Ed.D. Nova Southeastern University
M.A. Bethel Theological Seminary
B.A. Bethel University

Musical Director and Conductor of the Delta Choral Society based in Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) from 1988 – 1990.
In the summer of 2004, Dr. Donelson was invited to work within the music department at the Salzburg Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria where he conducted and sang with the Cathedral Choir.

Crown College Teaching Excellence Award in 2004
Outstanding Educator Award in 2007

American Choral Directors Association
College Music Society
Ohio Music Educators Association

Director of the Malone University Chorale and Chamber Choir
Choral Conducting
Music History

Dr. David Donelson is Professor of Music and conductor of the Malone Chorale and Malone Chamber Choir. He also serves as chair of the Malone Department of Music. Dr. Donelson came to Malone University in 2008 from Crown College in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he served as director of choral activities and Professor of Music for 18. Dr. Donelson received his undergraduate and graduate training at Bethel College and Seminary (St. Paul, MN). He earned a doctorate in higher education administration with a concentration in music education through Nova Southeastern University (Ft. Lauderdale, FL). Prior to his conducting on the college level, he enjoyed a successful tenure in church music, directing multi-faceted music programs.

D.M.A., Music Composition, 1995, University of Kentucky
M.M., Music Composition, 1980, University of Tennessee-Knoxville
B.M., Music Composition, 1974, University of Tennessee-Knoxville

1997-present, Professor of Music, Malone University
1997-1999, Chair, Department of Fine Arts, Malone College
1995-1997, Chair, Department of Music, Knoxville College
1982-1997, Associate Professor, Department of Music, Knoxville College

Jesse Ayers’ compositions have been performed in Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Russia, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, and more than 95 U.S. cities. His music has twice been selected by the International Society of Contemporary Music to represent the United States at the prestigious World Music Days festival. Most recently, his work was performed at the opening ceremonies of the Slobomir International Piano Competition and at the 2009 national conference of the Society of Composers in Santa Fe. In October 2009, the Akron Symphony Orchestra premiered Ayers’ latest work, The Passion of John Brown.

2009, Composition selected for performance at national conference of the Society of Composers
2007, Individual Creativity Excellence Award from the Ohio Arts Council
2007, 16th consecutive award from the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers.
2005, Composition selected for performance at national conference of the Society of Composers
2004, One of six American composers selected by the International Society for Contemporary Music to represent the United States at World Music Days in Slovenia
2001, Malone University’s Distinguished Faculty Award

Commissioned composer for the city of Akron’s observance of the 150th anniversary of John Brown’s raid on the federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry in 1859.
Commissioned composer for Malone University’s Presidential Inauguration of Dr. Gary Streit.

Society of Composers
Affiliate writer, Broadcast Music Inc.
Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers

MUS 121 Music Theory Fundamentals
MUS 155-156-265 Music Theory I-II-III
MUS 165-166-265 Aural Skills I-II-III
MUS 356 Form and Analysis
MUS 358 Orchestration

Music composition
Music analysis
Music engraving
Music theory pedagogy

Ph.D. in Music Theory and Composition from Kent State University
M.M. in Theory/Composition and Conducting from Eastern Washington University
B.A. in Music Education from Central Washington University

Academic presentations are as diverse as his paper on film scoring for the 2006 Cinema Studies Conference in Los Angeles, Raising Emotion in the Heroic Film, to 2008’s Society for Ethnomusicology presentation, Navajo Gospel: A Struggle in Faith, Culture, and Style. He has also been involved in the International Association for Jazz Education, ranging from performing to delivering an address entitled Approach Chords: An Avenue for Resolution in Composition and Improvisation in 2008.

Bruce Benward Student Music Theory Award in 2007

ASCAP
IAJE
Society of Composers
Society of Composers and Lyricists

Music Production
Composition
Electro-Acoustic Ensemble

Theory and Composition

Jack Ballard, PhD has composed and produced music in a variety of genres, from classical and film music to jazz and bluegrass. He studied under Gunther Schuller, Wendell Jones, Arthur Post, David Maddux, and Frank Wiley, and received degrees from Central Washington and Eastern Washington Universities. His half-dissertation on hyperextended tertian sonority is from Kent State University. Its initial research received the Bruce Benward Student Music Theory Award in 2007.

He also writes music for dramas, films, videos and national radio shows, including the award-winning Adventures in Odyssey, and is experienced in digital audio and video editing. His recent ballet, The Castle, was performed by the Houston-based dance company, Ad Deum, in the spring of 2009, and premiered with the Canton Symphony. Also an award recipient for his symphonic and popular writing, he is a member of ASCAP, IAJE, Society of Composers, and the Society of Composers and Lyricists. As an educator, his years in higher education produced and influenced such internationally recognized Grammy-nominees and performers as Jars of Clay, Sarah Jahn, Dom Liberati, Joe Vitale, Jr., and Smalltown Poets. Other former students engineer, write and perform in the music, radio and advertising industries. He presently teaches music production and composition at Malone University in Canton, Ohio.

