Music, Theatre, & Dance

Music, Theatre, and Dance

Marywood offers all the benefits of larger music and performance programs with greater flexibility. Whatever your goals in the performing arts field—to perform, to teach, to heal, to manage, or some combination of these—you'll have numerous opportunities to practice, learn, and collaborate from Day One. Our distinctive programs in Music, Theatre, and Dance embody the depth and rigor expected of conservatory programs, but in a welcoming atmosphere that embraces an ensemble philosophy and encourages collegiality and growth. Our highly credentialed, nationally and internationally acclaimed faculty are passionate about their craft and connected to their students. In fact, students support one another and work together, rather than competing against one another for performance opportunities. There are opportunities to perform locally, regionally, nationally, and globally.

General Guidelines for All Auditions

During the audition process, there will be opportunities to perform for our audition committee and meet members of our faculty. Additional arrangements may be made to meet with academic advisors and current Marywood music and theatre students.

AUDITION Information

Craig Beavers

Featured Pacer Profile

Beavers selected among 25 young music professionals seeking careers in musical arts.
Read More

Accreditations

National Association of Schools of Music

Marywood University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. | Address: 11250 Roger Bacon Drive, Suite 21, Reston, VA 20190-5248. | Phone: (703) 437-0700

American Music Therapy Association

The Music Therapy program is approved by the American Music Therapy Association.

Professional Memberships

Marywood String Project

About The Music, Theatre, and Dance Department

The Music, Theatre, and Dance Mission

Music and theatre programs have a rich history at Marywood. Since its founding in 1915, the University has continually renewed its commitment and support of students seeking performing arts degrees. Music education was one of the original degree programs in 1915, and the Marywood program in music therapy was groundbreaking when it started more than 40 years ago. Alongside degrees in music performance, theatre, musical theatre, and arts administration, we prepare our students to meet diverse needs of the 21st century as professional artists and leaders.

Meet the Faculty & Staff

Music, Theatre, and Dance Faculty

Our highly credentialed, nationally and internationally acclaimed faculty are passionate about their craft and connected to their students.

