Music, Theatre and Dance
- Contact Information
-
- University-wide
- 570-389-4289
- Send an Email
-
170 Haas Center for the Arts – Bloomsburg
108 Butler Music Center – Mansfield
Department Chair
- Social Media
At Commonwealth University, the campuses of Mansfield, Bloomsburg and Lock Haven have a rich tradition of nurturing talented and skilled artists and teachers. Whether you are interested in a career on the stage, in the classroom or in a recording studio, our department educates, develops, and equips students for exciting and rewarding careers and offers endless opportunities to foster your artistic spirit.
Explore Upcoming Events
Check out our calendar featuring events and performances in music, theatre and dance happening at our Commonwealth University campuses.
Music Events
Theatre Events
Dance Events
Department Information
The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance is part of the College of Arts, Humanities, Education, and Social Sciences
Majors
UNDERGRADUATE
- Music (B.A.)
- Music (B.M.)
- Elective Studies in Business
- Music Technology
- Performance: Instrumental
- Performance: Vocal
- Music Education (B.M.)
- Instrumental
- Vocal
- Theatre (B.A.)
- Design/Technology
- Integrated Theatre
- Performance
Minors
Follow your degree roadmap with Degree Works, our easy-to-use degree audit tool that allows students to track how they are progressing through their academic journey. Students should also follow their program's degree map which outlines a path through their enrolled academic program.
Student Handbook
Handouts
Health & Hearing Safety Information
- Protect Your Hearing Every Day: Information and Recommendations for Student Musicians
- Protecting Your Hearing Health: Student Information Sheet on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss
Forms
Field Experiences and Student Teaching
Faculty and Staff
Leadership & Support
- Dr. David Tedford, Department Chair | Bloomsburg
- Dr. Nathan Rinnert, Assistant Chair | Mansfield
- Dr. Eun-Joo Kwak, Assistant Chair | Mansfield
- Reed Lehman, Administrative Assistant | Bloomsburg
- Ashley Strouse, Administrative Assistant | Lock Haven
- Peter Davis, Clerical Assistant | Mansfield
Faculty
BLOOMSBURG CAMPUS
- Dr. Charisse Baldoria — Piano, Composition
- Nelson Berger — Cello
- Dr. Stephen Clickard — Brass, Band
- Brian Farrell — Staff Pianist
- Anthony Fortuna — Double Reed
- Dr. Amelia Garbisch — Music Education, Voice
- Nelson Hill — Saxophone
- Dr. Gifford Howarth — Percussion, Marching Band
- Anthony McDonnell — Clarinet
- Erik Scattareggia — Music Technology
- Dr. Tracey Schmidt — Flute, Music Theory
- Andrew Seal — Bass
- Dr. Matthew Slotkin — Guitar
- Dr. Joseph Stuligross — Choirs
- Dr. David Tedford — Strings
LOCK HAVEN CAMPUS
- Dr. James Eldreth — Band
- Dr. Mahlon Grass — Online music classes
MANSFIELD CAMPUS
- Conrad Alexander — Percussion
- Kate Anderson — Saxophone
- Heather Cottrill — Music Education
- Dr. David Curtin — Keyboard, Online music classes
- Dr. Rebecca Dodson-Webster — French Horn, Music History
- Dr. Michael Hardy — Guitar
- Dr. Eun-Joo Kwak — Piano
- Dr. Susan Laib — Double Reeds
- Richard MacDowell — Clarinet
- Dr. Roy McLerran — Director of Bands
- Christine Mello — Cello
- Dr. Christine Fish Moulton — Flute, Piano
- Dr. Todd E. Ranney — Voice, Opera, Musical Theatre
- Dr. Nathan Rinnert — Tuba, Music Education
- Catherine Robison-Ranney — Student Teacher Supervision, Opera
- Dr. Alissa Rose — Voice
- Dr. Eddie Severn — Trumpet
- Walt Straiton — Orchestra
- Dr. Patrick Tatman — Director of Choral Activities
- John Vaida — Strings
- Dr. Andrew Walters — Music Technology, Music Business
- Drew Wolgemuth — Trombone & Euphonium
Leadership & Support
- Dr. David Tedford, Department Chair | Bloomsburg
- Dr. Nathan Rinnert, Assistant Chair | Mansfield
- Dr. Eun-Joo Kwak, Assistant Chair | Mansfield
- Ethan Krupp, Director of Theatre | Bloomsburg
- Reed Lehman, Administrative Assistant | Bloomsburg
- Sarah Forysthe, Costume Shop Coordinator | Bloomsburg
- Earl Martz, Scene Shop Coordinator | Bloomsburg
Faculty
BLOOMSBURG CAMPUS
- Hamlin Cogswell (deceased), 1887-1905, director
- Will George Butler (deceased), 1914-39, violin, harmony, chair
- Grace Steadman (deceased), 1921-39, chair, music ed, chorus
- Marjorie Brooks (deceased), 1926-59, piano, chair, theory
- Clarissa Randall (deceased), 1937-60, vocal, music ed
- George Howard (deceased), 1937-40, instrumental music
- Bert Francis (deceased), 1940-74, wind ensemble, trumpet, chair
- Christine Lewis (deceased), 1946-70, voice
- Florence Borkey (deceased), 1946-74, keyboard, eurhythmics
- John Doyle (deceased), 1947-79, piano, music appreciation
- John Baynes (deceased), 1947-79, brass, music ed, chair
- Benjamin Husted (deceased), 1950-71, chair, theory, clarinet, chorus
- John Little (deceased), 1950-86, piano, composition
- Helen Henry (deceased), 1955-75, horn, music ed
- Charles P. Hummer (deceased), 1955-56, choral director
- Eugene Jones (deceased), 1956-83, vocal choral, piano, history
- Jack Wilcox (deceased), 1956-88, voice, Mansfieldians, musicals
- Charles Fowler (deceased), 1957-62, music education
- Sylvester Schmitz (deceased), 1959-74, chair
