Music Masterclass Series
The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Division of Music is proud to host the Masterclass Series, three distinct opportunities for students to visit our beautiful campus and participate in small group instructional sessions with world-class experts on their instruments: Winds and Percussion, Piano, or Voice.
Music Masterclass Series: Winds + Percussion Day
November 16, 2023
The UVA Wise Winds + Percussion Day Masterclass will be held on Thursday, November 16 with registration from 8:30-9:00 a.m. and concluding by 3:00 p.m.
All high school winds and percussion students are invited to participate in this free event. Over the course of the day, students will participate in instrument specific masterclass sessions with accomplished musical artists and will participate in like-instrument music ensembles. Lunch and instructional materials will be provided for free for all participants and directors.
Students will have an opportunity to audition for a future music scholarship at UVA Wise at the conclusion of the event.
All participating students should bring their instrument, a notebook, and a pencil.
Clinicians
Brent Bingham received his Bachelor and Master of Music from ASU's Hayes School of Music. An active freelancer and clinician throughout the Southeast, Bingham is currently an adjunct instructor of trumpet at Appalachian State University and performs regularly with the Symphony of the Mountains (Kingsport Tenn.), the Johnson City Symphony, and the Hayes School of Music Faculty Brass Quintet. His trumpet teachers include Joe Phelps, Bill Adam and Vince DiMartino.
Stacia Howard is a retired music educator. She has a Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Tennessee and Masters and EdS degrees in supervision and administration. She is currently a private saxophone instructor in Kingsport, TN and works sectionals with several high school bands in upper east TN. She also coaches saxophone ensembles and performs in local theaters and wind ensembles.
Dr. Blake Johnson is the oboe instructor at Campbellsville University where he teaches oboe lessons, studio and reed class, and music appreciation.
Johnson’s research and performance interests center around the musical activities of oboists in eighteenth-century London. His research investigates the ways in which foreign oboists influenced the musical life of London through the styles, instruments, and compositions they brought with them; the collaborations between performers and composers, particularly in the oboe writing of George Frideric Handel; and the development of the oboe and technical ability throughout the eighteenth century. Dr. Johnson’s research on the oboe in London during the second half of the eighteenth century has been published in Early Music and The Double Reed. His research on collaborations between Handel and his oboists, which formed the bulk of his MM thesis, was supported by the American Handel Society’s 2022 J. Merrill Knapp Research Fellowship and presented at their 2023 conference held at Indiana University.
An active teacher, Dr. Johnson has maintained a private studio of students of all age levels and his students have consistently placed in honor ensembles including both Kansas All State Band and Orchestra. He has presented masterclasses at the Centro Ecuatoriano Norteamericano and Universidad de las Artes in Guayaquil, Ecuador and has been an active clinician throughout Kentucky, Kansas, and Missouri.
Dr. Johnson is Principal Oboist of the Sacred Winds Ensemble, previously performed as a member of the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra, and has appeared as a guest oboist with the Orquesta Sinfónica de Guayaquil in Ecuador and the Midwest Chamber Ensemble. He has performed at conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, Kentucky Music Educators Association, and the North American Saxophone Alliance.
Dr. Johnson holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance and a Master of Music in both Performance and Musicology from the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory and a Bachelor of Music in Performance from Morehead State University. His primary teachers are Celeste Johnson, Thomas Pappas, Mary Lindsey Bailey, and John Viton.
Pete Marcum has served as band director at Patrick Henry High School since 2014. He holds BA and MA degrees from Virginia Tech. He is an active musician in several area ensembles including Winds of the Mountain Empire and Stateline Wind Symphony.
Shelly Molinary is an elementary music educator in Dickenson County Virginia. She has taught PreK-8th grade general music and 6th-12th grade band for 16 years. Molinary is credited with reviving the instrumental band program for Dickenson County Public schools in 2009. Molinary graduated from St. Paul High School and graduated from Morehead State University with a B.M.E.
Molinary studied music and euphonium pedagogy under Dr. Stacy Baker of Morehead State and the late Dr. Earle Louder of Morehead State. This is where she developed her love for the euphonium and her appreciation for low brass repertoire.
Molinary has also performed with the Morehead State University Band while touring Brazil, and also performed with the Tuba/Euphonium quartet at ITEC 2001 in Greensboro N.C.
Molinary has performed with the East River Mountain Town Band in Bluefield WV, UVA Wise Wind Ensemble, UVA Wise Jazz Band, Winds of the Mountain Empire, and Sacred Winds Ministeries.
