Lawrence Gibbs

Associate Professor, Single Reeds, Jazz Studies

MA, Louisiana Tech University; BA, Northeast Louisiana University

Associate Director of Bands. Director of the University Symphonic Band and the University Jazz Ensemble. Assists with the Marching Band of Pride. Studied with Eugene Zoro, James Gillespie, and Alan Keating. Principal Clarinetist with the Monroe Symphony Orchestra and also performs with the South Arkansas Symphony and the Shreveport Symphony Orchestras. Founder and Director of the “Russ-Town Band”, a select community band based in Ruston, LA. Audio Reviewer for The Clarinet, an international journal for clarinetists. Has performed at the International Clarinet Fest in New Orleans and the Oklahoma Clarinet Symposium in Norman, OK, and serves as Artist/Clinician for the Selmer Band Instrument Corporation. Former professional musician including a five year stint in Las Vegas and has performed with Bob Hope, Liberace, The Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Connie Francis, Susan Anton, and the gospel group “The Martins,” among others.

*318-257-5472

Mark D. Guinn

Professor, Lighting Design, Scene Design, and Stage Combat

BA, Centre College of Kentucky; Master of Fine Arts, Memphis State University

Professor of Design and Movement for Actors, and the Production Manager for the University Theatre. His recent scenic design credits include world stage premier of Shane, The Leafmen and the Brave Good Bugs, West Side Story, The Hostage and Sylvia for the University Theatre. His recent lighting design credits include: The Flaming Idiots at The New Victory Theatre, New York, NYC, Blue Jacket, the Epic Outdoor Drama, for First Frontier, Inc.; Christmas Carol, at New American Theatre; A Knight at the Fights for University of Nevada Las Vegas; and Diviners for University Theatre. Mark has extensive experience working in outdoor drama. His eighteen years in the field have seen him move from Master Carpenter to Director. The 1999 production of Bluejacket, the Epic Outdoor Drama directed by Mark was choosen as the number one outdoor drama in the country by Marilyn Stasio, a New York Times theatre writer. He is a Certified Teacher and Regional Representative for the Society of American Fight Directors. He has taught at stage combat workshops from London to Boulder and choreographed shows from Ohio to Texas. Mr. Guinn is the founder and coordinator of one of the larger regional stage combat workshops in the United States, The Stage Combat Workshop at Louisiana Tech, an annual event hosted by Tech Theatre Players on the campus of Louisiana Tech University.

Mr. Guinn teaches Lighting Design, Scene Design, and Stage Combat. He is a tenured professor and a member of the Graduate and Honor's Faculty.

*318-257-5271

Dan Immel

Assistant Professor, Head of Piano Studies, Music History

DMA The University of Texas at Austin; Diploma, American Conservatory, Fontainebleau, France; MM, Indiana University; BM, Boise State University

Dr. Daniel Immel is Assistant Professor of Music and Head of Piano Studies and Music History at Louisiana Tech University. His primary teachers have included Madeleine Forte, James Cook, Luba Edlina-Dubinsky and Gregory Allen. He has coached in masterclasses with several artists, including Martin Canin, Nelita True, Jay Gottlieb, Philippe Entremont, Philippe Bianconi and Frederic Augessy. His solo and collaborative performances have led him to perform in the United States, Europe, Canada and Russia. He was a second prize winner in the 2007 Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition in New York.  He recently collaborated with saxophonist Todd Oxford at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. The New York Concert Review praised his ability to “successfully transform himself from empathetic collaborator to independent soloist several times and rightly received equal billing.”  They recently collaborated on Oxford's second solo CD, to be released in the Spring of 2008.

Dr. Immel is in demand as a clinician and adjudicator, and has held previous teaching posts at Hiwassee College in Madisonville, Tennessee, and Washington State University-Pullman. He specializes in the performance and research of twentieth and twenty-first century music. His recent series of lecture recitals on Ligeti’s Piano Etudes were met with critical acclaim.

*318-257-5273

Gregory Lyons

Assistant Professor, Assistant Director of Bands, Percussion, Music Education

 

DMA, The Ohio State University (anticipated 2010); MM, Central Michigan University; BME, The Wheaton College Conservatory of Music

Gregory Lyons teaches Applied Percussion, Percussion Ensemble, Percussion Methods, and Secondary Instrumental Methods.  He also assists with the Marching Band of Pride. 

Prior to his appointment at Louisiana Tech in 2009, Mr. Lyons served as an Assistant Director in the Missouri public schools teaching all levels of band and percussion.  He has been a frequent adjudicator and clinician throughout the Midwest.  As a solo and ensemble performer, he has made appearances in Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Texas, Oklahoma, Michigan, and  California.  In 2003, he was a winner in the CMU Concerto Competition performing Robert Kurka’s Concerto for Marimba.  More recently, he performed in a showcase concert with the OSU Percussion Ensemble at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention.  Also, he was a semi-finalist in the 2009 Southern California International Marimba     Competition. 

