Dr. Alanna Keenan, assistant professor of voice, holds a Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, and Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in vocal performance with a minor in musicology from Louisiana State University. She teaches applied voice and diction. Prior to joining the faculty of the Department of Music she taught at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, where she directed the vocal program and taught courses in performance, music history, diction, and aural skills.

Dr. Keenan is an active performer both in recital, opera, and oratorio. Among the roles she has sung are Mother Marie (Dialogue of the Carmelites), Mrs. McClean (Susannah), Cathleen (Riders to the Sea), Hermia (A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Marcellina (Le nozze di Figaro), and the title role in Carmen. Oratorio credits include Saint-Saëns’s Christmas Oratorio, Vivaldi’s Gloria, Fauré’s Requiem, Handel’s Messiah, and Schubert’s Mass in G. Keenan has recently appeared as a soloist with OvreArts, the Pittsburgh Festival Orchestra, and choir of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Keenan’s students have been accepted to graduate schools across the country including Indiana University, Catholic University, Cleveland State University, and East Carolina University. Her students have been accepted into summer programs such as SongFest and the American Singers’ Opera Project. She is a full member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

Gregory Rike is an Assistant Professor of Music and also serves as Musical Director for the nationally-recognized UE Theater. Prior to coming to Evansville Dr. Rike held teaching positions at the University of Mississippi, The Ohio State University, Ohio Northern University, Heidelberg College, and the University of Findlay.

In demand as a performer, clinician, and coach, Dr. Rike is equally comfortable with opera, oratorio, art song, and musical theater genres. He has been musical director of such shows as A Little Night Music, Follies, Company, Urinetown, Grand Hotel, The Last Five Years, Into the Woods, Parade, Assassins, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and Sweeney Todd as well as The Marriage of Figaro, Baby Doe, and Tartuffe. He has performed with various opera companies as well as the Evansville, Toledo, Charleston, Columbus, and Ohio State Symphony Orchestras. He has judged National Association of Teachers of Singing competitions in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Michigan, Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Ontario, Canada, as well as the Metropolitan Opera auditions in Memphis, Tennessee.

Dr. Rike currently teaches courses in applied voice, song literature and vocal pedagogy.

Flutist Leanne Hampton enjoys an exciting and versatile career as an orchestral performer, chamber musician, soloist, and teacher. She is the Consortium Instructor of Flute at the University of Evansville as well as Principal Flute for the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. Leanne completed a DMA at the University of Colorado Boulder where she served as a teaching assistant to Christina Jennings. Since 2012, she served as the instructor of flute for the Continuing Education Department at the University of Colorado. Additionally, Leanne was a member of an award-winning graduate wind quintet, 40th Parallel. She has performed with the Boulder Opera Company, Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra, and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Leanne has attended the Aspen Music Festival and the Texas Music Festival, and she is a semi-finalist for the New World Symphony’s 2017-2018 season. She has performed under the baton of distinguished conductors including Marvin Hamlisch and Robert Spano, and she has worked with prominent artists such as Gil Shaham, Stephen Hough, and the Indigo Girls. Leanne has premiered works by American composer, Daniel Kellogg, and she performed has with the Aspen Contemporary Ensemble, the Colorado New Music Ensemble, and at the Midwest American Composers Exchange Conference. She has competed and won prizes at the Mid-South Flute Society Young Artist, Oklahoma Flute Society, MTNA, and Plowman Chamber Music Competitions. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, Leanne received her MM from the University of Colorado and BA from the University of Central Arkansas. Her principal teachers are Christina Jennings, Dr. Carolyn Brown, and Brook Ferguson. Other important influences include Nadine Asin and Leone Buyse.

Rebecca Salo is the Consortium Instructor of Horn at the University of Evansville and Principal Horn in the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra. Through her teaching activities, Professor Salo seeks to share her passion for music with students of all ages. In addition to teaching at the University of Evansville, Professor Salo maintains an active private studio, and she regularly organizes a variety of events for young horn players. Her experiences include teaching natural horn (historical performance) at the Eastman School of Music, working as a sectional coach at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, directing a summer horn choir program, and founding the Purdue Christmas Horn Extravaganza.

As an active performer, Professor Salo enjoys collaborating with other musicians in orchestral performance and chamber ensembles, as well as performing as a soloist. She is a member of the Harlaxton Quintet and Shepard Brass. Recently, Professor Salo has appeared as a soloist with the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, Purdue Wind Ensemble, and Kokomo Park Band. She also co-founded a horn and piano duo, Duo Giústo, which will be releasing a professional recording in Fall 2021.

