School of Music and Worship Arts

Trevecca offers comprehensive programs designed to support students pursuing a wide range of musical and professional interests, including commercial and classical music performance, audio recording and production, worship leadership, music education, songwriting and careers within the music industry. Through mentorship provided by highly accomplished faculty and staff, students engage in market-driven degree programs, ensembles and skill-development courses that foster both artistic growth and professional preparation.

The mission of the School of Music and Worship Arts is to equip students to become servant leaders. Rooted in a distinctly Christian foundation, the school intentionally integrates faith and learning throughout classroom instruction, rehearsal environments, special events and curricular design. In addition to professional and artistic development, Trevecca’s liberal arts education seeks to cultivate intellectual, emotional, social, physical and spiritual growth, equipping students to make meaningful contributions to the world around them.

Located in Nashville, Tennessee—widely recognized as “Music City USA”—Trevecca provides students with a distinctive educational environment in which Nashville is your classroom. Industry professionals from diverse sectors of Nashville’s music and entertainment community are incorporated into academic coursework and experiential learning opportunities, offering students practical insight and professional engagement that distinguish the Trevecca educational experience.

The benefits of studying music at Trevecca

  • The professor teaching your class is active in the profession. Students in Trevecca’s School of Music and Worship Arts benefit from instruction provided by faculty members who are actively engaged in their respective professional fields. The school’s faculty includes accomplished musicians, music industry professionals, engineers, producers, educators and worship pastors whose expertise provides students with both academic knowledge and practical industry insight.
  • 202208_MKTG_IMG_Nashville_WEB_v01There are incredible opportunities in Music City and on campus. Trevecca’s location in Nashville, Tennessee, offers students access to a wide range of experiential learning opportunities both on campus and throughout the city’s vibrant music community. Students may participate in professional activities such as appearing in music video or album productions; engaging with recognized leaders in music and ministry; interning with artists, recording studios, performance venues and record labels; or leading worship services on campus and within Nashville’s extensive network of churches. These opportunities enable students to apply classroom learning within authentic professional contexts.
  • Your professors have time for you. Faculty members also serve as mentors, providing individualized guidance and support throughout students’ academic and spiritual development. Through close interaction with professors, students are encouraged to pursue excellence, develop their talents and discern their personal and professional calling within a faith-centered environment.
  • 25-Blog-Photo-Posts_How-to-choose-the-best-music-business-programIn every degree program and discipline, you can expect hands-on, on-site training with Music City’s industry professionals. Students specializing in recording technology receive hands-on training through direct engagement with industry professionals and access to state-of-the-art recording facilities. These resources provide valuable opportunities for students to develop technical skills in music recording and production while creating and producing original work.
  • You’ll experience authentic, Christian community. In addition to professional preparation, Trevecca emphasizes the importance of authentic Christian community. The educational experience is designed not only to equip students academically and professionally, but also to foster spiritual growth and encourage students to integrate their faith into all aspects of life and vocation.

Our Faculty and Staff

  • Portrait for Lary Aberman

    Lary Aberman

    Adjunct Faculty

    Larry Aberman is a Grammy Award-winning drummer and percussionist. Larry has performed and recorded with artists including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, David Lee Roth, Wynton Marsalis and Foreigner.

    He is also a composer, educator ...

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  • Portrait for Craig Adams

    Craig Adams

    Dean, School of Music and Worship Arts

    Craig Adams, a 1991 graduate of Trevecca, serves as dean of the School of Music and Worship Arts. His lifelong connection to the University reflects both its lasting influence on his life and his commitment to academic excellence. Craig returned ...

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  • Portrait for Doug Beiden

    Doug Beiden

    Director of Recording Engineering and Producing; Director of the Songwriting Program

    Doug Beiden is a Grammy-winning producer, composer and engineer who has created music for Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC and major cable and streaming networks. Also a BMI TV and Film Award winner, Doug’s work includes song placements in films such as “Sicario” ...
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  • Portrait for Patrick Bielmeier

    Patrick Bielmeier

    Coordinator of Student Engagement

  • Portrait for Keith Brautigam

    Keith Brautigam

    Adjunct Faculty

    Keith Brautigam is a national and international performer and pedagogue whose career includes numerous performances on the concert and opera stage, as well as extensive work in vocal training throughout the United States and abroad. Keith has ...

