Experience

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  Music Teachers National Association

  • Greenville, IL

  • Doctor of Musical Arts -University of Colorado- Boulder with lifetime piano teaching certification

    • Aug 2007 - Present
    • Greenville, IL

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  Greenville University

  • Greenville IL

  • Assistant or Adjunct Professor, Music faculty, Staff

    • Aug 2007 - Present
    • Greenville IL

    In this role, I work as as an adjunct music professor ( formerly assistant professor) for a diverse group of up to 70 students to teach piano and/or clarinet as well as serving as a pianist or clarinetist or accompanist for student or faculty performances. As assistant professor, I served on various academic committees and as a teacher for a course curriculum of class piano, ear training / sight singing theory, applied piano, clarinet, orchestra, and musical theater ensemble.Additionally, I continue to oversee senior recital portfolios when applicable to my students and other projects for students and have acted as music ensemble coach/ director for university ensembles/theater productions.

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  St. John's United Church of Christ

  • Mascoutah IL

  • Pianist/accompanist/organist

    • Oct 2017 - Present
    • Mascoutah IL

    I was recently recruited as organist in addition to assisting the choir director as accompanist for church services and special occasions. This gives me a lot of new music to learn quickly for both the Advent and Lenten seasons--I very much enjoy this collaboration and hope to find more such opportunities.

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  Catherine Burge at Musical Excellence

  • Greenville Il

  • Independent Music Professional

    • Aug 2007 - Present
    • Greenville Il

    Drawing on my expertise in education and performance, I provide solo or collaborative piano, clarinet, vocal, and keyboards music instruction and serve as soloist or accompanist to various area performers and ensembles.The following are some highlights of my work:● Selected by audition as section alto vocalist for St. Louis Symphony Orchestra●Selected by audition as principal clarinetist and pianist/keyboardist for Belleville Philharmonic and Chorale●Accompanist for Christine Brewer, Richard Boyd, Christina Kruger of Saint Louis Symphony Chorus ● Selected as guest principal clarinetist for all-Gershwin concert of Centralia Philharmonic, and for Dvorak's Serenade for Winds/Beethoven Symphony No. 1 concert with Belleville Philharmonic●Selected as accompanist for honorary Schoenhals Symposium concert series, Messiah concerts and chapel of Greenville University● Contract with local talent agencies to instruct clients in piano or vocal performance.● Introduced music software application to students, encouraging utilization for composition, improvisation, and performance.● Teach music for gifted and talented students of all ages, with many receiving top ratings at area achievement awards and solo / ensemble contests.● Awarded Teacher Enrichment Travel grant for doctoral research and Entrepreneur’s Self-Employment Assistance grant.

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  Saint Louis Community College

  • Forest Park campus

  • Adjunct Professor of Piano

    • Jan 2020 - May 2024
    • Forest Park campus

    I'm happy to be selected to teach an overflowing piano class with students eager to learn the fundamentals of the instrument, theory and some solo and ensemble literature. This class begna in 2020 to include one level II student who is an amateur composer of song lyrics and who is a great help in class. It flourished but became less managable when 4 different levels of piano study required teaching within 50 minutes twice a week. The advanced students had the option of coming once a week during my office hours to complete their work, but often the class required extra time fthat students did not seem willing to commit to complete the considerable technical requirements as well as the theory. Tose who did commit to completion did well and were rewarded. If the classroom would contain a projector and headsets for each student to hear their own instrument it would become managable again. At this point ( 2024) there are only 8 working keyboards out of the 14 in the room, and zero headsets--students must purchase their own.h

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  Briercrest College and Seminary

  • Saskatchewan, Canada

  • Assistant Professor

    • Aug 2016 - Aug 2017
    • Saskatchewan, Canada

    I was recruited to this short-term assignment with goal of revitalizing aspects of the music program. To that end, I created performance opportunities for students and supervised over 30 campus and community members in orchestra, recitals, and classes. In addition, I taught two semesters of Music History with curriculum covering eighteenth century through present day, including revisions for contemporary music and practices, new student assessments, and portfolio projects.Some of the highlights of the value I delivered are:● Performed as piano soloist forGershwin Rhapsody in Blue, rehearsal director, community orchestra● Initiated keyboard performances in community commercial venues, achieving greater publicity for college music program.● Launched virtual piano lessons for injured college student, enabling return to full piano playing ability and success in performance exams to study at Royal Conservatory of Music.● Revived orchestra program after one-year lapse, recruiting new student performers as well as a new conductor for select performances.