Flutist Dr. Nancy Schneeloch-Bingham has performed throughout North America,
Switzerland, United Kingdom, and Ireland. Her performance experience spans 400
years of flute history, including Renaissance, Baroque, nineteenth-century, and
modern flutes. She is a founding member and frequent recitalist with early music
ensemble Harmonia Baroque. An accomplished player in the Irish traditional flute
style, she has performed with Irish music band, Sunday’s Well. She is Director of the
Hayes School of Music’s Ireland Program, an intensive study abroad course in Irish
traditional music. Her modern flute duo with flutist Leslie Marrs, Dúo Pelirroja,
tours annually and presents dynamic, team-taught masterclasses.
As an orchestral musician, Dr. Schneeloch-Bingham has performed with the Western
Piedmont Symphony, Salisbury Symphony, Tallahassee Symphony, Winston-Salem
Symphony, and North Carolina Symphony. She currently performs with the
Symphony of the Mountains (Kingsport, TN) and the Johnson City Symphony.
An active recitalist and clinician, Dr. Schneeloch-Bingham has performed and
presented workshops for numerous regional flute associations, as well as the
National Flute Association and the Canadian Flute Association. A member of the
NFA’s Historical Flutes Committee, she has served as its chair and has directed the
NFA’s Baroque Flute Artist Competition and Masterclass.
Dr. Schneeloch-Bingham also performs, teaches and coaches chamber music at
Cannon Music Camp, a comprehensive summer music program on the Appalachian
State University campus. A passionate and innovative teacher, she has received the
Outstanding Teaching Award from the Hayes School of Music, as well as the North
Carolina Board of Governor’s Excellence in Teaching Award.
Cory Seguin is currently the assistant band director at Ross N Robinson Middle School in Kingsport Tennessee. Along with his duties as assistant band director, Cory is also a woodwind instructor for Dobyns Bennett High school and has a clarinet and saxophone studio based in Kingsport Tennessee. Outside of his teaching, Cory is also a clarinetist that performs locally around the Tri-Cities area. Cory has performed with the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra, MIlligan College Orchestra and many other local ensembles.
Before returning to Kingsport to teach, Cory received his undergraduate degree in Music Education from East Tennessee State University. While there Cory studied with Tom Crawford and Dr. Lisa Perry. Following Cory’s time at ETSU, he went on to receive his masters degree in clarinet performance from Austin Peay State University. While at Austin Peay, Cory studied with Dr. Spencer Prewitt.
Rick Simerly is a jazz trombonist and retired Associate Professor of Music at Milligan College in Tennessee. He has been described by David Baker as “…one of the most exciting and consistently creative trombonists in jazz today.” Jamey Aebersold depicts him as “…an astounding player with fantastic range and a keen sense of developing a solo. His playing takes you on musical journeys and each one is different and exciting.” The Online Trombone Journal states “Rick Simerly is in the upper ranks of contemporary trombonists”, while the Jazz Review declares “…when jazz fans think about great trombone players, only a few names come to mind, J.J. Johnson, Steve Turre, or maybe Bill Watrous. Soon jazz fans will be praising the slide horn of Rick Simerly.” The International Trombone Association Journal wrote “Rick leaves no doubt about his mastery…Rick is “scary”!”
Rick has toured with the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra under the direction of David Baker and has played in the bands of Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman, Nelson Riddle, Les Elgart, Bob Crosby, Jimmy Dorsey, Buddy Morrow, and the last band of Charlie Spivak. He has performed with jazz artists Billy Taylor, James Moody, Slide Hampton, Rufus Reid, Jon Faddis, Bobby Shew, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Milt Hinton, Eric Alexander, Dave McKenna, Butch Miles, Adam Nussbaum, Plas Johnson, Jake Hanna, Tommy Newsom, Joe Wilder, Pat LaBarbera, Steve Wilson, Bobby Watson and many others. Some of the entertainers with whom he has toured and performed include Frank Sinatra Jr., Bob Hope, Red Skelton, Danny Thomas, Vic Damone, Lou Rawls, Gladys Knight, The Temptations, The Spinners, The Four Tops, The Commodores and The O’Jays. He has been a featured performer on the “JazzSouth” radio series on over 200 U.S. stations, and over 147 combined radio stations in Columbia and Australia. His solo CD, Simple/Complexity, has received rave reviews from critics and performers throughout the United States. It has been described as a “…chop busting display…” by Cadence Magazine, “a virtual dissertation of the trombone” by trombonist Buddy Morrow and the late J.J. Johnson declared “It is quite impressive. You should be proud.” His latest CD, Obscurity, is on the Double-Time Jazz label and features Eric Alexander, David Hazeltine, Lynn Seaton, Steve Davis and Scott Wendholt. The International Trombone Journal stated “… there is nothing obscure about Rick Simerly’s talent and ability – he is an awesome jazz voice. He could be a “poster child” for the Downbeat Magazine classification – Talent Deserving of More Recognition. Obscurity is well paced, well produced and very well done.” Rick also recorded a series of jazz etudes released as the Maiden Voyage Jazz Solos For Trombone (book and CD set) composed by Lennie Niehaus and published by Jamey Aebersold Jazz. He is a veteran faculty member of the famed Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshops and has been artist in residence at numerous jazz camps nationwide. Rick has also served as a faculty member at the renowned Brubeck Institute in Stockton, CA. He regularly performs clinics and concerts throughout the United States and has been a featured soloist for the International Association of Jazz Educators, The International Trombone Association and the Mid-West Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago. Rick is an Artist/Educational Specialist for Rath Trombones of England and plays Rath trombones exclusively.
