412
Email: mstatler@utm.edu

Dr. Mark Statler is the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he conducts the University Singers and New Pacer Singers and teaches choral music education courses. He and his wife, Audrey, have three children: Mattie, Eliana, and Sam. 

Mark grew up in the cornfields of Rochester, Indiana before graduating from Taylor University with a music education degree in 2010 and teaching general music at Center Grove Elementary School in Greenwood, Indiana. Mark then moved to Kenya in 2011 to direct the middle school and high school choral program at Rosslyn Academy, an international school in the capital city of Nairobi. In addition to teaching, he had the joy of being a part of the classical music scene by conducting the Nairobi Music Society and the Nairobi Orchestra in choral/symphonic works such as Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Mass in C, Haydn's Lord Nelson Mass, Bach’s Christ Lag in Todes Banden, Handel’s Israel in Egypt, and Brahms’ Schicksalslied. He also sang with and conducted the Greenwood Singers, a 16-member chamber choir.

In 2018, the Statler family moved back to the U.S. where Mark studied choral conducting at Bowling Green State University, graduating with his master’s degree in 2020. During this time, Mark assisted with choral music education classes under Dr. Emily Pence Brown, conducted choirs under Dr. Mark Munson and Dr. Richard Schnipke, and directed the Fostoria Lake Plains Barbershop Chorus. Mark then continued his graduate studies at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana with a primary focus in choral conducting and a secondary focus in music education. While at Ball State, Mark was the instructor of record for music theory and aural skills classes, conducted the undergraduate choir University Choral Union, assisted conducting classes under Dr. Kerry Glann, and was an assistant conductor for choirs under Dr. Andrew Crow. Working as an adjunct professor, he conducted the Taylor University Women’s Chorus and mentored working music educators in the online master’s program at Bowling Green State University. The choral music of Florence B. Price (1887-1953) was the focus of his dissertation lecture recital and he continues to research, perform, and present these artistic and important under-performed works. Graduating from Ball State in 2023 with a Doctor of Arts in Music degree, he officially became Dr. Mark Statler.

About
Dr. Liz Aleksander is Associate Professor of Music at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where she teaches clarinet and music theory. She is a passionate teacher who strives to provide valuable learning experiences for her students. Since arriving at UTM in 2013, Dr. Aleksander has brought in visiting artists from across the country. She has also started a clarinet choir and established a clarinet studio recital to provide additional performance opportunities for her students. In addition to UTM, she has worked with clarinetists in Brazil, Mexico, Wisconsin, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Nebraska, and Arizona.

Dr. Aleksander is an active chamber musician, performing primarily with the LCD Woodwind Trio, which has commissioned and premiered a number of works for the unusual combination of flute, clarinet, and saxophone. In addition, she is bass clarinetist with the Paducah Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Jackson (TN) Symphony Orchestra, Dubuque Symphony Orchestra, and Omaha Symphonic Winds, including a concerto performance with the latter. Dr. Aleksander has also performed at a number of international conferences, including the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest, the Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, and Andover Educators International Conference; Dr. Aleksander has also performed at regional conferences for the ICA (southeast region), the College Music Society (southern region), and the Music by Women Festival. She has also been published in the ICA’s national journal (The Clarinet) and blog (BuzzReed).

Philanthropy is also important to Dr. Aleksander, who founded and serves as Director of UTM’s Community Music Academy; she also participates in many outreach trips with LCD Woodwind Trio. Sigma Alpha Iota international music fraternity is also an important philanthropic organization to Dr. Aleksander: she is currently an advisor for Epsilon Iota chapter, and she was previously Membership Trainer for the Bethel University colony and Province Officer for Xi A Province. In addition, during her time in Nebraska, she began the annual SAI outreach program Music at the Museum, which allows children to try different instruments and experience live classical music.

Prior to working at UTM, Dr. Aleksander taught at Midland University, Cornerstone Academy of Clarinet, and Southeast Community College in Nebraska. She holds a D.M.A. from the University of Nebraska, a M.Mus. with distinction from Northern Arizona University, and a B.Mus. summa cum laude from Ohio University. Her teachers include Diane Barger, Michael Sullivan, Rebecca Rischin, and Kevin Schempf.

