KJ Phillips is an Adjunct Professor of Voice at the Department of Music, College of Liberal Arts and Communication, Arkansas State University. They are a distinguished bass-baritone with a performance career spanning stages like the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival, Spotlight on Opera, and cathedrals in Vatican City and Paris. Education: M.M. in Voice Performance, B.M.E. in Vocal and Instrumental Music, both from the University of South Dakota Research and Performance Focus: Phillips excels in vocal performance across Baroque to contemporary repertoires, blending comedic and dramatic roles. Their teaching emphasizes voice instruction and musical interpretation. Additional Details: Currently pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Memphis, Phillips balances academia with performance. Personal interests include reading fantasy/graphic novels and maintaining a succulent garden.
Brian Kachur is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Carthage College, actively performing and educating through masterclasses nationwide and private instruction in the Chicagoland area. His academic background includes: Doctor of Musical Arts (in progress) in Saxophone Performance from Northwestern University under Taimur Sullivan Master's degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Michigan with Timothy McAllister and Andrew Bishop Bachelor's degree in Saxophone Performance from the University of Michigan Prof. Kachur specializes in saxophone performance across classical and jazz genres, with deep engagement in new music commissioning, premieres of contemporary works, and innovative arrangements for saxophone ensembles. His research extends to chamber music collaboration and pedagogical approaches in music education, demonstrated through frequent university masterclasses and K-12 program involvement. His distinguished awards include: Yamaha Young Performing Artist designation Multiple concerto competition victories at prestigious institutions Top honors in national chamber music competitions including Fischoff Gold Medal International recognition at the Adolphe Sax Competition As an educator, Prof. Kachur maintains adjunct faculty responsibilities at Carthage College while expanding his impact through masterclasses at major universities, private teaching studios, and clinician work for school music programs. His professional trajectory bridges academic instruction with active performance artistry. Prof. Kachur serves as baritone saxophonist for the internationally recognized Aero Quartet, whose debut album reached Billboard Classical Charts Top 15. He further contributes to musical communities through barbershop harmony with the Northbrook Chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society and as baritone section leader for the New Tradition Chorus.
Prof. Thilo Dahlmann is a distinguished German bass-baritone and academic at the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart . With an international career spanning opera, concert, and lied performance, he has collaborated with renowned conductors including Philipe Jordan , Nello Santi , and Jaap van Zweden . His expertise encompasses repertoire from Monteverdi to contemporary compositions. Studied at Folkwang University of the Arts (Essen) with distinction Member of International Opera Studio Zurich Performances at Zurich Opera House, Deutsche Oper am Rhein, and Elbphilharmonie opening concert Research and artistic focus areas include: Historical performance practice in vocal music Modern interpretations of classical repertoire Lied and art song tradition Contact: thilodahlmann@hotmail.com | Personal Website
James Bobick is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Utah, where he holds a BM and MM degree. A versatile baritone, he has performed over twenty operatic roles at New York City Opera and other prominent companies, including Los Angeles Opera, Seattle Opera, and the Bard Festival. His career spans standard and contemporary repertoire, with notable performances in works by Donizetti, Verdi, Bizet, and modern composers like Jake Heggie and David T. Little. Primetime Emmy-winning broadcast of La Bohème Grammy-nominated cast recording of Dog Days Specialist in contemporary opera and micro-tonal works Mr. Bobick is a frequent concert soloist in major venues worldwide, including Carnegie Hall and Avery Fisher Hall, with performances of Carmina Burana , Requiem masses, and symphonic works. His international engagements span Prague, Paris, Costa Rica, and Notre Dame Cathedral.