Meredith Simpson is originally from Atlanta, GA and has been playing the horn since the 6th grade. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance from Stetson University in DeLand, FL and a Master of Music in Orchestral Performance from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Her primary instructors include Dr. Randall Faust, Richard Deane, and Adam Unsworth. Ms. Simpson is currently the Adjunct Professor of Horn at Maryville College in Maryville, TN and is a member of the Black Oak Brass Quintet. She also maintains a thriving private studio and freelance career in the East Tennessee area. Ms. Simpson has played with several orchestras throughout the years including the Knoxville Symphony, the Orlando Philharmonic, the Bay Atlantic Symphony, the Symphony of the Mountains, the Oak Ridge Symphony and the Festival Cassals Orchestra in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Tanner Underwood (b. 1997) is a freelance percussionist with over 10 years of experience. As a performer he has competed in the Tennessee Day of Percussion where he placed in the solo snare and solo multiple percussion division. In his academic career he has performed with the Cave Run Symphony Orchestra, ETSU and MSU Wind Symphonies, and the ETSU and MSU Percussion Ensembles. Professionally he has performed with Third Coast Percussion, Kentucky Music Educators Association Regional Conference, and at multiple regional Days of Percussion as a soloist. As an educator, Tanner has coached multiple high school and collegiate percussion groups in both the marching arts and in concert percussion. Tanner earned his B.M. from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City, TN his M.M. from Morehead State University in Morehead, KY. He currently serves as Percussion Director at Tennessee High School and Adjunct Professor of Percussion at University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
Music Masterclass Series: Voice Day
October 13, 2023
The UVA Wise Voice Day will be held on Friday, October 13th with registration opening at 8:30 a.m., and the day’s events concluding with a choral concert directed by guest clinician Dr. Matt Coffey at 5:00 pm.
All high school voice students are invited to participate in this free event. Over the course of the day, students will participate in level-appropriate masterclasses, sectionals, and ensemble rehearsal with Dr. Coffey and UVA Wise voice instructor Ryan Wardell. Lunch, choral repertoire, and a t-shirt will be provided for all participants. High School Directors are invited to participate in the choral ensemble and/or attend a brief workshop with UVA Wise Director of Choral Activities Hannah Ryan.
Students will begin the day with an opportunity to work with guest clinicians on a solo piece (prepared ahead of time) in the master classes focusing on musical theater or classical style. Later, students will learn choral music in sectionals and ensemble rehearsals. Students will also have the opportunity to audition for a future music scholarship at UVA Wise. The day will culminate in a choral performance at 5:00 pm, directed by Dr. Matt Coffey.
Singers should bring their solo piece for masterclass in either physical or digital form.
Clinicians
Dr. Matthew Coffey is Assistant Professor of Choral Studies at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley where he conducts the two choirs, teaches coursework in conducting and secondary choral methods, and supervises student teachers. He holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) and degrees in Music Education from the University of Houston and Sam Houston State University. Prior to beginning doctoral studies, he taught high school choir in Houston, Texas for 11 years.
Dr. Coffey is active as a guest conductor, clinician, and presenter. He has recently given lectures and presented interest sessions at Southwest ACDA, Kentucky MEA, Ohio MEA, and Pennsylvania ACDA.
When he’s not buried in a score, he can be found on the couch rooting for the Houston Astros with his wife, Ashley, a grant writer for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and their son, Elliott. His non-musical passions include hot wings, Mexican food, and iced coffee.
Dr. Hannah Wunsch Ryan is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Choral and Vocal Activities at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise where she directs three choral ensembles and teaches courses in conducting, vocal pedagogy, diction, choral literature, music history, and choral methods.
