Dr. Jesse Dunaway is Assistant Professor of Music at Bethel University and conductor of the Bethel University Singers. Along with conducting the choir, Dr. Dunaway teaches courses in advanced conducting, singers’ diction, music history, choral methods, and maintains a vibrant voice studio. Dr. Dunaway has previously taught at North Dakota State University, the Scranton Music Academy, and Chamberlain High School/Middle School.

Dr. Dunaway recently came from Pennsylvania where he was a member of the Arcadia Chorale, maintained a voice studio through the Scranton Music Academy, and presented a conducting lecture-recital on Dieterich Buxtehude’s Membra Jesu Nostri, the work that was the focus of his doctoral disquisition. He was recently featured as a bass-baritone soloist for the Arcadia Chorale's performance of J.S. Bach’s Mass in G-minor.

Dr. Dunaway earned his Doctoral of Music Arts (D.M.A.) in Choral Conducting from North Dakota State University. He earned his Master’s of Music (M.M) in both Choral Conducting, and Music Theory Pedagogy through NDSU. He studied conducting under Dr. JoAnn Miller and Dr. Michael Weber and studied theory pedagogy under Dr. Cassie Keogh. During his residency at NDSU he was regularly a bass-baritone soloist for the annual performances of Handel's Messiah, conducted for the performance of Mozart’s Vespers of the Confessors, and was the producer of the 2023 NDSU Baroque Music Festival. During this time, he was also the choral director for Fargo First United Methodist Church.

Prior to his graduate studies, Dunaway taught choir and voice lessons at the middle school and high school level in Chamberlain, South Dakota and was the guest conductor for the South Dakota Region V Choral Festival. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Black Hills State University. As an undergraduate, Dr. Dunaway earned statewide recognition as an award-winning composer in South Dakota. His multi-movement work “Homestake Mine” was featured on South Dakota Public Broadcasting during its 2015 premier, and due to popular demand, it was performed again in 2018.

Dr. Dunaway is originally from Rapid City, South Dakota in the heart of the Black Hills. In his personal life he enjoys warm coffee, and studying philosophy, religion, and history. He is fond of weightlifting and is always listening to an audiobook or podcast to learn something new. He is passionate about personal development and growth, and thoroughly enjoys mentoring students.

Christa Frye is currently serving as Assistant Professor of Music at Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee where she teaches clarinet, and saxophone, as well as woodwind methods, music theory, and aural skills.

Dr. Frye is the clarinetist with the University Trio and Duo Atypique. Additionally, she has performed in the Faculty Woodwind Trio, the UTM Chamber Players, and continues to perform occasionally with the Paducah Symphony.

Dr. Frye is in demand as a performing artist across the southeastern United States. In 2019, Duo Atypique performed at the International Trombone Festival in Muncie, IN and ClarinetFest in Knoxville, TN. In 2018, The University Trio gave a concert at the National Conference for the College Music Society in conjunction with the National Association of College Wind and Percussion Instructors in Vancouver, Canada. She has performed at the Annual Woodwind Day hosted by the University of Tennessee at Martin Woodwind Students' Association, Marshall University’s Single Reed Day in Huntington, West Virginia, and as soloist with the Odessa College Band, in Odessa, Texas.  She has also performed numerous recitals, including a guest recital at Marshall University, in Huntington, West Virginia where she gave a masterclass to the clarinet students of Dr. Ann Marie Bingham.

Dr. Frye performs on RZ Capriccio clarinets and is an endorsing artist for RZ Woodwinds. Her primary clarinet teachers include Ann Marie Bingham, Gary Sperl, Deborah Bish, Frank Kowalsky and Richard MacDowell.

Dr. Frye holds a B.M. in Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, a M.M in Clarinet Performance from the Florida State University, and a D.M.A. in Clarinet Performance from the University of Texas at Austin. 

Keith D. Herris, a native of Canton, Ohio, is currently Chair of the Division of Music and Religion and Professor of Music at Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. His teaching areas include music theory, music appreciation, applied piano, piano pedagogy, and class piano.  Dr. Herris holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in piano performance from Michigan State University where he studied with Artist-in-Residence Panayis Lyras.  He has also studied with well-known pedagogues Marvin Blickenstaff and Jane Magrath. He additionally holds a Master of Music degree in piano performance and pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma and a Bachelor of Arts degree in piano performance and pedagogy from Goshen College (IN).

