Music Faculty Biographies
Faculty
Aaron Bounds
Director of Bands/Instructor of Music
M.M. Instrumental Conducting, Missouri State University
aaron.bounds@eastcentral.edu
636-584-6697
Assistant Professor Aaron Bounds is in his sixteenth year as Director of Bands at East Central College. Aaron has also been an adjunct music instructor at St. Louis University as the director of their Concert Band for a decade. 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). In 2015, Aaron worked with Gold Drum and Bugle Corps as a brass tech as well as visual assistance. Currently Aaron stays busy by balancing his local Jazz combo “Friends of Aaron,” his position as Director of Music Ministries for the Presbyterian Church of Washington and his beautiful family; Emily (wife) and two sons, Carl and Theodore.
Dr. Jennifer Judd
Associate Professor of Music/Coordinator of Music Department
D.M.A. in Piano Performance, University of Missouri—Kansas City
jennifer.judd@eastcentral.edu
636-584-6696
Dr. Jennifer Judd 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 C. 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
Jeremy Bates
Jeremy Bates is a native of Pacific, Missouri. His education has taken him 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 music at East Central College in Union, MO including trumpet, horn, and music courses in Music History, World Music, and Music Appreciation. She retired in 2022 from UMSL where she taught trumpet and served on the Curriculum Committee and Concerto Competition Committee. She earned a 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 Mizzou and Stony Brook University. Dr. Blackmore is a recipient of the Missouri Community College Association’s Outstanding Adjunct Award for 2021.She served nearly 30 years as a trumpet adjudicator for the Missouri All-State Band and Orchestra, and her students have performed in the St. Louis Youth Symphony and various Missouri All-State ensembles. Her university trumpet ensembles performed twice at International Trumpet Guild conferences; the ensemble from UMSL playing at the 2015 conference in Ohio where they premiered Eight Through Eleven: Four Episodes for Seven Trumpets by Zachary Cairns. The UMSL ensemble was scheduled to perform at the 2020 conference before it was canceled due to Covid. She serves on the committee for ITG Affiliate Chapters. She has performed several times at MMEA conferences; her first appearance was as a member of the inaugural Missouri All-State Band as a senior in high school. Notable solo premieres include Thoughts for Trumpet—Dennis E. Meyer for solo trumpet and concert band with the St. Louis Wind Symphony, Daniel Eichenbaum’s Concertino (semifinalist for the 2016 American Prize) with the UMSL Wind Ensemble, and solos with the St. Louis Wind Symphony, UMSL Orchestra, Ambassadors of Harmony, Compton Heights Concert Band, and the Des Lee Fine Arts Collaborative Orchestra. She appeared as a soloist at the 2015 International Trumpet Guild Conference. She was a bugler with the MO Military Funeral Honors Program, performing Taps at over 400 military services for Missouri Veterans, and she is an auxiliary member of American Legion St. Louis Service Women’s Post 404.
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.
Steve Leslie
Steve Leslie has honed his skills as a guitarist on stages across the United States. Mr. Leslie has recorded and/or performed with a multitude of international recording artists, including T.M. Stevens (Joe Cocker, The Pretenders, Steve Vai), Al Pitrelli (Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Alice Cooper, Megadeath), and Vinnie Moore (UFO). He has opened for groups such as Blue Oyster Cult, Jason Aldean, Ace Frehley (Kiss), Little Big Town, Yngwie Malmsteen, White Lion and more. Mr. Leslie has taught guitar privately for over 35 years and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music and a Master of Education degree from Central Methodist University.
John McGrosso
John McGrosso has been the first violinist of the Arianna String Quartet since 1998. He has been featured as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony and the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and has performed in recital to critical acclaim throughout the United States. He has taught on the faculties of Illinois Wesleyan University, the University of Missouri–Columbia, and Eastern Michigan University, and is currently a Professor of Violin at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Mr. McGrosso received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Juilliard and holds a Performer's Certificate from Northern Illinois University.
