CMS Battle Creek Faculty

Jodine Bandlow (piano) Jodine has a Bachelor of Science in sacred music, piano and voice from North Central University, and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education from Miller College. She is a skilled choral and instrumental accompanist and church pianist. Jodine has been a vocalist for singing groups touring the US and Canada, and a children’s choir and musical productions director.

Kara Black (Music First) Kara holds a Bachelor of Music in vocal general music education, K-12 from Michigan State University, and is a certified instructor in the Gordon Music Learning Theory from Michigan State University. She has been a Battle Creek area music educator, elementary through junior high, and is a soloist for churches and weddings.

Arlene Bolton (piano) Arlene holds a Bachelors degree in Music Education from Michigan State University. She was an elementary school music teacher in Ithaca, Michigan, and a junior high school music teacher in Niles. Arlene has been Music Coordinator for Battle Creek Bible Church and presently holds that position for Zion Lutheran Church in Marshall.

Nancy Brown (piano) Nancy earned a Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University, with a double major in piano performance and composition. She is pianist, organist, and choir director at Wakeshma Community Church near Athens, Michigan. For several years, Nancy accompanied and directed the choral ensembles of Battle Creek’s SHARE, a home school support group, and now accompanies Union City Community Chorale and the Kellogg Singers of Kellogg Community College. Nancy became Director of the Community Music School in 2001.

Janet Channells (French horn & beginning piano) Janet has training in music education from Western Michigan University. She is a member of the Battle Creek Symphony, Kalamazoo Concert Band, and the International Horn Society.

Cathi Crawford (flute, piccolo) Cathi completed Beauty School at Kellogg Community College. She is a music theatre performer. She has directed flute choirs for Battle Creek Youth Orchestra, and been an orchestra and band musician, including Post Band and Battle Creek Symphony. Cathi currently plays in Kellogg Community College’s Community Band.

Bill Dowdy (percussion, beginning jazz piano) As a member of the Three Sounds Trio, Bill has recorded on the Blue Note label and is listed in Feathers Encyclopedia of Jazz. He currently leads Bill Dowdy’s Jazz Trio Plus. Bill has taught at Western Michigan University and Kellogg Community College.

Ryan Estes (oboe) Ryan holds a Bachelor of Music from Texas Christian University and is pursuing a master’s degree at Western Michigan University. He has been principal oboe in wind ensembles, symphonic bands and orchestras and is currently a member of WMU’s Western Winds Woodwind Quintet. Ryan has presented solo recitals and played as concerto soloist with orchestras.

Steve Frarey (guitar) Steve has extensive performing and teaching experience. He is also a composer. He is bandleader & guitarist with Acme Jam Company, and has recorded with Dolly Parton, Spinal Tap, Ringo Starr, Jakki. He is skilled in diverse styles, especially jazz, rock, and blues.

Scott Grupke (trombone and low brass) Scott holds a Bachelor of Music Performance from Western Michigan University and a Master of Music Performance from the University of Cincinnati. He has been a member of the Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Lansing Symphony Orchestras, Blue Wisp Big Band, and PsychoAcoustic Orchestra.

Dixie Hamlin (voice) Dixie holds a Bachelor in Music in music education and a Master of Music in vocal performance from Western Michigan University. She has studied privately with Levi Dees, Marcella Faustman, and Mel Ivey. She is a former Kellogg Community College instructor, was founder and former director of Battle Creek Girls’ Chorus, 1987-96, and a soloist with Battle Creek Boychoir 1981-95. Dixie presents sacred concerts throughout the Midwest.

Ian Heim (guitar) Ian has music and education training from Kellogg Community College and Glen Oaks Community College. He is skilled in a wide variety of styles, and adds Suzuki ear training, composing, and improvisation to his teaching as well as performance. He has experience with students of all ages, and is knowledgeable in music appreciation and history. Ian is currently playing rhythm and lead guitar in a Christian rock band.

Laura Hirleman (clarinet, saxophone) Laura earned her Bachelor of Arts in music from Western Michigan University. She has been a clarinetist with area concert bands, pit orchestras, community bands, and is a member of Forest Winds Quintet. Laura is an adjunct faculty at Kellogg Community College, and has ensemble, solo and chamber music experience.

Stephen James (trumpet) Stephen received his Bachelor of Arts in trumpet performance from Virginia Polytechnic and State University. He holds a Master of Music from Western Michigan University and is pursuing a doctorate from Michigan State University, also in trumpet performance. He has been a member of several university and city orchestras in Virginia and Michigan. Stephen has soloed with Virginia Tech Symphonic Wind Ensemble and been a member of MSU’s Graduate Brass Quintet.

