CMS Marshall Faculty

Rita Burghart (Music First, Piano Together) 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.

Nathan Durham (trombone, low brass) Nathan holds a Bachelor's degree in orchestral studies and bass trombone from Manhattan School of Music, and a Master's degree in tenor trombone from Mason School of Music, Rutgers University. He has taught trombone at Jersey City State College and Rutgers. Nathan has extensive experience performing in musicals and with ballet companies, and has recorded with a wide variety of performers.

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.

Marguerite Grupke (violin & viola, Music First) Marguerite holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Western Michigan University, where she was a recipient of the Hart Music Education Scholarship, and the Dorothy Dalton Music Scholarship. She has been a member of orchestras in Michigan and Indiana and counselor for summer music camps. Marguerite is a school orchestra instructor and holds certification from the Gordon Institute for Music Learning in Early Childhood Music.

Renee Hill (piano) Renee holds a Bachelor of Science from Western Michigan University. She has been an elementary school teacher and home educator. Renee is an accompanist and a church pianist. She has experience with piano students of all ages.

Sarah Hoisington (percussion) Sarah is completing a bachelor's degree in K-12 Music Education at Albion College, where she has been a member of several band and orchestral ensembles, as well as community band, and an area pops orchestra. She is especially skilled in mallet percussion.

Jacqueline King (voice) Jackie is completing her Bachelor's degree from Michigan State University in Voice Performance. She has performed major roles in operas and musicals, been featured as a choral soloist, and given solo recitals. Jackie has received awards for outstanding musical achievement.

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.

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

Elizabeth Marquart (violin, viola) earned a Bachelor's degree in viola performance from Western Michigan University, where she also played violin and viola da gamba in the Collegium Musicum and viola in the WMU University Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. She has taught individual and group lessons in violin and viola. Elizabeth performs in musicals, operas, and weddings, and has been violinist in Whispering Hope Strings, a dulcimer ensemble based in Spring Arbor, MI.

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.

Irene Pizzimenti (Marshall Children's Choir & voice) Irene has performed as soloist with the Battle Creek Community Chorus, Michigan Opera Theatre, and Marshall Civic Players. She has stage management experience and has coached, choreographed, and produced dramas in churches and educational groups. Irene has been choir director in churches and SHARE, an area homeschool support group.

Anthony Sanchez (flute) Anthony received his Bachelor of Music from University of New Mexico and his Master of Music from Michigan State University. He has done post-graduate work at University of Southern Mississipi. He won the University of Mississipi Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition and has performed in symphony orchestras in several states. He has performance experience in chamber music and opera.

Alexis Stark (voice) Alexis holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Western Michigan University. She has been tour manager for Singers of United Lands, a quartet of international singers teaching communities about world music and culture. Alexis has also toured internationally as a member of World Youth Choir, performing under conductors such as Gunnar Eriksson and Bob Chilcott.

Adam Stowe (trumpet) Adam is a senior at Albion College, pursuing a bachelor's degree in Music Education. He has been a section leader and classroom observer in music, as well as a member of the Albion College Symphonic 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.

Kathleen Warriner (clarinet, saxophone, Marshall Woodwind Ensemble) Kathleen received a Bachelor of Music Education degree 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, as well as serving as music director for Marshall Junior Youth Theatre. Kathleen is currently Coordinator of CMS-Marshall.