Professor Salo has pursued doctoral studies at the Eastman School of Music, where she was awarded the Performer's Certificate for her recital performance. She completed her Master of Music degree at Indiana University, and she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Purdue University. Additionally, she spent a year studying music at the Chopin University of Music in Warsaw, Poland. Professor Salo's primary teachers include Peter Kurau, Jeff Nelsen, Wayne Lu, and Kazimierz Machala.

To learn more about Professor Salo, visit her website at www.rebeccasalo.com.

Dr. Robertson attended the Eastman School of Music and Michigan State University, earning a Bachelor of Music in oboe performance and a Bachelor of Arts in applied mathematics, both with high honors. She continued her studies at Indiana University where she earned a Master of Music in oboe and a Doctor of Music in oboe literature and performance. Her primary teachers were Richard Killmer, Daniel Stolper, Marc Lifschey and Theodore Baskin.

Dr. Robertson has been principal oboe of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra since 1995 and principal oboe of the Lancaster Festival in Ohio since 2001. She has performed as principal oboe of the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra and has substituted with the Louisville Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Dr. Robertson is a member of the Harlaxton Quintet, woodwind quintet in residence at the University of Evansville.

Dr. Robertson is an active member of the International Double Reed Society and performed at the 2003 and 2006 Conferences. As the youngest of five finalists, she won second place in the IDRS Fernand Gillet Performance Competition in 1991. She has published several articles on the oboe works of Antal Dorati in the IDRS Double Reed journal. Robertson is also a member of the College Music Society and is the CMS campus representative for the University of Evansville. She recently released the CD Oboe Serenade, and currently teaches courses in applied oboe.

In 2008 after a teaching career of 48 years, including 41 years at the University of Evansville, Dr. Lacy retired from full-time teaching and continues to teach courses in applied bassoon. Before his retirement, his primary duties included teaching bassoon, saxophone, oboe, jazz, and music theory. Dr Lacy is founder of the UE Jazz program and was its director for 40 years. In addition to his teaching duties, Dr. Lacy served as chair of the Department of Music on three occasions for a total of seven and one-half years. His many honors include the Oramay Cluthe Eades Distinguished Professor of Music, the Dean's Award for Excellence in Teaching from the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at UE and was named co-winner of the national "Advisor of the Year" by Sigma Alpha Iota in 2002.

Dr. Lacy serves as principal bassoonist and saxophone soloist with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, of which he has been a member for 44 seasons. He was also principal bassoonist of the Owensboro (KY) Symphony Orchestra for nineteen seasons and has served as principal bassoonist of the Indianapolis Festival Music Society Orchestra and the Harlaxton Quintet. He has performed solo recitals at the University of Colorado, the University of Georgia, Western Michigan University and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. His chamber music performances have included appearances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, Interlochen Arts Academy and on the Wisconsin Public Radio Network.

Lacy has been a member of the International Double Reed Society since its inception in 1972 and has been a member of the International Association of Jazz Educators. Other professional memberships include Pi Kappa Lambda music honorary society, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, which has made him a recipient of their Orpheus Award. He is also an honorary member of Sigma Alpha Iota music fraternity. At the University of Evansville, he served as faculty advisor to SAI for 25 years and advisor to Phi Mu Alpha for over 30 years.

His teaching experience has included six years in the public schools of Indiana and Illinois and one year at the University of Charleston in West Virginia, in addition to his 43 years at the University of Evansville. He has also served as visiting professor of music at the University of Louisville and at Indiana University.

Dr. Lacy holds the bachelor of music education degree from Murray State University and the master of music in bassoon and doctor of music in woodwinds from Indiana University.

Charles du Preez is a clarinetist and bass clarinetist hailing from rural Nebraska. After earning his BA in English at Nebraska Wesleyan University, he attended The California Institute of the Arts, where he received his MFA in Music Performance under the tutelage of William Powell. Charles received his DMA from the University of Arizona in August of 2022, where he studied with Dr. Jackie Glazier.

While at the University of Arizona, he served as the graduate teaching assistant for the clarinet studio, performed the Francaix Clarinet Concerto as winner of the Fred Fox School of Music Winds and Percussion Concerto Competition, and was selected for three years as a Medici Scholar. His lecture recital and accompanying 222-page document “Listener-Based Analysis of Electroacoustic Music” includes a select chronology of analytical methods of electroacoustic music and the analyses of two pieces for electroacoustic bass clarinet.