Dr. Herris continues to be an active soloist, collaborative artist, and chamber musician. As the principle pianist for the Jackson Symphony Orchestra, Herris performs in a variety of ensembles including the symphony orchestra, chamber ensembles, Symphony on the Move, and Music and Healing ensembles that perform in assisted living and medical facilities.

Dr. Herris has received first prize in numerous piano competitions throughout Indiana, Michigan, and Oklahoma, including the Chopin Youth (Collegiate) Piano Competition in South Bend, IN, Donna Turner Smith Memorial Competition at the University of Oklahoma, and the OMTA Graduate Piano Competition.  Additionally, he was runner up in the Oklahoma State MTNA Competition and named a finalist in the Kalamazoo Bach Festival and Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition.  Dr. Herris has performed as soloist with the Bethel University Singers and Orchestra, three times with the Goshen College Orchestra, and was guest soloist with the Michigan State University Philharmonic Orchestra. Dr. Herris collaborated in a performance at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Hall.

As a member of MTNA, TMTA, and Martin Area MTA, Dr. Herris has served as an adjudicator for auditions and competitions throughout west Tennessee as well as a presenter for local music teachers. Dr. Herris is a member of the McKenzie Rotary Club and Music Director at the McKenzie First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. He also enjoys collaborating with his wife, Melissa, who has a degree in musical theatre, and has three lovely daughters. 

Nate Stoll is an award-winning audio engineer, producer, and drummer with over a decade of experience in the music industry. He has taught courses on recording, mixing, production, digital audio, and audio theory as an instructor at Middle Tennessee State University’s Department of Recording Industry. Currently, he teaches music production and music industry as an Assistant Professor of Music at Bethel University and is the Program Coordinator for the Music Industry Studies Program. As a successful engineer, he’s produced, engineered, and mixed jazz albums honored on best-of lists by Bandcamp and KMHD jazz radio, assistant engineered albums receiving millions of listens on streaming services, and produced, engineered and mixed songs featured on a film honored at the 2024 Slamdance Film Festival. He also provides commercial services for major foundations, having recently mixed dialogue and music for a high-profile short film for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Nate’s drumming is sought after by his peers, and he is featured in dozens of recordings and over a hundred live performances.

Nate earned his Master’s of Fine Arts in Recording Arts and Technologies and a Certificate in College and University Teaching from MTSU in May 2024. He researches effective teaching methods for music mixing instruction with a focus on diverse students and drawing from experiential learning theory and practice. He received his B.A. in Environmental Studies with a Concentration in Music and Soundscapes from Lewis & Clark College. When he’s not teaching and making music, he is an avid hiker and backpacker.

Following her year as Miss America 1987 which included performances with Lee Greenwood, Bob Hope, and her great-uncle Johnny Cash, Kellye returned to college (U of Memphis) to continue her studies in speech, piano, voice and launched her career as a music artist and speaker. She resides in Milan, TN with her husband of 30+ years, Todd Sheppard, a HS teacher and coach. They have 3 adult children; a son Brady, and daughters Cassidy and Tatum.

Kellye stays busy as a church pianist, piano/voice teacher, and musical director/accompanist for community and school theater productions. Kellye often takes roles in professional theater and recently played Patsy Cline in ALWAYS...PATSY CLINE at The Wick in Boca Raton, FL and will reprise the role at Cumberland County Playhouse, Crossville, TN May-Aug 2021. Other favorites include STAND BY YOUR MAN (Tammy Wynette), MAMMA MIA (Donna) and ANNIE GET YOUR GUN (Annie). She makes approx. 50 appearances a year at charitable events, churches, and conferences and has a concert schedule that includes the music of Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, gospel and show tunes. She has recorded 6 CD’s, several are available on iTunes and at her concerts.

For more info visit www.facebook.com/kellyecashmusic or www.kellyecashmusic.com

John M Buteyn is a producer, audio engineer, musician, and composer in Indiana. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Popular Music, Music Industry, and Music Technology Programs, and Director of the Gold Top Music Group at Purdue University Fort Wayne.

John prides himself in providing honest and reliable production, tracking, mixing, and mastering. He has been a musician and sound engineer for nearly his entire life and approaches each project with a fresh perspective and dedication to enhance the vision and goals of the artist.