Teaching Philosophy

College is a time for students to become not only the best clarinetists and all-around musicians possible, but also to develop into cultured members of society. To promote this growth, I strive to create a comfortable, encouraging environment in which my students can openly share their opinions, both with myself and other students; after all, sometimes students learn as much from each other as from their professors. I want my students to be able to approach me for advice, be it personal or professional. To forge this one-on-one connection, I make sure that I am myself around students, that I have a sense of humor, and that I admit when I make a mistake; this creates an atmosphere where it’s okay to mess up (although it will get fixed!). This establishes me as a role model and lifelong mentor for my students, and I look forward to seeing them continue to evolve and impact music throughout their adult lives.

When teaching lessons, I am as flexible as I can be while still maintaining a clear structure and set of expectations. Since everyone learns differently, I need that flexibility in order to meet each student where (s)he is and work on problem areas. However, at the same time, I need to set firm expectations in order to hold students accountable and to motivate them—and sometimes to show them just how much they can accomplish. My goal in lessons is to enable my students to make music on their own—essentially, to produce students who no longer need me. This necessitates a large “teaching repertoire;” I typically begin by getting students to listen to themselves critically (but realistically, without being overly critical). I also work with students to develop their “inner teacher” by asking them directed questions after they play; to set goals, both long-term and short-term, and work to reach them; and to refine their practice habits, often by having a “practicing lesson” wherein a student goes about practicing as if I’m not there.

In my classroom teaching, I abide by many of the same ideals: I want to create a fun, relaxed atmosphere where my students are able to come to me with anything. To do this, I have found that allowing my personality and sense of humor to show is even more important than it is in a studio setting. I’m also mindful of different learning styles, and I try to explain a concept in multiple ways to accommodate as many students as possible; in particular, I’ve found that providing visual aids, such as timelines and comparison charts, is crucial in courses like Introduction to Music. In these courses that are geared toward non-music majors, my mission is to inspire a lifelong interest in music, thus growing our audience and passing the love of music on to future generations. To do this, I focus on instilling critical listening skills, teaching important trends instead of memorizing names and dates, and relating our discussion to society in both the past and the present. I also utilize this opportunity to teach valuable career skills, such as researching, writing, and presenting, and I attempt to push my students out of their comfort zones by requiring them to attend at least one classical concert or recital.

Regardless of whether I’m teaching in the classroom or in the clarinet studio, I have worked to develop my substantial teaching repertoire by pursuing my interests in both music history and music theory. My background in these areas has provided additional pedagogical approaches for a variety of situations, from teaching phrasing in a clarinet lesson, to making chant relevant to my Introduction to Music class, to bonding with my History of Rock class over a love for the Rolling Stones. I form a connection with each of my students by relating to them on a personal level, and I make sure that they also connect with the subject matter by linking it to their outside interests and future career. However, perhaps the most powerful tool in my teaching repertoire is my passion. I am always excited about what I teach, and I strive to pass that excitement on to my students. My enthusiasm is what motivates them: they want to do well not because they’re afraid of getting scolded if they don’t, but because they don’t want to let me down.

Resume

Download Aleksander CV

Mary Elise Laman, a native of Hendersonville, TN, found her love for the marching arts in 2005 with the Goodpasture Christian School color guard and winter guard. While in high school, Mary Elise, went on to march in the color guard with Spirit of Atlanta and was also the first person in her school to perform with the U.S. Army All American Marching Band in 2009. Furthermore, Mary Elise marched with Spirit of Atlanta from 2008 - 2011, where she aged out. After aging out with SoA, she spent the summer of 2012 in the color guard with Atlanta CorpsVets. In the winter seasons, Mary Elise performed with the Eklipse Winter Guard out of Nashville, TN from 2010-2013. 

Mary Elise earned her Cosmetology License out of Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2014. While living in Chattanooga, she instructed the UTC Color Guard for 9 years, as well as starting the winter guard program for Signal Mountain High School, medaling their second year out. 

After moving back home to Hendersonville, Mary Elise has had the honor of teaching and designing for various programs, most recently being WGI Regional & COC Finalist Station Camp High School, where she started the JV winter guard program. Other schools include White House High School, COC Finalist Brentwood High School, COC Finalist Spring Hill High School also where she started the JV winter guard program, COC Finalist McGavock High School, Sycamore High School, and Goodpasture Christian School.  She has also had the pleasure of being on staff with Eklipse Winter Guard, and currently serves as a member of the Steering Committee for the SCGC Circuit.   

