Music

Dr. Kristin Clark, D.M.A., Chair of Department of Performing Arts, Associate Professor

Email: kbclark@adrian.edu
Phone: 517-265-5161 ext. 3893
Office: 112 Spencer Hall

Dr. Kristin Clark earned her Doctorate in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan, where she also completed Masters Degrees in Choral Conducting and Voice Performance and an undergraduate degree in Music Education.  Particularly at home on the concert stage, Dr. Clark made her solo debut in Carnegie Hall in 2015 and returns to Carnegie Hall as a soloist in 2024. Performance highlights include a featured role on an album that received a Grammy nomination for best operatic performance.  Dr. Clark has appeared as a soloist throughout the United States, as well as in Canada, Italy, and Eastern Europe.  Dr. Clark currently serves as Chair of the Performing Arts Department, Director of the Women’s A Cappella ensemble, and is an Associate Professor of vocal music.

Full Biography

Phillip Clark, Director of Choir and Orchestra, Assistant Professor

Email: pclark@adrian.edu
Phone: 517-265-5161 ext. 4118
Office: 113 Spencer Hall 

Phillip received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Piano Performance at the University of Toledo.  As a pianist, Professor Clark has performed in recitals with soloists from many of America’s top opera companies and symphony orchestras. He has also performed as a guest artist with regional symphonies, including the Adrian Symphony Orchestra.  In the spring of 2023, Professor Clark performed at Steinway Hall in New York City, in honor of his achievements as a University of Toledo alumnus. Under Professor Clark’s direction, our choir and orchestra perform multiple concerts each year, including the beloved community holiday tradition of Lessons and Carols. In June of 2024, the College Choir will join with invited choirs from all over the country in performance at Carnegie Hall.

Full Biography

Ryan Cupp, Director of Bands

Email: rcupp@adrian.edu
Phone: 517-265-5161 ext. 3879
Office: 114 Spencer Hall 

Ryan Cupp is Director of Bands at Adrian College. He leads the AC Wind Symphony, Bulldog Marching Band, and the AC Jazz Ensemble. Prior to working at Adrian he was Director of Bands at Climax-Scotts Community Schools. He’s a proud Central Michigan University Alumni twice over, studying trombone with Dr. Bob Lindahl while getting his Bachelor’s Degree, and then Conducting with Dr. Chris Chapman for his Master’s Degree. He is the recipient of the Outstanding Soloist Award at the Elmhurst College Jazz Festival on two different occasions, and has been guest conductor and clinician for the MSBOA District V High School Honor Band and at CMU’s 100th Anniversary Alumni Band Concert.

Pete Ford, Professor 

Email: pford@adrian.edu
Phone: 517-265-5161 ext. 4507
Office: 116 Spencer Hall 

Specialties:

• Music Theory
• Jazz Piano
• Jazz Combo
• Composition

Professor Pete Ford, now in his twentieth year at Adrian College, earned Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Indiana State University. There he was mentored in Music Theory by Dr. John Ibberson and Dr. William Denton.  Professor Ford’s teaching at Adrian College is further informed by additional study of serious composition and jazz piano, coupled with an active gigging presence across the Midwest in various popular styles, from solo piano to rock band to jazz combo to big band.  In the late 1980’s, he co-wrote and recorded several commercial jingles and musical post-scores for commercial productions in the Indianapolis market.

Full Biography

Dr. John Etsell, Adjunct Professor and Staff Pianist 

Email: jetsell@adrian.edu

Pianist John Etsell collaborates with musical artists from all around the world. He is currently Staff Pianist at Detroit Opera and an adjunct professor at Adrian College. He has been on faculty at the Brancaleoni International Music Festival in Piobbico, Italy, and The Institute for Young Dramatic Voices in Reno, NV. Equally active in the instrumental realm, John is a member of the Lumino Trio (luminomusic.com), which has been described as “just the sort of high-execution, high-ambition ensemble that Detroit’s chamber music world so desperately needs” (Avant Music News).