John received his Master of Music in Music Technology from Georgia Southern University where he studied music technology, composition, and media arts with Dr. John Thompson. John also holds Bachelor degrees in Music and Business Administration from Houghton College where he was mentored by Kevin Jackson in Recording Arts.

John has presented work at concerts and symposiums including the Studio 300 Digital Art and Music Festival at Transylvania University, and the Phi Kappa Phi Research Symposium at Georgia Southern University. His performing music and engineering projects cover genres such as classical, folk, rock, pop and country, including artists The Afternoon Edition, Tough Old Bird, Derek Fields, Patrick, Barry, Pocket Vinyl, Bill John Newbrough, The Barry Brothers Band, Mike Zale, Jesse Sprinkle, Mozart Festival Opera, and Micah Kephart.

In addition to many album credits, Buteyn has a number of television/film credits including music featured on the theatrical trailer “Gimme Shelter” (Day Twenty-Eight Films; Rishon Films). He is proud to be affiliated with Avid, Audio Engineering Society (AES), and Pi Kappa Lambda.

Abigail Calcamuggio was born in Jackson, MS but grew up in Mayfield, KY for almost her entire childhood. She received her Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Performance from the University of Louisville studying under Kathy Karr. During her undergraduate years, Abigail traveled with the university Wind Ensemble as a performing member in the 2015 WASBA Conference where her love of performance was solidified. 

After graduating from UofL in 2017, she went on to get her Master of Music in Instrumental Performance from The University of Alabama, studying under Diane Boyd Shultz. While there, she won the Alabama Music Teachers National Association (ALMTNA) soloist competition in the graduate division. Graduating in 2019, Abigail moved back to Western KY with her husband, Nick Calcamuggio, and began teaching lessons to local students. 

Abigail currently lives in Murray, KY and continues teaching lessons to a wider range of students. Her students have made several accomplishments over the past 6 years: acceptance into the KY Governor’s School for the Arts, music scholarships to the University of Louisville and Murray State University, performing in All-District Middle and High School groups, performing in KMEA All State bands, being chosen to participate in other honor band groups such as Murray State’s Quad State Festival, Western KY University’s Honor Band Festival, and the University of Louisville’s Wind Band Institute. 

Now a new mom, Abigail spends most of her time at home with her son Liam and her husband. If not at home and not teaching lessons, she enjoys boating on KY Lake, hiking through Land Between the Lakes, and reading. 

A native of the nearby town of Greenfield, TN, Steve is a highly sought after musical arranger for many area marching band programs and has served as musical director and accompanist/manager for former Miss America Kellye Cash since 2006. He graduated from the University of Tennessee at Martin with a degree in Instrumental Music Education in 1988. After graduation, he spent 17 years as a band director in West Tennessee public schools before working for the church full-time.  Most recently, Steve performed full-time aboard the American Empress paddlewheel boat on the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Pacific Northwest as pianist/vocalist. 

Dr. Todd E. Hill is Director of Jazz Studies and Professor of Music at Murray State University and Adjunct Professor of Music at Bethel University. He holds Bachelor and Master of Music Education degrees from MSU, and the Doctor of Education (EdD) from Boise State University. Hill has been active as guest clinician and conductor for concert and jazz bands in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Missouri, Ohio, Idaho, Washington, Montana, Oregon, and Nevada. 

Hill has lead his own professional jazz groups (The Todd Hill Orchestra and Quintet) for forty years. As a free-lance pianist, he has performed with Doc Severinsen, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Jr., Gary Morris, Denise LaSalle, Stella Parton, The Moody Blues, Byron Stripling, Allen Vizzutti, Chris Vadala, Ron Wilkins, Jamey Aebersold, Denis DiBlasio, Buddy Childers, Greg Abate, Rich Matteson, and the Paducah (KY) and Jackson (TN) Symphony Orchestras. He held previous teaching positions at Milan (TN) Middle and High Schools, Northwest Mississippi Community College, Boise State University, and the University of the Cumberlands.

Dr. Hill was the Kentucky Music Educators Association “College-University Teacher of the Year” for 2016. Dr. Hill frequently presents clinics at jazz festivals and music education conferences, and authored an article on jazz pedagogy for The Instrumentalist. He serves as a jazz radio host for WKMS 91.3, and has authored and produced several special series including The Black Cats Jump. Dr. Hill the Director of Traditional Worship and the Chancel Choir at First United Methodist Church in Murray.