Hoffenberg, Dr. Rick

Associate Professor
rhoffenberg@marywood.edu
x2537

Bio

Romines, Dr. Fred David

Associate Professor
dromines@marywood.edu
x2532

Bio

Appenheimer-Vaida, Christiane

Bio

Baux, Janine

Lecturer
jbaux@marywood.edu

Bio

Bond, Elise N

Lecturer
ebond@marywood.edu

Bio

Carey, Frank W

Bio

Carter, William G

Bio

Cole, Joseph F

Bio

Cowgill, Dr. Jennifer G

Associate Professor
cowgill@marywood.edu
x2529

Bio

Coyle, Dan

Lecturer
dcoyle@marywood.edu

Bio

Dunleavy, Jessica

Bio

Fay, Maria Theresa

Instructor (Pro-Rata)
mtfay@marywood.edu
x2393

Bio

Gaffney, Patricia M

Administrative Assistant
pgaffney@marywood.edu

Bio

Guevrekian, Samantha P

Lecturer
spguevrekian@marywood.edu

Bio

Hanisch, Mary Eileen

Bio

Houser, Dr. Laura Ann Camlet

Lecturer
lacamlet@marywood.edu

Bio

Houser, Ryan Michael

Technical Director/Production Manager
rhouser@marywood.edu
x2960

Bio

James, Dr. Donald J

Lecturer
djames20@marywood.edu

Bio

Jumper, David R

Bio

Kelly, Tara

Lecturer
tkelly2@marywood.edu

Bio

Kjar, David Ashton

Lecturer
dakjar@marywood.edu

Bio

Kolojejchick, Andrew

Bio

Kurilla, Stephen Patrick

Bio

Laubach, Mark

Bio

Lorusso, Vincent G

Lecturer
vlorusso@marywood.edu

Bio

Masko, John

Lecturer
jmasko@marywood.edu

Bio

Mathiesen, Steven R

Bio

McClelland, Erin A

Bio

McCusker, Sr. Joan E

Associate Professor
mccusker@marywood.edu
x2531

Bio

Moran, Leslie Mason

Bio

Morell, Katie

Bio

Mozdian, Cheryl A

Bio

Page, Carolann

Lecturer
cpage@marywood.edu

Bio

Parker, Michael F

Bio

Paskert, Sr. Joan IHM

Bio

Pyles, Dr. Timothy A

Associate Professor
tpyles@marywood.edu
570-961-4726

Bio

Rutkowski, Ellen Lynn

Bio

Salmeron Carvalho, Dr. Diogo

Assistant Professor of Practice
dcarvalho@marywood.edu

Bio

Suh, Dr. Eun Sil

Associate Professor
esuh@marywood.edu
x2527

Bio

Till, Sophie E

Associate Professor
sophietill@marywood.edu
x2378

Bio

Wargo, Edward

Bio

Williams, Cristina Sohns

Bio

Facilities & Technology

Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts

Sette LaVerghetta Center Theatre

Black Box Theatre

Music Therapy Clinic and Research Lab

Marian Chapel

Sette LaVerghetta Center for the Performing Arts:

1,100-seat Munley Theatre
Black Box Theatre
Digital piano lab
2 harpsichords and 2 harps
Extensive practice facilities
Complement of band and orchestra instruments
Multiple copies of orchestral scores
Choral music library
Vocal music library
Small library of reference books
Curriculum lab and learning centerM
2 computer labs
Biofeedback lab
MIDI Creator equipment
Music Therapy Lab
Multiple organs

Marian Chapel at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life
The Swartz Center for Spiritual Life features the beautiful Marian Chapel. In addition to liturgical celebrations, the Marian Chapel offers the Music, Theatre, and Dance Department an intimate 180-seat performing space. Completely renovated in 2007, the Marian Chapel (formerly the IHM Marian Convent), features a Peragallo pipe organ and 7-foot Steinway grand piano.

Resources

Community Involvement

Marywood University has established positive, long-standing relationships with the larger area community. Concerts, recitals, guest artist masterclasses, lectures, workshops, and academic and athletic camp programs draw a number of community constituents to campus each year.

Each year, the music unit offers a wide variety of programs and community outreach for the larger community. Target populations include: young school-age children through senior adults, as well as individuals with various disabilities. Approximately 1100-1200 students participate in the music unit’s on-campus outreach programs each year. These programs enhance the cultural, social, and aesthetic life of the wider public community. They also provide intentional, direct curricular connections and co-curricular experiences for Marywood music students.

Large Ensembles

Orchestra - The Marywood Orchestra is one of the most highly-regarded collegiate orchestras in the Northeast Pennsylvania region. The ensemble welcomes music majors, non-majors, and community members. Recent repertoire has included the Dvořák's New World Symphony and Mozart’s The Magic Flute.

Wind Symphony - Marywood’s premiere band ensemble; it typically includes nearly 100 student, faculty, staff, and community instrumentalists. This group focuses on literature requiring large instrumental forces. In recent years, members of the Wind Symphony have embarked on concert tours to Italy and China.

Wind Ensemble - Marywood’s small band ensemble provides opportunities for woodwind, brass, and percussion players to perform challenging pieces best suited to smaller and flexible instrumental forces.

Concert Choir - A large ensemble that performs a wide range of repertoire, from a cappella motets to orchestral masterworks such as the Requiems of Mozart, Verdi, and Brahms. Concert Choir frequently performs with the Northeast Pennsylvania Philharmonic, as well as other orchestras. The choir also performs regularly in the Marywood University Rotunda.

Chamber Singers - A small select choir that performs ambitious repertoire ranging from the Early Renaissance to world premieres. Chamber Singers was featured at the National Convention of the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities in 2021 and 2022, and has twice been a national finalist for the American Prize in Choral Performance. This ensemble goes on a concert tour every spring.

Jazz Ambassadors - A jazz ensemble that welcomes student instrumentalists in any major. They perform a variety of jazz repertoire and have invited well-known jazz soloists for master classes and performances.

Tutti Ensemble - The Tutti Ensemble is a student-run program that teaches mentally or physically challenged young adults to play instruments and/or sing. Members of the Tutti Ensemble collaborate with Marywood’s music therapy and music education majors in the preparation of two annual concerts.

Chamber Ensembles

Woodwind Ensemble - Small instrumental winds ensemble; open to woodwind majors and non-majors.

Brass Ensemble - Small instrumental brass ensemble; open to brass majors and non-majors.

Percussion Ensemble - Small instrumental percussion ensemble; open to percussion majors and non-majors.

Chamber Music Ensembles - Small instrumental groups focusing on the performance of classical chamber music repertoire for strings, winds, and piano.

Instrumental Ensembles

Orchestra - Large orchestral ensemble; membership open to music majors, non-majors, and community volunteers. Permission of the Director is required for participation. All string music majors required to participate in orchestra.

