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

Ben Blasko

Associate Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Activities | blasko@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2025

Wind Symphony (Band), Instrumental Conducting, Instrumental Music Education, Composition, Orchestration, Film Music, Recording Engineering

Brad Cawyer

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

Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonic Orchestra, Music Theory, Orchestral Conducting, Opera Conducting, Interdisciplinary Arts, Music Cognition

Emily Urban

Staff Accompanist | e-urban@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005

Collaborative Keyboard, Musical Theatre

Adjunct faculty

Elizabeth Allison

Director of Keyboard Activities and Private Lesson Instructor in Piano | 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

David Crittenden

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music and Private Lesson Instructor in Guitar | d-crittenden@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988

Guitar Performance, Classical Guitar, Composition

Debra Garvey

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

Handbell Ensemble

Zach Gingerich

Private Lesson Instructor in Low Brass | gingerich.z.j@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2022

Low Brass Performance

Emily Hagen

Private Lesson Instructor in Viola | emh86475@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015

Viola Performance

Angela Hanson

Private Lesson Instructor in Violin | adh68496@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008

Violin Performance, String Methods, Chamber Ensembles

Jason Harms

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

Jazz Orchestra, Songcraft, Composition

Julia Heinen

Private Lesson Instructor in Clarinet | julia.heinen@csun.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024

Clarinet Performance, Chamber Music, Community Engagement

Mark Kausch

Private Lesson Instructor in Double Bass | mark.kausch@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2000

Double Bass Performance, Viola Da Gama, Historical Performance

Merilee Klemp

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

Oboe Performance

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

Allyson Partin

Private Lesson Instructor in French Horn | allysonpartin@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2023

French Horn Performance

John Povolny

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

Percussion Performance, Percussion Methods

Lindsay Schlemmer

Private Lesson Instructor in Cello | lis79882@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

Cello Performance, String Methods

Sandra Sheih

Private Lesson Instructor in Flute | sandralsheih@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2023

Flute Performance

Justin Staebell

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

Vocal Performance, Opera, Musical Theatre

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

Catherine Victorsen

Private Lesson Instructor in Harp | cathy.victorsen@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 1992

Harp Performance

Mindy Way-Johnson

Private Lesson Instructor in Pipe Organ | mwayjay@hotmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2024

Pipe Organ Performance, Sacred Music

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

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