Maggie Noud
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.
Hannah Serafino
Hannah Serafino holds a Master of Musicology degree from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. Specializing in the Romantic Era, she is an accomplished violinist, after receiving a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Missouri–St. Louis while studying with Julia Sakharova. She has played with several orchestras, most notable being the St. Louis Youth Symphony Orchestra while studying with Dana Myers. Hannah is an alumna of East Central College, graduating with an Associate of Fine Arts in violin and piano studies, and achieving the Outstanding Music Student Award in 2015. She has been teaching violin and piano for over 5 years and has been teaching music classes at ECC’s location in Rolla since 2021.
Caren Vittetoe
caren.vittetoe@eastcentral.edu
Caren Vittetoe has a Bachelor of Music degree from the Manhattan School of Music in NYC and a Master of Music Degree from the University of Nebraska. Caren has performed professionally all over the country in many orchestras and ensembles, such as the Omaha and Lincoln Symphonies, the Honolulu Symphony, the Royal Hawaiian Band, and the Ocmulgee Symphony Orchestra. She has also performed as a chamber musician and soloist, a pit musician in musical theatre, operas, and ballets. Caren served for 6 years in the United States Air Force, as a clarinetist in the Heartland of America Band. She is a member of the Air National Guard Band of the Midwest and performs as a guard musician with many active-duty bands including the USAF Band of the Golden West, The Band of Mid America, and the Air Force Academy Band. Locally, she performs with the Saint Louis Wind- Symphony, the Edwardsville Symphony, and the Highland Muny Band. In addition to her experience as a performer, she has taught as a private instructor for over 25 years. Caren has been on the faculty of the College of Saint Mary, and Kaskaskia College as a woodwinds and general education music professor. She has been an adjudicator for ILMEA, and the Mid-America Music Association festival. Caren actively conducts clinics and masterclasses in area schools.
Brandon Yenzer
brandon.yenzer@eastcentral.edu
Brandon Yenzer graduated from Missouri State University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Music Education and in 2018 from University of North Texas with a Master of Music in Trombone Performance. He has performed with many collegiate ensembles, including the Jazz Band, Jazz Studies Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble at MSU and the jazz Lab Bands, Concert Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, and Baroque Orchestra at UNT, as well as trombone choirs and quartets at both institutions. He has had an extensive freelancing career, spanning music from the Baroque and Renaissance eras to orchestral mega works to jazz and musical theater. He is also a prolific educator, teaching masterclasses, band camps, and private lessons since 2012.
Adjunct Faculty
Naomi Joyce
Staff Accompanist
naomi.joyce@eastcentral.edu
Naomi Joyce is a collaborative pianist from Union, Missouri. If limited to one word to describe Naomi, “musician,” would rank at the top. God has put music in her heart, and it can’t help but come out. In 2014, Naomi became a music student at ECC, under the instruction of Dr. Jennifer Judd. In spring 2016, Naomi served as the accompanist for Washington High School, where she accompanied four choirs and numerous soloists for the school year and state competition. In August of 2016, Naomi assumed the position of piano accompanist at ECC, where she now accompanies all the vocal and instrumental students, the college, jazz, and community choirs; as well as tutors the ECC music history & music theory students. Naomi graduated with her Associate of Arts and Associate of Fine Arts degrees from ECC in spring 2017. That same year she traveled to Valencia, Spain, for the Across Bridges Summer Piano Academy, where she participated in masterclasses, performed in a recital, and enjoyed taking lessons from renowned music professors from across the globe, including Dr. Michael Tsalka, María Teresa Frenk, and Dr. Jennifer Judd. When she’s not working at ECC, Naomi can be found teaching piano and accordion lessons in her private studio or playing for events, gigs, weddings, and music competitions.
Linda Rice
Fine & Performing Arts Assistant
linda.rice@eastcentral.edu