Faculty

Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.

Department chair

Merrin Guice Gill

Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities | meg25835@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019

Bethel Choir (SATB), Festival Choir (SATB), Choral Conducting, Music History, Opera, Musical Theatre, Ethnomusicology

Faculty

Brad Cawyer

Assistant Professor of Music, Conductor of University Orchestras and Director of String Activities | b-cawyer@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025

Conductor of Opera, Ballet, and Symphonic Orchestra

Zach Gingerich

Private Lesson Instructor in Low Brass | zlg33377@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Low Brass Performance

Justin Staebell

Private Lesson Instructor in Voice | jas84242@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Vocal Performance, Opera, Musical Theatre

Adjunct faculty

Elizabeth Allison

Private Lesson Instructor in Piano and Director of Keyboard Activities | ela56638@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024

Piano Performance, Private Piano Lessons, Keyboard Theory, Piano Proficiency, Collaborative Keyboard

Brad Beale

Adjunct Instructor of Music | beale@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Royal Register (TTBB), Lucia Chorum (SSAA), Vocal Music Education, Introduction to the Creative Arts

Debra Garvey

Adjunct Instructor of Music | deg45454@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Handbell Ensemble

Jason Harms

Adjunct Instructor of Music | j-harms@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006

Jazz Orchestra, Songcraft, Composition

Justin Kennedy

Private Lesson Instructor in Saxophone | jkennedy@c-ischools.org | Started at Bethel: 2024

Saxophone Performance

Merilee Klemp

Private Lesson Instructor in Oboe | klemp@augsburg.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016

Oboe Performance

Carole Mason Smith

Private Lesson Instructor in Music and Theatre | cms87444@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

Private Lesson Instructor in Music and Performing Arts

Cheryl Oie

Adjunct Instructor of Music | coie@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999

Coordinator of Music Organizations

Tina Park

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music and Private Lesson Instructor in Piano | juanli32@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2006

Piano Performance, Beginning Piano, Summer Piano Academy

John Povolny

Adjunct Instructor of Music and Private Lesson Instructor in Percussion | jgp72794@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011

Percussion Performance, Percussion Methods

Kevin Shull

Adjunct Instructor of Music and Performing Arts | kevin-shull@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997

Producer of Festival of Christmas, Producer of Main Stage Theatre Productions, Ensemble Tours

Marshall Urban

Adjunct Instructor of Music and Private Lesson Instructor in Voice | m-urban@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002

Vocal Performance, Vocal Pedagogy, Vocal Literature, Vocal Diction

Emeritus/emerita faculty

Brent Adams

Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Emeritus | brent-adams@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999

Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Emeritus

Peter J. Durow

Private Lesson Instructor in Composition | pjd75387@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2026

Peter J. Durow is a conductor and composer specializing in music education.

Mary Fall

Associate Professor of Music Emerita | wkfall@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 1979

Associate Professor of Music Emerita

Herbert Johnson

Professor of Music Emeritus | herbert-johnson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008

Professor of Music Emeritus

Dennis Port

Professor of Music Emeritus | porden@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1995

Professor of Music Emeritus

Rick Rees

Professor of Theatre Arts Emeritus | reeric@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1980

Professor of Theatre Arts Emeritus

Mark Rhoads

Professor of Music Emeritus | rhomar@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988

Rhoads teaches courses in church music, music education, and gen. ed. arts courses. He is a member of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada and is active in discussions on music and worship, with current research in American hymnody, especially the reform movement in the American Protestant church in the early 19th century. Rhoads is active in church music as director, hymn and tune writer, and worship planner. He also writes and publishes poetry.. . . read more.

Steven Thompson

Professor of Music Emeritus | s-thompson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002

Professor of Music Emeritus

Jonathan Veenker

Associate Professor of Music Emeritus | j-veenker@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988

Associate Professor of Music Emeritus

Meg Zauner

Associate Professor of Theatre Emerita | mzauner@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997

Associate Professor of Theatre Emerita