Cline School of Music Faculty and Instructional Staff

David Cudd, Ed.D

Interim Associate Dean of the Cline School of Music
Associate Professor of Music Education
Program Coordinator for Master of Music Education

David Cudd serves as the Interim Associate Dean of the Cline School of Music, director of music education and coordinator for the Master of Music Education program at NGU. He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Furman University, a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a Doctor of Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Cudd completed a 28-year career as an instructor in the public school system. He has also maintained a 30-plus-year history as a visual designer, consultant, and adjudicator in the Marching Arts. In his spare time, he enjoys woodworking, being outdoors, and spending time with his family.

Phone: (864) 663-7503

Email: David.Cudd@ngu.edu

Office Location: FAC 133

Brent Coppenbarger, D.M.A.

Professor of Music

Dr. Brent Coppenbarger serves as professor of woodwinds in the Music Department at NGU. Coppenbarger earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in clarinet performance from the University of Wisconsin and a Master of Music degree in performance from the Chicago Musical College of Roosevelt University. He has authored two books, both published by Rowman & Littlefield. He is married to the author Sonja Condit and has two children.

Phone: (864) 977-7089

Email: Brent.Coppenbarger@ngu.edu

Office Location: FAC 121

Christopher Davis, D.M.A.

Associate Professor of Music

Dr. Christopher Davis serves as Associate Professor of Percussion at NGU, where he teaches applied percussion and directs the NGU Percussion Ensemble and the NGU Marching Crusaders Drumline. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in percussion performance from the University of South Carolina, a Master of Arts degree in percussion performance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Music degree in music performance from Capital University. He is the Principal Percussionist with the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra, while also presenting clinics and performances on a regular basis. Christopher and his wife, Jennifer, have four children and attend Grace Church-Greer.

Phone: (864) 977-7176

Email: Chris.Davis@ngu.edu

Office Location: M1

Cheryl Greene, D.M.A.

Professor of Voice
Program Coordinator for Voice

Dr. Cheryl Greene serves as the coordinator of the voice program at NGU. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree in sacred music and a Master of Music degree in vocal performance from Bob Jones University. Her Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in vocal performance was completed at the University of South Carolina in Columbia. She is also a certified teacher in Somatic Voicework The LoVetri Method. Greene lives in Taylors with her "diva dog" — a shih-tzu named Yum Yum — and enjoys knitting and working in the yard.

Phone: (864) 977-7262

Email: Cheryl.Greene@ngu.edu

Office Location: FAC 124

Stephen Griner, M.M.

Instructor of Music
Collaborative Pianist

Stephen Griner serves in the Music Department at NGU as Collaborative Pianist. He holds a bachelor's degree in music education and a master's degree in piano performance from Bob Jones University. After graduating, Griner took four years of further study with Marta Mihich. Griner has been music director for the South Carolina Children's Theatre mainstage productions since 2008, and he has performed with Centre Stage in Greenville and at the Peace Center. Griner is an elder and the music director at Blue Ridge Presbyterian Church in Greer. He enjoys writing and arranging music, and has seen his work published and recorded. He runs a private studio from home.

Phone: (864) 977-2196

Email: Stephen.Griner@ngu.edu

Office Location: Room 112

Megan Hollifield, M.M.

Instructor of Music Worship Studies

Megan Hollifield serves as an instructor of Music worship studies in the Music department at NGU. Hollifield earned her Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Worship Studies from NGU and Masters fo Music and Worship Arts from Liberty University. Prior to teaching at NGU, Hollifield worked as a music teacher for Green Charter Schools, and currently owns a music lesson studio, Hollifield Music, in Spartanburg, SC. In her spare time, Hollifield enjoys spending time with her husband, Dillon and son Huxton.

Phone: (864) 663-7506

Email: Megan.Hollifield@ngu.edu

Office Location: FAC 122

Angela Horn-Barrett, B.M., Artist Diploma, Julliard

Instructor of Voice

Angela Horn-Barrett serves as Associate Professor of Voice at NGU. She received a B.M. in Vocal Performance from the University of Missouri- Kansas City Conservatory, an Artist Diploma's in Advanced Vocal Studies from the New England Conservatory, and was a graduate of the prestigious Juilliard Opera Center program. Previously, Ms. Horn-Barrett has served on the voice faculties of Birmingham Southern University, University of Missouri-St. Louis and the University of Memphis.