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  • Portrait for Elizabeth Browne

    Elizabeth Browne

    Adjunct Professor

    Elizabeth Browne is an adjunct cello instructor in the School of Music and Worship Arts and is an orchestral performer. Elizabeth earned her bachelor’s degrees in cello performance and voice performance from Boston University College of Fine Arts ...

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  • Portrait for Tim Calhoun

    Tim Calhoun

    Private Instructor, Guitar Studies

    Tim Calhoun is a professional guitarist, session musician, composer and educator with more than 30 years of experience in the music industry. Tim holds degrees in studio music and jazz from the University of Miami and commercial music from ...

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  • Portrait for Ivy Calvert

    Ivy Calvert

    Adjunct Faculty

    Ivy Calvert is a coloratura soprano and adjunct instructor of voice at Trevecca. Ivy has performed with companies and ensembles including The Atlanta Opera, Nashville Opera, Amarillo Opera, Wexford Festival Opera, Festival Napa Valley and the ...

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  • Portrait for Angela Carr Forsythe

    Angela Carr Forsythe

    Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Vocal Studies

    Angela Carr Forsythe serves as associate professor of music and director of vocal studies in the School of Music and Worship Arts. A versatile vocalist, Angela has experience in classical music, music theater, contemporary Christian music and ...

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  • Portrait for Paul Christianson

    Paul Christianson

    Professor, Music

    Paul Christianson has taught at Trevecca since 1993 and currently teaches fine arts, music appreciation and private piano. In 1987, Paul won the Idaho Music Teachers Association Student Auditions Wurlitzer Collegiate Artist Competition in the ...

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  • Portrait for Jeff Cox

    Jeff Cox

    Assistant Professor of Music

    Jeff Cox serves as director of commercial music in Trevecca’s School of Music and Worship Arts, where he teaches applied electric and upright bass. Jeff is the founder of Trevecca’s commercial music ensembles Fuze and Element. He is currently ...

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  • Portrait for David Diehl

    David Diehl

    Chair of the Department of Music and Instrumental Studies

    David Diehl serves as chair of the Department of Music and Instrumental Studies and professor of music. A Trevecca alumnus, David has been a member of the faculty since 1997. David teaches trumpet, music education, music leadership and worship ...

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  • Portrait for Maxwell Dvorin

    Maxwell Dvorin

    Adjunct Professor

    Maxwell Dvorin is an adjunct woodwinds professor for the School of Music and Worship Arts. He holds the Bachelor of Music (emphasis in commercial saxophone) and Master of Music (multiple woodwinds with an emphasis in flute) from Belmont ...

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  • Portrait for Sherry Francis Merideth

    Sherry Francis Merideth

    Adjunct Professor

    Sherry Francis Merideth holds a doctoral degree in performance psychology, expected in December 2026. Sherry has presented the lecture “It’s Not Either/Or! Supporting Mental Health and Performance Excellence” at the ASTA National String Summit ...

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  • Portrait for Brian Fullen

    Brian Fullen

    Assistant Professor of Music, Coordinator of Percussion Studies

    Brian Fullen serves as an adjunct professor of commercial percussion and holds the Master of Arts in jazz pedagogy/performance degree from Memphis State University and the Bachelor of Music in percussion performance degree from Capital ...

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  • Portrait for Alicia Garcia

    Alicia Garcia

    Adjunct Professor

    Alicia is an international worship leader and Bible teacher whose primary passion is helping people cultivate a biblical worldview. She and her husband Richard are co-founders of IN Worship, a discipleship ministry designed to help people worship ...

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  • Portrait for Laurie Gomer-Moses

    Laurie Gomer-Moses

    Coordinator of Academic Operations

  • Portrait for Sam Green

    Sam Green

    Chair of the Department of Worship

    Samuel D. Green has served at Trevecca since 1998 and serves as chair of the Department of Worship in the School of Music and Worship Arts, where he also directs undergraduate research. Samuel holds graduate degrees from Belmont University, ...

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  • Portrait for Jordan Guthrie

    Jordan Guthrie

    Adjunct Faculty

    Jordan Guthrie serves as worship pastor at Trevecca Community Church, where he has served the congregation for the past 12 years. Jordan considers this role one of the greatest honors of his life. Jordan and his wife, Lauren, live in Old Hickory and ...
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  • Portrait for Tim Hammond

    Tim Hammond

    Adjunct Faculty

  • Portrait for Michael Harland

    Michael Harland

    Associate Professor of Music

    Michael Lee Harland joined the School of Music and Worship Arts faculty in 2022. He teaches in the areas of music history and music theory, as well as courses in fine arts and world music.

