CMS Hastings Faculty

Douglas Acker (guitar, 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.

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.

Danielle Brower (voice, Music First) Danielle holds a Bachelor of Music Education, Vocal Focus, from Aquinas College. she has been a member of Aquinas College Chamber Choir and Chorus and is a founding member of AQpella, Aqunias college’s a cappella choir. Danielle has given solo and group performances for Broadway Review and is skilled in diverse singing styles.

Marianne DeJong (cello) Marianne earned a Bachelor of Music from Bethany College in Kansas. She has played with orchestras and other area ensembles, at churches, and assisted with cello ensemble at the Home School Building in Grand Rapids.

Dennis Downing (percussion) has an Associates Degree from Kellogg Community College and is attending Lansing Community College in Pharmacy and Kinesiology. He has been drumline instructor for Maple Valley High School in Vermontville, and currently holds that position for Lakewood High School in Lake Odessa. He is skilled in many styles of drumming.

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.

Cassie Keogh (clarinet & saxophone) Cassie holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Music Performance from the University of Montana and is pursuing a master's degree in clarinet performance and theory pedagogy from Michigan State University. She has taught at band camps and been a school band director. She has held the principal chair in bands and orchestras in Montana and Michigan. Cassie has been a finalist and winner of concerto and chamber music competitions and is a prolific performer as soloist and ensemble member.

James Gramze (piano) James holds a Bachelor of Music and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, both from Eastern Michigan University. He has been keyboard player for Sidekix band in the Detroit area and has shared the stage with Motown greats Martha Reeves and Rare Earth. In addition to classical and rock piano, James is skilled in theory and composition.

Christina Horrigan (cello, violin) 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.

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 (Fiddles 'n' Strums, 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.

Melisa Martens (piano) Melisa has training from International Academy of Music in Indianapolis and currently is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in music performance through Verity Institute, Indiana.

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.

Cindy Olson (Kids’ Choir Director, piano, voice) 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.

Jared Tunison (cornet, trumpet, beginning French horn) Jared holds a Bachelor of Music from Illinois State University and has done graduate work in Trumpet Performance at Western Michigan University. He has played with the Brass Band of Battle Creek and the Detroit Brass Society, and been a member of several area orchestras.

Audrey Valentine (clarinet, saxophone) Audrey is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in composition from Central Michigan University. She has been a member of Grand Valley State University Honor Band and various jazz bands, including Central Michigan's Jazz Central and Jazz Project.

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.