When not involved in guard or teaching-related activities, Mary Elise enjoys spending time with her husband, Adam, and two daughters, Lily and Luna. She also enjoys crafting, hair and makeup designs, face painting, and reading during her free time.  

Charles Lewis earned a Bachelor in Flute Performance from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a Master of Music in Flute Performance from the University of Memphis. He has over 30 years of teaching, performing, and adjudicating experience in West Tennessee, Western Kentucky and throughout the country. He is currently principal flutist in the Jackson Symphony and performs with the Memphis (TN) and Paducah (KY) Symphonies. He previously served as principal flutist with the Southwest Michigan Symphony and Memphis Repertory Orchestra and performed regularly with the Memphis Eroica Ensemble. He performed with the Cooper Young Wind Quintet, and the UTM University Trio currently performs with UT Martin’s LCD Faculty Woodwind Trio, and the UTM University Trio. He has performed at numerous national and international conferences as a part of the LCD Woodwind Trio, and internationally with the University Trio. Mr. Lewis is currently a Lecturer of Music and Flute Instructor at the University of Tennessee at Martin. He previously taught at The University of Memphis, Bethel University, and Dyersburg State Community College. He was a first prize winner and third prize winner in the Memphis Beethoven Club’s Young Artist Competition and a winner in the Florida Flute Association’s Artist Masterclass Competition. He has performed in numerous Masterclasses for some of the world’s leading orchestral flutists and educators including Jeanne Baxtresser, Julius Baker, Jeff Khaner, Jean- Pierre Rampal, Ransom Wilson, Geoffrey Gilbert, Mary Posses, Laura Larson, Wissum Boustany, and Jill Felber.  In addition to his UT Martin teaching, Mr. Lewis maintains a private flute studio in Martin. His primary flute teachers include Bruce Erskine, Julius Baker and Phyllis Taylor Sparks.

Charles Lewis and Chan Mi Jean - Jolivet Chant de Linos

madams68@utm.edu

Mikayla McCommas is the Adjunct Instructor of Horn at University of Tennessee in Martin. She is working towards completing her Doctorate in Horn Performance at Indiana University with Jeff Nelsen. McCommas received her Master's in Horn Performance at IU studying modern horn with Dale Clevenger and natural horn with Richard Seraphinoff. A native of North Texas, she completed her bachelor's in music education at Stephen F. Austin State University with Dr. Charles Gavin. Since moving to Bloomington in 2017, McCommas has been freelancing with several regional orchestras and chamber groups around the Midwest, and frequently performs with the Evansville Philharmonic and the “Hot Horns” brass quintet. Established in 2018, she founded Indiana University's horn choir, the Big Red Horn Club, as a unifying organization for the nearly fifty horn students at the Jacobs School of Music to engage and perform for the Bloomington community. She explores special interests in researching deliberate practice methods for the horn, giving an online lecture at the International Horn Symposium in 2020 titled “Quality Over Quantity: Efficient Practice Habits to Prepare for Effective Performance”. In 2022, McCommas served as the Associate Instructor of Horn at Indiana University—teaching lessons, leading morning routines, coordinating ensemble auditions, and executing administrative duties for the horn department. Her transformative experience at Kendall Betts Horn Camp in 2023, led to her serving on staff the following year. Her teaching is inspired by the mentorship of her previous private horn instructors: Karen Houghton, Charles Gavin, Alex Shuhan, Richard Seraphinoff, Dale Clevenger, and Jeff Nelsen. McCommas has been teaching private lessons for over a decade, to students ranging from 10 - 40 years of age. Outside of the horn, she works as an administrative assistant for the brass department at IU and as a barista and baker at a local coffee shop. 