Frank Havrøy is a Professor at the Norwegian Academy of Music's Department of Conducting, Singing and Church Music, specializing in vocal didactics. His affiliations include the research center NordART (2008-2015) and the ensemble Nordic Voices , where he performs as a baritone/tenor. Educated at NMH and The Academy of Opera, Havrøy bridges academic research and professional performance. His research examines vocal ensemble practices , with emphasis on intonation, communication, and vibrato control. Key findings from his study of Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart advocate for enhanced ensemble training in music education. Research areas include: Vocal acoustics and harmonic blending Pedagogical methods for ensemble singing Music's role in community trauma response Contemporary sacred music composition Publications (2005-2025) reflect interdisciplinary work spanning music sociology (e.g., analysis of music after the Utøya tragedy), vocal technique (intonation studies), and sacred music . Trends show consistent focus on ensemble dynamics, with recent explorations in experimental composition and therapeutic applications. As project lead for NordART, he directed research on vocal ensemble competencies. While no current students or awards are documented, his academic guidance includes PhD committee roles and supervision under Professor Elef Nesheim.
Adam Gustafson is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Music at Pennsylvania State University, with a focus on interdisciplinary arts and the theatricality of musical performance. He holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Arts from Ohio University (2011) and an M.M. in Music Composition from the Chicago College of Performing Arts. Research Interests : Shaping social identities through music, theatricality of musical performance, choral composition, and historical analysis of opera and concert singing. Professional Activities : His compositions (e.g., Morning Commute , Sarai's Dilemma ) have been commercially recorded, and he has performed as a baritone with ensembles like the Bach Week Festival Chorus and Springfield Choral Society. Awards : Vox 3 Collective awarded Sarai's Dilemma as Best New Composition for the 2011-2012 season. Teaching : Currently serves as an Instructor in Music at Penn State since at least 2016.
Doriana Tchakarova is a Bulgarian pianist and vocal coach serving as a Lecturer in vocal accompaniment at the University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart since October 2003, with a career spanning over two decades in classical music performance and pedagogy. Born in Varna, Bulgaria, she graduated from high school in 1993 before commencing studies at the Stuttgart University of Music, completing undergraduate and postgraduate work under Prof. Friedemann Rieger by July 1998 while also training in the Lied class of Prof. Conrad Richter. Her expertise centers on Classical Piano and Vocal Accompaniment, specializing in Art Song (Lieder) interpretation with renowned emphasis on collaborative artistry between pianist and vocalist. Her distinguished performance career includes multiple international competition awards and critical acclaim for recordings such as the 2025 Schubert/Allitsen 'Schwanengesang' release with Krešimir Stražanac, featured in textura and Online Merker publications. Doriana Tchakarova has received prestigious recognition including: Second prize at the Dimitar Nenov International Piano Competition (1993) Chamber music category winner at the 15th International Franz Schubert Competition (2001) Second prize at the Schubert Competition of the Concorso Internationale di Interpretazione Musicale 'Citta di Racconigi' (2004) She maintains an active performance schedule with prominent vocalists including baritones Äneas Humm and Samuel Hasselhorn, as documented in January 2025 Berliner Morgenpost coverage of her Haus Wahnfried concert, consistently praised for her 'clarity and sensitivity' at the piano.
Matthew John Zatko serves as Adjunct Professor of Voice at Ohio University's Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts, School of Music, teaching in both classical and Commercial Music and Digital Instruments (CMDI) divisions. He concurrently holds the position of Master Teacher of Voice and Percussion at the Athens Community Music School and maintains a private instruction studio in Upper Arlington, Ohio. His educational foundation includes: Bachelor of Music Education from The Ohio State University (2018), specializing in choral and elementary music education Master of Music in Performance and Literature from Eastman School of Music (2020) Advanced Studies in Music Certification from Carnegie Mellon University (2022) Zatko's professional expertise centers on vocal performance across classical and commercial genres, with significant operatic experience including lead roles in Don Giovanni and Gianni Schicchi. His teaching methodology integrates rigorous classical technique with contemporary commercial applications, informed by studies under prominent vocal pedagogues Dr. Scott McCoy and Dr. Jonathan Retzlaff. As a lyric baritone, he brings practical performance experience to his instruction in voice, percussion, and digital instruments. His professional activities span performance with major opera companies including Opera Columbus and Eastman Opera Theater, alongside ongoing educational commitments. Zatko maintains an active teaching presence across southeastern and central Ohio, connecting university instruction with community music education through multiple institutional affiliations.
