Music and Performing Arts
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- Majors & Minors
- Music Major
- Applied Performance: Composition Emphasis
- Applied Performance Major: Instrumental Emphasis
- Applied Performance Major: Vocal Emphasis
- Music Education Major: Instrumental Emphasis
- Music Education Major: Vocal K-12 Emphasis
- Media and Performing Arts Minor
- Music Minor
- Music Performance Endorsement
- Performing Opportunities
- Music Department Scholarship
- Upcoming Events
- 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
Associate Professor of Music Director of Choral Activities
Faculty
Steven Thompson
Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Activities | s-thompson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002
Thompson teaches courses in instrumental conducting, instrumental pedagogies, private trumpet instruction, and conducts the Bethel Wind Symphony. Thompson maintains an active performing schedule as a trumpeter in the Upper Midwest and the Eastern United States. He is sought after as a clinician and as an adjudicator for numerous contest events.
Emily Urban
Staff Accompanist | e-urban@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005
Collaborative accompanist
Lydia Shull
Office Coordinator | lydia-shull@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Lydia serves as the primary academic administrator for the Department of Music and Performing Arts. She oversees department communications and scheduling, performance scholarship applications, music ensemble and lesson registrations, and maintains all music libraries. Have a question for the department but don't know who to ask? Contacting Lydia is a great place to start, or stop by her office in CC301.
Adjunct Faculty
Brad Beale
Adjunct Instructor of Music | beale@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023
Director of Royal Register (TTBB ensemble)
David Crittenden
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music | d-crittenden@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988
Crittenden is a classical guitarist and composer. He has published work through Amoriello Guitar Publications and Alfred Music Publishing and was a member of the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet for ten years.
Jason Harms
Adjunct Instructor of Music | j-harms@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006
Adjunct Instructor of Music; Director of Jazz Orchestras
Tina Park
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music and Private Lesson Instructor in Piano | l-juan@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006
Tina Juan Park teaches private and group piano lessons at Bethel University as well as maintaining an active private studio. In addition to teaching, Dr. Park is an accomplished performer.
John Povolny
Adjunct Instructor of Music | jgp72794@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011
Adjunct Instructor in Percussion
Kevin Shull
Adjunct Instructor of Music, Director of the Handbell Ensemble and Manager of Music Organizations | kevin-shull@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997
Shull oversees the management of all activity of the music department's performance ensembles including the planning, organization, and promotion of all music tours, performances on campus, as well as the production of Bethel's annual Festival of Christmas. He conducts the Bethel Handbell Ensemble and coaches smaller handbell ensembles and soloists.
Marshall Urban
Adjunct Instructor of Music | m-urban@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002
Adjunct Instructor of Voice
Jeff Brueske
Private Lesson Instructor in Jazz Bass | jefjbrue@hotmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2003
Jeff Brueske has distinguished himself as a bassist for over two decades performing with Wessel Anderson, Grammy-winner Ted Nash, Ron Miles, Marcus Printup, Tim Armacost and a host of Twin Cities jazz luminaries.
Zachary Gingerich
Private Lesson Instructor in trombone | zlg33377@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022
Private Lesson Instructor in trombone
Emily Hagen
Private Lesson Instructor in Viola | emh86475@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015
Hagen teaches private viola lessons and is an active performer in the Twin Cities area.
Angela Hanson
Private Lesson Instructor in Violin | adh68496@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008
Hanson teaches violin lessons and performs frequently around the Twin Cities and is in the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, the Minnesota Sinfonia, and is concertmaster of the Saint Paul Civic Symphony. In addition to teaching at Bethel, she teaches at the Free Lutheran Bible School and Seminary and at home.
Julia Heinen
Private Lesson Instructor in Clarinet | julia-heinen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024
Julia Heinen is an international soloist and chamber musician. She performs frequently with the contemporary music ensemble, TEMPO (Los Angeles), in addition to holding the position of principal clarinet with the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic (Los Angeles). Having recently relocated to her hometown of the Twin Cities, she holds the position of principal clarinet with the Minneapolis Civic Orchestra.
Mark Kausch
Private Lesson Instructor in Double Bass | mkausch@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1991
Kausch teaches private double bass lessons with research interest in historically-informed performance.
Merilee Klemp
Private Lesson Instructor in Oboe | music@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016
Private Lesson Instructor in Oboe
Carole Mason Smith
Private Lesson Instructor in Music and Theatre | cms87444@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017
Private Lesson Instructor in Music and Theatre
Allyson Partin
Private Lesson Instructor of French Horn | alf73447@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023
Private Lesson Instructor of French Horn
Lindsay Schlemmer
Private Lesson Instructor in Cello | lis79882@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021
Schlemmer teaches private cello lessons and is an active performer in the Twin Cities area.
Justin Staebell
Private Lesson Instructor in Voice | jas84242@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023
Private Lesson Instructor in Voice
Emeritus/Emerita Faculty
Brent Adams
Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Emeritus | brent-adams@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999
Acting, drama ministry, development of original works, directing, and playwriting.
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
Johnson teaches piano, piano theory, and piano pedagogy. He is an active solo and collaborative pianist in the Twin Cities and participates in numerous musical activities in the metropolitan area including chamber music recitals, worship services, and sacred concerts.
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
Technical theatre, stage design, costume design, light design, directing, and children's theatre.
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.
Jonathan Veenker
Associate Professor of Music Emeritus | j-veenker@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988
Veenker teaches composition, music theory, and orchestration courses. He is a frequently commissioned composer and arranger writing primarily for choir, wind ensemble, orchestra, and solo voice.
Meg Zauner
Associate Professor of Theatre Emerita | mzauner@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997
Director/choreographer. Shakespeare, musical theatre, directing, theatre history, dance, and children's theatre.