Her doctoral research focused on two areas: Maddalena Casulana and teaching healthy vocal pedagogy in the choral classroom. Prior to her appointment at UVa-Wise, Ryan conducted a number of ensembles at the University of Colorado, and was the Artistic Director of multiple community-based ensembles. Ryan is currently Communications Director of Virginia ACDA, and has been a featured presenter, clinician, and director at conferences and honors choirs across the country.
Ryan holds a B.A. in Vocal Performance from Gustavus Adolphus College, and an M.M. in Choral Conducting and Vocal Performance/Pedagogy and a D.M.A. In Choral Conducting and Literature from the University of Colorado in Boulder. She lives in Wise, VA, with her husband, pianist Peter Ryan, and two children.
Music Masterclass Series: Piano Day
November 4, 2023
The UVA Wise Piano Day will be held on Saturday, November 4th with registration opening at 8:30 a.m. and the day’s events concluding with a recital by guest artist Chih-Long Hu at 3:00 p.m. All pre-college piano students of intermediate ability or higher are invited to participate in this free event. Throughout the day, students will participate in level-appropriate masterclasses and lessons with Dr. Hu and UVA Wise faculty, hear presentations on piano related topics, play on UVA Wise’s beautiful new All-Steinway instruments, and enjoy Dr. Hu’s solo recital. Lunch will be provided for all participants and accompanying adults.
Students should bring the music they would like to work on in a lesson or masterclass in either physical or digital form.
Clinicians
A native of Taiwan, pianist Chih-Long Hu‘s performance career was launched after receiving honors including the Taipei National Concert Hall Arising Star, the Chi-Mei Artist Award, and prizes from the Mauro Monopoli International Piano Competition in Italy, the Concurs International De Piano D'Escaldes-Engordany in Andorra, the Takamatsu International Piano Competition in Japan, and San Jose International Piano Competition in California.
An active performer, Hu performs extensively appearing as a concerto soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician. His recent performance highlights include concerto performances of Rachmaninov’s Paganini Rhapsody, Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto, Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, solo and chamber recitals in China, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Ireland, France, Canada, and throughout the U.S. Hu’s performances have been broadcast in "Performance Today" through NPR stations across the U.S. His CD albums "Formosa Caprices", “Complete Rachmaninov Etudes-Tableaux”, and “Goldberg Variations” have received critical acclaims.
Recipient of the UT Chancellor’s Excellence in Teaching Award and named “Teacher of the Year” by Tennessee Music Teachers Association, Knoxville Music Teachers Associations, and Appalachian Music Teachers Association, Hu is committed and passionate in teaching. He strives to cultivate and inspire curiosity in meaningful expressions and to help his students discover their individuality through the music.
Hu holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in piano performance from the University of Michigan, a Master's degree from Taipei National University of the Arts, and a Bachelor's degree in civil engineering from National Taiwan University. Hu is currently the Sandra G. Powell Endowed Professor of Piano and the coordinator of Keyboard Studies at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Chinese-born pianist and organist Hexin Qiao has been performing internationally as a solo pianist, collaborative pianist, and chamber musician for the past decade. She has performed in Jordan Hall, Meany Hall, and at the Seattle Art Museum, among others. Dr. Qiao made her debut performance of the Liszt Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Seattle Philharmonic Orchestra at Benaroya Hall in 2019.
A passionate advocate for contemporary music, Dr. Qiao has worked closely with contemporary music experts such as John Heiss, Stephen Drury, and Cristina Valdes. Along with her ensemble, Dr. Qiao gave the West Coast premiere of Steven Reich’s “Radio Rewrite” and the US premiere of Betsy Jolas’ “Wanderliend.”
She holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music from the New England Conservatory of Music, and a Doctor of Music Arts from the University of Washington. Dr. Qiao is currently an adjunct piano instructor and collaborative pianist at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise.
Dr. Peter Ryan is an Associate Professor of Music at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, where he teaches and coordinates the Piano and Music Theory programs and serves as the Division of Music Coordinator. As a performer, Peter has given concerts in the Czech Republic, Austria, Ecuador, Quebec, and around the United States. His performing and research interests lie in underperformed repertoire and underrepresented composers.
Peter holds a Bachelor of Music from the University of Florida, and both a Master of Music and a Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has studied with Jennifer Hayghe, Doris Pridonoff Lehnert, Elizabeth Pridonoff, and Kevin Sharpe. In addition to his duties at UVA Wise, Peter also enjoys performing with the Johnson City Symphony Orchestra as their Principal Pianist.
Prior to earning his degrees, Peter served as an Infantry Mortarman in the United States Marines Corps from 2004-2008. He now lives in Wise, VA with his wife, the UVA Wise Director of Choral and Vocal Activities, Hannah Wunsch Ryan.