Faculty & Staff

Office / Administration

Dr. Diana G. Allan

Department Chair, 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: 417-625-9562

asmika guragain

Administrative Assistant

Office: FA L-04
Email: Guragain-A@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-3002

Faculty

dr. derrick bready

Assistant Professor of Activities, Director of Choral Activities 

• Doctor of Musical Arts - Baylor University
• Master of Music Education - University of Houston
• Bachelor of Music Studies (Education) - University of Texas at San Antonio
• All-Level Music Certification, PK-12 - Texas Education Agency

Teaching Responsibilities: Concert Chorale, Chamber Singers, Lion Pride Quintet, Applied Voice, Conducting, Musical Production and Music Direction

Office: Fine Arts 132
Phone: 417-625-9633
Email: Bready-D@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

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: Dickey-James@mssu.edu

prof. shirley gollhofer

Adjunct Professor of Theatre, Costumer

• Bachelor of Science in Education - Speech, Drama, English, and Social Studies from MSSU
• Paralegal Certification from MSSU

Teaching Responsibilities: Stage Makeup, Costume Tech

Office: Taylor Performing Arts Center 248
Email: Gollhofer-S@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-3021

dr. donald hodges

Adjunct Professor of Music

• Ph.D in Music Education from University of Texas, Austin, TX
• Master of Music from University of Texas, Austin, TX
• Bachelor of Music Education from University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Horn, Southern Symphony Orchestra

Research Interests: Music Education, Music Cognition, Music and the Brain research, Musicians’ Hearing Health

Office: Taylor Performing Arts Center 138
Email: Hodges-D@mssu.edu
Phone: 210-323-2291
 

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

prof. jackson milzarek

Adjunct Professor of Percussion

• Master of Music, University of Missouri-Kansas City, MO 
• Bachelor of Music Education, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS 
•  

Teaching Responsibilities: Applied Percussion

Email: Milzarek-J@mssu.edu

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. 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, Professional Interaction, 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. justin schaedler

Adjunct Professor of Trumpet

mr. scott schneider

Visiting Director of Bands

• Pittsburg State University – Master of Music- Wind Band Conducting
• Emporia State University – Bachelor of Music Education

Teaching Responsibilities: Concert Band, Jazz Orchestra, Marching Band, Pep Band

Office: FA 134
Email: Schneider-S@mssu.edu
Phone: 417-625-3061

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

Elizabeth Pomatto

Event Support Technician 

• Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Missouri Southern State University, MO 

Office: Plaster Hall 221D

Email: Pomatto-E@mssu.edu

Scott westwood

Information Technology/Theatre Technology

Office: Plaster Hall 221C

Email: Westwood-C@mssu.edu

DUAL CREDIT INSTRUCTORS

ED LAMMERS

Dual Credit Instructor - Music 

Rachel Stanley