David Leisner is a distinguished Professor and Department Chair of Classical Guitar at the Manhattan School of Music. He is an internationally acclaimed performer, composer, and educator who has had a remarkable career spanning several decades. Leisner's research interests encompass classical guitar performance, contemporary music composition, guitar technique and ergonomics, and the treatment of performance-related injuries. His groundbreaking work on focal dystonia has helped numerous musicians recover from this debilitating condition. His book Playing with Ease: a healthy approach to guitar technique , published by Oxford University Press, represents a significant contribution to the field of instrumental technique. His compositional output demonstrates a remarkable breadth, ranging from solo guitar works to orchestral compositions. His recent works show an increasing inclination toward minimalism, with greater emphasis on quietness and attentiveness. Leisner's compositions often draw inspiration from visual arts and literature, creating vivid musical narratives that engage both performers and audiences. Top Prize, 1975 Toronto International Guitar Competition Top Prize, 1981 Geneva International Guitar Competition Featured recording artist for Azica Records with eleven highly acclaimed CDs Artistic Director for 12 years of Guitar Plus, a New York chamber music series Commissioned by prestigious organizations including Pepe Romero, Cavatina Duo, and Cedille Records As an educator, Leisner taught for over two decades at the New England Conservatory before joining Manhattan School of Music. His innovative approach to guitar technique emphasizes the involvement of larger muscle groups to prevent injury and enhance musical expression. His 'Six Golden Rules for Conquering Performance Anxiety' has become an essential resource for musicians worldwide. Leisner's personal journey overcoming focal dystonia from 1984-1996 has profoundly shaped his teaching philosophy and technical approach, making him uniquely qualified to address performance-related physical challenges.
Jonathan Trotter serves as Director of Choral Activities and Instructor at Millsaps College, leading choral ensembles and vocal instruction while also directing choirs at St. James' Episcopal Church in Jackson. His educational background includes: B.A. in Vocal Performance from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Mississippi Currently A.B.D. (All But Dissertation) in Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting at the University of South Carolina Dr. Trotter's research centers on Parisian Renaissance music and early 20th-century English compositions, with specialized focus on works by composers impacted by World War I. His expertise spans choral conducting techniques and vocal pedagogy, demonstrated through recitals and concerts across the Southern United States. Prior to Millsaps, he directed the Choir of Young Men at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Columbia, South Carolina, while serving as voice instructor and baritone soloist.
Axel Humbert serves as Senior Lecturer for Vocal Performance at Mozarteum University Salzburg's Department of Music Education Innsbruck since winter semester 2020/21, while also teaching voice training and interpretation at Munich's Otto Falckenberg School since 2017. His academic career includes previous teaching assignments at the Academy of Performing Arts in Ludwigsburg, University of Music in Würzburg, and Bavarian Julius-Maximilians-University from 2005-2017. Humbert's research interests focus on vocal performance techniques and interpretation, with specialization in bass-baritone repertoire. His expertise spans opera performance, art song interpretation, and vocal pedagogy, particularly emphasizing Mozart's works and historical performance practices. As a practitioner-scholar, he integrates his extensive stage experience into vocal education methodology. As a performer, Humbert has received critical acclaim for his sonorous bass voice and seamless register transitions. His professional opera career began with a 2005 debut as Don Alfonso in Mozart's Così fan tutte and has included notable roles in productions across Germany and Austria. He has performed with major orchestras including the Göttingen Symphony Orchestra, Prague Philharmonic, and Bavarian Radio Orchestra in repertoire ranging from Bach cantatas to contemporary works. Humbert maintains an active professional presence through his personal website (axelhumbert.de) and continues to bridge academic instruction with professional performance practice, bringing real-world experience to his teaching methodology.