Probably the best known representation of his diversity in styles and instrumentation is his collection of The Psalms (REX Music, 1994), which includes such jazz notables as Alex Acuña, David Friesen, Fletch Wiley, Tom Patitucci, and others, and members of the Oregon Symphony. “Flawless” writes New Man Magazine. “So unique and creative, it breaks new artistic ground” from National Religious Broadcaster. “A great collection:” Moody Monthly. Of his symphonic poem for orchestra, The Traveler’s Psalm, the Durango Herald wrote: “Enchanting, lyrical and polished to the point that it sounded as if it were the work of one of our time-honored masters.”

Ballard’s production company, Kiwibird Creative Services, specializes in production that develops popular and classical style integration, such as film scoring and eclectic CD projects. The company markets its services in the film world as being genre- and period- specific and prides itself on being able to do original and unique scores culturally supportive of period, ethnic, and exotic settings.

His pieces incorporate classical and ethnic styles throughout the world, but especially New World and Old World styles that contributed to the development of music in North and South America. He has written for jazz band and combo (Common Vision, Kiwibird Records, 2003), original music in bluegrass and folk styles (Long Time Coming, Kiwibird Music, 2002, Great Train Songs, Coal, Iron, and Steel, The Cook Brothers, and Mountain Songs, with two-time national flatpicking winner, Gary Cook), and rock (On the Fly, with guitarist Phil Keaggy, Canis Major Records).

His choral works include pieces in both jazz and classical traditions (published by Sound Music Publication, Seattle, WA). The original vocal jazz piece, Great Mystery, was recently covered by national jazz artist, David Wells (Friday Afternoon, Nuance Records), and he is working on a large-scale Christmas oratorio for choir and orchestra entitled Incarnatus Dei. Other jazz arrangements include Green Dolphin Street, Come Sunday, But Beautiful, Fascinatin’ Rhythm and others.

PhD Music Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa (2005)
MA Music Education, University of Hawaii at Manoa (1999)
BM Music Education and Performance, Southwest Texas State University (1987)

Malone University, Coordinator of Instrumental Studies, 2004 – present
Honolulu Christian Academy, Director of Bands, 2002 – 2003
University of Hawaii, Graduate Teaching Assistant, 1997 – 2002
Marion Independent School District, Director of Bands, 1992 - 1996

Guest Conductor, Holmes County Fine Arts Festival Honor Band, 2008
Guest Conductor, Tri-County Honor Band, 2010

President Elect, Ohio Music Education Association, District VIII
President Elect, Ohio Private Colleges Instrumental Conductors Association

College Music Society
College Band Directors National Association
National Band Association
Music Educators National Conference
Ohio Music Education Association
Ohio Private Colleges Instrumental Conductors Association
Texas Bandmasters Association

Marching Band
Symphonic Band
Brass Methods
Instrumental Conducting
Band Methods
Band Literature
Teaching Music in the Secondary Schools
Marching Band Techniques
Student Teaching Supervision and Faculty Advisor for the Malone Chapter of the Ohio Collegiate Music Education Association

Texas Teaching Certificate for Secondary Instrumental Music

Marching & Concert Band
Wind Band Literature
Microbial Flora of Brass Instruments

Cynthia Bridges, PhD is an Associate Professor of Music and Coordinator of Instrumental Studies at Malone University. She conducts the Marching and Symphonic bands, teaches music education methods courses, instrumental conducting, supervises student teachers, and serves as advisor for the Malone chapter of the Ohio Collegiate Music Educators Association. Prior to teaching at Malone, she served as Director of Bands at Christian Academy in Honolulu, Hawaii. She also served as Graduate Assistant with the University of Hawaii Bands from 1997-2002, where she earned a PhD in 2005 and a Master of Arts in 1999. Dr. Bridges has conducted festival bands in Hawaii and Ohio, adjudicated concert, jazz and marching festivals, and served as a clinician at the 2003 Hawaii Music Educators Association conference. In addition to her experience in Hawaii, Dr. Bridges taught seven years in the Texas public schools. She served four years as the Director of Bands for the Marion Independent School District in Marion, Texas. Her bands in Marion received UIL Sweepstakes awards, numerous first division ratings for concert performance and best in class awards at the prestigious Westlake Marching Festival for three consecutive years. Her music activities beyond Malone include serving as President-Elect for District VIII of the Ohio Music Education Association. She enjoys spending time with her husband, John, serving her profession, playing the French Horn in various ensembles, singing in the choir at church, gardening and playing golf.

