Faculty

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

Gianna Capobianco, MM

Instructor of Flute, Director of Flute Ensemble Email: gcapobianco@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: Flute education, flute performance Education: MM, Music Performance, Northern Illinois University
Performers Certificate, Northern Illinois University
BM, Elmhurst University Favorite thing about AU: "The collaborative and enthusiastic faculty and students create a joyful and encouraging environment at AU."

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

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

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

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

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, MM

Adjunct Instructor of Applied Strings, Director of String Ensemble Email: alafranzo@aurora.edu Areas of expertise: String education, cello performance, orchestral conducting Education:

MM, Orchestral Conducting, Northern Illinois University
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

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

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

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

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

Brianna Murray, MM

Instructor of Voice Email: bmurray@aurora.edu Education: DMA, Voice, Indiana University (candidate)
MM, Voice, Indiana University
BM Voice, BA Psychology, Oberlin Conservatory Favorite thing about AU: "The welcoming culture and hardworking, kind students."

Cristian Pastorello, DMA

Professor of Music, Chair of Music, Marvel E. Davis Distinguished 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 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

Associate Professor of Music 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."

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