Music Faculty

Martha Bartz Instructor in Music (Voice) Phone: (704) 637-4345 E-mail: mbartz@catawba.edu Website: www.marthabartz.com Martha Bartz is in demand as a classical concert soloist, recitalist, and contemporary cabaret performer. In March of 2012, she returns to Opera Carolina in their production of Eugene Onegin. She made her operatic debut as Emilia in Verdi's Otello in 2010. Martha was selected as the Winner of the Musical Theater competition at the 2010 Classical Singer Convention in New York City. Read More »

Matthew Michael Brown Instructor in Music (Organ) - B.M. in Organ Performance, North Carolina School of the Arts; M.M in Organ Performance and Literature, Eastman School of Music, Diploma in Sacred Music from Institute of Musical Leadership, the Eastman School of Music; additional studies at the GoART Organ Center in Göteborg, Sweden, and the International Summer Organ Conservatoire in Paris, France. E-mail: mmbrown1@catawba.edu Matthew Brown currently serves as Director of Music and Organist at First United Methodist Church of Salisbury, NC where he oversees a comprehensive sacred music program of five choirs and the church’s concert series, FirstARTS. Prior to this appointment, he served on the music staff of Grace Church (Episcopal) in New York City. In addition to his work as church musician, he also maintains an active career as both soloist and collaborative artist, performing in major festivals and series throughout the United States and abroad. Former major teachers include Dame Gillian Weir, David Higgs, Jack Mitchener, Wayne Leupold.

Phillip Edward Burgess Instructor of Sacred Music; B.M., Samford University; M.M., The University of Michigan; D.M.A., The University of Michigan. Orff Certifications I, II, III UNLV, Master Orff Certificate, University of Memphis E-mail: pburgess@catawba.edu Dr. Burgess currently serves as the Organist/Choirmaster at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Salisbury, NC where he oversees a graded choir program of youth and adults. In addition to his work at St. Luke's, he also directs the Salisbury Ecumenical Choir. His work with this multi-cultural choir has led to several honors including the 2012 Mayor's Spirit Award and the Koontz Humanitarian of the Year Award. Prior to coming to Catawba, Dr. Burgess served on the faculty of Pfeiffer University and the University of Michigan. Read More »

Elizabeth Carlton Assistant Professor Emerita of Music - B.A., B.M.E., M.A., Georgetown College; Level III Certification and Master Class in Orff-Kodaly-Laban, North Arizona University

Julie Rhyne Chamberlain Associate Professor of Music - B.M., Wingate University; M.M., Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Phone: (704) 637-4106 E-mail: jchamber@catawba.edu Chamberlain, an associate professor of music, teaches music theory, film music, private and class piano and serves as coordinator of accompanying. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, cum laude from Wingate University, Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and has a Ph.D. in Music Education, from UNC-Greensboro. Chamberlain has additional education certifications including "Orff Schulwerk Level I" from UNC-G and "Education though Movement: Building the Foundation" from Hartt School of Music, Hartford, Connecticut. Read More » Chamberlain in the News »

Stephen C. Etters Associate Professor of Music - B.M.E., M.Ed., University of South Carolina; Ed.D., Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Phone: (704) 637-4476 E-mail: scetters@catawba.edu Etters has served as Coordinator for Music Education and Director of Bands at Catawba College since the fall of 2000. He also serves as Coordinator for Student Recruitment for the Department of Music. In addition to his duties at Catawba, Dr. Etters is sought after as a performer (low brass), guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator for concert bands, marching bands, and orchestras, as well as various solo and ensemble young artist competitions. Read More » Etters in the News »

David Lee Fish DEPARTMENT CHAIR; Associate Professor of Music - B.M., M.M., Western Michigan University; Ph.D., University of Michigan Phone: (704) 637-4280 E-mail: dlfish@catawba.edu A native of Tucson, Arizona, Fish began playing saxophone at the age of eleven. He continued study of the instrument at Western Michigan University with Trent Kynaston, earning there both the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. Read More » Fish in the News »

Kristopher Irmiter Instructor of Music (Bass-Baritone) A Grammy Nominated artist who has performed in all 50 states and throughout Canada, Bass-Baritone Kristopher Irmiter is one of the most sought after low voices in the US and has appeared with San Francisco Opera, L'Opera de Montreal, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Houston Grand Opera, Baltimore Opera, Atlanta Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Utah Opera, Austin Lyric Opera, Opera Lyra Ottawa, Arizona Opera, and Florida Grand Opera among many others. Read More »

Wei Jiao Instructor in Music (Piano) - B.A. in Music Education, Shenyang Conservatory of Music, China; B.M. in Piano Performance, Columbus State University; M.M. in Piano Performance, Syracuse University. Phone: (706) 289-6487 E-mail: wjiao@catawba.edu Jiao teaches secondary private piano lessons, class piano, and aural skills classes. She is an active collaborative artist, and accompanies lessons and recitals for vocalists and instrumentalists. She’s currently pursuing Doctor of Music Arts degree in Piano Performance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She received M.M. in Piano performance from Syracuse University, and the B. M., summa cum laude, in Piano Performance from Columbus State University. Read more »