Jason Hoogerhyde is an Associate Professor of Music Theory and Composition at Southwestern University's Sarofim School of Fine Arts, where he has taught since 2004. He previously served as Chair of the Music Department from 2010-2015 and taught for five years at Lawrence University's Conservatory of Music. Dr. Hoogerhyde earned his D.M.A. in Composition from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, an M.M. in Composition from Boston University, and a B.M. in Theory and Composition from Lawrence University. His principal composition teachers included Allen Gimbel, Joyce Mekeel, Lukas Foss, Allen Sapp, Samuel Adler, Darrell Handel, and Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon. Hoogerhyde's compositional work explores the more elusive elements of human experience: the dark corners of memory, life's defining ephemeral moments, and glimpses of our integral connection with the world. His music spans orchestral works, opera, chamber ensembles, and vocal compositions that have been performed internationally across the United States, Europe, and Asia. His compositions often investigate the intersection between visual art and music, most notably in his opera The Color of Dissonance which examines the relationship between Wassily Kandinsky, Gabriele Münter, and Arnold Schönberg. His recent compositions demonstrate a continued exploration of contemporary classical forms with works like Revolve/Retract (2019) for percussion with choreography, and multiple performances of The Don Juan Project . His output shows consistent development across chamber music, vocal works, and larger orchestral compositions, with particular strength in creating evocative textures and emotional depth. Excellence in Teaching Award from University of Cincinnati Nominations from Austin Critics' Table Awards for 'The Color of Dissonance' (outstanding original composition) Nominations from Austin Critics' Table Awards for 'Lament' (outstanding symphonic performance) Hoogerhyde has mentored numerous students including Brayden Carr '23, whose composition was performed at the Valencia International Performing Arts Festival in Spain. He has served as classical music critic for the Cincinnati Enquirer and has been artist-in-residence at prestigious institutions including the Ucross Foundation and Dorland Mountain Arts Colony. His work continues to be performed internationally, reflecting his significant contribution to contemporary American composition.
Zachary Coates serves as a Lecturer in Music (Voice) at the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, teaching applied voice and graduate Song Literature courses. His academic credentials include: Bachelor of Music, Westminster Choir College Master of Music, Indiana University Doctor of Music, Indiana University (under Andreas Poulimenos) Coates specializes in art song interpretation with research focusing on Carl Loewe's Kunstballaden, interdisciplinary connections between poetry/music/visual arts in fin-de-siècle France, and contemporary American art song evolution. His doctoral project "A Practical Handbook for Teaching Undergraduate Song Literature" provides pedagogical frameworks for curriculum adaptation. Honors include the Georgina Joshi International Fellowship enabling intensive study in England and Germany with mentors including Sir Thomas Allen. As a performer, Coates maintains an active career in opera and concert work, having collaborated with Michigan Opera Theater, Opera Philadelphia, Spoleto Festival USA, and Opera North in principal baritone roles while contributing to Opera MODO's inclusive initiatives. His oratorio performances feature collaborations with the Rochester and Indianapolis Symphony Orchestras.
Anton Belov is an Associate Professor of Music (Voice) at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon. A professional baritone with an extensive performance career, he has appeared with major opera companies and orchestras across the United States and performed over 100 recitals at prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center. Education: B.M. from New England Conservatory, M.M. and Artist Diploma from The Juilliard School, D.M.A. from Boston University Specializes in Russian lyric diction and is author of numerous publications in this field Founder and artistic director of the Aquilon Music Festival Professor Belov's research interests center on vocal performance, Russian music interpretation, and lyric diction. His scholarly work focuses on bridging the gap between linguistic accuracy and musical expression in Russian art song and opera. As a specialist in Russian vocal literature, he has developed comprehensive resources for singers and coaches working with Russian repertoire, making this challenging material more accessible to English-speaking performers. His publications reveal a consistent focus on Russian vocal literature, with particular emphasis on practical resources for performers. The collection shows strong thematic continuity in Russian music scholarship, vocal pedagogy, and performance practice, with increasing attention to digital resources and community engagement in recent years. George London Competition - 1st Place Winner Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions (Eastern Region) - 1st Place Winner Young Concert Artists International Competition - 1st Place Winner Licia Albanese-Puccini Foundation International Competition - 1st Place Winner Sullivan Foundation - 1st Place Winner Professor Belov teaches Applied Voice, Beginning Voice Class, Opera Theater Workshop, Lyric Diction, and Understanding Music at Linfield University. He has been instrumental in producing numerous benefit concerts since the beginning of the Ukraine War, raising over $40,000 for Ukrainian medical relief organizations. His Aquilon Music Festival serves as an important platform for emerging artists and specialized repertoire, particularly Russian vocal works.