She has performed to popular acclaim on four continents where she has sung leading roles with prominent opera companies and orchestras, including Opera de Montreal, Teatro Nacional de la Dominicana, Opera Lyra Ottawa, the New York City Opera, Baltimore Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, Florida Grand Opera, Festspielhaus Baden-Baden, Hamburgische Staatsoper and Opera de Monte Carlo on a tour of Japan singing the title role of Carmen alongside tenor Roberto Alagna. Amongst several awards, Ms. Horn-Barrett was named one of New York City Opera’s “Outstanding Artists of the Year”.

She has also appeared as soloist with many leading orchestras, such as the Minnesota Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, the Greenville Symphony, the Bach Society of Saint Louis, the Apollo Chorus of Chicago in Orchestra Hall, The National Chorale of New York City and the American Symphony Orchestra in Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall. Always having a keen desire to mentor aspiring young artists, Ms. Horn-Barrett has directed multiple vocal institutes, directed scene programs and full length productions and has been in demand as a master class clinician nationally. She lives in Greenville with her children Andrew and Alyse and husband, Rev. Tom Barrett, the Director of Worship Arts at First Presbyterian Church of Greenville, South Carolina. After a 17 year career singing professionally, Tom & Angela were called to vocational ministry, and have served in ministry together since 2006.

Phone: (864) 977-7082

Email: Angela.Barrett@ngu.edu

Office Location: FAC 123

Seth Killen, D.M.A.

Associate Professor of Voice

Dr. Seth Killen serves as an associate professor of voice at NGU. He joined the NGU faculty in Fall 2014.  Previously, he served on the faculties of Transylvania University and Eastern Illinois University. He holds a Master of Music in voice performance and literature from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Doctorate of Musical Arts with a cognate in voice pedagogy from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. He was the recipient of several awards recognizing singing and scholastic achievement, including the Dorothy E. Bowen Award at the University of Illinois, the Emilie M. Dieterle Voice Scholarship at CCM, and two awards from the National Society of Arts and Letters. Killen enjoys performing in recitals, concerts, opera, and musical theatre. As a Corbett Young Artist with the Cincinnati Opera, he was a member of the main stage opera chorus for three seasons. He has performed leading roles in “La Bohéme,” “L’heure Espagnole,” “The Scarecrow,” and “Ariadne auf Naxos.” Killen lives in Taylors with his wife and three daughters. 

Phone: (864) 977-7084

Email: Seth.Killen@ngu.edu 

Office Location: FAC 126

Fabio Parrini, M.M.

Professor of Music
Program Coordinator for Piano

Fabio Parrini serves as coordinator of the keyboard program and professor of music at NGU. He received his Master of Music degree and Artist Diploma from Boston University and his Piano Diploma from the Conservatory of Padua, Italy. A Steinway Artist, he has released five albums, worked with the Philadelphia International Music Festival and the chamber group Pan Harmonia, and taught master classes across the U.S. As a hobby, Parrini enjoys recording performances by his wife Sherry and their kids Maria and Sam, all musicians as well.

Phone: (864) 977-7087

Email: fabio.parrini@ngu.edu

Office Location: FAC 119

W. Gary Rhoden Jr., M.A.

Director of Athletic Bands, Instructor of Music Education

I have wanted to be an educator from the time I was in high school. My band classes inspired me to help students have an amazing experience in music similar to my own. I believe band is an activity that teaches students far more than how to play music. Band is an experience that I will forever remember, and I want my students share this experience with me.

I taught in public education for nine years before transitioning to the collegiate level. Most recently, I taught at James F. Byrnes High. My nine years in public education were incredible. I share so many amazing memories with my students. Any time I reconnect with a former student, we have such a great time recounting our band experiences together.

In early 2020, I felt the Lord calling me to apply for my position at NGU. I felt it was a chance for me to not only advance my career but to help students in both their music and their faith. My goal at NGU is to provide experiences and form memories with students that they will remember forever. I want students to look back on their time at NGU and fondly remember their friends, the performances, and their experiences in our band program. Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Basketball Pep band were my favorite experiences in my undergraduate journey. I hope to provide the same for our students at NGU.