Jo Renee McCachren Professor of Music - B.M., University of North Carolina at Greensboro; M.M., North Texas State University; Ph.D., University of North Texas Phone: (704) 637-4349 E-mail: rmccachr@catawba.edu McCachren teaches music theory, music history, and piano. She received the Ph.D. in Music Theory and M.M. in Piano Performance from the University of North Texas, and the B.M., magna cum lauda, in Piano Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Read More » McCachren in the News »

Jack Murray Instructor in Music (woodwinds, Jazz Nucleus); B.M. in Performance, Winthrop University; M.M. Music in Performance, Winthrop University Murray is in much demand as a woodwind player, playing saxophone, clarinet, flute, and oboe in Broadway shows, symphony orchestras, jazz bands, rock bands and recording work. Read More » Murray in the News »

Christina Pier Instructor of Music (voice) and Artist-in-Residence; B.M. and M.M. Indiana University American soprano Christina Pier is a vocal instructor with Catawba's Department of Music and is a Catawba Artist-in-Residence. Pier has been hailed by Opera News for her "big, gleaming soprano and impressive coloratura ... she is a young singer with great potential." Whether on the opera stage, concert platform, or recital hall, Ms. Pier is consistently met with great critical and audience acclaim. Read More » View Vita » Pier in the News »

Dolpheus Ramseur Visiting Instructor in Music (music business) Dolpheus Ramseur joins the Catawba music business faculty in Fall 2009 as a special guest of the music department to team teach the topics course Artist Management: From Dream to Deal. He manages Columbia Record's Avett Brothers, one of the top 100 live musical acts in the country, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Dolpheus is also founder and CEO of the successful independent label Ramseur Records.

Barry R. Sang Instructor in Music (horn) - B.A., Carroll College; M.Div., Colgate Rochester Theological Seminary; M.Phil., Ph.D., Drew University Phone: (704) 637-4354 E-mail: bsang@catawba.edu Dr. Barry R. Sang is Professor of Religion at Catawba and has actively participated in vocal and instrumental music since the fifth grade. In addition to teaching as Instructor of Music in horn at the College, he is principle horn in the Catawba College Community Band and the Catawba College Wind Ensemble, and substitute horn for the Salisbury Symphony. He has played occasionally with the Catawba Brass and has accompanied several musical productions throughout the area, including Into the Woods; Oklahoma; The Seven Last Words of Christ; Peter Pan; The Singing Christmas Tree (Carolina Voices, Charlotte), and, most recently, H.M.S. Pinafore. Dr. Sang is also co-founder of the Resurrection Brass at First Presbyterian Church, Salisbury, and plays with the Legacy Brass out of Charlotte, NC.

Anne Sellitti Instructor of Music (Cello and String Bass); B.M., Oberlin Conservatory; M.M., Boston University Anne Sellitti is an Instructor teaching lower strings and Strings Methods for the Music Department. She received her B.M. in cello performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, and an M.M. in cello performance from Boston University. Her principal instructors were Andor Toth, Jr. and George Neikrug. She attended the winter session at Banff Centre for the Arts in Alberta Canada and participated in masterclasses with Zara Nelsova, Siefried Palm, and Paul Tortelier. Sellitti currently serves as principal cellist of the Salisbury Symphony, assistant principal cellist of the Winston-Salem Symphony, and is a member of the Greensboro Symphony. She frequently performs with the North Carolina Symphony, Oleander Chamber Orchestra, Carolina Baroque and the Long Bay Symphony. She performs every summer with the Lancaster Festival in Ohio in addition to maintaining a large private teaching studio.

Jim Shepherd Director of Choral Music and Assistant Professor of Music; B.M., M.M., Morehead State University; D.M.A., University of Texas Phone: (704) 637-4213 E-mail: jshepher@catawba.edu Shepherd joined Catawba from Concord University in Athens, West Virginia, where he served during the 2011-2012 academic year as assistant professor and director of choral and vocal music. He also served from 2006 until 2011 as associate professor and director of choral and vocal music at Austin Community College in Austin, Texas. Read More » Q&A with Jim Shepherd »

Daniel Skidmore Instructor of Music (Violin and Viola); B.M., West Virginia University; M.M., Northwestern University; D.M.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro (with distinction) Dan Skidmore has taught violin and viola for Catawba College since 2004. He also currently teaches violin and viola at Elon University and has served on the music faculties of Appalachian State University and Frostburg State University. He performs regularly as concertmaster of the Salisbury Symphony, assistant concertmaster of the Winston-Salem Symphony, and as a section violinist in the Greensboro Symphony. Read More »

Peter Zlotnick Instructor of Music - B.M. in Applied Music & Music Education, Eastman School of Music; Arts Leadership Certificate, Eastman School of Music; M.M., in Performance & Literature, and Music Education, Northwestern University. Peter Zlotnick is an Instructor of Percussion and the Percussion Ensemble at Catawba College. In addition to his duties at Catawba, he is the Principal Timpanist of the Greensboro, Winston- Salem, and Salisbury Symphony Orchestras. Peter also serves as Education Manager for the Greensboro Symphony. Read More »