He has performed with the Tucson Symphony, the New Mexico Philharmonic, the Southern Arizona Symphony Orchestra, Chamberhood (part of Arizona Friends of Chamber Music), and the Arizona Symphonic Winds. He has also competed as a finalist in the International Clarinet Association Orchestral Audition Competition, and performed at the San Luis Potosi Opera Festival, the American Single Reed Summit, and the Pierre Monteux Festival.

When not engaged in music, he spends his time training for Ironman triathlons, doing yoga and qi gong, exploring the outdoors, and is a certified ACSM Personal Trainer.

Dr. Timothy Zifer, Professor of Music, holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Ohio University, a master of music in trumpet performance from Louisiana State University, and a doctorate in trumpet performance with a minor in wind conducting from Louisiana State University. Dr. Zifer teaches courses in applied trumpet, UE Jazz Ensemble I, UE Trumpet Ensemble, jazz studies, and music management. Dr. Zifer received the Dean's Teaching Award in 2010.

Dr. Zifer is the principal trumpet of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and is an active soloist and recitalist. He also serves as the principal trumpet and founding member of the Shepard Brass (UE Faculty Brass Quintet). Most recently, Dr. Zifer recorded Robert Russell Bennett's Rose Variations with the UE Wind Ensemble.

Prior to taking over the jazz program, Dr. Zifer served as director of bands (1996-2008). During this time the University of Evansville wind ensemble toured over 20 states and appeared at the 2001 International Trumpet Guild Conference, competed in the 2002 International Hawaiian Music Festival, and performed at the 2006 and 2008 Indiana Music Educators Association conventions. The UE Jazz Ensemble I has performed and competed at the prestigious Elmhurst Jazz Festival from 2008-2012, having received two honorable mentions and recognition for an original composition by a student. The UE Trumpet Ensemble has performed at the 2001 and 2004 International Trumpet Guild Conferences as well as the 2011 University of Kentucky TrumpetFest. In 2001, Dr. Zifer served as the conference host for the International Trumpet Guild Conference on the campus of UE. The conference brought in over 800 attendees from around the world and featured recitals, lectures, exhibits, and clinics by some of the world's leading trumpet professionals.

Dr. Kenneth Steinsultz is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the University of Evansville. Prior to coming to Evansville he served as assistant to the Director of Bands at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

An active performer, Dr. Steinsultz was a guest artist for the Tuba and Euphonium Association’s Midwest Conference in 2013 and 2015. Dr. Steinsultz also performed at the 2014 International Tuba and Euphonium Conference. He has served as principal euphonium in the Evansville Symphonic Band. Dr. Steinsultz has been featured soloist with the Bend in the River Brass Band (Evansville), the Concert Band of Central Illinois, and the Quincy (IL) Park Band. In 2005, he was guest clinician for the Association of Concert Bands national conference and performed as a guest artist on the finale concert.

In addition to performing, Dr. Steinsultz has been a member of the Board of Directors for the Evansville Symphonic Band, serving as secretary. He has presented clinics at state conferences in Illinois and Indiana.

As a conductor, Dr. Steinsultz is a frequent guest conductor of district and regional honor bands. His university ensembles have performed at regional festivals and state organizational conferences, most recently the College Band Directors National Association 2016 North Central Division Conference at Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. At the University of Evansville, he conducts the Wind Ensemble, University Band, Aces Brass Pep Band, and teaches courses in applied low brass and conducting. Dr. Steinsultz also serves as music director and conductor for The Spirit of Evansville Sweet Adelines Chorus.

Dr. Steinsultz has served as music director at Lewistown (Illinois) Community High School and director of bands for Brown County Unit Schools in Mt. Sterling, Illinois. He has been a member of the Quincy Park Band, Quincy Symphony Orchestra, and Mississippi River Brass Band. He has performed with the Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Danville (Illinois) Symphony, Illinois Symphony of Springfield/Bloomington, and the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra.

He is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, National Band Association, Indiana Bandmasters Association, International Tuba and Euphonium Association, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (honorary membership).

Dr. Steinsultz holds degrees from Quincy University and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Ross Erickson is Consortium Instructor of Percussion at the University of Evansville and is Principal Percussion with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and the Owensboro Symphony. Prior to coming to Evansville, Mr. Erickson performed as percussionist with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, and the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic.

Erickson's diverse musical experience includes performances with the IU Brazilian Ensemble, IU Steel Pan Ensemble and IU Afro-Cuban Folkloric Ensemble. He has attended the Aspen Music Festival, National Orchestral Institute, and toured for one season with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra.