Wind Symphony - Marywood’s premiere large instrumental band ensemble. Participation is required of all Marywood Music majors whose major performance medium (as determined by departmental acceptance audition) lies in the winds or percussion area. This group focuses on literature requiring large instrumental forces.

Wind Ensemble - Marywood’s premiere small instrumental ensemble. Participation is required of all Marywood music instrumental majors, but welcomes other Marywood students via audition. The Wind Ensemble consists of woodwind, brass, and percussion players who perform pieces of various instrumentation and styles best suited for smaller and flexible instrumental forces.

Jazz Ambassadors - Medium-size instrumental jazz ensemble; membership open to music majors and non-majors.

Tutti Ensemble - A student-run program that assists mentally or physically disabled clients to play music.

Small Music Ensembles

Woodwind Ensemble - Small instrumental winds ensemble; open to woodwind majors and non-majors.

Brass Ensemble - Small instrumental brass ensemble; open to brass majors and non-majors.

Percussion Ensemble - Small instrumental percussion ensemble; open to percussion majors and non-majors.

Chamber Music Ensembles - Small instrumental groups focusing on the performance of classical chamber music repertoire for strings, winds, and piano.

Guitar Ensemble - Open to classical guitar majors and non-majors.

Flute Ensemble - Open to flute majors and non-majors.

Marywood Guitar Ensemble - The Marywood Guitar Ensemble inspires audiences through its excellence in performing a very diverse repertoire, from Renaissance to Reggae. Ensemble members improvise, perform intricate guitar counterpoint, deliver surprising contemporary experimental pieces, and “groove" through rhythms such as waltz, rag, and bossa-nova.

Marywood Contemporary Music Ensemble - The Marywood Contemporary Music Ensemble is an undergraduate instrumental ensemble that performs and promotes works by twentieth-century composers, non-traditional offerings, world music repertoire, and Marywood students’ own original compositions.

Theatre Ensemble

For main-stage and student-directed productions; consists of all theatre degree students as well as non-majors who wish to be involved in public performance. There are three main-stage productions each year, including Children's Theatre.

Community-focused Ensembles:

Celebrations - Includes Junior and Senior Wind Band Celebrations (held annually for wind, brass, and percussion students in middle and high school) and String Celebration (held annually for string students in middle and high school; features a Senior Orchestra, Junior Orchestra, and Chamber Orchestra)

String Project - An after-school, pre-collegiate string program for students ages 7-18. Participants take small-group lessons in violin, viola, cello, and double bass; participate in orchestra; and perform in concerts. String Project participants are divided into three levels; beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Students are assigned to a group based on experience.

Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble - The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble operates under the auspices of the Conn-Selmer Division of Education, headed by Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and is hosted by Marywood University. Through this unique relationship, high school age performers work directly with esteemed conductors, educators, composers, and guest performing artists, thus providing an opportunity to experience music in a unique, rewarding, instructive and constructive environment. The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble membership, chosen through a process that currently involves director recommendations, is composed of wind and percussion performers from the public, private, parochial and home schools in the Northeastern Pennsylvania area and beyond. All members must be actively involved in their school music program and must be recommended by their music teacher.

Clubs

Music Education Club (NAfME)

Music Therapy Club

Marywood Players

Jazz Education Network

Chamber Singers

Concert Choir

Pi Kappa Lambda, Zeta Epsilon chapter

Alpha Psi Omega, Alpha Zeta Psi Chapter

Student Resources

MTD Student Handbook

The information in this handbook is designed to familiarize you with university and department policies specific to the MTD degree programs.
Please save this handbook, as it will provide guidance throughout your studies at Marywood. Bring this handbook to all academic advising sessions.

Student Handbook

General Guidelines for All Auditions

Audition Information

Other

Special Projects

Music Celebrations

Includes the annual Junior and Senior Wind Band and Orchestra Celebrations for middle school and high school students. It has been a goal to bring the finest clinicians and conductors to each event and provide memorable experiences for the Marywood students and music students from many schools in the area. The level of participation and status of the events continue to grow.

String Project

An after-school, pre-collegiate string program for students ages 7-18. Participants take small-group lessons in violin, viola, cello, double bass, and guitar; participate in orchestra; and perform in concerts. String Project participants are divided into three levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. Students are assigned to a group based on experience. Marywood String Project won the 2010 ASTA String Project of the Year Award.

Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble

The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble operates under the auspices of the Conn-Selmer Division of Education, headed by Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser and is hosted by Marywood University. Through this unique relationship, high school age performers work directly with esteemed conductors, educators, composers, and guest performing artists, thus providing an opportunity to experience music in a unique, rewarding, instructive and constructive environment. The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble membership is composed of wind and percussion performers from public, private, parochial and home schools in the Northeastern Pennsylvania area and beyond. All members must be actively involved in their school music program and must be recommended by their music teachers.

Latin Week at Marywood University

A week dedicated to all communities connected to the Latin language, in order to celebrate, study, and show its heritage. Events include concerts, round-tables, lectures, exhibitions, and multimedia initiatives. According to Marywood Professor Diogo Carvalho, who spearheads the initiative, Latin Week is a shared event where the Marywood University community learns from the Scranton community, and vice-versa.

Undergraduate

Arts Administration - Music

Arts Administration - Theatre

Music (Musical Theatre)

Music Education

Music Performance

Music Therapy

Theatre

Theatre Education

Music Theatre and Dance Events

When	Event	Location
Summer 2024 Sessions
Saturday, May 18, 2024	106th Annual Commencement Ceremony 106th Annual Commencement Ceremony Date/Time: Saturday, May 18, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Commencement Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Monday, May 20, 2024	Summer Session I Begins. Summer Session I Begins. Date/Time: Monday, May 20, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Monday, May 20, 2024	Summer Session III Begins. Summer Session III Begins. Date/Time: Monday, May 20, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Monday, May 27, 2024	Memorial Day: No Classes. Administrative Offices Closed. Memorial Day: No Classes. Administrative Offices Closed. Date/Time: Monday, May 27, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Tuesday, May 28, 2024	Summer I & III Classes Resume Summer I & III Classes Resume Date/Time: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Tuesday, May 28, 2024	Summer I & III Classes Resume: All Administrative Offices Open Summer I & III Classes Resume: All Administrative Offices Open Date/Time: Tuesday, May 28, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Summer I& III Classses Resume..All Administrative Offices Open Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Wednesday, June 19, 2024	Juneteenth: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed Juneteenth: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed Date/Time: Wednesday, June 19, 2024 Location: Academic Dates All Administrative Offices Closed Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Thursday, June 20, 2024	Summer Session I & III Classes Resume Summer Session I & III Classes Resume Date/Time: Thursday, June 20, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Saturday, June 22, 2pm – Saturday, June 29, 2024, 5pm	Design Your Future Camp 2024 Design Your Future Camp 2024 Date/Time: Saturday, June 22, 2pm – Saturday, June 29, 2024, 5pm EDT Location: Center for Architectural Studies 105 From June 22nd until June 29th 2024, junior and senior high school students enrolled in the Design your Future Program will be actively participating in the eight – days combination of fun design projects and competitions organized and guided by our school’s experienced faculty. Students will be exposed to a number of practical and theoretical questions presented as part of guest lecture and workshop series, and will have the opportunity to converse with a number of practicing architects and designers. Design your Future Program 2024 will be housed in the Center for Architectural Studies at Marywood University. Students will be assigned individual desks and will have the opportunity of using the same spaces as our undergraduate and graduate students. Furthermore, students enrolled in the program will have the opportunity of seeing in action various laboratories and shops (wood / metal / 3D printing / CNC router / laser cutting / etc.). Design your Future Program 2024 is designed with the desire of an immersive experience, engaging students in a number of demonstrations anchored to the Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Construction Management Programs. The program’s principal goal is to reach out to a wide group of high school students. The program considers diversity and inclusivity to be important factors in the establishing of an affordable participation fee of $1,150 (including room & board, program supplies, and day trip bus & venue entrance fares). The program will also offer a number of need-based scholarships. Secure Your Spot! Camps Agenda Email Reminder	Center for Architectural Studies 105
Tuesday, July 2, 2024	Summer Session I Grades Due by Noon. Summer Session I Grades Due by Noon. Date/Time: Tuesday, July 2, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Summer Session I Grades Due by Noon Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Summer 2024 Sessions
