Faculty

Matthew Beck, MM
Matthew Beck, MM

Instructor of Saxophone/Clarinet Email: mbeck@aurora.edu Education: MM, Saxophone Performance, Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University
BM, Saxophone Performance, Elmhurst College

Marie Bennett, MM
Marie Bennett, MM

Adjunct Instructor of Flute and Flute Ensemble Email: mbennett@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Flute, musicianship, music theory, music editing Education: MM, Flute Performance, DePaul University
BM, Flute Performance, Northwestern University Favorite thing about AU: "The collaborative community at AU and the dedication of the students to their chosen fields. Helping students weave music into their lives no matter their majors is important to me, and being part of a community where students bring the same enthusiasm to their musical studies as they do to the rest of their academic and personal lives is very fulfilling." View LinkedIn Profile

Sungha Chi, MM
Sungha Chi, MM

Instructor of Piano Email: schi@aurora.edu Education: MM, Piano Performance, Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University
BM, Piano Performance, Music College of Chung-Ang University, South Korea

Timothy Filliman, MM
Timothy Filliman, MM

Instructor of Voice Email: tfilliman@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Voice teacher, vocal science, vocal pedagogy, diction, coaching, opera performance, musical theatre, stage movement, stage direction Education: MM, Northwestern University, Voice Performance
BM, Illinois State University, Voice Performance

Ash Fitzwater, MM
Ash Fitzwater, MM

Instructor of Strings Email: afitzwater@aurora.edu Education: MM, Violin Performance, Northern Illinois University
BM, Violin Performance, Wichita State University

Lisa Fredenburgh, DMA
Lisa Fredenburgh, DMA

Parolini Distinguished Professor of Music, Director of Choral Activities Office Phone: 630-844-4577
Email: lfredenb@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Choral conducting Education: DMA, Conducting, The University of Arizona
MM, Vocal Performance, The University of Arizona
MM, Conducting, The University of Arizona
BA, Music Education, Luther College (Decorah, Iowa) Favorite thing about AU: "Aurora is a place for each willing student to grow, even past what they think their potential is."

Jarrett Hicks, MM
Jarrett Hicks, MM

Instructor of Percussion Email: jahicks@aurora.edu Education: MM, Music Performance, The University of Nevada, Reno
BA, Music Performance, Northern Arizona University

Martha Kasten, MM
Martha Kasten, MM

Instructor of Voice Education: MM, University of Illinois, Voice Performance
BM, University of Illinois, Voice Performance Favorite thing about AU: "The wonderful variety of free events on campus that we provide through the Arts and Ideas program." View LinkedIn Profile

Andrea LaFranzo
Andrea LaFranzo

Adjunct Instructor of Applied Strings, Director of String Ensemble Email: alafranzo@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: String education, cello performance, orchestral conducting Education: BM, Cello Performance, The Boston Conservatory Favorite thing about AU: "It is a beautiful and welcoming university that embraces diverse culture and the arts, enriching the creative potential of all students."

Richard Larsen, MA
Richard Larsen, MA

Instructor of Classical Guitar Email: rlarsen@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Classical guitar instruction, performance and construction Education: MA, Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Elmhurst College
BS, Psychology/Music, Minnesota State University Favorite thing about AU: "The positive culture that promotes appreciation and respect among students and faculty."

Joyce Lawson, MM
Joyce Lawson, MM

Instructor of Piano/Collaborative Piano Email: jlawson@aurora.edu Education: MM, Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Northwestern University
BM, Piano Performance, Ball State University Favorite thing about AU: "This is a place for students to be encouraged and then challenged." View LinkedIn Profile

Chiayi Lee, DMA
Chiayi Lee, DMA

Instructor of Piano Email: clee@aurora.edu Education: DMA, Piano Performance and Pedagogy, University of Iowa
Performer’s Certificate, Piano Performance, Northern Illinois University
MM, Piano Performance and Pedagogy, Northern Illinois University
BA, Piano Performance, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan

Eunbae Lee, MM
Eunbae Lee, MM

Instructor of Piano Email: elee@aurora.edu Education: DM, Indiana University, Piano performance (candidate)
MM, University of Michigan, Piano performance
BM, Ewha Womans University, Piano performance

Cristian Pastorello, DMA
Cristian Pastorello, DMA

Associate Professor of Music Office Phone: 630-844-6842
Email: cpastore@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Piano and music theory Education: DMA, Piano Performance, The University of Connecticut
MM, Piano Performance, The Boston Conservatory
BM, Piano Performance, The Conservatory of Padua (Padua, Italy) Favorite thing about AU: "The strong sense of community and enthusiastic campus pride."

Michael Pavlick, MM
Michael Pavlik, MM

Director of Bands Email: michaelpavlik@aurora.edu Education: MM, Wind Band Conducting, University of Northern Colorado
BM, Music Education, Elmhurst University Favorite thing about AU: "Having the opportunity to work with such kind and talented students."

Mark Plummer, DA
Mark Plummer, DA

Associate Professor of Music, Chair of Music Department Office Phone: 630-844-5152
Email: mplummer@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Music history, opera, musical theatre Education: DA, Music (Choral Conducting and Opera Direction), University of Northern Colorado
MM, Music (Voice Performance), Roosevelt University
BME, Music Education, South Dakota State University Favorite thing about AU: "Making art with a great group of colleagues."

Naomi Rowley, DMA
Naomi Rowley, DMA

Instructor of Organ Email: nrowley@aurora.edu Education: DMA, MA Performance Practices of Early Keyboard Music, Harpsichord, Stanford University
BM, Organ, Church Music, Valparaiso University

Rachel Trumbore, MM
Rachel Trumbore, MM

Instructor of Trombone Email: rtrumbore@aurora.edu Education: MM, Trombone Performance, California State University Long Beach, Bob Cole Conservatory
BM, Trombone Performance, Northwestern University