Currently, Mr. Lyons is completing a DMA in percussion performance at The Ohio State University where he has given lessons to undergraduate percussion majors, directed the Percussion Ensemble, and assisted with the coordination of the annual High School Percussion Ensemble Festival. His primary teachers have included Susan Powell, Joseph Krygier, Andrew Spencer, and Kathleen Kastner.
 

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Dianne Maroney-Grigsby

Adjunct Instructor, Dance

BA, Grambling State University; MA, Louisiana Tech University

Ms. Maroney has instructed dance students in America, Europe, Asia, and Africa for the Alvin Ailey Dance Company. She is also the choreographer for the Orchesis Dance Company. Ms. Maroney has been the featured dancer in Twin City Ballet Company. Her training is in Modern, Horton, Graham, Classical Ballet, Tap and Jazz techniques. She teaches Dance for Theatre.

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Lisa Maxedon

Assistant Professor, Head of Vocal Studies, Opera 

DA, University of Mississippi; MM, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville;

BM, Millikin University

Dr. Lisa Maxedon is Assistant Professor of Music and Head of Vocal Studies and Opera at Louisiana Tech University.  She teaches Applied Voice, Foreign Language Diction, and Vocal Pedagogy.  Dr. Maxedon was selected as Runner-Up in the Mississippi N.A.T.S.A.A. Artist Awards Competition in 2004.  She has performed leading operatic roles in Illinois, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Alaska.  She has also been featured as a guest artist with orchestras throughout the Midwest and South. In 2005, she presented her research findings, "The Ability of College Choral/Vocal Teachers to Screen for the Unhealthy Speaking Voice in Singers", at the International Symposium for the Care of the Professional Voice in Philadelphia, PA.

*318-257-2061

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Steele Moegle

Associate Professor, Piano

DMA, University of Colorado at Boulder; BM and MA, Middle Tennessee State University

A doctoral graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder, Steele Moegle has studied solo performing, coaching, and collaborative techniques with internationally known pianists and coaches, such as Robert Spillman, Larry Graham, Mutsumi Moteki, and most recently, Constance Carroll.  As an associate professor at Tech, Dr. Moegle teaches applied piano and several classes.  She is currently the head of collaboration/accompanying and music appreciation studies.  Last year, she designed and taught a new collaborative arts class.

In addition to teaching, she is well known throughout the region as a soloist and collaborator. In the fall of 2006, she performed at the University of Alabama and Middle Tennessee State University. That same year, she performed with ULM's Dr. John Smith at the Southern Regional Horn Conference, and at Tech and in Natchitoches, she performed with Tech brass faculty.

Dr. Moegle is frequently in demand as an adjudicator, having judged at local, state, and regional competitions.  She has been invited to give master classes for area music teachers associations, and she gave a master class at Middle Tennessee State University last November.

Along with performing, Dr. Moegle enjoys researching women in music. In October, she performed a lecture-recital Off the Beaten Path:  The Piano Music of Cécile Chaminade for the Young Pianist at the Louisiana Music Teachers Association (LMTA) Convention.  She has also presented papers at Tech’s Liberal Arts Symposium, at the Southern Chapter Conference of the College of Music Society, and at an international musicological conference in Struga, Macedonia.

Dr. Moegle coordinates the Tech Music Camp, a weeklong camp in July for pre-college musicians.  In the summer of 2006, the camp had it first guest artist and guest faculty member, Ms. Constance Carroll. This summer, the camp welcomed Dr. Tanya Gille of the University of Alabama.  She gave lectures to area teachers and master classes to campers.

Currently, Dr. Moegle serves as Louisiana Music Teachers Association’s (LMTA's) Collegiate Chapter Chair and Collegiate Competition Chair.  In the fall of 2006, she also served as the local chair of the LMTA convention.


*318-257-5275

Kristin Polk

Assistant Professor, Oboe, Bassoon, and Flute

DMA, University of North Texas; MM, University of Minnesota; BM, James Madison University

Kristin Polk teaches oboe, bassoon and flute lessons in addition to music appreciation, music theory, and music technology. She also plays oboe and English horn with the Rapides Symphony. Before arriving at Louisiana Tech University, Dr. Polk served as the oboe Teaching Fellow for two years at the University of North Texas. She was a featured soloist with the North Texas Wind Symphony in April, 2007. Dr. Polk's primary teachers include Dr. Charles Veazey, Ms. Kathleen Reynolds, Ms. Terri Sundberg, Mr. John Snow, and Dr. Michele Kirkdorffer. She was an original member of the Lone Star Wind Orchestra and has performed with the Shreveport Symphony, the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra, the Monroe Symphony, and the South Arkansas Symphony. She can be heard with the North Texas Wind Symphony on several Klavier and GIA recordings and on the demonstration CD for Festival Solos by Pearson/Ellege, published by Kjos Music Company.

