Mary Hellmann

Dr. Mary Hellmann serves as Professor of Music and Chair of the Department of Music at Chowan University, where she has transformed departmental resources through a federally funded grant securing a Steinway Concert Grand Piano, Yamaha Grand Piano, 15-seat Electronic Piano Lab, and practice room pianos. Her leadership extends to chairing the Publications Committee and serving as Editor for Degree Audit and SmartCatalog within the Department of Visual & Performing Arts, alongside active roles on the General Studies Advisory Board, Judicial Board, and Recruitment Committee.

Her academic foundation includes a DMA from the University of Alabama focusing on Grażyna Bacewicz's piano etudes, dual MM degrees in Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from the University of Illinois, and a BM in Piano Performance from the University of Louisville, complemented by Visiting Scholar positions at Indiana University and Eastman School of Music. She teaches Applied Piano, Music History, Piano Literature, Piano Pedagogy, Accompanying, Group Piano, and Music Appreciation.

Dr. Hellmann's research integrates piano performance with contemporary and electroacoustic music exploration, evidenced by performances at the Society of Composers National Conference, NYC International Electroacoustic Music Festival, and James Madison University's Contemporary Music Festival. Her scholarly work centers on 20th-century piano literature analysis, particularly Polish composers, while her CD release "Favorites" demonstrates practical application of pedagogical principles.

She secured significant federal grant funding for departmental infrastructure and co-chaired the NASM Self-Study for 10-year reaccreditation. As an active adjudicator for MTNA and Alabama Federation Music Club competitions, she bridges academic rigor with real-world musical assessment, further extending her impact through the Holland/Hellmann Duo performances across Virginia and North Carolina concert venues.