Full Biography

Melissa Mashner, Adjunct Professor 

Email: mmashner@adrian.edu
Office: 111 Spencer Hall 

Melissa Mashner is a professional flutist in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  She currently is the President of the Southeast Michigan Flute Association, on faculty as Adjunct Professor of Flute at Concordia University and Adrian College, and performs with the Ann Arbor Symphony, Jackson Symphony, Flint Symphony, Dearborn Symphony, Michigan Sinfonietta, and Lexington Bach Festival Orchestras.  An enthusiastic chamber musician, Melissa is a founding member of the Angelus Duo and is passionate about sharing her experience with students through teaching, mentoring, and new music projects. Melissa lives in Ann Arbor with her husband, Nathan; together, they enjoy traveling, cooking, and being outdoors.  melissamashnerflute.com. 

Full Biography

Aaron Keaster, Adjunct Professor 

Email: akeaster@adrian.edu

Aaron Keaster has been teaching cello and double bass at Adrian College since 2003.  He resides in the Toledo area and has been a member of the Toledo Symphony double bass section since 1996.  Mr. Keaster has also performed with other local orchestras, including the Detroit Opera Orchestra, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and the Adrian Symphony Orchestra. He has held teaching positions at Bowling Green State University, the Interlochen Summer Arts Camp, Perrysburg Public Schools and Toledo School for the Arts.

Full Biography

Anna Hart, Adjunct Professor

Email: ahart@adrian.edu

Anna Hart, soprano, is a Nevada native and has earned Bachelor’s degrees in Vocal Performance and Spanish Language from the University of Nevada, Reno, as well as a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Michigan. She has performed many leading roles, including Königen der Nacht in Die Zauberflöte, Nella in Gianni Schicchi, and the title role in Puccini’s Suor Angelica. Anna continues to further her dedication to education and vocal science and maintains memberships to the National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Musicological Society, Society for Ethnomusicology, and the Pan American Vocology Association.  When she is not providing snacks at Adrian College, she works as the Assistant Director of Voice at the Brancaleoni International Music Festival.

Full Biography

Justin Bays, Adjunct Professor

Email: jbays@adrian.edu

Justin Scott Bays is a native of Ohio and with recent roles including: Njegus (The Merry Widow); Enrico (Il Campanello); Demetrius (A Midsummer Night’s Dream); Papageno (Die Zauberflöte); Fiorello (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Marullo (Rigoletto); Masetto (Don Giovanni); Sid (Albert Herring), and Bill Sauer (Money Tree). Mr. Bays has extensive training in musical theater with roles including: Emcee (Cabaret), Nicely Nicely Johnson (Guys and Dolls), Malcolm (The Full Monty), Hucklebee (The Fantasticks), Gordon (A New Brain), and Guido (Nine). He has performed in China with the iSING International Young Artist Program where he performed with the Shanghai Symphony and the Shanghai Philharmonic.

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Kellie McInchak, Adjunct Professor

Email: kmcinchak@adrian.edu 

Kellie McInchak, a seasoned music educator with twenty-two years of experience, currently holds the position of Middle School Band Director at Tecumseh Public Schools. In this role, she co-teaches 5th-grade beginning woodwinds & percussion, 5th-grade brass, 6th-grade woodwinds & percussion, and 6th-grade band. Additionally, Mrs. McInchak conducts the 7th & 8th Grade Bands.

Scott Parnell, Adjunct Professor 

Email: sparnell@adrian.edu 

Scott Parnell graduated from The College of Wooster in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Guitar Performance. In 1997 he obtained a Master of Music, Guitar Performance from Bowling Green State University. He taught guitar and music classes at Bluffton University from 1999-2020. He taught private guitar lessons and a rock music program at the Perrysburg School of Music from 2002 to 2008. In 2008 he began teaching guitar lessons at The Perrysburg Music Center. In 2010 he began teaching guitar lessons and a group guitar class at Adrian College. In 2018 he began teaching guitar and music history at The University of Findlay.

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Megan Parsell, Adjunct Professor 

Email: mparsell@adrian.edu 

Megan, a versatile freelance musician and dedicated educator, holds degrees from Adrian College and Wayne State University. Her prominent saxophone professors include Professor Shannon Ford and Dr. Matthew Younglove. While at WSU, she served as the graduate assistant for the Warrior Marching Band and music history courses. Megan has showcased her talent at events such as the International Saxophone Symposium and NASA. Alongside her Adjunct Professor roles at Adrian and Jackson College, she directs the Zebra Marching Band. Megan's commitment recently propelled the Zebra Marching Band to its first-ever MCBA State Championships, underscoring her dynamic impact in both performance and education.

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