Stephen Johnkoski (trombone and beginning brass) Steve holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Organizational Psychology and Education, as well as a Masters of Arts in Education with concentrations in Fine Arts and Social Sciences, all from Michigan State University. While at MSU, Steve performed in the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Marching Band, and numerous musicals. Steve taught in area schools for thirty years before retiring. He is currently adjunct music and social science faculty for Kellogg Community College. He is an active free-lance performer and maintains a full teaching studio. Among his greatest joys is playing in the Battle Creek Symphony for his twenty-eighth season.

Jodi Jones (piano) From 1993-2001, Jodi studied under Kathryn Mix, a certified piano teacher in Hastings, as well as at the International Academy of Music in Indianapolis. An accompanist for churches, schools and weddings, she has traveled extensively with Life Action Ministries as pianist and vocalist. Jodi is a member of Michigan Teachers National Association, Michigan Music Teachers Association, and Battle Creek Area Music Teachers Association.

Joan King (piano) Joan holds a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Western Michigan University, and is a retired elementary school music teacher. Her professional accompanist activities extend also to being a church organist and pianist.

Rob Kratz (percussion) Rob holds a Bachelor of Music in performance from Western Michigan University, and a Master of Music in performance from Cleveland State University. He has recorded with US Air Force Band, and taught drumlines and percussion ensembles.

James Kuch (guitar) James has a Bachelor of Arts in art from Kalamazoo College, and classical guitar studies with Matt Lund and Miles Kusik. He is a sound technician. James has been a member of mandolin and guitar orchestras, recorderensembles, and the Western Michigan University Collegium Musicum.

Tiffany Martens (piano) Tiffany has earned a Bachelor of Arts in music from Thomas Edison State College, New Jersey, and has training from Moody Bible Institute. She is skilled in sacred music and theory.

Roberta Palmer (accordion) Roberta studied accordion with Andy Rizzo and theory and composition with Paul Held. She is a former vice president of Accordion Teachers’ Guild International, a member of the Battle Creek Morning Musicale Club, and a counselor to the Junior Musicale Club. Roberta has performed with the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Symphonies.

Kelly Redmond (piano) Kelly holds a Bachelor of Arts with a major in music from Western Michigan University, where she studied piano with Lori Sims. She is also currently pursuing a certificate of Arts Management from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Kelly has worked in the field of Concert Operations with several organizations including the Gilmore Keyboard Festival, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and most recently with Opus 21 in Kalamazoo. Presently, Ms. Redmond is the Concert Operations Manager for the Music Center of South Central Michigan in addition to her private teaching and responsibilities with her church music program.

Karla Rohrbacher (voice) A former vocalist for Agape Players, Karla has also been a speaker for Time Management Seminars, is a published writer for Schaum Music Publications, and a member of Michigan Music Teacher’s Association and Battle Creek Music Teacher’s Association. Skilled in sacred music and theory, she is a pianist & vocal soloist for churches and weddings.

Dennis Secord (guitar) Dennis holds an Associate degree in Arts from Kellogg Community College, and has studied music at the National Guitar Workshop. His varied playing experience including rock, folk, blues, jazz, and classical, has been achieved as guitarist for local theater productions, church praise bands, and the fusion band The Undercats (jazz/rock).

Silvia Sidorane (cello) Silvia is a graduate of the Latvia State Conservatory in Riga, Latvia and is pursuing a Master of Music in Education from Michigan State University. She is an orchestra instructor for Portage Public Schools, principal cellist of Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra, and a member of Opus IV String Quartet.

Pamela Starrett-Ingalls (violin) Pamela holds a Bachelor of Music Arts in music, a Master of Business arts, and a Master of Arts in conducting from the University of Michigan. Co-founder of the Community Music School, she is also member and former Executive Director, Battle Creek Symphony and former Music Director of the BC Youth Orchestra.

Craig Suhusky (clarinet, saxophone) Craig holds a Bachelor of Music in music education from Western Michigan University, and a Master of Music in clarinet performance from Michigan State University. Currently adjunct faculty at Olivet College, he has been principal clarinetist of the Battle Creek Symphony since 1980. Craig has extensive chamber music and music theater orchestra experience, and has played saxophone in Phoenix Big Band.

Mark Wells (voice, piano) holds a Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Music Education, and Master of Music from the University of Louisville School of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He has studied piano with Doris Owen Bickel, voice with Ferenz Gaal, and organ with Melvin Dickinson and David Mulbury. Currently director of Ars Voce, a chamber vocal ensemble specializing in a capella choral literature, Marks also serves as Music Associate for Battle Creek Boychoir and Girls’ Chorus, accompanist for Battle Creek Community Chorus, keyboardist for Battle Creek Symphony, and is adjunct instructor of voice and piano at Kellogg Community College. Mark is Music Associate for St. Philip Catholic Church of Battle Creek and is active as a conductor, tenor soloist, organist, and pianist, performing throughout Michigan and beyond.