M.M. in Performance and Accompanying from the University of Akron
B.A. in Music from Malone University

Served a two-year term on the Music Teachers National Association, National Board of Directors
Past President of Ohio Music Teachers Association

-Malone University Distinguished Service Award in 2005
-In 2006, she was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow for distinguished service to the music teaching profession
-Received a Master Teacher Certificate from Music Teachers National Association for outstanding achievement in the music teaching profession

Music Teachers National Association
Ohio Music Teachers Association
MacDowell Club of Canton

Coordinator of Keyboard Studies
Director of Preparatory Program
Piano Literature
Applied Piano
Piano Ensemble Director
Piano Pedagogy

Sandra Carnes is Professor of Music at Malone University where she teaches Piano Pedagogy, Applied Piano and is the Director of the Piano Ensemble. Mrs. Carnes started her teaching career at Malone in 1970. Therefore, she will be celebrating 40 years of teaching and service to Malone in 2010. She was Chair of the Department of Fine Arts from 1987 – 1997, 2002 – 2006 and is the Founder and Director of the Piano Preparatory Program. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Malone University and a Master of Music degree from The University of Akron. She received the Malone University Distinguished Service Award in 2005. An active member of Music Teachers National Association, Mrs. Carnes has held the office of President for Ohio Music Teachers Association and for East Central Division of Music Teachers National Association and served a two-year term on the MTNA National Board of Directors. A Nationally Certified Teacher of Music, she has been awarded the Master Teacher Certificate by Music Teachers National Association for outstanding achievement in the music teaching profession. In 2006, Mrs. Carnes was named an MTNA Foundation Fellow for distinguished service to the music teaching profession. Her professional affiliations have included membership in Music Teachers National Association, Ohio Music Teachers Association, Music Educators National Conference, Ohio Music Educators Association, College Music Society, and MacDowell Club of Canton. Individuals Mrs. Carnes has studied with include: Sheila Paige, Joseph Schwartz, and Margaret Baxtresser. Her special interests are in the areas of piano pedagogy and collaborative performance as well as being the pianist at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Her former students have won international competitions and are employed in diverse settings across the country in public schools, churches, and independent studios. She is the Producer and Director of Piano Extravaganzas I, II, III, IV, V, and VI. Proceeds from the Piano Extravaganza allowed the Music Department to purchase two Steinway pianos.

M.M. Vocal Performance; The University of Akron
B.A. Music; Luther College

National Association of Teachers of Singing
American Choral Directors Association
National Collegiate Choral Organization
Music Educators National Conference
Ohio Music Educators Association

Director of Women’s Concert Choir
Coordinator of Vocal Studies
Applied Voice
Voice Pedagogy
Diction

Rachel Krieger Núñez is Associate Professor of Music, Coordinator of Vocal Studies, and Director of the Women’s Concert Choir at Malone University. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa where she was a member of the Nordic Choir under the direction of Weston Noble. She received her Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from The University of Akron, Ohio. Opera performances include roles in Gilbert & Sullivan’s The Mikado, Mozart’s Le Nozzi di Figaro, Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, Ward’s The Crucible, Pucinni’s Gianni Schicchi, Humperdinck’s Hänsel and Gretel, and Bizet’s Carmen. She has served as an apprentice for the Dorian Opera Theatre Summer Festival and has appeared as a guest soloist for the Stan Hywet Concert Series, Friends of Music Concert Series, and McDowell Concert Series. Professional affiliations include National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Choral Directors Association, National Collegiate Choral Organization, Music Educators National Conference, and Ohio Music Educators Association. Professor Núñez and her husband, Jacinto, reside in Hudson, Ohio with their son, Manuel.

A.A. Administrative Information Technologies and certification in Bookkeeping from Stark State College of Technology.

I have worked with various businesses and churches as an Administrative Assistant for the past 17 years. I started working at Malone in 2007.

Responsibilities:
I am the Administrative Assistant for the Departments of Music and Visual Arts. My responsibilities include:
- recording and routing invoices, payment requests, and deposits
- maintaining records on the departments’ expenditures and financial transactions
- handling recruiting correspondence
- assisting faculty
- scheduling and assisting with departmental events
- supervising and hiring student workers

I am married to Roy, and we have four daughters Kaitlyn, Korryn, Kelsey, and Kasey. I’m an active member and nursery coordinator at Indian Run Christian Church. I enjoy photography, scrapbooking and traveling with my family.

Graduate of Lake High School, Uniontown, Ohio
Attended Akron University and Stark State College of Technology

Malone University for five years.
Administrative assistant at local trucking company.
Customer service assistant at the North Canton YMCA.

My responsibilities include:
Concert and Recitals:
Prepare and send out press releases
Contact students for audio and video recording
Create posters and programs
Request room reservations and set-up needs
Contact performers for recital information and contract
Sell tickets when needed
Applied Lessons:
Coordinate teacher and student schedules
Request room reservations and set-up requests for juries
Monitor and issue practice room keys
Update Registrar with level changes, adds and drops
Keep payroll current for Adjuncts
Manage student files via electronically and hard copy (recital attendance, juries, auditions)
Help students when needed
Update databases for bulk mailings
Keep the website current
Assist faculty as needed

Born and reared in the Canton area, Tiffany is married to Chris and they have one son; Derek. Tiffany is the Advancement Coordinator for Cub Scout Pack 12 that Derek is involved in. Tiffany dabbles in entrepreneurship with her business; Grecian Delights, selling homemade authentic Greek pastries at the Canton Farmers Market in downtown Canton. In her spare time she enjoys reading, baking and spending time with her family.
Favorite Bible verse:
The human mind plans the way, but the Lord directs the steps. Proverbs 16:9