- William Goode (deceased), 1962-88, piano, Intro to Music
- Angeline Schmid (deceased), 1962-90, piano
- Wayne Rusk (deceased), 1963-96, piano, theory, organ
- Charles Wunderlich (deceased), 1964-98, music history
- Marjorie Kemper, kemper_m@msn.com, 1965-88, music ed, piano class, harp
- Richard Kemper (deceased), 1965-88, double reeds, music ed
- Joyce Wunderlich (deceased), 1965-97, music ed, chair
- Irwin Borodkin, 1966-85, (deceased) cello/bass, orchestra
- David Dick (deceased), 1966-87, voice, choral, conducting
- Donald Stanley (deceased), 1966-91, wind ensemble, low brass, chair
- Edwin Zdzinski (deceased), 1966-91, violin, orchestra, chair
- Katherine Dyck (deceased), 1967-87, voice, chorus, diction
- Richard Talbot (deceased), 1967-91, bands, percussion, merchandising
- Kent Hill (deceased), 1967-95, piano, organ, theory, eurhythmics, chair
- John Monaghan, johnann@quik.com, 1969-97, flute, music ed, theory
- Ed Brown (deceased), 1971-98, piano, theory
- Konrad Owens, kowens39@comcast.net, 1966-04, clarinet, business, keyboard, tech
- David Borsheim, fairgardens2002@aol.com, 1973-04, french horn, theory, comp.
- Elizabeth Grovenstein, eagmt1@gmail.com, 1978-2007, music therapy
- Jean-Anne Teal, jeananne_teal@yahoo.com, 1991-2009, voice
- H. Michael Galloway, mikenkay@ptd.net, 1980-2013, trumpet, jazz
- Kenneth Sarch, 1995-2013, violin/viola, orchestra
- Stephen McEuen (deceased), 1977-2013, trombone/euphonium, Intro
- Nancy Boston, nboston@mansfield.edu, 1989-2015, piano
- Youngsuk Kim, imtenor@hotmail.com, 1988-2021, voice, opera
- Joseph Murphy, 1987-2023, saxophone
- Sheryl Monkelien, 2001-2023, music education, vocal jazz, musical theatre
Music Program Auditions & Spend-A-Day
Passionate and talented musicians are invited to audition for a place in our esteemed music programs. Students interested in attending Commonwealth University are also encouraged to experience a day in the life of a music student at our upcoming Spend-A-Day with Mansfield Music and Music Major Day at Bloomsburg events.
We are excited to hear from talented musicians like you! Auditions are a vital part of our application process for incoming music students. A successful audition showcases your musical skills and helps us determine your fit within our vibrant music community.
Ensembles
Commonwealth University – Bloomsburg offers a wide variety of ensembles, including orchestras, jazz and marching bands, vocal groups, and theatre productions. Guided by experienced faculty directors, these groups perform on campus and throughout the community. Students of all backgrounds are encouraged to get involved and share their talents.
Commonwealth University – Mansfield offers an exciting array of instrumental, vocal, and theatrical ensembles for students to explore and grow as performers. From wind, jazz, and symphonic bands to acclaimed choral groups, orchestras, and stage productions, students have the opportunity to perform at concerts, festivals, and special events on and off campus. Students are encouraged to join and contribute to our thriving artistic community.
Commonwealth University – Mansfield's The Spirit & The Pride Marching Band is open to all undergraduate and graduate students. Students of all skill levels are welcome and will be accepted into the band. All we ask for is a positive attitude and a willingness to contribute to the success of the group.
Student Resources
Information coming soon.
- American Choral Directors Association - Pennsylvania Chapter
- A great source of information and contacts for music educators and choral education students.
- American Choral Directors Association - National Chapter
- American Orff-Schulwerk Association
- American String Teachers Association
- Links to conferences, information about the organization, and pedagogical information for string teachers.
- Classical Net
- Features more than 9000 pages and 20,000+ images including more than 6500 CD, SACD, DVD, Blu-ray and Book reviews and over 5500 links to other classical music web sites
- J. Paul Getty Museum Education Department
- A website for K-12 arts resources
- National Association for Music Education
- Music Education Online, by Children's Music Workshop
- Pedagogical materials, sheet music, games and more
- Music Teachers National Association
- An organization for public and private music teachers throughout the country. Especially helpful for piano teachers.
- Pennsylvania Music Educators Association
- The leading music education organization in the state of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association
- The Pennsylvania chapter of Music Teachers National Association
- Twin-Tiers Orff-Schulwerk Association
At Commonwealth University, we offer a range of academic support services to help you succeed. From tutoring and writing centers to workshops and advisors, we're here to empower your academic journey.
Career planning can help you explore interests, discover strengths, and craft a roadmap to academic and career success. Our services assist students with gaining real-world experience through internships, volunteer work, and networking events to help you turn your dream job into reality!