Email:  mmccomma@utm.edu

Website: mikaylamccommas.com

Dr. Jody N. Blake serves as Coordinator and Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he teaches courses in music education, methods, and music history/appreciation and supervises student teachers. Dr. Blake has six years of public and private school teaching experience in Mississippi, where his choirs consistently received high ratings in performance and sight-singing. His teaching experience also includes teaching community college choir, applied voice, music appreciation, and music theory in Texas. Dr. Blake earned his Doctor of Philosophy and Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degrees in Music Education from Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. He also holds a Master of Music in Music Education from Anderson University, Bachelor of Science in Music from Blue Mountain Christian University (formerly Blue Mountain College), Associate of Arts in Music Education from Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Level I Kodály Certificate from the University of Central Missouri. Additionally, he has over ten years of church music experience, working with choirs of all age levels and recently finished a M.A. in biblical and theological studies from Belhaven University. His primary research interests include hymnody in choral music education, Christian music education and worship, distance learning in music education, and aesthetics in music education and worship. He has a deep love and appreciation for Christian hymnody and frequently offers special topic courses pertaining to the topic.

About:

Austin Shoupe joined the music faculty at the University of Tennessee - Martin in the fall of 2023 serving as the Director of Percussion Studies. He teaches courses in percussion pedagogy and applied percussion while also leading the UTM Percussion Ensemble and the marching percussion of the Aviator Marching Band. Previous teaching positions have included Teaching Assistant at the University of Kentucky, Director of Instrumental Studies at Thomas Jefferson High School in Rockford, IL, and percussion instructor for Woodford County High School (KY), DeKalb High School (IL), Wheaton North High School (IL), Marengo Community High School (IL), and Northern Illinois University.

As a performer, Shoupe seeks to combine the precision and nuance of classical art music with the emotional directness of contemporary styles. He has performed with many of the top orchestras, wind bands, and music theatre companies in Northern Illinois and Kentucky. No stranger to jazz, rock, and Caribbean music, he has played with numerous groups including the Black Tie Trio, Blue Steel, and the world-famous Northern Illinois University Steel Band. He can be heard on numerous recordings from Summit Records and will be featured on Alexis Lamb's upcoming album "Yes, and..."

Shoupe holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Performance from Northern Illlinois University as well as a Masters in Music in Percussion Performance and Pedagogy, Doctorate in Musical Arts in Percussion Performance and Pedagogy, and a Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy from the University of Kentucky. His teachers have included Nancy Smith, Greg Beyer, Mike Mixtacki, Robert Chappell, Paul Deatherage, and James B. Campbell. He has been published by the Yamaha Educators Suite and the Percussive Arts Society. His current research topics include the pedagogy of multiple percussion and the impact of Henry Cowell in the development of western percussion music.

Teaching Philosophy:

It is impossible to teach every little nuance of musicianship and percussion technique, especially in a discipline as diverse at the percussive arts. Instead of teaching literature, we teach skills. Instead of focusing on what to study, we develop the process of studying. We strive to build inquisitive and reflective professionals who have the flexibility to thrive and even excel in the face of any circumstances.

Resume:

Download Austin Shoupe Resume

Dr. Elaine Atkins Harriss, Professor of Music at the University of Tennessee at Martin, is a pianist, flutist, and early childhood music specialist. She received her Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University and her Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. Dr. Harriss has been at UTM since 2001 and served the Department of Music as chair for six years.

Dr. Harriss as a pianist is well-known for her solo and collaborative playing and has extensive piano duo, duet, and eight-hand experience with her partner Allison Nelson. Recent performances included Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the UTM wind ensemble at the Canon Center in Memphis and “Piano Music of Poulenc,” featuring L’Histoire de Babar with narrator Interim Chancellor Dr. Robert Smith and Sonata for Two Pianos assisted by Dr. Johnathan Vest. She is currently a pianist with the University Trio. Elaine's flute performing included 25 years as principal flutist with area orchestras, 18 years of chamber work as flutist with the University Trio, many solo recitals, and the premier of Sam Ewell's Ramble for Flute and String Orchestra.

To serve the musical needs of the community, Dr. Harriss maintains a pre-college music studio, and for 19 years directed Kindermusik of Martin which served over 1,500 children birth through age seven. She was Director of Educational Standards and Professional Development for Kindermusik International of Greensboro, N.C., for many years and served as president of the International Kindermusik Educators Association from 1999-2003.

Dr. Harriss has taught over 50 workshops on five continents and has made presentations at meetings and conventions of the National Piano Pedagogy Conference, the Music Educators National Conference, the Kindermusik Educators Association, the Australian Kindermusik Educators Association, the Hawaiian International Conference on Arts and the Humanities, and the Tennessee Music Teachers Association. She was named Tennessee Music Teacher of the Year by the TMTA, was awarded the TMTA Distinguished Award, is a past president of that group, and now serves as the state competition chair. In 2013 she was named a Foundation Fellow by the Music Teachers National Association. Dr. Harriss is also a past president of the Tennessee Federation of Music Clubs and currently serves as president of NFMC's Martin Philharmonic Music Guild.