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  Lebanon First United Methodist Church ,St. James Lutheran, Hope Lutheran

  • Illinois: Greenville or Highland or Vandalia, Lebanon

  • Staff Organist/Keyboardist and/or Choir Director , per diem contract

    • Nov 2012 - Aug 2017
    • Illinois: Greenville or Highland or Vandalia, Lebanon

    As part of a music ministry, I serve as soloist, accompanist, and/or arranger for small performance groups and special services. I’ve engaged with secondary and post-secondary students and introduced new contemporary styles into service repertoire, increasing involvement in worship services and musical recitals.

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  St Louis Bach Society

  • Greater St. Louis Area

  • Vocalist and alumna

    • Aug 2013 - Jun 2016
    • Greater St. Louis Area

    In this role I performed as alto vocalist. I was appointed by audition to sing masterworks of Bach such as St, John Passion as well as other choral repertoire from all eras and nations. I returned on request as a vocalist volunteer for area concerts

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  St Louis Wind Symphony

  • Greater St. Louis Area

  • Piano, keyboards and clarinet

    • 2008 - Jun 2016
    • Greater St. Louis Area

    I enjoy performing with this ensemble in many roles: solo pianist, keyboardist and section clarinetist, clarinet for St Louis Medley Dixieland solos section, and most importantly, as wife and partner to percussionist /section leader Paul Schorsch. I was happy to serve on the board of directors for a season when I had the availability.

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  Blackburn College

  • Carlinville IL

  • Adjunct Professor

    • Aug 2015 - Jan 2016
    • Carlinville IL

    I was happy to step in for a semester appointment as the class voice instructor for these liberal arts college students. Their class performed on video presentation and with karaoke style singing as well as in a formal recital.

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  St Agnes Episcopal Church

  • Sebring, FL

  • Youth choir director and service pianist/vocalist

    • 2006 - 2007
    • Sebring, FL

    In this role, I enhanced the church music ministry by offering vocal solos, ensemble vocals and direction, and piano solo and ensemble performances. I also supported youth ministry fund-raising events and introduced a new repertoire of contemporary worship and praise music to youth. One of the highlights of my work was teaching weekly music skills classes, and encouraging performers to participate in recitals and events.

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  South Florida College

  • Avon Park, FL

  • Music Department Coordinator/ Assistant Professor of Music

    • Aug 2004 - Jun 2006
    • Avon Park, FL

    In one of my early positions working with post-secondary students, I taught over 30 piano and vocal students and accompanied and coached vocal and instrumental soloists for statewide and regional competitions and performances. One of my directives was to restore the music program after a three-year lapse by:● Choosing curriculum and materials as well as developing music appreciation, theory, aural skills, and guitar classes.● Increasing enrollment in basic music skills classes, filling to capacity.● Coordinating and choosing materials for student public performances.● Preparing advanced piano students for state music competition adjudication and educational certification requirements.

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  University of Colorado at Boulder

  • Boulder, CO

  • Individual Instruction, Continuing Education Department

    • Jan 2001 - Oct 2003
    • Boulder, CO

    As a doctoral student, I was employed through the Continuing Education Department Faculty: to teach sections of Applied Music – Piano for university undergraduate students enrolled in independant learning. I formed classes and created performance venues and sometimes prepared undergraduates for the music major audition process in classical, jazz, popular, international styles of piano and keyboards.I was on scholarship as the Women's Choir Accompanist

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  Community College of Denver

  • Greater Denver Area

  • Assistant Professor, Music Department Coordinator

    • Jul 1999 - Sep 2001
    • Greater Denver Area

    In this position, I was inspired to send in my application for the doctorate in music. The college president at the time actually wrote me a letter of recommendation, as did my wonderful Dean of Faculty. I was both Instructor and coordinator of all music classes for undergraduate and graduate students in Piano, Guitar, Voice, Clarinet, Computer Music, theory, Sight singing, Music appreciation/History.