Mr. Erickson earned both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Performance from Indiana University. His principal teachers include John Tafoya, Dean Borghesani, Kevin Bobo, and Michael Spiro. He is a member of the Percussive Arts Society.

Born and raised in Minnesota, Michael Chu is both an active performer and music educator. Coming from a diverse musical education including violin, piano, trumpet, and saxophone, Michael enjoys drawing inspiration from many different influences and cultures. He actively seeks to expand his knowledge and understanding of both historical and contemporary styles, respecting traditions while embracing new directions. Michael is a graduate of the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, where he received his B.M. in Violin Performance and Music Education as a student of Sally O'Reilly. He later went on to receive his M.M. in Violin Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as a student of Chen Zhao. Other influential teachers have included Catherine Van Hoesen, Aaron Janse, and Blayne Barnes.

Michael has placed in numerous competitions, including first prize in the Mary West Symphony Solo Competition, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Youth Chamber Music Competition, Schubert Club Student Scholarship Competition, Thursday Musical Young Artist Scholarship Competition, and was a National Finalist in the MTNA Young Artist Performance Competition.

Michael also plays with the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, and has previously played as a Substitute Violinist in the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and as a Substitute Concertmaster for both the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra and Linden Hills Chamber Orchestra.

Mark Hatlestad is principal violist of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and violist with the Eykamp String Quartet. A Minnesota native, Hatlestad is an avid performer, music educator, and advocate for contemporary music. He has appeared in festivals across the globe, including the Sommerakadamie Leutkirch in Germany and the Chautauqua Summer Music Festival. He recently completed undergraduate and graduate studies at Indiana University, where, in addition to performing, he worked as an assistant for the IU Summer String Academy.

Graham Cullen, principal cellist with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, holds Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Indiana University. He has worked closely with the Pacifica Quartet. Cullen held the assistant principal cello position with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and was a member of the Richmond and Terre Haute Symphony Orchestras. He was a grand prize winner of the Alice Coleman Chamber Competition.

Anne Hastings Fiedler is currently Professor of Music and head of the keyboard area at the University of Evansville. She is a recipient of the prestigious Exemplary Teacher Award given by University of Evansville and also the Outstanding Teacher Award given by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She was honored as Artist of the Year at the 2016 Mayor’s Arts Awards and from 2013-2018 held the title of Oramay Cluthe Eades Distinguished Professor of Music.

An active performer, Professor Fiedler was finalist and prizewinner in the National Beethoven Piano Sonata Competition and has collaborated nationally with a variety of soloists and ensembles, notably in performances at International Trumpet Guild Conference and several International Double Reed Society Conferences. She can be heard on the CD entitled Oboe Serenade. Professor Fiedler has been featured soloist on numerous occasions with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, the Evansville Chamber Orchestra and the University of Evansville Orchestra. She performs frequently as collaborative pianist with faculty and guest artists on the First Tuesday Series and Tuesday Night Concert Series sponsored by the music department. Fiedler is also principal keyboard and assistant principal second violin of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra.

Professor Fiedler's diverse areas of interest and teaching experience include studio piano, music theory, piano pedagogy, and collaborative piano. She has reviewed collegiate theory texts for McGraw-Hill Publishing and regularly presents master classes and serves as an adjudicator for local, state, and regional piano competitions. She is co-founder and first president of the Greater Evansville Chapter of the Indiana Music Teachers Association and has presented at IMTA state conferences.

Professor Fiedler holds Bachelor of Music with Highest Honors and Master of Music Degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She currently teaches courses in applied piano and music theory.

Dr. Erzsébet Gaál Rinne is a Hungarian-American harpist, a Kodály pedagogue, and a researcher in physical wellness for musicians. She has given concerts across Europe and America, and is a recipient of the Pro Artibus Award from the Artisjus Foundation for promoting Hungarian contemporary music abroad.

She has made presentations at the Fifth and the Eighth World Harp Congresses in Copenhagen, Denmark and in Geneva, Switzerland; The American String Teacher Association National Conferences in Columbus, OH, Dallas, TX, and in Kansas City, MO; Third International Conference on Arts and Humanities in Honolulu, Hawaii; The Phenomenon of Singing International Symposium V, in Newfoundland, Canada; and the Seventeenth International Kodály Symposium in Leicester, England. Her professional work can be heard on the solo harp CD recordings Harpa Hungarica and Harpchipelago, and seen on the DVD program Harp Playing for Life.

Dr. Rinne is an honor graduate of the Ferenc Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, Hungary, and holds a Doctor of Music degree from Indiana University.