Music Department

MSUM Music Department Faculty

Robin Allebach (Voice)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2007)
B.S. Ed. Bemidji State University
M.M. Northwestern University
Artists Diploma Depaul University

Laurie Blunsom (Music History)
Associate Professor of Music (2001)
B.M Nebraska Wesleyan University
M.M. New England Conservatory of Music
M.F.A. Ph.D Brandeis University

Kathrine Brekke (Snowfire Vocal Jazz Ensemble and Commercial Keyboards)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2000)
B.S., M.S. Minnesota State University Moorhead

Allen Carter (Music Theory, Drum set)
Assistant Professor of Music (2005)
B.M. Kansas State University
M.M., D.A. University of Northern Colorado

Judy Dietzler (Piano)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2006)
B.A. University of West Florida
M.M. Westminster Choir College

John Difiore (Saxophone)
Adjunct Professor of Music (1987)
B.M. Manhattan School of Music
Master's Candidate Manhattan School of Music

Jenny E. Dufault (Vocal Music Ed., Voice)
Assistant Professor of Music (2000)
B.S. St. Cloud State University
M.M. SUNY - Potsdam
A.B.D. University of Minnesota

Judy England (Piano)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2003)
B.S. Augsburg College

Henry Gwiazda (Composition, Theory)
Professor of Music (1981)
B.M. Eastman School of Music
M.M. Hartt College of Music
D.M.A. University of Cincinnati

Janelle Halverson (Music Education)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2005)
B.S. Ed. Minnesota State University Moorhead
M.M. University of St. Thomas

Debora Harris (Flute)
Adjunct Professor of Music (1981)
B.M.E. Bradley University
M.M. (ABD) D.M.A. Florida State University

Ryan Jackson (Music Technology,
Assistant Professor of Music (2004)
B.A., M.A. Minnesota State University Moorhead

Thom Johnson (Guitar)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2007)
B.M. Minnesota State University Moorhead

Jon Larson (Violin)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2005)
B.A. Bethel College
M.Ed. University of Minnesota

Terrie Manno (Piano)
Professor of Music / Piano (1989)
Coordinator of Keyboard Studies
B.A., M.A. California State University - Fresno
D.M.A. University of Arizona

Charlette L. Moe (Music Education)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2004)
B.M. Ed. Concordia College
M.S. Minnesota State University Moorhead

Kirk Moss (Orchestra, String Education)
Associate Professor of Music (2004)
B.M. University of Michigan
M.M. Cincinnati College - Conservatory
Ph.D. University of Florida - Gainesville

Susan Nagel (Piano)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2002)
B.M. Minnesota State University Moorhead

Douglas Neill (Tuba)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2001)
B.S. Ed. North Dakota State University

Elise Buffat Nelson (Cello)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2005)
B.M. University of Wisconsin - Superior
M.M. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Timothy Nelson (Viola)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2004)
B.M. University of Wisconsin - Superior
M.M. The Juilliard School

Paul Nesheim (Choral Activities)
Assistant Professor of Music (2005)
B.A. St. Olaf
M.M. Arizona State University
D.M.A. University of Arizona

Robert Olson (Voice)
B.M., M.M. University of Arizona
Opera School Vienna Akademie
D.M.A. University of Illinois at Urbana - Champaign

Alexander Pershounin (Double Bass and Bass Guitar)
Assistant Professor of Music (2007)
B.M., M.M. Gnessins' State Music College, Moscow, Russia
M.M., D.M.A. University of Southern Mississippi

Dan Phillips (Guitar)
Assistant Professor of Music (2005)
B.M. Berklee College of Music
M.M. Northwestern University

Louise Pinkerton (Voice)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2004)
B.S. Indiana University
M.M. University of North Dakota

Rodney Rothlisberger (Vocal Music Ed.)
Professor of Music (1995)
B.A. St. Olaf
M.A. Eastman School of Music
D.M.A. University of Colorado - Boulder

Simon Rowe (Music Industry Coordinator, Jazz Keyboards)
Assistant Professor of Music (2004)
B.M. Eastern Illinois University
M.M. Southern Illinois University

Charles Ruzicka (Voice)
Professor Emeritus of Music (1993)
M.A. University of North Dakota
D.M.A. University Iowa

Lisa Lee Sawyer (Art of Listening)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2001)
B.M. Southern Arkansas University
M.M. Northeast Louisiana University
D.M.A. University of Missouri - Kansas City

Tom Strait (Jazz Ensemble, Trumpet, French Horn)
Associate Professor of Music (2001)
B.M.E. Henderson State University
M.M. University of Texas
D.A. University of Northern Colorado

Benjamin Sung (Violin and Viola)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2007)
B.M. Eastman School of Music
M.M., D.M. Indiana University

Catherine Tesch (Clarinet)
Adjunct Professor of Music (1988)
B.S. University of Northern Colorado
M.M. University of Arizona
D.M.A. University of Arizona

John Tesch (Trombone, Wind Ensemble, Tuba, Euphonium)
Professor of Music (1976)
B.S. University of Northern Colorado
M.M. Indiana University
D.M.A. University of Arizona

David L. Watson (Voice)
Adjunct Professor of Music (2000)
B.M. Florida Baptist Theological College

Kenyon Williams (Percussion)
Associate Professor of Music (2002)
B.M. Ed. Abilene Christian University
M.M. The Hartt School
D.M.A. University of Kentucky