Music Faculty
Brian Dunbar — Associate Professor of Music (1995)
Mr. Dunbar holds a Master of Music degree in Theory/Music Education from Minnesota State University, Mankato, as well as a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition from Biola University in Southern California. Mr. Dunbar directs the college’s ensembles and teaches in the areas of music theory & composition, choral conducting, music technology, worship, and music ministry. His textbook/workbook, Practical Music Theory: A Guide to Music as Art, Language, and Life was recently published by Factum Musicae. In addition to teaching, he has spent more than 20 years as worship pastor in the local church.
Mark Woeste — Adjunct Instructor of Music: History & Literature, Music Education, Brass (1999)
Mr. Woeste is a member of two local brass quintets – Rochester Brassworks and Med City Brass, and is a member of the Austin Symphony, where he has been featured as a soloist. In addition to numerous local performances and guest appearances, Mark has played on various occasions with the Minnesota Orchestra. A worshiper at Christ Community Church in Rochester, Mr. Woeste has composed and arranged more than fifty works for brass. He holds a B.M.E., from the University of Northern Iowa and did additional graduate studies at Iowa State University.
Charles Li — Adjunct Professor of Violin (2002)
Mr. Li has a Master of Music degree from Southern Illinois University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College in Ohio. Charles is a sought-after Suzuki violin teacher with a thriving studio of his own. He also enjoys working with violin construction and repair. Charles is very active in the music and worship ministry at Rochester Pentecostal Church, where he plays guitar, bass, and violin.
Kevin Carey — Adjunct Instructor of Guitar (2007)
Kevin studied Guitar and Classical Composition at both Berklee College of Music in Boston and State University of New York at New Paltz. He has done sessions in NYC studios and played over 500 gigs with well-known local bands as well as throughout the midwest and on the East Coast. Kevin was part of the worship team at Rochester Assembly of God for a decade and also plays regularly at St. Francis. He is an accomplished bassist, drummer and vocalist as well.
Jill Gill — Adjunct Instructor of Voice (2008)
Mrs. Gill holds a degree in Music Therapy from the University of Kansas, and is active in the worship ministry at Rochester Covenant Church. She has been a featured soloist on numerous occasions with both the Rochester Chorale and Choral Arts Ensemble, where she also sang in an elite six-member vocal jazz ensemble.
Marilyn Carriere — Adjunct Professor of Piano (2009)
Mrs. Carriere grew up performing in the Los Angeles area, and has a Bachelor's of Piano Performance and Master's of Piano Performance from the University of Southern California. She also wrote as music critic for the Los Angeles Times before moving from the area. Marilyn moved to Minnesota in 1990 with her husband and family, and has been teaching privately since then and performing in Southeastern Minnesota. Marilyn has attended and served at Christ Community Church in Rochester for a number of years.
Music Staff
Brenda Vaught — Staff Accompanist (2008)
Mrs. Vaught accompanies the Chorale as well as vocalists and instrumentalists for recitals and music juries. She also does solo work and accompanies for Crossroads events. A skilled sight-reader and improviser, Brenda has released a solo piano CD that showcases her abilities to the glory of God.
Catt Jobes — Music Librarian (2010)
Catt assists Professor Dunbar by maintaining the music library, managing the music department database, serving as Vice President of Chorale, and other administrative duties.