Music Faculty Biographies

Aaron Bounds
aaron.bounds@eastcentral.edu
Assistant Professor Aaron Bounds is in his twelfth year as Director of Bands at East Central College. Aaron is also an adjunct music instructor at St. Louis University as the director of their Concert Band. At East Central College he has taught World Music, Fundamentals of Music Theory, Music Appreciation, Low Brass private lessons, Jazz Combo, Jazz Band and Concert Band. Aaron has also developed and taught Music Appreciation: The Age of Rock & Roll as well as Jazz Appreciation. In 2006, Aaron received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education and in 2008 he received his Master’s in Music, both from Missouri State University in Springfield. Throughout his studies at Missouri State, Aaron performed with many ensembles including MSU Jazz Band under the direction of Jerry Hoover, MSU Lab Band directed by Randall Hamm, MSU Wind Ensemble under Dr. Belva Prather, and the MSU Orchestra with Dr. Robert Quebbeman. During this time, Aaron also performed with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps for two summers (2003, 2004). Currently Aaron stays busy by balancing his local Jazz combo “Friends of Aaron” and his beautiful family; Emily (wife) and two sons, Carl and Theodore. The ECC Band program has seen much growth over the years, and Aaron hopes to continue this development as the ensembles progress with literature.

Dr. Jennifer Judd
jennifer.judd@eastcentral.edu
is an accomplished solo recitalist and chamber musician. She is also in frequent demand as a clinician and adjudicator across the country. Dr. Judd is Professor of Music at East Central College. During her tenure at the ECC, she has given more than 400 performances in concert halls, area schools and the community. She has appeared as soloist with St. Louis Wind Symphony, University City Symphony Orchestra, Southeast Missouri Symphony Orchestra, University of Missouri-Kansas City Orchestra, St. Louis Brass Band, Jefferson City Symphony Orchestra, Clayton Symphony Orchestra, and ECC Wind Ensemble. Dr. Judd has been regularly featured in the Christ Church Cathedral Concert Series and the “Sunday at Three” Chamber Music Series for more than a decade. In 1997, Dr. Judd and Annette Burkhart, a piano faculty member from Washington University, formed a piano duo team and have performed in various concert series and university campuses throughout the Midwest. Dr. Judd has performed in Italy, Spain, Philippines, Taiwan, Sweden and a series of concerts in China.

Dr. Judd was awarded the Permanent Professional Certificate by the Music Teachers National Association. Many of her piano students have won top awards in state and national competitions. Several of her articles were published in the “Keyboard Companion.” Dr. Judd is the recipient of 2012
Governor’s Excellence in Teaching Award and 2013 Emerson’s Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. Judd holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Curators’ Professor Joanne Baker.

Dr. Timothy C. Sexton
timothy.sexton@eastcentral.edu
Dr. Timothy Sexton is the director of choirs at East Central College, where he also teaches Music Theory, Ear Training, Music Appreciation. He is Artistic Director for the East Central Children’s Chorale and conducts the College Choir, Jazz Vocal Ensemble, and Choral Association. Tim graduated in 2009 with his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of South Carolina under the direction of Dr. Larry Wyatt. He also holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Music Education from Western Kentucky University. Tim has taught at both the middle school and high levels. Choirs under his direction have performed in Austria, Germany, France, and several cities across the United States. Currently, he serves as the 2-year College Repertoire and Standards Chair for the Missouri Chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association. Tim is also the Minister of Music at Zion United Church of Christ in Union where he directs the Chancel Choir, Adult Handbells, and Youth Handbells.

Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Kelly Austermann
kelly.austermann@eastcentral.edu
Dr. Kelly Austermann has significant experience as a performing musician, music educator, and scholar. She has performed with the St. Louis Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hot Springs Festival Orchestra, the Gateway Festival
Orchestra, the Greensboro Philharmonia, the Fountain Hills Chamber Players, Casella Sinfonietta, El Monstero, and the Vintage Brass Band. She can be heard in solo clarinet passages on the Grammy-nominated CD, Fireworks! released under the Equilibrium label and on In This Hid Clearing released under the Naxos label. Kelly has extensive teaching experience with students of all ages and ability levels. She teaches clarinet, saxophone, and music appreciation at East Central College and St. Louis Community College. She teaches private clarinet lessons, coaches chamber music, and provides sectional instruction at Mehlville High School, Parkway West High School, Fox High School, Margaret Buerkle Middle School, and Washington Middle School. Many of her students have received superior ratings at performance competitions and have earned seats in honors ensembles. She received her Bachelors of Music from the University of Missouri-Columbia, her Masters of Music from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, and completed her Doctor of Musical Arts from Arizona State University. Her former teachers include Robert Spring, Joshua Gardner, Eric Mandat, Diana Haskell, Anthony Taylor, and Paul Garritson.