In 2009, after graduating from Anderson University, Daniel joined the acclaimed production staff of Gaither Studios. While at Gaither Studios, Daniel worked on over 100 video and audio productions. In 2012 he was awarded a Dove Award, in 2016 he was awarded an Emmy Award and in 2017 he engineered a Grammy winning record for Rhonda Vincent. Daniel now serves at Bethel University managing productions for the Renaissance program.

Crissy Miller is a dedicated music educator with a diverse background in teaching and performance. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin and her Master’s degree in Music Education from Boston University. With eight years of experience, Crissy has taught a wide range of students from high school and middle school band to elementary music, dual credit courses, and adult education. Her instrumental expertise lies in trombone, and she remains actively involved in performance, bringing a wealth of experience and passion to both her teaching and playing.  

Benjamin Martin joined the faculty of Huntingdon High School in 2016 as Director of Bands. His primary responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, Jazz Band, and Choir. In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. Martin is highly active in studio percussion, as well as composing and arranging. Mr. Martin joined the Bethel staff in Spring 2024. He has performed at PASIC with the UTM Percussion Ensemble and performed at the Arkansas Day of Percussion. He has led his Percussion Ensemble at Liberty Tech to play at the Tennessee Day of Percussion. Under Mr. Martin’s direction, the Huntingdon Wind Ensemble has grown in quality and scope. The ensemble has received superior ratings in the Concert Festival and has performed in the TMEA State Concert Festival. The Ensemble has earned the TBA Sweepstakes award each year under Mr. Martin. The 2020 Ensemble received the ASBDA Award of Distinction in Concert Performance for earning superior ratings in all captions from all concert and sight reading judges. Prior to his appointment at Huntingdon, Mr. Martin served as Assistant Director of bands and Director of Bands at Liberty Technology Magnet High School in Jackson, TN. The ensemble performed in Atlanta, Washington D.C., and Hawaii. After growing up in West Tennessee, Mr. Martin earned his Bachelor of Science in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Martin, and a Master of Music degree from the University of Central Arkansas. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, West Tennessee Bands and Orchestra Association where he currently serves as President, Tennessee Bandmasters Association, and the Percussive Arts Society. When not involved in music or teaching-related activities, Martin enjoys spending time with his family, reading, motorcycling, and kettlebell training.

Danny Ray Martin holds a Masters of Education from Western Governors University, is a 1995 graduate of Bethel University, and a 1997 graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. He continued his professional development in 2002-2003 with private guitar studies under the late Shawn Lane of Memphis, TN.

Since moving to Nashville in 1997, Martin has worn many hats as a musician:  performer, session musician, musical director, arranger, transcriber, editor, film scorer, consultant, teacher, school director, clinician, video director, and technician. Playing steadily with various groups, including his own, The Danny Ray Martin Quartet (sometimes a trio, quintet, or big band), Martin was called “West Tennessee’s answer to John Scofield” by The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) after the release of the album Translation.

Now in his 22nd year with Bethel University, Martin designed the guitar curriculum for Bethel and GuitarTricks.com, founded the East Nashville School of Music, and scored the independent films Dreams and For Annie as well as stage productions I, Frankenstein, Dracula, and The Hound of the Baskervilles. He was recognized in 2009 as a finalist by The Nashville Emerging Leader Awards, named the Bethel University Young Alumni in 2011 as part of the BU Alumni Hall of Fame, and was a Mary Catherine Strobel Direct Service Award Finalist in 2015.  

Jordan May is an audio engineer with over a decades worth of experience in both the live and studio worlds of the music industry, and has had the privilege of working with several award winning artists and musicians throughout his career. He is currently working full time as the Assistant Technical Director at the Renaissance Program at Bethel, and also serves as an Adjunct Professor for the past year.

Aside from his production work he is also a composer, voice artist, and sound designer who enjoys creating new sounds from everyday objects.

Jordan graduated from Bethel University in the Fall of 2020 with a Bachelor's of Science in Music Technology and Recording Arts. Since then He has had the opportunity to work as a tracking, mixing, and mastering engineer with incredible artists like Jonathan McReynolds, Matthew Holt, Brennan Scott Green, N/A, and many more.

One of the highlights of Jordan's career so far was having the opportunity to be the Supervising Sound Editor, Sound Designer, Post-Production Mixer, and voice artist for the award winning short film "Anthropica".

