Catawba College’s Community Music Program is adding new faculty members for 2008-2009 classes.
Classes and lessons begin the week of Sept. 8. To register or for more information, please call the Catawba College Community Music Office at (704) 637-4345 or (704) 637-4106 or visit www.catawba.edu/communitymusic .
New faculty members
Erin Harper joins the program as the new lead keyboard teacher and Musikgarten instructor. She will provide both private and group piano instruction to students of all ages and abilities. Erin also will serve as licensed instructor for Musikgarten, an early childhood music and movement program that offers a sequential plan for the musical development of children from birth to age six.
Erin earned her undergraduate degree in piano performance from Wingate University in 2003. She completed her master of music degree in piano performance with a concentration in piano pedagogy at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2005. Most recently, she completed her certification in Musikgarten. Erin also received formal vocal training and enjoys performing both vocal and piano works of diverse styles.
She has served as an adjunct music instructor at Wilkes Community College, Davidson County Community College, Mitchell Community College, and began teaching in the Community Music School at Catawba College as a piano instructor in September of 2007. Erin will also serve as an instructor and accompanist for the Catawba College Music Department. Erin resides in Mocksville with her husband Ken, where she currently serves as minister of music at First Baptist Church.
Scott MacLeod will serve as a performing artist-teacher in vocal studies for the Community Music Program. Performing artist-teachers have both advanced degrees and extensive performance experiences. A diverse and exciting performer, baritone Scott MacLeod has garnered critical praise in opera houses and concert halls across the nation. Media reviews have called him “splendid” (operaonline.us), “impressive” (Pensacola News Journal), “emotional… equal parts sweetness and swagger” (Mobile Register), and “a voice to enjoy with every note” (Salt Lake Tribune).
He has performed over 40 roles with some of the nation’s leading regional houses and abroad.
Signature roles include the title role in Gianni Schicchi, Giuseppe in The Gondoliers, and Count Almaviva in The Marriage of Figaro.
A faculty member at Catawba College, he has taught voice and theatre as a guest at several prominent institutions and is in demand as a clinician and instructor. In recent months, he performed Holiday Pops with the North Carolina Symphony, the Messiah with the National Symphony of Costa Rica, the Brahms Requiem with the Dallas Highlander Concert Series, and the Lecturer in Long Leaf Opera’s production of the Dominick Argento solo tour-de-force opera “A Water Bird Talk.” Upcoming performances include A Night at the Opera with the Saginaw Bay Symphony and his Carnegie Hall solo debut in selections from Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the combined Catawba College choirs.
MacLeod is a graduate of Northwestern University and holds a fellowship master’s degree from Florida State University. He lives in North Carolina with his wife, Rebecca.
Randi Skaggs will serve as the director of the Catawba College Children’s Choir beginning fall semester. She currently serves as the lead elementary music teacher for Cabarrus County Schools where she mentors new teachers, provides staff development, and arranges district musical events. She also teaches music at Winecoff Elementary School. Additionally, Skaggs serves as the musical director and costume designer for S.M.A.C.K., a summer musical arts camp of 100 students who produce major musical works each summer including Seussical the Musical and Willy Wonka the Musical.
She received her bachelor’s degree in music education from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri and is currently pursuing national certification as a public school music educator. Skaggs has enjoyed directing children’s choirs for 15 years, spanning three states and in multiple venues including schools and churches.
Designed to provide quality vocal opportunities for students (ages 8n14), the Catawba Children’s Choir has limited enrollment and begins Sept. 11. To schedule an audition with the director, please call 704-637-4106.
Emily Schuttenberg relocated to Salisbury a year ago and has joined the piano faculty at Catawba Community Music. She will teach both private and group piano lessons to students of all ages. Schuttenberg earned her undergraduate degree from Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala., where she was a double major in musical theatre and piano performance. She received her master’s of music degree from Western Carolina University in Cullowhee.
Schuttenberg is equally adept behind the piano keys or acting and singing on stage. She has extensive experience performing classical piano as soloist and accompanist for numerous choirs, recitals, and events as well as accompanying and teaching for community, educational, and professional theatre companies. As vocalist and actor, Emily frequently performs on stage in plays and musicals including the 2003 debut of a show at the New York City Fringe Festival. She also sings for concerts and operas, most recently as a member of the Knoxville Opera Chorus.
In addition to accompanying and teaching at Catawba College, Emily is adjunct music professor and chorus director at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and music teacher for Davidson Country Day School in Lexington. She is also director of music at a church and works with Piedmont Players Children’s Theatre.