Harper College will be closed Tuesday, November 5 in observance of Election Day.

Harper College

Music Department Faculty

Build your future in music with guidance from professional performance artists and scholars.

Our faculty of 50+ artists and scholars from around the world are here to mentor students one-on-one, creating a professional but friendly learning environment. Students receive individual attention to develop their musical knowledge and hone their talents.

Artist faculty maintain active performance careers, ranging from solo, ensemble and band shows, to local and national radio broadcasts (WFMT, NPR, PBS, WGN), to appearances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cirque du Soleil, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Stringfusion®, Grant Park Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, Elgin Symphony Orchestra, Navy Pier Pops Orchestra and other notable groups.

Learn more about our faculty/staff and their areas of expertise:

Edward Hamel
Department Chair
Coordinator of Theory and Literature

Kimberly Anne
Administrative Secretary Music and Art

Issa Boulos
Community Music Center Coordinator

Amanda DeBoer Bartlett
Conductor of Choir and Spectra

Susan Dennis
Susan Dennis Adjunct Faculty in Voice
Community Music Center Instructor

Susan Lageson Lundholm
Adjunct Faculty in Voice
Community Music Center Instructor

Carolyn Niehoff
Adjunct Faculty in Voice
Community Music Center Instructor

Choir and Spectra
Amanda DeBoer Bartlett, Conductor/Director

Guitar Ensemble
Steven Vazquez, Director

Jazz Ensemble
Kirby Fellis, Director

Jazz Lab Band
Darren Scorza, Director

Piano Ensemble
Janice Larson Razaq, Director

Steel Bands
Paul Ross, Director

Harper Symphony Orchestra
Wind Symphony
Benjamin Firer, Conductor/Director 

Peter Aglinskas
Adjunct Faculty in Guitar, Jazz Guitar and Music Appreciation
Community Music Center Instructor

Steven Suvada
Adjunct Faculty in Guitar, Class Guitar, Jazz Guitar and Electronic Music
Community Music Center Instructor
Recruiting and Outreach Coordinator

Steven Vazquez
Adjunct Faculty in Guitar and Class Guitar
Director, Guitar Ensemble
Community Music Center Instructor

Peter Aglinskas
Adjunct Faculty in Guitar,
Jazz Guitar and Music Appreciation
Community Music Center Instructor

Cory Biggerstaff
Adjunct Faculty in Jazz Bass

Kirby Fellis
Director of Jazz Ensemble

Edgar Gabriel
Adjunct Faculty in Jazz Violin and Violin
Community Music Center Instructor

Ian McGarrie
Adjunct Faculty in Jazz Clarinet, Jazz Flute, and Jazz Saxophone

Alex Piela
Adjunct Faculty in Trumpet

Darren Scorza
Jazz Lab Band Director
Jazz Percussion

Kenneth Spurr
Adjunct Faculty in Jazz History and Jazz Piano
Director Jazz Studies
Community Music Center Instructor

Steven Suvada
Adjunct Faculty in Jazz Guitar, Guitar, Class Guitar, and Electronic Music
Community Music Center Instructor

Chiayi Lee
Adjunct Faculty,Piano
Accompanist

Levonne Mrozinski
Piano
Community Music Center Instructor

Janice Larson Razaq
Adjunct Faculty in Piano
Keyboard Coordinator
Community Music Center Instructor

Kathlyn Sbarboro
Piano
Community Music Center Instructor

Kenneth Spurr
Adjunct Faculty in Jazz History and Jazz Piano
Community Music Center Instructor

Edward Hamel
Department Chair
Coordinator of Theory and Literature

Issa Boulos
Community Music Center Coordinator

B. Charmian Tashjian
Adjunct Faculty in Music Theory

Sadie Hochman-Ruiz
Assistant Professor in Music

Edgar Gabriel
Adjunct Faculty in Violin and Jazz Violin
Community Music Center Instructor

Debra Freedland
Adjunct Faculty in Oboe/English Horn
Community Music Center Instructor

Dr. Jenny Maclay
Adjunct Faculty in Clarinet

Alex Piela
Adjunct Faculty in Trumpet

Dr. Julia Broome-Robinson
Adjunct Faculty in Brass

Paul Ross
Adjunct Faculty in Percussion
Steel Drum Band

Dianne Ryan
Adjunct Professor of Bassoon

Jeremy Ruthrauff
Adjunct Faculty in Saxophone
Community Music Center Instructor

Adam Stevens
Adjunct Instructor in Tuba

Leah Stevens
Adjunct Faculty in Flute
CE Music and Arts Lab Assistant, Community Music and Arts Center

Last Updated: 10/2/24