Jordan's faith as a follower of Christ has been fundamental in his life, and has lead to a passion for serving other in the local community of McKenzie as well as serving at Overflow Church in McKenzie as a Keyboardist for the worship team, Lighting Director, Leader for the church's college ministry OYA, and Primary leader for the Overflow Worship IN-REACH small group.

Jordan is very thankful for the opportunity to teach alongside the incredible Staff and Faculty here at Bethel University, and is always looking forward to teaching the next Generation.

Ms. Connie Hodge McCain is a retired music teacher of 45 years.  She has a Music Education degree from Carson Newman University and a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Kentucky.  She spent 33 years in public schools in the state of Tennessee and 11 years with Renaissance Choir at Bethel as the associate director. .  She has taught music education classes adjunct for the past 2 years for the music education department.  

Connie also is the choir director and pianist at First Methodist church in Huntingdon, TN.  She has worked in churches across the state as well as teaching.  

“I love being able to share my experiences in the classroom and share knowledge with them about being in the classroom. “ 

She loves to travel and see the world and experience world music during her travels. 

Joseph Moore enjoys an active career as a performer and educator. He is a member of the Jackson (TN) Symphony Orchestra and serves on the adjunct music faculties of Union University and Bethel University.

As an orchestral musician, he has performed with orchestras in North America and Europe, including the Jackson Symphony, South Florida Symphony, Palm Beach Opera, Musicians’ Philharmonic of Montreal, the Balmoral Chamber Orchestra, the Taneycomo Festival Orchestra in Branson, Missouri, and the Crescendo Summer Institute Opera Orchestra in Sarastopak, Hungary. He has also been featured as soloist with high school and collegiate ensembles, including the Jackson Symphony Youth Orchestra, the Union University Symphony Orchestra, and the Union University Symphonic Band. In April 2018, he was featured in recital as a Guest Artist at the Tennessee Technological University School of Music. In 2022, he won a first prize in the Golden Classical Music Awards International Solo Competition in New York City, and will make his solo debut at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall in December 2022.

As a chamber musician, he performs with the Jackson Symphony Brass Quintet, and was actively involved with the Jackson Symphony’s “Symphony On the Move” series during the COVID-19 Pandemic from 2020-2021. He presented at the 2017 International Trumpet Guild conference in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and in 2018 was selected to perform Francis Poulenc’s Le Bal Masque as part of McGill University’s Musical Chairs! Chamber Music Festival at Le Chapelle Historique du Bon-Pasteur in Montréal.

He earned a Bachelor of Music at Union University, where he studied trumpet performance with Tom Grant and Dennis Smith, and music composition with the late Dr. Daniel Musselman. He went on to earn a Master of Music in Trumpet Performance from McGill University in Montréal, Canada, where he studied with internationally-acclaimed trumpet soloist Richard Stoelzel. In May 2020, he was selected as one of sixteen participants to participate in a Summer Intensive for Trumpet at the Cleveland Institute of Music where he worked with Michael Sachs and Michael Miller of the Cleveland Orchestra. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance at the University of Memphis where he studies with David Spencer.

In addition to enjoying an active performing career, Mr. Moore is an advocate for excellence in music education. He currently serves on the adjunct faculty at Union University in the Department of Music where he coaches brass chamber music and teaches Aural Skills, and at Bethel University in the Department of Music where he teaches Applied Brass and Brass Methods. His students in Middle School and High School have consistently won top prizes in the West Tennessee Solo and Ensemble Festival. He and his wife, Joy, reside in Jackson.

Suzanne Trull received her Music Education degree from Louisiana College, in Pineville, Louisiana. She also received her Masters of Music in Voice Performance from Mississippi College, in Clinton, Mississippi. Her experience includes thirty-four years of teaching elementary music in New Orleans, Louisiana, Tunica, Mississippi, Paris, Tennessee, and Milan, Tennessee. Her longest tenure was at Milan Elementary School where she taught elementary music for twenty-five years. She also retired there. Suzanne has directed many elementary musicals, taught private voice lessons, and private piano lessons.  She also has been a piano accompanist for individuals, ensembles, choirs, in both churches and schools. 

Suzanne is married to Dr. Dennis Trull, pastor of First Baptist Church in McKenzie, Tennessee. They have lived in McKenzie for twenty-six years and have been very involved in community activities.  Their family includes three children: Brandon (Sarah), Jordan (Krista), and Anna (Ty). They also have seven grandchildren.