Music Faculty

Dr Michael Burch-Pesses
Professor, Director of Bands
503-352-2897

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.

Dijana Ihas conducting
Professor, Music Department Chair
503-352-2102

Dijana Ihas is a Professor of Music at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, where she currently serves as a Department Chair. She teaches courses in music education, string pedagogy, and orchestra methods and materials. Dr. Ihas also directs and conducts the Pacific Philharmonic Orchestra. Her primary instrument is the viola.

Katy Green
Assistant Professor, Director of Choral Activities

Katy Green is the Director of Choral Activities and Assistant Professor of Music Education at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. In this role, she conducts the Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, oversees the Choral Project, and teaches conducting and music education courses.

Director Murakami
Director, Music Therapy Program
503-352-3122

Brea Murakami is a board-certified music therapist and Interim Director of music therapy at Pacific University.

Shelly R. Broder
Assistant Professor, Music Therapy - Clinical Coordinator
503-352-2279

Shelly Broder, 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.

Cessaries Galusha
Piano Area Coordinator
503-352-2216

Cessaries Galusha earned a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a Masters of Music in Piano Performance from the University of OR.

Assistant Professor of Voice, Voice Area Coordinator
503-352-2216

Anne McKee Reed is an Assistant Professor of Voice and Voice Area Coordinator at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. In this role, she oversees the music department's voice area activities, teaches vocal performance courses, and produces the music department’ s annual musical or opera.

Ryan Francis
Assistant Professor

Dr. Ryan Francis teaches music theory, music technology, and world music at Pacific University. 

Kate Rogers
Instructor

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

Judy Rose
Instructor
503-352-2216

Judy A. Rose has a B.S. and M.Ed from Portland State University

Dot Van Dyk
Adjunct Professor

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

Joannah Ball
Instructor
503-352-2216

Soprano Joannah Ball brings her shimmering, facile voice and compelling artistry to a variety of operatic and concert repertoire. 

Owen Broder Saxophonist and Band Leader
Instructor

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

Instructor
503-352-2216

Steve Conrow is an Instructor in the Music Department.

Instructor
503-352-2216

Arlyn Curtis is an instructor in the Music Department

Adjunct Instructor
503-352-2216

Alan Juza is an adjunct professor in the Music Department.

Konstantin Kvach
Instructor
503-352-2216

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.

Instructor
503-352-2216

Hailed as a "barnstorming violin exponent" (Flying Inkpot, Singapore), violinist Kevin A. Lefohn maintains an internaBonal career as recital soloist, chamber musician, and pedagogue. 

Noah
Instructor
503-352-2216

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

Lauren Sheehan
Instructor

Lauren Sheehan teaches guitar, mandolin, banjo and acoustic folk ensemble at Pacific University and performs regionally and nationally. 

Rebecca Towers  - Flute
Instructor
503-352-2216

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.  

Louis DiMartino
Instructor

A native of Staten Island, Louis DeMartino is the principal clarinetist of the Hawaii Symphony Orchestra, as well as the principal clarinetist of the Portland Opera, Oregon Ballet Theatre Orchestras, and the principal clarinetist of the Colorado Music Festival in Boulder, CO.

Michael Hettwer
Instructor
503-352-2216

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. 

W. Reno
Instructor
(914) 804-0708

Will has performed with the Oregon Symphony, Eugene Symphony, Portland Chamber Orchestra, Bach Cantata Choir, Portland Columbia Symphony Orchestra, and many other local groups and orchestras. Will has also toured with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra and performed with artists such as Andrea Boccelli and The Who.

Sam Rhoton
Instructor
503-352-2216

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.

Grace Weaver
Instructor
503-352-2216

Grace Weaver graduated with honors from the University of New Mexico with master’s degrees in Music Theory as well as Vocal Performance in 2022.

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.

Scott Tuomi
Professor Emeritus

Scott Tuomi has performed internationally to critical acclaim as a tenor soloist in recitals, opera and oratorio.