Along with directing the athletic bands, I am also an instructor of music education. My favorite course I teach is Secondary Methods and Management in Music Education. This course is typically taken just before our senior music education majors begin their student teaching. This course helps students discover what it is truly like to be in a classroom and what it is like being a professional in education. I love teaching this course because I truly enjoy helping individuals become successful educators. Teaching future teachers is both a joy and a privilege.

Phone: (864) 663-1173

Email: gary.rhoden@ngu.edu

Office Location: M127

Darian Washington, D.M.A.

Associate Professor of Music Program
Coordinator for Brass

Dr. Darian Washington serves as the director of the concert band, associate professor of horn, and brass coordinator at NGU. He received his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Maryland, College Park; Master of Music from the University of Georgia; and bachelor's degree in music education from Augusta State University. Washington is a freelancer in the greater Greenville area, playing with the Greenville Symphony, Hendersonville Symphony, GMAC orchestra, and Spartanburg Philharmonic. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two young sons.

Phone: (864) 977-2197

Email: darian.washington@ngu.edu

Office Location: M9

Michael Weaver, D.M.

Professor of Music
Program Coordinator for Strings

Dr. Michael Weaver serves as the director of orchestral activities and string program coordinator at NGU. He received his Doctor of Music degree from the Florida State University in viola performance. He also holds a Master of Music degree in viola performance and suzuki pedagogy, and a Bachelor of Music degree in music education, from East Carolina University. Before teaching at NGU, Weaver worked as the orchestra director and taught strings at Elizabeth City State University. In his spare time, Weaver serves as a group leader in Bible Study Fellowship and enjoys camping, kayaking, and fishing with his wife Cathy.

Phone: (864) 977-7994

Email: michael.weaver@ngu.edu

Office Location: FAC 108

 

Craig King, M.M. 

Adjunct Instructor of Brass

Craig King serves in the Music Department at NGU. He holds degrees in trumpet performance from Furman University and Yale University School of Music. He performs with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra, GAMAC Orchestra, Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra, South Carolina Philharmonic, Greenville Jazz Collective Big Band, and the Greenville Brass Quintet, and he is a founding member of the West End Brass Quintet and the Reedy River Brass Trio. King has performed at New York City's Lincoln Center, with the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, and with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He also serves on the faculty at Converse College. He spends his spare time as a portrait artist and coffee roaster.

Christine Lee, M.M. 

Adjunct Instructor of Cello

R. Christine Lee is on our adjunct music faculty as the cello instructor. She has her degrees in Cello Performance from University of Cincinnati: College-Conservatory of Music and Bob Jones University. She has taught cello for over 20 years and began conducting in 2007. She continues to freelance as a cellist, conductor, and teacher. She is also an experienced barista and dabbles in latte art.

Greg Sundt, M.M.

Adjunct Instructor of Brass

Greg Sundt has served with the Music Department at NGU since 2007. He holds degrees from Wayne State University and Ohio State University. He has taught privately for over 40 years and served previously on the faculty of Hillsdale College, where he taught brass lessons and brass methods and conducted the college brass and wind ensembles. He has conducted choirs and orchestras in churches and business conferences and has performed in ensembles, including the Upstate Brass Quintet, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, and Palmetto Posaunen. Sundt lives in Greer, S.C., with his wife Marcia and their children.

Jacob Johnson

Adjunct Instructor of Guitar

Jacob Johnson serves as an adjunct guitar instructor in the Music Department at NGU. He has nearly 15 years of experience in teaching private lessons at all levels, as well as various guitar workshops and clinics throughout the southeast. As guitarist for Streamsound recording artist Austin Webb, Jacob shared stages with such acts as Little Big Town, Five for Fighting, and Kellie Pickler. Jacob continues to tour nationally and release music as a solo performer, often opening for such celebrated musicians as Tommy Emmanuel, Phil Keaggy, and Grammy-winner Victor Wooten. Jacob is also involved with the music ministry at Berea First Baptist Church, which he attends with his wife, NGU alum Jessica Snyder.