Dr. Harriss served as the 2007-08 president of the UT Martin Faculty Senate, the 2013-14 president of Phi Kappa Phi, and as a past member of the Martin Historic Zoning Commission and the Martin Beautiful Committee. She is president of the Martin Area Music Teachers Association and an advisor to UTM's Sigma Alpha Iota chapter (music fraternity for women), She and her late husband Ernie Harriss II have two sons and two daughters-in-law, Ernie Harriss III and Jennifer, and Edward and Elana Harriss, and three grandchildren, Blase Edward Harriss, Ronin Atkins Harriss, and Ella Louise Harriss. Elaine is an elder in Trinity Presbyterian Church and serves as pianist for Trinity services.

About
Dr. Douglas Owens, Associate Professor of Music, teaches applied double reeds and saxophone at the University of Tennessee-Martin. He holds the BME from Furman University, the MM in Performance from the University of South Carolina and the DMA in Performance from the University of Georgia. Dr. Owens has held previous teaching positions at Presbyterian College and at Fort Lewis College. He currently also serves as adjunct instructor of bassoon at Union University.

As a woodwind specialist, Dr. Owens has performed extensively on all five members of the woodwind family. Owens performed the premiere of Alta Graham's Modal Suite for Baritone Saxophone and Piano at the North American Saxophone Alliance conference in Athens, GA. He has performed with the Georgia Double Reed Ensemble at International Double Reed Society conferences in Muncie, IN and in Provo, UT. He has been involved in recent commissioning projects for the composers Daniel Baldwin and Bill Douglas.

Dr. Owens is an active orchestral musician, performing regularly on oboe, bassoon and saxophone with the Paducah (KY) and Jackson (TN) Symphony Orchestras. He is also an active chamber musician, performing with the Sax O'Clock Quartet (baritone saxophone) and alongside UTM faculty members Elizabeth Aleksander and Charles Lewis with the LCD Wind Trio.

Teaching Philosophy

To me, applied lessons with an artist / educator is the most effective method to ensure your growth as a musician. Here in Studio D, we believe that excellence in performing translates to excellence in just about any career path in music. Want to conduct and teach? What better way to set forth a high bar of musical excellence for your own ensembles than to hone your own? Want to work in the recording studio? Applied lessons shape your ears to expect the musical nuance and detail of a master producer. Want to go into musical instrument repair? Applied lessons lead you to control your own instrument more masterfully as the standard you can compare another instrument to.

As the leader of our studio, I expect great things from our members. It is my goal that my students go on to encourage those within their own spheres of influence toward the same pursuit of excellence that I inspire them toward. I hope that you will join us on our journey in Studio D and in UTM Music.

About

Dr. Joseph W. Frye joined the music faculty at the University of Tennessee at Martin in the fall of 2011. In addition to instructing the trombone students, he has also taught courses in Music Technology, Music Theory, Aural Skills, and Music Appreciation. He currently coordinates several chamber ensembles and directs the Trombone Choir. Prior to his appointment at UTM, Dr. Frye freelanced on trombone and euphonium, toured around the globe with Princess Cruise Lines, and served as trombonist with several bands and orchestras, performing alongside artists including Bobby McFerrin, Joshua Bell, Marcus Belgrave, Rich Ridenour, and the Four Freshmen.

His teaching experience includes classroom and applied teaching, coaching individuals and chamber ensembles, masterclasses, and public school and university teaching in Tennessee, Florida, West Virginia, and Texas. In addition to coaching brass sections and chamber ensembles, Dr. Frye has instructed students on tenor and bass trombone, euphonium, and tuba.

Joseph is also very proud to have used his musical talents to in service of our country, serving for ten years in the 572nd Air National Guard Band of the Smoky Mountains stationed at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base in Knoxville, Tennessee. As a member of the 572nd, he held the rank of Staff Sergeant and played euphonium, tenor and bass trombone, and frequently appeared as trombone soloist.

Dr. Frye holds a Bachelor of Music in Education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and the Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees in trombone performance from The Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida. His primary trombone instructors and mentors are John Drew, Don Hough, Lawrence Borden, and Brad Kinney.