*318-257-5471

Kenneth Robbins

Professor, Director of the School of the Performing Arts

Kenneth Robbins has served as Director of the School of the Performing Arts since 1998, coming to Tech after thirteen years as Professor of Theatre at the University of South Dakota. Highlights of his career include recognition by the Louisiana Division of the Arts as a Fellowship recipient in Theatre, a Japan Foundation Arts Fellowship, and an appointment as a Fulbright Scholar to Skopje, Macedonia where he taught American Studies at Sts. Cyril and Methodius University. He is the author of four published novels, nineteen published plays, and numerous editorial projects, including three anthologies edited with his wife, Dr. Dorothy Dodge Robbins. His dramas have been performed throughout the United States, Canada, Japan, and Denmark. His most recent novel, The City of Churches, is available through NewSouth Books of Montgomery, Alabama. At Tech, he teaches within the Department of Theatre.

Check out Dr. Robbins new release at Dream Catcher Publishing.

*318-257-2711

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Jim Robken

Assistant Professor, Director of Bands

MM, University of Arkansas; BA in Music Education, Louisiana Tech University

Director of The University Wind Ensemble, the Marching Band of Pride, and the Hoop Troop Basketball Band. Coordinator of Ark La Tex Band Conference. Active as Conductor, Clinician, and Adjudicator. Teaches Advanced Conducting, Marching Band Drill Design, and Arranging. Past. Active arranger for athletic band music. Past Director of the University of Arkansas Razorback Marching Band. His bands have appeared in numerous bowl games and NCAA Basketball Tournament venues throughout the nation. Studied conducting with Eugene Corporon, Dennis Fisher, and Jack Stamp. Formerly served as Interim Director of the School of the Performing Arts and Coordinator of Music. Faculty Advisor of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.

*318-257-4233

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Cherrie A. Sciro

Professor, Coordinator of Theatre, Stage Management, Arts Management, Theatre Management, Promotions, and Directing

BA, Louisiana Tech University; Master of Fine Arts, Texas Tech University

Cherrie A. Sciro: Coordinator of Theatre, Associate Professor - Ms. Sciro serves as the Coordinator of University Theatre and the Director of the professional presenting organization, the Louisiana Tech Concert Association. Her most prestigious Broadway credits include Production Coordinator of Cats, Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera, and Miss Saigon. She was the Production Manager for the Olympic Games in Barcelona and Atlanta, and was invited to represent the United States for the Olympic Games in Australia. She was the Road Manager to the Tony Award winning actress Patti LuPone and the Emmy Award winning actress Dixie Carter. Her most recent work in New York was as the Stage Manager for the Annual New Years Eve 2001 Time Square Celebration Event, which was estimated to have been viewed by over 80 million people worldwide. Cherrie has directed many productions at Tech; however, her most precious is the 1999 award winning Six Women with Brain Death . . . which garnered a total of 21 awards. This was the first Louisiana Tech Production awarded the Distinguished Richard A. Weaver Award for Best Production for our region of the American College Theatre Festival. Ms. Sciro teaches Stage Management, Arts Management, Theatre Management, Promotions, and Directing.

*318-257-5274

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Ann Sorensen

Adjunct Instructor, Strings, Orchestra

MA BAll State University, BA St. Cloud State University

*318-257-2063

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Randall Sorensen

Assistant Professor, Coordinator of Music, High Brass, Music Theory

DA, Ball State University; MM, University of Wisconsin-Madison; BA, St. Cloud State University

 

Dr. Sorensen is a versatile performer and educator with a wealth of experience including 10 years of college teaching, 18 years of private trumpet instruction, and many years of performing in orchestras, jazz ensembles, brass quintets, brass bands, wind ensembles, and as a soloist and member of various chamber ensembles. He joined the faculty at Louisiana Tech in 2004 after teaching for 6 years at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Since arriving at Tech, Dr. Sorensen has performed frequently on and off campus as a soloist and ensemble member. He recently began studying the natural trumpet and as part of his research participated in the 2006 Baroque Performance Institute at Oberlin College. Dr. Sorensen is also interested in the use of technology in the private studio and presented a paper on this topic at the 2005 Southern Regional College Music Society meeting in Gainesville, FL. In 2006 he received an instructional innovation grant from Louisiana Tech to develop a music theory website for incoming students and current students. The music theory web site is available on line at latech.edu/musictheory.