    Michael’s research and teaching interests focus on ...

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  • Portrait for Mark Hosny

    Mark Hosny

    Director of Choral Studies

    Mark Hosny serves as director of choral activities at Trevecca, where he conducts TNU Singers and Testify.  Throughout his career in education, worship and university music, Mark’s choirs have performed for organizations including the Texas ...

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  • Portrait for Blake Houchin

    Blake Houchin

    Assistant Professor, Music

    Blake works in the Department of Music as an assistant professor in recording technology. In addition to teaching, he coordinates all performances on and off campus for the department, maintains the school music technology lab and is the manager ...

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  • Portrait for David Johnson

    David Johnson

    Adjunct Faculty

  • Portrait for Stephen Kummer

    Stephen Kummer

    Private Instructor, Commercial/Jazz Piano Studies

    Stephen Kummer is an adjunct professor of commercial piano. An EMMY award-winning and GRAMMY-nominated pianist, conductor and composer, his credits include performances with the Phoenix Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Nashville Opera, Fortnite, ...

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  • Portrait for Stephen Newby

    Stephen Newby

    Professor

    Stephen is a worship pastor, educator, musician, composer and scholar who also serves at Baylor University. He has served as a worship pastor for more than 30 years and was an educator/composer in residence at Seattle Pacific University for 25 years.
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  • Portrait for Jeffrey Phillips

    Jeffrey Phillips

    Adjunct Professor

    Jeffrey Phillips has earned degrees from MTSU, WKU, APSU and CCU, as well as a diploma and Fellowship in Trombone Performance (FRSM) from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

    Jeffrey retired from secondary school teaching ...

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  • Portrait for Timothy Powell

    Timothy Powell

    Adjunct Professor of Commercial Music

    Timothy Michael Powell is a composer, conductor, and music clinician. He holds a DMA in Conducting from the University of South Carolina and a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Belmont University. He enjoys membership in ASCAP, Pi Kappa Lambda ...

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  • Portrait for Eddie Robinson

    Eddie Robinson

    Adjunct Professor

    Eddie is the minister of music at Springfield Baptist Church in Conyers, Georgia, and serves as a director of performance for the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses. He is a national recording artist and an award-winning songwriter, ...
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  • Portrait for Fain Spray

    Fain Spray

    Private Instructor, Vocal Studies

    Fain Spray is a pop artist, vocalist and vocal educator with experience in music publishing, licensing, public relations and higher education. Fain has operated her own private voice studio for more than 10 years and currently teaches at ...

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  • Portrait for Spencer Stevens

    Spencer Stevens

    Adjunct Professor

    Spencer Stevens is a music educator and saxophonist from Atlanta, Georgia. Spencer currently serves on faculty at Christ Presbyterian Academy and works as a freelance multi-instrumentalist. Spencer is passionate about bringing high-quality music ...

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  • Portrait for Jean Thomason

    Jean Thomason

    Adjunct Faculty

  • Portrait for Diane White-Clayton

    Diane White-Clayton

    Adjunct Professor

    Known as “Dr. Dee,” Diane is a conductor of classical and gospel music. She holds a Ph.D. in music composition and is a vocal clinician with Disney Performing Arts. A member of the faculty of UCLA, she also serves the artistic director of the Albert ...
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  • Portrait for Oscar Williams Jr.

    Oscar Williams Jr.

    Adjunct Professor

    Oscar is an ordained elder at The Potter’s House Church with T.D. Jakes. A gifted musician, composer, playwright and producer, he serves as CEO of Speak Life Academy of Arts and Music. He is also a music ambassador with the U.S. State Department and ...
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  • Portrait for Chris Williamson

    Chris Williamson

    Adjunct Professor

    Chris Williamson is the founding pastor of Strong Tower Bible Church in Nashville. He also actively works with the Franklin Historical Commission on their “Fuller Story” initiative to tell stories of the many contributions of Black soldiers and ...
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  • Portrait for Raymond Wise

    Raymond Wise

    Adjunct Faculty

    Raymond is a professor of practice in African American and African Diaspora Studies. He serves as the associate director of the African American Arts Institute, and is the director of the African American Choral Ensemble at Indiana University.
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