Faculty & Staff

Office / Administration

Dr. David L. Sharlow, Department Chair

Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities

Doctor of Philosophy in Curriculum & Instruction/Choral Music Education and Conducting from the University of Missouri - Kansas City, Kansas City, MO
Master of Music Education in Choral Conducting from Wichita State University, Wichita, KS
Bachelor of Music Education from Friends University, Wichita, KS

Teaching Responsibilities: Choral Music, Graduate Music Education Research Interests: Choral Music, Ensemble Pedagogy Advising Areas: Music Education, Musical Theatre

Office: FA 206

Email: Sharlow-D@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-9562

Michaela West

Administrative Assistant

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO

Responsibilities: Managing the Office of Performing Arts Musical/Theatre Interests: Acting/Choral Performance

Office: TPAC 237

Email: West-Michaela@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-3002

Faculty

Dr. Diana G. Allan

Associate Professor of Music, Director of Vocal Studies

Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from the University of Texas, Austin, Austin, TX
Master of Arts in Vocal Performance from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
Bachelor of Music Education from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS

Teaching Responsibilities: Voice, Lyric Diction, Vocal Pedagogy and Literature, Musical Theatre Research Interests: Mental Strategies for Optimal Performance, Vocal Music, Vocal Pedagogy Advising Areas: Vocal Music

Office: FA 138

Email: Allan-D@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-9681

Dr. Megan Bailey

Adjunct Professor of Music

Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance from the University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Master of Music in Trumpet Performance and Literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from DePaul University, Chicago, IL

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied High Brass Research Interests: Hearing Aids for Musicians, Brass Chamber Music, Music Entrepreneurship

Email: Bailey-M@mssu.edu

Prof. Benjamin Cooper

Adjunct Professor of Music

ABD (Doctor of Musical Arts in Trombone from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK)
Master of Music in Trombone from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
Bachelor of Arts from Luther College, Decorah, IA

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Low Brass, Advanced Music Theory Research Interests: Trombone Literature, Brass Pedagogy, and New Music

Email: Cooper-B@mssu.edu

Dr. Cheryl Cotter

Associate Professor of Music, Director of Instrumental Studies

Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet from the University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Master of Music Performance from the University of North Texas, Denton, TX
Bachelor of Music from the University of North Texas, Denton, TX

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Clarinet, Applied Bassoon, Applied Oboe, Music Appreciation, History of Rock and Roll, Woodwind Pedagogy and Literature, Pedagogy of Music History, World Music, Music History Research Interests: Early Music, Music History, Klezmer Music Advising Areas: Instrumental Music

Office: FA 136

Email: Cotter-C@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-9660

Prof. James Dickey

Adjunct Professor of Theatre

Master of Arts in Theatre from Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Bachelor of Science in Speech and Theatre Education from Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO

Teaching Responsibilities: Theatre Tech Design

Email:

Prof. Andrea Dinkel

Adjunct Professor of Music

Master of Music Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City
Bachelor of Music Education from Pittsburg State University

Teaching Responsibilities: Instrumental Technique and Pedagogy

Email: Dinkel-A@mssu.edu

Prof. Stephanie Goad

Adjunct Professor of Theatre

ABD (Ph.D. of Social Foundations of Education in Progress at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK)
Master of Science, Administrative Studies from Missouri State University, Springfield, MO.
Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Missouri Southern State University
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Missouri Southern State University

Teaching Responsibilities: Professional Interaction University Responsibilities: Sr. Coordinator of International Admissions & Recruitment

Research Interests: Dissertation Topic: Schooling in Crisis: How Joplin School District navigated the Joplin Tornado and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Office: Hearnes 106L

Email: Goad-S@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-9372

Prof. Bonnie Johnson

Adjunct Professor of Theatre

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO

Teaching Responsibilities: Stage Costume and Makeup Design Research Interests: Period Costumes, Costume Design and Construction

Office: TPAC 248

Email: Johson-Bonnie@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-3021

Prof. Madison King

Adjunct Professor of Music

Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Voice, Diction, Vocal Tech/Pedagogy, Musical Theatre Musical Director

