BCCMS Faculty Biographies
October 29, 2009, Faculty Recital
Left to right: Mrs. Hall, Mrs. Powell, Mrs. Boutwell, Dr. Luther, Mrs. Keck,
Mrs. Goodman, Miss Gehring, Mrs. Barger, Mr. Barger
Mrs. Linda Barger, Piano
Mrs. Linda Barger has been teaching piano students for thirty years. She studied piano and organ with Dr. J. James Greasby, former head of the music department at Bryan College. In 1989 she received the Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (organ study with Dr. Walker Breland). Linda lives with her husband, Roy (a classical guitarist and string instrument builder) in Dayton with their children.Mr. Roy Barger, Guitar
Mr. Roy Barger holds a Master of Music degree in guitar performance from The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He studied under Dr. Mario Abril, who is a former student of the Spanish guitarist, Andrés Segovia. Roy is an adjunct instructor of guitar for the Bryan College Department of Music. He teaches community students as well, and has been doing so for over thirty years. Roy is also a Master Chief in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. Roy is a string instrument builder and especially enjoys building musical instruments which were in common use during the Renaissance and Baroque periods of music history, such as the lute and viola da gamba. He is a life member in the United States Chess Federation and a member of the Viola da Gamba Society of America. He and his wife, Linda, have four children.Mrs. Mary Blackburn, Piano, Organ
Mrs. Mary Blackburn graduated from Bryan College with a degree in Piano Pedagogy. While at Bryan, she studied piano and organ with Jason DuRoy. She teaches private piano lessons (both Traditional and Suzuki) and preschool music in the greater Chattanooga area and is currently serving as adjunct faculty in the piano department at Bryan College. She is the Vice President and Program Chair of the Chattanooga Music Teachers Association. She resides in Soddy Daisy, TN, and is involved with the music ministry at her church. **not taking students at this time
Mrs. Gerianne Boutwell, Piano
Mrs. Gerianne Boutwell began taking piano lessons at the age of 4 and was winning competitions five years later. She studied piano under several teachers, has taught piano for over ten years, and graduated from Bryan College in 2003 with a B.A. in Christian Education and a minor in music. Gerianne is very active in her church, is part of the worship team and director of children's Sunday School. She has been married for 7 years and has a 3-year-old son.
Mrs. Allison Hall, Piano
Mrs. Allison Hall is the newlywed of the BCCMS teachers. She and her husband, Josh, were married on October 10, 2009. They are settled into their new house here in Dayton. Allison graduated from Bryan College with a piano pedagogy degree in 2008 and has taught piano since her senior year of high school. **not taking students at this time
Mrs. Rachel Jones
Mrs. Rachel Jones has taught piano lessons for three years and has studied piano under several teachers for 15 years. She has been playing since she was 4, and she is offering private piano lessons for beginning and elementary students using a combination of Suzuki and traditional methods. She graduated from Bryan College with a B.A. in English Literature in 2010. She lives in Dayton with her husband, Keith, and dog, Tucker.
Mrs. Kimberly Keck, Voice
Mrs. Kimberly Keck is Assistant Professor of Music at Bryan College where she teaches Applied Voice, Music Education related courses as well as directs Women’s Chorus and Opera Workshop. Mrs. Keck holds a Masters degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, and is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Music Education from Boston University. Mrs. Keck lives in Dayton, TN with her husband, Steve and their four children. More info... **not taking students at this time
Dr. Sigrid Luther, Piano
Dr. Sigrid Luther and her husband David have taught at Bryan College for 32 years. She is Vice President and National Senior (high school) Competitions Coordinator for the Music Teachers National Association. The Drs. Luther have two married daughters and three grandchildren. More info... **not taking students at this time
Miss Alissa Passburg, Student-Piano
Alissa Passburg has been teaching piano lessons for seven years and is currently completing her B.S. in Piano Pedagogy at Bryan College under the guidance of Dr. Sigrid Luther. She has been a member of the Chattanooga Area Collegiate Chapter of the Music Teachers National Association since her freshman year at Bryan. She served as Vice President of the chapter during her sophomore year and is currently serving her second year as President.
Mrs. Sally Powell, Voice, Piano
Mrs. Sally Powell, NCTM, holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Moody Bible Institute. An Adjunct Voice Professor at Bryan College, her performance experience includes five seasons with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Chorus under the direction of Maestros Duane Wolfe and Daniel Barenboim. A member of NATS and MTNA, she has taught voice and piano students for twenty years in her private studio as well as a suburban Chicago high school. Sally serves on the Executive Board of the Chattanooga Music Teachers Association, and her students have been finalists and winners in regional and state competitions. In addition to her work with private students, she directs the Bryan College Community Youth Choir. Sally lives in Dayton with her husband, Ken, and their sons, Joshua and Clayton.
Mrs. Alicia Roberts
Alicia Roberts completed a B.S. degree in Musical Theater from Bryan College this past May. During her time at Bryan, Alicia appeared in numerous musical and theatrical performances, some of which include "Annie Get Your Gun" in 2009, "The Man of LaMancha" in 2010, and her senior musical showcase, "Dear Old Friends", this past February. While at Bryan, Alicia attended regular voice lessons, sang in both the Bryan College Chorale and Chamber Singers, and competed in the National Association for Teachers of Singers (NATS) competition. She is currently residing in Dayton with her husband and is teaching musical theater, music lessons, and drama lessons part-time at Rhea County Academy.
Mr. Jamie Smith, Percussion
Jamie Smith holds his Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is the director of bands at Dayton City School. Mr. Smith has taught percussion in public and private schools for over ten years and has performed with and taught award winning drumlines and percussion ensembles. He was also a percussionist with the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera from 2000-2002 under the direction of Maestro Robert Bernhardt. Mr. Smith's students have received numerous regional and state awards and scholarships. Mr. Smith is a member of the ETSBOA, TSSBDA, TBA, TBA, and PAS. He currently resides in Dayton with his wife, Bethany, and two children, James and Chloe.
Miss Ally Underwood, Flute
Ally Underwood recently completed her B.S. in Music Education from Bryan College where she was actively involved in the Bryan College Chorale, Chamber Singers, and Flute Quartet. In addition to playing flute in several orchestral performances at Bryan College, she also played for the musicals "Annie Get Your Gun" and "Scrooge." She has been teaching flute lessons for three years.
Miss Kristen Underwood, Violin
Kristen Underwood is currently a Senior Music Administration major at Bryan College where she is involved in the Bryan College Chorale and Chamber Singers. She has played violin for Bryan's musical "Annie Get Your Gun" and has also participated in the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Youth Orchestras.
