Academy Leadership
Mara Gibson, Ph.D. - Director
Phone: (816) 235-2742
Email: gibsonmb@umkc.edu
Cheryl Melfi, D.M.A. - Assistant Director
Phone: (816) 235-2741
Email: melfic@umkc.edu
Academy Faculty
The Community Music and Dance Academy faculty is made up of world-class musicians and dancers. Many are alumni, current graduate students, or faculty members at UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance. Most hold advanced degrees in their areas of specialty. All are active performers, composers, and educators with extensive experience teaching aspiring musicians and dancers of all ages and ability levels. Faculty members' professional biographies are available online:
Click here, or click any instructor's name, to view biographical information.
Dance
Amanda McMaster - Creative Movement, Ballet, Modern
Skyler Taylor - Ballet, Modern
Shirley Weaver - Ballet
Composition / Music Theory
Woodwinds/Brass/Percussion
Rebecca Ashe - Flute
Angela Cannon-Hirte - Flute
Lee Hartman - Oboe
Cheryl Melfi - Clarinet
Mauricio Salguero - Clarinet
James Keel Williams - Bassoon
Jeffrey Cunningham - Saxophone
Timothy Timmons - Saxophone
Kate Umble - Trumpet
Rich Hill - Trombone
Sam Wisman - Percussion
Strings (including Guitar and Harp)
James Lammers - Guitar
Nicholas Omiccioli - Guitar
Tabitha Reist Steiner - Harp
Lai Kheng Chan - Violin / Suzuki certified
Yu-Fang Chen - Violin
Svetla Kalcheva - Violin
Chia-fei Lin - Violin / Suzuki certified
David Kovac - Violin and Viola / Suzuki certified
Jackie Lee - Violin and Viola / Suzuki certified
Mark Stauffer - Cello / Suzuki certified
Kristin Shafel - Bass
Beth Titterington - Suzuki Violin Teacher Trainer
Keyboard: Piano, Organ, Accordion
Scott Anthony - Piano
Leon Bugg - Piano
Jean Drumm - Suzuki Piano
Cameron Dibble - Piano
Karen Engebretson - Organ
Mara Gibson - Piano
Rich Hill - Jazz Piano
Kari Johnson - Piano Ready Class
Hyunjoo Jung - Piano
Brendan Kinsella - Piano
Shoko Kinsella - Piano
Kairy Koshoeva - Piano
Narong Prangcharoen - Piano
Steve Riddle - Piano
Robin Rysavy - Piano
Joan Cochran Sommers - Accordion
Voice
Choral Singing
Jennifer Benjamin - Artistic Director, Canta Filia and Veritas
Sarin Peck - Artistic Director, Kansas City Children's Chorus and Roo Singers
Rebecca Bell - Accompanist
Meredith Henderson - Accompanist
Kindermusik®
Joy Granade - Early Childhood Coordinator
