CMS Marshall Faculty

Ramberto Bastell (guitar) Ramberto holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico. He is skilled in many guitar styles, including classical, American, British, and Latin folk, blues, country, jazz, rock, flamenco, and World music. He is accomplished in acoustic and electric guitar, 4-, 5-, and 6- string configurations. Ramberto is a solo and ensemble performer, knowledgeable about music theory, and experienced in recording studio technology.

Rita Burghart (Music First) Rita holds a Bachelor of Sacred Music from Baptist Bible College in Scranton, Pennsylvania. She is a trained Kindermusik and Musikgarten instructor, with additional training in Dalcrose technique. Rita has Level II certification from the Early Childhood Music and Movement Assocation and the National Guild of Piano Teachers. She is the former director of the Music Connection, a community music school of Central College in Pella, Iowa. Rita is an active church musician, with experience as keyboardist and choir director.

Jan Fourn (oboe, bassoon) Jan holds a Bachelor of Music Education with a major in Instrumental Music from Central Michigan University and a Master of Music with a Wind Pedagogy/Double Reeds major, from Western Michigan University. She has been a member of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra for 20 years. She has taught at Albion College and Jackson Community College, and been band director for Jackson Catholic Middle School, Spring Arbor Community Band, and Albion Community Band. She serves as an M.S.B.O.A. adjudicator at music festivals, and also composes and arranges. Jan has been rehearsal pianist for musicals, soloist and accompanist for numerous recitals, and performs with Espressivo, a professional woodwind quintet.

Laura Gilbertson (voice) Laura holds a Bachelor of Music Education with a major in voice from Shorter College. She completed a Master of Music and a Doctor in Musical Arts, both in vocal performance from University of South Carolina. She has been a preschool music specialist. She has been a frequent opera performer, including singing with Columbia Lyric Opera. Laura has won several vocal competitions, most recently the District Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions. A church soloist, Laura has also directed youth and children’s choirs, and is currently the Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church in Marshall.  

Marguerite Grupke (violin & viola) Marguerite holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Western Michigan University, where she was a recipient of the Hart Music Education Scholarship, and a four-year of the Dorothy Dalton Music Scholarship. She has been a member of orchestras in Michigan and Indiana and counselor for summer music camps. Marguerite recently moved back to Marshall after teaching orchestra and chorus at Forest Hills Local Schools in Cincinnati.

Dixie Hamlin (voice) Dixie holds a Bachelor in Music Education and a Master of Music in vocal performance from Western Michigan University. She has studied privatelywith 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.

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.

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.

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 ianist.

Rocky Newsome (guitar and banjo) Rocky received his musical training from Jackson Community College. He has been a worship leader and singer as well as guitarist in several churches, most recently First Baptist Church of Marshall. Skilled in acoustic guitar, bass, and banjo, his stylistic specialty is contemporary Christian.

Colin Payne (guitar) Colin is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Composition and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at Michigan State University, where he studies ithOleg Galanin. He was first chair guitar in Eisenhower Jazz Band and is skilled in diverse styles of guitar performance, ranging from classical to flamenco and jazz.

Stacy Root (Music First) Stacy has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Michigan State University with K-12 certification, as well as Level I certification in Gordon Music Learning Theory. She is currently elementary music teacher for Marshall Public Schools. She has taught in other Michigan schools and at Kellogg Community College. Stacy is a member of the American Choral Directors Association and Sigma Alpha Iota. 

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.

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.

Kathleen Warriner (clarinet) Kathleen received a Bachelor of Music Education degree, Instrumental Music major, Clarinet performance minor from Central Michigan University and is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree at Western Michigan University. She was a member of the Central Michigan University Wind Ensemble, performing in Chicago and New York City’s Carnegie Hall, and a member of Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional music fraternity. She has been Middle School Band Director for Marshall Public Schools, performed with the Marshall Community Band, the Kalamazoo College & Community Orchestra, and in many civic theatre productions, as well as serving as music director for Marshall Junior Youth Theatre. Kathleen is currently Coordinator of CMS-Marshall and CMS-Albion.

Man Kai (Alyssa) Wong (violin) Alyssa is pursuing degrees in music and chemistry at Albion College. She is a student of Takeski Abo, concert master of the Battle Creek Symphony. She has played in the Tecumseh Pops Orchestra and in various pit orchestras for musicals. She is concertmistress for Albion College Symphony and a member of Sigma Alpha Iota.