Thursday, July 4, 2024	Independence Day: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed. Independence Day: No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed. Date/Time: Thursday, July 4, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Friday, July 5, 2024	No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed. (Online Hours to Supplant Lost Day.) No Classes, All Administrative Offices Closed. (Online Hours to Supplant Lost Day.) Date/Time: Friday, July 5, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Monday, July 8, 2024	Summer Session II Begins. Summer Session II Begins. Date/Time: Monday, July 8, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Monday, July 8, 2024	Summer Session III Classes Resume Summer Session III Classes Resume Date/Time: Monday, July 8, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Saturday, August 17, 2024	Summer Session III Classes End. Summer Session III Classes End. Date/Time: Saturday, August 17, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Sunday, August 18, 2024	Summer Session II Classes End. Summer Session II Classes End. Date/Time: Sunday, August 18, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Tuesday, August 20, 2024	Summer Session II & III Grades Due by Noon Summer Session II & III Grades Due by Noon Date/Time: Tuesday, August 20, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Summer Session II&III Grades Due by Noon Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Sunday, August 25, 2024	Official Graduation Date for Students Fulfilling Degree Requirements in Summer Sessions. Official Graduation Date for Students Fulfilling Degree Requirements in Summer Sessions. Date/Time: Sunday, August 25, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Official Graduation Date for Students Fulfilling Degree Requirements in Summer Sessions. Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Fall 2024 Semester
Monday, August 26, 2024	Fall term begins. A $35.00 late fee will be charged on registrations received on or after this date. Fall term begins. A $35.00 late fee will be charged on registrations received on or after this date. Date/Time: Monday, August 26, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Fall Semester 08/26/24 - 12/16/24 Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Monday, October 7, 2024	Mid-Semester Examinations Begin Mid-Semester Examinations Begin Date/Time: Monday, October 7, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Fall 2024 Semester
Monday, October 14 – Tuesday, October 15, 2024	Undergraduate and Graduate Fall Break day - No Classes Undergraduate and Graduate Fall Break day - No Classes Date/Time: Monday, October 14 – Tuesday, October 15, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Undergraduate and Graduate Fall Break day - No Classes Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Wednesday, November 6, 2024	Advocacy Day (Online Hours to Supplant Lost Day) Advocacy Day (Online Hours to Supplant Lost Day) Date/Time: Wednesday, November 6, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Thursday, November 28 – Saturday, November 30, 2024	All Administrative Offices Closed All Administrative Offices Closed Date/Time: Thursday, November 28 – Saturday, November 30, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Monday, December 9, 2024	Monday Classes Must Supplement with Online Hours to Meet Regulatory Requirements Monday Classes Must Supplement with Online Hours to Meet Regulatory Requirements Date/Time: Monday, December 9, 2024 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Tuesday, December 24, 2024 – Wednesday, January 1, 2025	All Administrative Offices Closed All Administrative Offices Closed Date/Time: Tuesday, December 24, 2024 – Wednesday, January 1, 2025 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Wednesday, January 1, 2025	New Year’s Day New Year’s Day Date/Time: Wednesday, January 1, 2025 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Thursday, January 2, 2025	All Administrative Offices Reopen All Administrative Offices Reopen Date/Time: Thursday, January 2, 2025 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Sunday, January 12, 2025	University Housing Reopens at 12 P.M. (First Meal Begins with Dinner) University Housing Reopens at 12 P.M. (First Meal Begins with Dinner) Date/Time: Sunday, January 12, 2025 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Spring 2025 Semester
Monday, January 13, 2025	Spring Semester Classes Begin Spring Semester Classes Begin Date/Time: Monday, January 13, 2025 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Monday, January 20, 2025	Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: No Classes, Administrative Offices Closed Martin Luther King, Jr. Day: No Classes, Administrative Offices Closed Date/Time: Monday, January 20, 2025 Location: Academic Dates No Classes. All Administrative Offices Closed. Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Spring 2025 Semester
Tuesday, January 21, 2025	Last day to register/add classes. Last day to register/add classes. Date/Time: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Tuesday, January 21, 2025	Spring Semester Classes Resume Spring Semester Classes Resume Date/Time: Tuesday, January 21, 2025 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Monday, February 10, 2025	Registration Begins for Summer Classes Registration Begins for Summer Classes Date/Time: Monday, February 10, 2025 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Monday, March 3, 2025	Mid-Semester Examinations Begin Mid-Semester Examinations Begin Date/Time: Monday, March 3, 2025 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates
Saturday, March 8 – Sunday, March 16, 2025	Spring Break (Through 03/15) Spring Break (Through 03/15) Date/Time: Saturday, March 8 – Sunday, March 16, 2025 Location: Academic Dates Email Reminder	Academic Dates