Music Faculty

Michael Burch-Pesses is director of bands at Pacific University. He teaches conducting, music education and MIDI technology. His enjoyed a distinguished career as a bandmaster in the U.S. Navy and is conductor of the Oregon Symphonic Band.

Dr. Stephens' compositions have been featured at many regional and national festivals, and he frequently serves as an adjudicator and guest lecturer.

Shelly R. Zeiser, MA, MT-BC is an assistant professor of music therapy and the clinical coordinator at Pacific University. She received her MA from the University of Iowa and BM from University of the Pacific and is pursuing a PhD in Education and Leadership from Pacific University. Prior to working at Pacific, she served as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Iowa.

Applied Music is the Voice Area Coordinator in the Music Department

Dr. Kate Rogers teaches Music History and Viola at Pacific University, bridging the spaces between academic and applied musical studies.

Dot Van Dyke is an adjunct professor in the music education and MAT programs at Pacific University.

Saxophonist and band leader Owen Broder runs in a variety of musical circles.

Arlyn Curtis is an instructor in the Music Department

Born in Russia, bass Konstantin Kvach has enjoyed recognition as one of the Pacific Northwest's leading basses. He has performed as a soloist in Germany, the Czech Republic and in the Baltic States.

Noah Seitz, a Corvallis native, completed his Bachelors Degree in Cello Performance at the UMKC Conservatory of Music in 2001.

Rebecca Towers is a free-lance flutist in the Portland and Vancouver areas and plays regularly with many chamber ensembles.  Along with teaching flute at Pacific University, she also teaches in Southwest Washington.  

Michael Hettwer has been a freelance horn player in the Pacific Northwest for 35 years. He is principal horn with the Portland Opera Orchestra and Third Horn with the Oregon Ballet Theatre Orchestra. He also frequently plays with the Oregon Symphony and Eugene Symphony orchestras. 

Bassoonist Samuel Rhoton has enjoyed a diverse career as a chamber musician, educator, orchestral musician, and administrator. Originally from Salem Oregon, he has toured internationally in Latin America and across the United States. After a successful audition in 2023, Samuel was appointed principal bassoon of the Portland Opera in Portland Oregon.

Christine Korb is an experienced Music Therapy Program Director and has been involved with program development, initiating and implementing program curriculum and strategies, is actively involved with the program assessment process and collaborates with community professionals as she increases the numbers of music therapists practicing and employed nationwide.