Dr. Frye is also intrigued by the history of the trombone, most notably the turn of the century trombone soloists. His Doctoral Treatise, entitled A Biographical Study of the Trombonists of the John Philip Sousa Band: 1892-1931 was the product of his research into the lives of the celebrated trombone soloists of the Sousa Band including Ralph Corey, John P. Schueler, Leo Zimmerman, and Arthur Pryor.

Dr. Kurt Gorman

Kurt Gorman, D.M.A., Professor of Music, joined music faculty at the University of Tennessee at Martin in 2004, where he teaches trumpet and directs the UTM Big Band and Small Jazz Group. Prior to his appointment at UT Martin, Gorman served as the Principal Trumpet of Orquesta Sinaloa de las Artes in Culiacan, Mexico.

Gorman’s first solo album, Convergence: American Sonatas for Trumpet and Piano, released in 2018, is available on Apple Music and Spotify. Convergence includes recordings of the Sonata for Trumpet and Piano by Halsey Stevens as well as other sonatas commissioned by Gorman. The Sonata for Trumpet and Piano, Op. 45 (2007) by renowned composer Easley Blackwood is, “reminiscent of Rachmaninoff and the conservative works of Prokofiev.” The Sonata for Trumpet and Piano by hornist Wayne Lu is a biographical sketch of the performer set to music. From a review in the International Trumpet Guild Journal: “Gorman and his collaborator, Matthew Gianforte, demonstrate remarkable musicality and technique… the interaction between the performers is terrific.”

Gorman performed for nearly a decade as Principal Trumpet of the Paducah Symphony Orchestra, and he is a member of the UTM Faculty Brass Quintet and UTM Chamber Players. He has appeared as a soloist and clinician for the International Trumpet Guild. His main scholarly interest is chamber music, and he continues the research of his doctoral dissertation entitled, “The Trumpet in Mixed Chamber Music of the Twentieth Century.” Gorman also serves as vice president and editor of Veritas Musica Publishing. 

Gorman holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Chicago and graduate degrees in performance from the University of North Texas and the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He has studied privately with Keith Johnson, Keith Benjamin, John Holt, Jeff Curnow, and Guy Victor Bordo.

Dr. Greg McCracken, Lecturer of Tuba and Euphonium, holds degrees in Tuba Performance from DePaul University (BM), The Ohio State University (MM), and his doctoral degree in Brass Pedagogy and Literature from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music (DM).

Dr. McCracken has previously held teaching positions at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Middle Tennessee State University, the University of Nevada, Reno, and Murray State University. Outside of the university setting, Greg’s teaching career includes a studio of private brass students, coaching chamber groups and ensembles, and public school musical instruction. He worked as a low brass para-professional for the Clark County School District and the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, where he gave individual and group instruction to middle and high school musicians.

Greg has performed as a soloist, principal tuba of the Desert Winds, with the Jazz Outreach Initiative (JOI) Brass Quintet, and many other gigs with various orchestras, wind ensembles, chamber ensembles, and jazz groups.

Professor
Voice
Office: 227 Fine Arts
Phone: (731) 881-7408
Email: kyeung@utm.edu

Dr. Amy Yeung, soprano, Professor of Music and the coordinator of the Voice Area, teaches applied voice, lyric diction, aural skills, and directs lyric opera theatre, and is a recipient of the University’s Coffey Outstanding Teacher Award. A native of Hong Kong, Yeung has performed extensively in recitals and concerts on three continents, including Taiwan, Malaysia, Korea, Hong Kong, United States, Germany, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Austria. She is particularly active in recitals of art songs and chamber music. Her debut art song CD with pianist Jung-Won Shin, released by Centaur Records, was supported by the Tennessee Arts Commission’s Individual Artist Fellowship in Music. She won the Harold Heiberg Liedersänger Prize for outstanding interpretation of art songs at the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. 

Yeung has performed in oratorios as a soloist in Mozart's Coronation Mass in C, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's Te Deum, Mendelssohn's Christus, Rutter's Magnificat, and Faure's Requiem. She has also performed in operas: Humperdink's Hansel and Gretel, Cimarosa's Il Matrimonio Sergeto, Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors, Puccini's Turandot, Lehár's The Merry Widow, and Nelson's A Room with a View. Her stage directing credits include Menotti’s The Medium, The Old Maid and The Thief, and The Telephone, Mozart’s Bastien and Bastienne, Gilbert and Sullivan’s Trial by Jury, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, and Humperdink's Hansel and Gretel. 