Research Interests: Vocal Pedagogy, Operatic Repertoire

Office: Taylor Performing Arts Center 210

Email: King-Madison@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-3002

Dr. Sean Millman

Adjunct Professor of Music

Doctor of Philosophy in Percussion Performance from New York University, New York, NY
Master of Philosophy from New York University, New York, NY
Master of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
Bachelor of Music in Percussion Performance from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Percussion, Business of Performing Arts Research Interests: Deliberate Practice, High Performance Training, The Audition Process

Email: Millman-S@mssu.edu

Prof. Melissa Nance

Adjunct Professor of Dance

Bachelor of Arts in Communication - Public Relations and Mass Communication, with a minor in Vocal Music Performance from Missouri Southern State University, Joplin MO
In Progress (Master of Education – Higher Education Student Affairs from Fort Hays State University, Hays, KS

Teaching Responsibilities: Theatrical Dance, Musical Theatre Choreography

University Responsibilities: Director of Alumni and Donor Relations

Research Interests: Dance and Mental Health; Strength and Flexibility, Musical Theatre Choreography & Stage Movement

Office: Ralph L. Gray Alumni Center

Email: Holtnance-M@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-3068

Prof. Kathryn Nenadal

Adjunct Professor of Music

Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Bachelor of Piano Performance from Baldwin-Wallace University, Berea, OH
Bachelor of Music Therapy from Baldwin-Wallace University, Berea, OH

Teaching Responsibilities: Class Piano, Applied Piano, Musical Theatre Accompanist

Research Interests: Piano Pedagogy for Adults, Chamber Music

Office: FA 126

Email: Nenadal-K@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-9318

Prof. Kyle Newby

Adjunct Professor of Theatre

Teaching Responsibilities: Stage Lighting Research Interests: Lighting Design

Email: Newby-K@mssu.edu

Prof. Natasha O’Brien

Assistant Professor of Theatre, Director of Theatre Activities

Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting from Lesley University, Cambridge, MA
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting from Belmont University, Nashville, TN

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Acting, Theatre History, Musical Theatre History, Playwriting, Stage Directing, Stage Management Research Interests: Psychodrama/Drama Therapy, Theatrical Anthropology, Sociometry and Actor Training Methodology. Advising Areas: Theatre Performance

Office: TPAC 243/244

Email: Obriendavies-N@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-9594

Prof. Michael Oglesby

Adjunct Professor of Music

Master of Music in Wind Conducting from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
Bachelor of Music Education from Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS

Teaching Responsibilities: Marching Band, Concert Band, Student Teaching Supervision, Instrumental Technique and Pedagogy

Research Interests: Conducting, Rehearsal Strategies, Classroom Management Techniques

Email: Oglesby-M@mssu.edu

Prof. Sara Ravens

Adjunct Professor of Music

Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from the University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
Bachelor of Music Education, Instrumental Emphasis from Missouri State University, Springfield, MO

Teaching Responsibilities: Saxophone Research Interests: Saxophone Pedagogy and Methodology

Email: Ravens-S@mssu.edu

Dr. Brandon Robinson

Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Instrumental Activities/Music Education

Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education from the University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS
Master of Music Education in Instrumental Conducting from Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR
Bachelor of Music Education from Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR

Teaching Responsibilities: Marching Band, Concert Band, Methods Courses and Conducting Research Interests: Historical Research, Rehearsal Techniques and Conducting

Office: FA 132

Email: Robinson-B@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-9633

Prof. René Spencer

Adjunct Professor of Music

Master of Science in Music Education from Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
Bachelor of Music Education, Instrumental Emphasis from Southwest Baptist University, Bolivar, MO

Teaching Responsibilities: Music for Elementary School, Pre-Kindergarten through Middle School General Music Methods, University Supervisor for Student Teachers, Music Theory I-IV, Applied Flute Research Interests: Kodaly Method of Music Education, Orff Approach, Elementary Music Education

Office: FA 212

Email: Spencer-Rene@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-3520

Prof. Linda Unser

Adjunct Professor of Theatre

Master of Fine Arts in Theatre from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
Bachelor of Theatre from Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Acting, Theatre Education, Theatre Appreciation Research Interests: Children's Theatre and Creative Dramatics.

Office: TPAC 246

Email: Unser-L@mssu.edu

Phone: 417-625-3002

STAFF

Glenda Austin

Choral Accompanist

Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO
Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, MO

Email: Austin-G@mssu.edu

Lara Stamper

Color Guard Coordinator

Master of Science in Education from Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, MO
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO

Email: Stamper-L@mssu.edu