CMS Hastings Faculty

Douglas Acker (guitar and trumpet) Doug is a guitarist, vocalist, actor, and director for musicals. A composer, he has been a trumpeter in the Hastings area Les Jazz band, and is skillful in diverse guitar styles.

Tom Alderson (percussion) Tom is a professional drummer, with varied experience as band member, soloist, and percussion accompanist. He is a founding member of Midwest dance band, headlining at concerts and festivals. His percussion skills extend to many styles of music, including disco, rock, jazz, swing, latin, and country. Tom is currently a member of Les Jazz and Grumpy Old Men, a contemporary rock band.

Holly Bolthouse (piano) Holly received Suzuki training, and training at Cornerstone University. Young beginners are a joy and specialty of hers. She has been a member of the Battle Creek Area Music Teachers’ Association. Holly accompanies Hastings First Presbyterian Chancel Choir and Hastings Baptist Church Adult Choir, as well as CMS’ Hastings Kids Choir.

Dan Doran (saxophone, clarinet) Dan has a Bachelor of Science from Eastern Michigan University, with a major in music and a minor in Marketing. He has done graduate work at Grand Valley State University. He was band director, vocal music teacher, and fine arts director for Orangewood Christian School in Florida and band director at Rose City Schools in Rose City, MI. He has owned his own music store, and been a member of the Grand Rapids rock band ‘Mid Life Crisis.

Thelma Fassett (hammer dulcimer) Thelma is a member of the Thornapple Dulcimer Society, whose goal is to promote dulcimer music and preserve its traditions. Thelma is a lively performer on the dulcimer, and has a group called "Dulcimer Friends" who play at county fairs, church gatherings, nursing homes and many other places. She also plays violin, is a member of the Michigan Fiddlers’ Association, and plays at her local church in a Bluegrass group.

Joseph LaJoye (Barry Middle School Jazz Band) Joe received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Western Michigan University, and a Master of Arts in K-12 Administration from Michigan State University. He has taught instrumental music for 30 years in Lakewood Public Schools, Central Montcalm Public Schools, and most recently the Hastings Area Schools. Joe is a Member Emeritus and former officer of Michigan State Band and Orchestra Association and his school concert, jazz, and marching ensembles have earned consistent 1st Division ratings at MSBOA Festivals. Director of the Hastings City Band since 1984, Joe is also the founding Director of the Thornapple Wind Band. He has performed on voice and trumpet with Pacific Lite since 1974, and leads the Hastings-based Les Jazz. Joe is the originator and coordinator of the Thornapple Jazz Festival of Hastings.

Christina Horrigan (cello & Fiddles ‘n’ Strums) Tina has training from Hope College in education and music, and as well as in special needs education and care. She plays for West Shore Symphony and Grand Rapids Symphony as section cello and quartet member.

Linnea Hunsberger (French horn, piano) Linnea holds a Bachelor of Music in piano performance and a Bachelor of Music Education with an instrumental minor in French horn, both from Central Michigan University. She has been a K-12 music and band teacher in Palco, Kansas, as well as counselor and musician for Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and the International Exchange Program. Linnea accompanies for clinics, musicals, and churches.

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.

Elizabeth (Beth) Lepak (violin, viola) Beth has a Bachelor of Arts in speech, with minors in music and French from Western Michigan University and a Master of Arts in theatre from Michigan State University. She has been a violist for area orchestras, is violist in Grand Rapids Symphony, a member of Tertullian String Trio, Baroque Again String Quartet, and Bows ‘n’ Buddies.

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.

Kathryn Mix (piano) Kate studied with Samuel Robinson of Olivet College. She is a certified piano teacher, Michigan Music Teachers’ Association, past president of Battle Creek Area Music Teachers’ Association, and BCMTA Teacher of the Year 1988 and 1998.

Paul Osborn (voice) Paul has a Bachelor of Sacred Music from Baptist Bible College, Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, and a Master of Music in vocal performance from Southern University of New York, Fredonia, NY. He is Minister of Music and Worship at the 1st Baptist Church, Hastings. A former missionary in South Africa, Paul conducts worship and music seminars, and directs music and drama productions.

Cindy Olson (Kids’ Choir Director, piano, voice, flute) Cindy has a Bachelor of Arts in music from Wittenberg University, and a Master of Arts in church music and a Master of Divinity in Trinity Lutheran Seminary. She is a church choir director and liturgist, keyboardist, and vocal soloist.

Teresa A. Pash (Kindermusik, piano) Teresa has a Bachelor of Arts in biology and music from University of Puget Sound, training from Olivet College, and is a certified Kindermusik instructor. She is a pianist, recorded artist, accompanist, vocal/instrumental arranger, and composer as well as President of Battle Creek Area Music Teachers' Association and a member of Michigan Music Teachers' Association and Music Teachers' National Association.

Jodi Petroelje (flute) Jodi holds a Bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and a Master's from Carnegie-Mellon University, both in performance. In addition to private teaching, she has been a studio coach and summer band camp instructor. Jodi has presented solo recitals and been a member of area orchestras.

Greg Secor (percussion) Greg holds a Bachelor's degree form Western Michigan University and a Master's degree from University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music, both in percussion performance. He has taught at Calvin College is currently percussion instructor at Grand Valley State University and Hope College. Greg's specialties are mallet instruments and steel drums.

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.

Steve Youngs (guitar) Steve earned a Bachelor of Arts in education from Michigan State University, a Masters in pastoral studies from Loyola University, Chicago, and post-graduate work at Marygrove College and St. John’s Seminary. He is a former elementary grades teacher and principal and adjunct faculty at Kellogg Community College. Steve sings with Opera Grand Rapids, and directs the choir of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Hastings. His guitar styles are chording and accompanying styles.