Faculty

Our professors are distinguished scholars, active researchers, published writers, and faithful Christians who demonstrate what it means to be both Christ-followers and leaders in their academic fields. As mentors and role models, they play a huge role in the integration of faith and learning at Bethel.

Department Chair

Merrin Guice Gill

Associate Professor of Music, and Director of Choral Activities | meg25835@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2019

Associate Professor of Music Director of Choral Activities

Faculty

Steven Thompson

Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Activities | s-thompson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002

Thompson teaches courses in instrumental conducting, instrumental pedagogies, private trumpet instruction, and conducts the Bethel Wind Symphony. Thompson maintains an active performing schedule as a trumpeter in the Upper Midwest and the Eastern United States. He is sought after as a clinician and as an adjudicator for numerous contest events.

Emily Urban

Staff Accompanist | e-urban@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2005

Collaborative accompanist

Lydia Shull

Office Coordinator | lydia-shull@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Lydia serves as the primary academic administrator for the Department of Music and Performing Arts. She oversees department communications and scheduling, performance scholarship applications, music ensemble and lesson registrations, and maintains all music libraries. Have a question for the department but don't know who to ask? Contacting Lydia is a great place to start, or stop by her office in CC301.

Adjunct Faculty

Brad Beale

Adjunct Instructor of Music | beale@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Director of Royal Register (TTBB ensemble)

David Crittenden

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music | d-crittenden@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988

Crittenden is a classical guitarist and composer. He has published work through Amoriello Guitar Publications and Alfred Music Publishing and was a member of the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet for ten years.

Jason Harms

Adjunct Instructor of Music | j-harms@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006

Adjunct Instructor of Music; Director of Jazz Orchestras

Tina Park

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Music and Private Lesson Instructor in Piano | l-juan@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2006

Tina Juan Park teaches private and group piano lessons at Bethel University as well as maintaining an active private studio. In addition to teaching, Dr. Park is an accomplished performer.

John Povolny

Adjunct Instructor of Music | jgp72794@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2011

Adjunct Instructor in Percussion

Kevin Shull

Adjunct Instructor of Music, Director of the Handbell Ensemble and Manager of Music Organizations | kevin-shull@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997

Shull oversees the management of all activity of the music department's performance ensembles including the planning, organization, and promotion of all music tours, performances on campus, as well as the production of Bethel's annual Festival of Christmas. He conducts the Bethel Handbell Ensemble and coaches smaller handbell ensembles and soloists.

Marshall Urban

Adjunct Instructor of Music | m-urban@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2002

Adjunct Instructor of Voice

Jeff Brueske

Private Lesson Instructor in Jazz Bass | jefjbrue@hotmail.com | Started at Bethel: 2003

Jeff Brueske has distinguished himself as a bassist for over two decades performing with Wessel Anderson, Grammy-winner Ted Nash, Ron Miles, Marcus Printup, Tim Armacost and a host of Twin Cities jazz luminaries.

Zachary Gingerich

Private Lesson Instructor in trombone | zlg33377@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2022

Private Lesson Instructor in trombone

Emily Hagen

Private Lesson Instructor in Viola | emh86475@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2015

Hagen teaches private viola lessons and is an active performer in the Twin Cities area.

Angela Hanson

Private Lesson Instructor in Violin | adh68496@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008

Hanson teaches violin lessons and performs frequently around the Twin Cities and is in the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, the Minnesota Sinfonia, and is concertmaster of the Saint Paul Civic Symphony. In addition to teaching at Bethel, she teaches at the Free Lutheran Bible School and Seminary and at home.

Julia Heinen

Private Lesson Instructor in Clarinet | julia-heinen@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2024

Julia Heinen is an international soloist and chamber musician. She performs frequently with the contemporary music ensemble, TEMPO (Los Angeles), in addition to holding the position of principal clarinet with the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic (Los Angeles). Having recently relocated to her hometown of the Twin Cities, she holds the position of principal clarinet with the Minneapolis Civic Orchestra.

Mark Kausch

Private Lesson Instructor in Double Bass | mkausch@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1991

Kausch teaches private double bass lessons with research interest in historically-informed performance.

Merilee Klemp

Private Lesson Instructor in Oboe | music@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2016

Private Lesson Instructor in Oboe

Carole Mason Smith

Private Lesson Instructor in Music and Theatre | cms87444@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2017

Private Lesson Instructor in Music and Theatre

Allyson Partin

Private Lesson Instructor of French Horn | alf73447@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Private Lesson Instructor of French Horn

Lindsay Schlemmer

Private Lesson Instructor in Cello | lis79882@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2021

Schlemmer teaches private cello lessons and is an active performer in the Twin Cities area.

Justin Staebell

Private Lesson Instructor in Voice | jas84242@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2023

Private Lesson Instructor in Voice

Emeritus/Emerita Faculty

Brent Adams

Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Emeritus | brent-adams@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1999

Acting, drama ministry, development of original works, directing, and playwriting.

Mary Fall

Associate Professor of Music Emerita | wkfall@gmail.com | Started at Bethel: 1979

Associate Professor of Music Emerita

Herbert Johnson

Professor of Music Emeritus | herbert-johnson@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 2008

Johnson teaches piano, piano theory, and piano pedagogy. He is an active solo and collaborative pianist in the Twin Cities and participates in numerous musical activities in the metropolitan area including chamber music recitals, worship services, and sacred concerts.

Dennis Port

Professor of Music Emeritus | porden@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1995

Professor of Music Emeritus

Rick Rees

Professor of Theatre Arts Emeritus | reeric@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1980

Technical theatre, stage design, costume design, light design, directing, and children's theatre.

Mark Rhoads

Professor of Music Emeritus | rhomar@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988

Rhoads teaches courses in church music, music education, and gen. ed. arts courses. He is a member of the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada and is active in discussions on music and worship, with current research in American hymnody, especially the reform movement in the American Protestant church in the early 19th century. Rhoads is active in church music as director, hymn and tune writer, and worship planner. He also writes and publishes poetry.. . . read more.

Jonathan Veenker

Associate Professor of Music Emeritus | j-veenker@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1988

Veenker teaches composition, music theory, and orchestration courses. He is a frequently commissioned composer and arranger writing primarily for choir, wind ensemble, orchestra, and solo voice.

Meg Zauner

Associate Professor of Theatre Emerita | mzauner@bethel.edu | Started at Bethel: 1997

Director/choreographer. Shakespeare, musical theatre, directing, theatre history, dance, and children's theatre.