The faculty in the Department of Music at Northern Michigan University is a diverse and talented group of active professional performers, composers, conductors and teachers.  We don't just talk about music but continually strive to grow as musicians through performing and conducting. This commitment to growth creates an exciting environment for learning and challenges our students to set their sights high.  NMU is primarily a teaching university, valuing excellence in educating over all other priorities.  In music, this translates into an unusual level of faculty involvement with students. We are always accessible, available, and eager to help.

Every institution seeks to attract prospective students with fine facilities and exciting student activities and services.  But in the end, the reason for choosing a particular school must be the quality and day-to-day accessibility of the teachers with whom you will be studying. A faculty member's famous name or reputation is of little value to the student who rarely comes in contact with him or her.

At some schools, music majors are taught by graduate students or adjuncts during their first semesters. Non majors may never have access to a full faculty member.  At NMU, all music students, majors and non-majors, take their lessons directly with full faculty members.  At Northern Michigan University you will study with the best from your first lesson through your senior recital.

Please see individual faculty information below.

Faculty

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Mark Flaherty photo

Mark Flaherty

Department Head Professor (High Brass/ Jazz Band)

mflahert@nmu.edu 906-227-1037
Office Location:

108 Thomas Fine Arts

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Theresa Camilli Photo

Theresa Camilli

Assistant Professor (Piano)

tcamilli@nmu.edu 906-227-1043
Office Location:

120 Thomas Fine Arts

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Erin Colwitz photo

Erin Colwitz

Associate Professor (Director of Choirs)

ecolwitz@nmu.edu 906-227-2308
Office Location:

328 Thomas Fine Arts

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Stephen Grugin photo

Stephen Grugin

Professor (Low Brass/ Director of Bands)

sgrugin@nmu.edu 906-227-1040
Office Location:

303 Thomas Fine Arts

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Amorette Languell portrait

Amorette Languell

Assistant Professor (Music Education)

alanguel@nmu.edu 906-227-2304
Office Location:

113 Thomas Fine Arts

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Donna Poirier - Photo

Donna Poirier

Assistant Professor (Voice/Accompanying)

dschaffe@nmu.edu 906-227-1039
Office Location:

118 Thomas Fine Arts

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Barbara Rhyneer photo

Barbara Rhyneer

Professor (Strings/Orchestra)

brhyneer@nmu.edu 906-227-2309
Office Location:

116 Thomas Fine Arts

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James Strain photo

James Strain

Professor (Percussion/ Music History)

jstrain@nmu.edu 906-227-2574
Office Location:

106 Thomas Fine Arts

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Jeff Vickers photo

Jeffrey Vickers

Professor (Saxophone/ Woodwinds)

jevicker@nmu.edu 906-227-1807
Office Location:

114 Thomas Fine Arts

Adjunct Faculty

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Tony Beacco

Tony Beacco

Instructor (Voice)

abeacco@nmu.edu 906-227-1041
Office Location:

112 Thomas Fine Arts

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Patrick Booth - Photo

Patrick Booth

Instructor (Music Theory/ Jazz/ Improvisation)

pbooth@nmu.edu 906-227-2567
Office Location:

146 Thomas Fine Arts

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Rebecca Patterson photo

Rebecca Patterson

Instructor (Voice)

rpatters@nmu.edu 906-227-2504
Office Location:

110 Thomas Fine Arts

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Dave Ziegner - Photo

Dave Ziegner

Instructor (Guitar/Bass)

dziegner@nmu.edu 906-227-2563
Office Location:

162 Thomas Fine Arts

Office Staff

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Heather Oysti

Heather Oysti

Executive Administrative Assistant

hoysti@nmu.edu 906-227-2563
Office Location:

102 Thomas Fine Arts