Meet Our MMME Faculty
Dr. Lynda Hasseler, D.M.A.
Dr. Lynda Hasseler, D.M.A., Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities in the Conservatory of Music at Capital University. Dr. Hasseler assumed directorship of the renowned Chapel Choir in 1990 and became the first woman to lead a choral program at the Lutheran college or university. At Capital, Dr. Hasseler directs the Chapel Choir and Choral Union and teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting. She is a graduate of Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and received her Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in conducting from Michigan State University.
Dr. Laura Kitchel
Dr. Laura Kitchel, Assistant Professor of Music Education and Area Head of Music in Education in the Conservatory of Music at Capital University. Dr. Kitchel teaches courses in Music Education, conducts the University Women’s Chorus, and directs and teaches in the Master of Music in Music Education summer program. As a clinician and researcher, Dr. Kitchel has presented at many state and national conferences, including Ohio Music Education Association, the National NAfME, the Music Research and Teacher Education National, and the Missouri Music Education Association. Dr. Kitchel holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Bowling Green State University, a master’s degree in choral conducting from the University of Kentucky, and a doctorate in Music Education from the University of Missouri.
Lilla Gabor
Lilla Gabor, was born in Budapest, Hungary and graduated with honors from the Liszt Academy in Budapest, Hungary. At the Liszt Academy, Ms. Gabor majored in Choral Conducting and Music Pedagogy and then went on to pursue post-graduate studies at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts and at Temple University in Contemporary Music, Chamber Music, Piano Accompaniment and Choral Conducting. Lilla is in great demand as a guest professor, lecturer, choral conductor and adjudicator at universities, conservatories and festivals throughout the world.
Dr. Andrea Solya
Dr. Andrea Solya, Teaching Associate Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. At the U of I, Dr. Solya teaches composition-theory and choral music courses and is the director of the Women’s Glee Club. She has also served as the Director of the Chamber Choir and Youth Chorale at the Central Illinois Children’s Chorus since 2006, and currently serves as College/University Repertoire and Standards chair of IL-ACDA. She has performed and presented on national and international stages. Dr. Solya received her Bachelor in Music and Master’s in Music Education and Choral Conducting at the University of Szeged, Hungary, a MM from The Ohio State University, and her DMA from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. During her summers, she teaches musicianship, conducting and choral methodology courses in the master’s program of the Kodaly Institute at Capital University.
Dr. Jeff Gershman
Dr. Jeff Gershman, Professor of Music and Director of Wind Ensembles at Capital University’s Conservatory of Music. At Capital, Dr. Gershman conducts the Symphonic Winds, Wind Symphony and teaches courses in instrumental pedagogy and advanced conducting. He is a popular guest conductor with both professional ensembles and high school honor bands throughout the country, including an annual series with the Dallas Winds. He is in high demand as an adjudicator, having judged band festivals in the U.S., Singapore, and Australia. As an arranger, his transcriptions of works by Frank Zappa, John Corigliano, and Eric Whitacre have received critical acclaim with performances at Carnegie Hall as well as regional and national music conventions.
Dr. Michael Cox
Dr. Michael Cox, Professor of Saxophone and Jazz Studies at Capital University. In addition to teaching, Dr. Cox is an active musician and performer with the Columbus Jazz Orchestra, the Columbus, Lancaster, and Newark Symphony Orchestras, the Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra, and other groups including Such Sweet Thunder, the Black Swamp Saxophone Quartet, the High Street Stompers Dixieland Band, the Powerhouse Trio, and Flippo. He holds a Doctor of Arts degree from the University of Northern Colorado, a Master’s degree from Wichita State University, and a Bachelor’s degree and Distinguished Alumnus 2000 Award from Cameron University.
Zach Compston
Zach Compston, Adjunct Professor in the Conservatory of Music at Capital University. Zach is a highly respected drummer, percussionist and music educator, who maintains an active performing schedule in central Ohio and beyond. Zach is the Director of Education and Community Engagement at the Jazz Arts Group of Columbus, America’s oldest non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the art of jazz through performance and education. At Capital, he conducts the Big Band and teaches the Seminar in Musical Leadership course for graduate students. He also is a faculty member of the Columbus Youth Jazz program at Jazz Arts Group, teaching lessons, jazz combos and large ensembles.