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.

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.

Lucas Florin (oboe and English horn) Lucas is completing his Bachelor's degree in oboe and English horn performance at Albion College. He has been principal oboe for the Adrain College Concert Band and he Albion College Symphonic Band. He has chamber music experience and is the 2009 oboist for the National Intercollegiate Band of the United States.

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.

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.

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.

Francine Liebhauser (cello) Francine received training at Northern Michigan University and Boise State University. She is a church musician and has instructed in both cello and piano. She has chamber music and orchestral experience.

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.

Karla Rohrbacher-Green (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).

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.

Edward Swarthout (guitar) Ed attended the Hannibal School of Guitar and has played with Reflection, a Syracuse, NY band. He plays for Marshall Civic Players productions and is a theater technician for Kellogg Community College.

John Swender (guitar) John recently graduated from Wayne State University with a Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance, where he was also a member of the Jazz Guitar Ensemble. He was guitarist and composer for Happy Dragon, a rock band. Skilled in diverse styles, John specializes in classical guitar.

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.