Jeremy Bates
Jeremy Bates is a native of Pacific, Missouri. His education has taken him all across Missouri, graduating with an Associate of Arts from East Central College in 2015, Bachelor of Music Education from Southeast Missouri State University in 2018, and Master of Music with an emphasis in voice from Webster University in 2020. Bates also traveled to Angers, France with the Franco-American Vocal Academy in 2017, studying the French language, performing in an opera, and making recital appearances. Throughout his musical experiences, Bates has performed iconic tenor roles such as Nemorino in Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore, Jenik in Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, and Don Ottavio in Mozart’s Don Giovanni. He was featured as a recitalist during the Christine Brewer residencies in 2019 and 2020 at Webster University. Bates made his professional opera debut with Winter Opera of St. Louis in their most recent 13th season. He most recently joined the faculty of East Central College in the Fall of 2020.

Dr. Lisa Blackmore
lisa.blackmore@eastcentral.edu
Dr. Lisa Blackmore teaches Trumpet and Horn at ECC, along with Music History and World Music. She is an Adjunct Professor of Trumpet at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, and she is a member of “Cadre” at Missouri Baptist University, teaching trumpet and assisting with the concert band. She earned a Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) in Trumpet
with a minor in Music History at the University of Illinois-Urbana/ Champaign where she received the Graduate College Dissertation Award in Musicology. Dr. Blackmore also holds degrees from the University of Missouri- Columbia and SUNY-Stony Brook. Her trumpet ensemble at UMSL has been selected to perform at the 2015 ITG conference in Columbus, Ohio. Her private studio teaching has resulted in students performing in the St. Louis Youth Symphony and various Missouri All-State ensembles. Lisa performs with the Confluence Brass Trio, Clarion Herald Trumpets, and she was a bugler with the Missouri Military Funeral Honors Program from 2008-2013, performing Taps at over 350 military services for Missouri Veterans. She performs with the Compton Heights Concert Band, and she is principal trumpet in the St. Louis Wind Symphony. She serves as a trumpet adjudicator for the Missouri All-State groups. Recent solo performances include The Green Hornet with the ECC Jazz Band, Birthday of a King with the Ambassadors of Harmony at Powell Hall, and Concerto No. 1 for Piano, String Orchestra, and Trumpet, Op. 35 with Alla Voskoboynikova, piano and the UMSL Orchestra. She has performed as cornet soloist with The Old Pueblo Brass Band in Tucson, AZ and she played herald trumpet at Wrigley Field in Chicago for statue dedications of Billy Williams and Ron Santo (secretly wearing Cardinal Red!). Lisa is the editor for the Master Class Column of the ITG Youth Website. This website provides useful information for young trumpeters, band directors, and amateurs. Her interview with a former teacher and reviews from the International Women’s Brass Conference and International Trumpet Guild Conferences were published in ITG Journals. Lisa lives in Wright City, MO with her husband, Mark (also a trumpeter) and their two cats, Chet and Ella. In her spare time, she makes practice mutes and also enjoys reading and traveling.

Justin Branum
justin.branum@eastcentral.ed
Justin Branum is a fiddler and multi-instrumentalist whose main work expertise lies in recording session/overdubs, touring, producing, and teaching music. Growing up playing western swing, bluegrass, country music, and old-time fiddle tunes, he was frequently playing in various instrument contests and has won the Grand Master Fiddler Contest, National Fiddle Contest (adult division), Tennessee State Fiddle Championship, Tennessee State Mandolin Championship, Texas State Fiddle Championship (Gone to Texas division) among many others before retiring from the contest scene. During his performing career based out of Nashville, TN, Justin has played with a wide range of touring acts and artists including Lee Ann Womack, Sons of the Pioneers, Son Volt, Pokey LaFarge, Bobby Flores and the Yellow Rose Band, Roland White, The Jim Hurst Trio, and Marty Haggard. He holds a Masters degree in Jazz Studies from Webster University and served as an adjunct professor of music at Washington University and Webster University.

Dr. Patrick Charles
samuel.charles@eastcentral.edu
Currently, Dr. Charles is in his 15th year as a band director and 12th year in the St. Louis Public Schools, where he currently teaches at Long International Middle School. As a percussion educator, Dr. Charles has taught and arranged for various high schools in and out of the state of Missouri. In addition to his high school teaching experience, Dr. Charles was the arranger and instructor for the 2006 Gateway Percussion front ensemble and instructor for the 2005 front ensemble. In 2004 Dr. Charles was the front ensemble instructor for Seattle Cascades and in 2006 became both instructor and arranger. Dr. Charles began performing with Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps in 1998 and in 1999 moved to the Blue Knights Drum Bugle Corps. In 2000 and 2001 Dr. Charles was a member of the Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps.

Dr. Charles received his B.S. from Southwest Missouri State University (Missouri State University), his MME from University of Missouri St. Louis, and his Doctor of Education from Maryville University.