Yeung holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in voice performance and a Master of Music in music theory from Michigan State University, a Master of Music in voice performance from Texas State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in voice performance from Hong Kong Baptist University. Her mentors have included Meredith Zara, Richard Fracker, Melanie Helton, Leonore Sergi, John Belisle, and Siu-Kwan Chan. 

Yeung is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS), and has served in various capacities since 2008 in the Tennessee State chapter of NATS (president and treasurer) and the Memphis Chapter of NATS (secretary and treasurer). She currently serves as a board member of the Tennessee State chapter of NATS. Besides NATS, she is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi (an honor society) and the International Alliance for Women in Music. 

Yeung enjoys researching and exploring music by women composers. As an advocate for advancing equality, visibility, and opportunities for women in the musical arts, in collaboration with pianist Chan Mi Jean, she has recently embarked on series of song recitals by women composers from various centuries and countries. A special topic course on “Music of Women Composers” will be offered on UTM campus in spring 2024.

D.M.A., Professor
Voice
Office: 230 Fine Arts
Phone: (731) 881-7405
Email: rmancusi@utm.edu

Dr. Roberto Mancusi is a Professor of Music at the University of Tennessee at Martin where he has taught since 2008. Prior to his arrival in Tennessee, he was an assistant professor at Eastern New Mexico University (Portales, New Mexico). He was also an adjunct professor at Avila College (Kansas City, Missouri), Baker University (Baldwin City, Kansas), and Graceland College (Lamoni, Iowa).

As a singer, Dr. Mancusi has performed across the country as well as in England and New Zealand. He has performed in many different operas and musicals ranging from Sarastro (Die Zauberflöte) and Falstaff (Falstaff) to Prologus/Pseudolus (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum). On the concert stage, Dr. Mancusi has been heard as the bass soloist in such works as Beethoven's Missa Solemnis and Symphony No. 9, Faure's Requiem, Handel's Messiah, Haydn's The Creation, and Mendelssohn's Elijah, among others. He has appeared with numerous symphonies including the Southwest Symphony, Sherman Symphony Orchestra, and the Jackson Symphony and has worked with many notable conductors, among them: David Effron, Robert Larsen, Eph Ehly, Andy Anderson, Charles Bruffy, and Daniel Dominick. In May 2018 will make his debut with the Savannah Philharmonic under the baton of Maestro Peter Shannon. Also in May 2018, Dr. Mancusi will embark on a concert tour of England with his concert program The Big Sing Theory.

Dr. Mancusi is an accomplished clinician, adjudicator and author. He has given numerous master classes for singers of all levels, throughout the Midwest, South and Southwest. He has served as an adjudicator for district and regional auditions of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, West Tennessee Vocal Music Educators Association Solo & Ensemble Festivals and New Mexico All-State auditions, as well as a number of local and regional talent competitions. As an author, Dr. Mancusi's first textbook, Voice for Non-Majors, was published in 2008 by Pearson/Prentice Hall and is in use around the world. His most recent publications were a pair of articles for Classical Singer Magazine.

Dr. Mancusi holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance degree from Simpson College (Indianola, Iowa) where he studied with Dr. Wayne Crannell. He also holds both a Master of Music in Performance and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance degree from the University of Missouri at Kansas City- Conservatory of Music and Dance, where he studied with Dr. Anne Delaunay.

While at the University of Tennessee at Martin, Dr. Mancusi's teaching responsibilities have included: applied lessons, Aural Skills I & II, Voice Class, Voice Science & Pedagogy, Vocal Literature II, Beginning Choral Techniques & Conducting, directing the Lyric Opera Theater, Masterpieces of Music, Music In Our Time, and Freshman Studies. Teaching awards include: being listed in the 11th edition of Who's Who Among American Teachers; receiving one of the UTM College of Humanities and Fine Arts- Outstanding Junior Faculty Awards (2010); and being inducted in Phi Kappa Phi (National Academic Honor Society). He is also a member of: the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Pi Kappa Lambda (National Music Honor Society).