Dr. Alanna Keenan, Conservatory Co-Chair and associate 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, diction, and directs the Schmidt Opera Series. 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. She was also a voice faculty member of the New York State Summer School of the Arts in Fredonia, New York.

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 appeared as a soloist with Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra, Evansville Bach Singers, 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.

Praised for her “naturally…beautifully…renderings” flutist Leanne Hampton enjoys an exciting and versatile career as a teacher, orchestral performer, and chamber musician (Courier Press). She holds the position of Consortium Instructor of Flute at the University of Evansville where she teaches applied flute students, woodwind methods, and a course on film music. Leanne performs as Principal Flute of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and flutist of the Harlaxton Wind Quintet. Additionally, she performs as Principal Flute of the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra and serves on the University of Louisville and Kentucky Wesleyan College faculties.

Leanne received a BA from the University of Central Arkansas, and MM and DMA from the University of Colorado. She has performed with the Colorado Symphony, Arkansas Symphony, Breckenridge Music Festival, Cheyenne Symphony, Colorado MahlerFest Orchestra, and Boulder Opera Company. Leanne has competed at the Mid-South Flute Society, Colorado Flute Society, Oklahoma Flute Society, MTNA, Plowman Chamber Music, and Bruce Ekstrand Graduate Competitions. She received additional training at the Aspen Music Festival and Texas Music Festival.

Leanne has been a featured soloist on Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 with the Evansville Philharmonic. She has also been a soloist with the UE Wind Ensemble (Alfred Reed's Divertimento) and the UE Symphony Orchestra (Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5). In the Summer of 2024, Leanne will perform the Indiana Premiere of Alan Theisen's L'histoire de la Nouvelle-Orléans (2023), a Concerto for Flute and Wind ensemble, with the Evansville Symphonic Band. Leanne has had the opportunity to perform with a diverse array of artists including “Weird Al” Yankovic, Leslie Odom Jr., the Beach Boys, and Béla Fleck. In 2017, Leanne performed on “The Indigo Girls in Concert: Live with the CU Orchestra” album.

Leanne has also collaborated with the composers and musicians of the Aspen Music Festival Contemporary Ensemble and the Colorado New Music Ensemble. She has premiered works at the Midwest American Composers Exchange and the National Flute Association Conference. She has performed and presented for the Indiana Music Educators Association Symposium, Eastern Kentucky University Flute Day, American Guild of Organists - Evansville Chapter, International Horn Society, the University of Madison-Wisconsin, and the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana. She has served as an adjudicator for the Central Ohio Flute Association and Kentucky Music Educators Association.

Leanne's principal teachers are Christina Jennings, Dr. Carolyn Brown, and Brook Ferguson. Other important influences include Nadine Asin and Leone Buyse. She is a member of the National Flute Association and the College Music Society. In her free time, she enjoys watching Marvel movies with her German Shepherd mix, Betty.

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. Zifer, Professor of Music Emeritus, holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Ohio University, a master of music in trumpet performance from Louisiana State University, and a doctor of musical arts degree in trumpet performance with a minor in wind conducting from Louisiana State University.  Dr. Zifer retired as full-time professor of music from UE in the spring of 2023.  Prior to his retirement he taught courses in wind ensemble, concert band, jazz bands, athletic pep bands, brass ensembles, trumpet ensembles, jazz studies, and music management core courses.

Dr. Zifer’s teaching accolades include the 2010 Dean’s Teaching Award as well as the Oramay Cluthe Eades Distinguished Professorship (2018-2023).  His professional activities included principal trumpet with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra (1999-2022), principal trumpet with the Evansville Symphonic Band (2012-present), founding member of Shepard Brass (faculty brass quintet) and Purple Aces In The Hole (faculty traditional jazz ensemble).  He has been a guest recitalist in the US and abroad during his performing and teaching career.

As a music director Dr. Zifer’s ensembles have performed all over the United States during his time at UE.  Most recently he took the UE Jazz Band on a tour of New Orleans in the Fall of 2022.  The UE Jazz Band has also attended the Elmhurst Collegiate Jazz Festivals numerous times winning awards and recognitions.  The UE Jazz Band has also hosted several Grammy Award winning artists during his tenure.  Most notable artists include Doc Severinsen, New York Voices, and Diane Schuur.

Dr. Zifer is currently serving as the UE Music Conservatory’s trumpet instructor.  He also maintains a private trumpet studio as well as teaching over 65 trumpet students in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation schools.  His hobbies include golf, pickleball and walking with his two Weimaraners, Fritz and Hans.

Dr. Kenneth Steinsultz is Director of Bands and Professor of Music at the University of Evansville. Prior to coming to Evansville in 2008, he served as assistant to the Director of Bands at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1993-2008.

During his tenure at the University of Illinois, Dr. Steinsultz conducted the Symphonic Band 1, the 2nd of 6 bands in the program. In spring 2007 term, he was also the principal conductor the University of Illinois Wind Symphony, the premier band at the University of Illinois.

At the University of Evansville, Dr. Steinsultz conducts the UE Wind Ensemble, UE University/Community Band, Aces Pep Band, UE Low Brass Ensemble, and teaches courses in applied low brass and conducting. Under his leadership, the UE Wind Ensemble has performed, by invitation, for the Chicagoland Band Festival; the Indiana Music Educators Conference; and the College Band Directors National Association, North Central Division Conference.

Dr Steinsultz is fan of barbershop harmony. He has been active for over 30 years in various quartets as well as conducting the Shawnee Hills Barbershop Chorus (Harrisburg, IL), the Great River Barbershop Chorus (Quincy, IL), the Illini Statesmen Barbershop Chorus (Champaign-Urbana, IL), and is currently music director of the Spirit of Evansville Sweet Adelines Chorus (Evansville, IN)

As a solo musician, Dr. Steinsultz was an invited guest artist for the International Tuba and Euphonium Association’s Midwest Conference in 2013 and 2015. In May 2022, he performed a recital at the Great Plains Regional ITEA conference on the campus of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Steinsultz also performed at the 2014 International Tuba and Euphonium Conference at Indiana University.

As an ensemble musician, he has performed with the Quincy (Illinois) Park Band, Quincy Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi River Brass Band, Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Danville (Illinois) Symphony, Illinois Symphony of Springfield/Bloomington, Evansville Symphonic Band, Bend in the River Brass Band, and the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra.

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.