Tamara Miller-Campbell
tamara.campbell@eastcentral.edu
Tamara Miller-Campbell, soprano, holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Michigan State University and a Master of Music degree from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, with further graduate study at the University of Michigan and the Conservatorium of Music, Sydney, Australia. Performance credits include Handel’s “Messiah” and Bach’s Cantata #202 with the St Louis Symphony, the Faure “Requiem” and Poulenc “Gloria” with the Belleville Philharmonic. She has appeared with Union Avenue Opera Theatre as an ensemble member in “Carmen”, “La Traviata”, “Faust”, “Falstaff” and “Suor Angelica”. She appeared most recently with Early Music St Louis and at Washington University in a performance of Schoenberg’s Second String Quartet. She was honored to appear as guest soloist on the Odyssey Concert Series in Columbia MO in a performance of Schoenberg’s landmark piece “Pierrot Lunaire”. She returned in 2009 to her alma mater SIU Edwardsville as soprano soloist in the Rossini “Stabat Mater” as well as taking part in the premier of James Stephenson’s “Remembering Our Fathers” at SIU Carbondale. She is a section leader with the St Louis Symphony Chorus and serves on the faculty of Washington University as an adjunct instructor of applied voice.

William Hopkins
william.hopkins@eastcentral.edu
William Hopkins teaches Applied Guitar. He graduated from Saint Louis University in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree, and went on to study at the prestigious Conservatory of Music, University of Missouri-Kansas City, where he received his Master of Music degree in Guitar Performance (2005) under the study of Douglas Niedt. Mr. Hopkins has performed with chamber ensembles, musical theatre groups, small orchestras, and as a soloist. He is an outstanding music educator with over nine years of private teaching experience. Having studied with world-famous soloists, he possesses first-hand knowledge of a wide variety of teaching and performing styles.

Maggie Noud
maggienoud@hotmail.com
Maggie Noud teaches Applied Flute. She holds a Master of Science in Education from Lindenwood University. She received her undergraduate degree from Southeast Missouri State University where she studied with Paul Thompson. While at Southeast, she was the principal flutist for the University Wind Ensemble being featured twice as a concerto soloist. In addition to the Wind Ensemble, she was principal flutist for the University Orchestra. She has been teaching privately for over 15 years and in public schools for 7 years.

Ben Sachs
benjamin.sachs@eastcentral.edu
Ben Sachs received his MM in Trombone Performance from Indiana University and a BME from the University of Central Missouri. Ben teaches applied low brass at ECC and is the Director of Bands at Hermann High School and Hermann Middle school where he directs the Bearcat Brigade Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, 6-8th Grade band, Music Appreciation and Fundamentals of Music. Hailing from Union, Missouri, Sachs has been the director at Hermann since 2016. For his undergraduate studies, Sachs attended the University of Central Missouri where he received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education (BME). While at the University of Central Missouri, Ben was active in very active in numerous performing ensembles including
the Marching Mules, Jazz Ensemble 1, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Basketball Pep Band. Ben studied trombone under Dr. David Stagg and Roger Oyster and euphonium with John Gregory. Ben was an active member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, C-MENC, an active tech with area high school marching bands, and marched baritone with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. After completing his degree at UCM, Ben attended Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music for his Master of Music in Trombone Performance. While there, he performed in the Symphonic Band, Concert Orchestra, Steve Allee Jazz.

Matthew Sokeland
matthew.sokeland@eastcentral.edu
Matthew Sokeland holds a masters degree in Educational Administration from Southwest Baptist University as well as a masters degree in Jazz Studies from Webster University, St. Louis Missouri. He taught at K-8 Strain Japan School District as a music teacher from 1990-1991. He as since held the position of Director of Bands at Meramec Valley R3 School District since 1991. He has served as an Adjunct for East Central College as both the Jazz Ensemble Director (2000-2007) as well as directing the Percussion Ensemble Director (2016-2019). His Affiliations include the Missouri Music Educators Association, Missouri Band Masters, and the Missouri Association of Jazz Education.

Connor Joyce
connor.joyce@eastcentral.edu
Connor Joyce holds a Master of Music degree in piano performance (with an emphasis in pedagogy) from the University of Missouri Columbia, where he studied under Dr. Peter Miyamoto and served as graduate teaching assistant in group piano, instructing both music students and community members. While at Mizzou, he served as president of the Mid-Missouri Collegiate Chapter of MTNA (Music Teachers National Association). For his undergraduate degrees, Mr. Connor studied with Dr. Kevin Hampton at Southeast Missouri State University, and Dr. Jennifer Lim-Judd at East Central College. Highlights of his collegiate performances include masterclasses with artists Valentina Igoshina and Amy I-Lin Cheng. Connor also teaches private lessons from his studio at Lacefield Music in South County, St. Louis. Activities Mr. Connor enjoys besides teaching and playing piano include hiking, gardening, bird watching, and spending time with his wife and son.