Fine and Performing Arts
Faculty & Staff
 | Allen ChenFine ArtsAssistant Professor XAllen Chen was born in 1979 in Taiwan and immigrated to California in 1991. He received his BFA in Spatial Arts from San Jose State University in 2005 and MFA in Studio Arts from the University of Notre Dame in 2009. Allen has since completed an artist residency at Mendocino Art Center in California in 2010, a long term artist in residence program at the Red Lodge Clay Center in Montana in 201...[Read more] |
 | Andrew DuncanPerforming ArtsAdjunct Instructor Andrew Duncan is a Trombonist in the United States Air Force Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Cum Laude from West Virginia Wesleyan College and a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from Carnegie Mellon University (where he was awarded a Graduate Fellowship and Graduate Assistantship). While at Carnegie Mellon, he studied with Mu...[Read more] |
 | Dr. Jennifer CruzPerforming ArtsAssociate Professor Dr. Jennifer Cruz is an Associate Professor of Piano and the Program Director of the Music Mentors program at Central State University, a historically black university in Wilberforce, OH. With roots on the island of Guam, she was raised in Brookfield, Wisconsin. She began her piano studies at the age of four with Suzanne Lent. After being discovered by Alexander Toradze at a master clas...[Read more] |
 | Dr. Lennard MosesPerforming ArtsAssociate Professor Dr. Lennard V. Moses, Associate Professor of Music, is the Director of Percussion and World Music Studies at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. He holds degrees from The Ohio State University, Northern Illinois University and Central State University. At an early age he began touring with the Desperados Steel Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago as a drummer and percussionist. He i...[Read more] |
 | Dr. Mervyn R. JosephPerforming ArtsAssociate Professor Mervyn R. Joseph is an associate professor of music education at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, with an emphasis in instrumental/general music education. He holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Master of Arts in music from Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan, and a Doctor of Philosophy in ...[Read more] |
 | Dr. Ronald ClaxtonFine ArtsAssociate Professor Ronald Claxton is an associate professor of art education at Central State University. He graduated from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green with a B. A. in Art Education (1982). He received his Master of Arts in Education degree from Western Kentucky in 1984. Dr. Claxton previously taught art education and art appreciation at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro from 1985...[Read more] |
 | Dr. William DenzaPerforming ArtsAssociate Professor William M. Denza, Jr. is an associate professor in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. Dr. Denza teaches music theory courses at CSU and he performs as the bass clarinetist of the Columbus (Ohio) Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Denza also has performed and recorded with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra. He ...[Read more] |
 | Dwayne DanielFine ArtsAssistant Professor Dwayne Daniel is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Central State University. He holds an M.F.A. from Miami University and a BA from Central State University, both with an infuse on Graphic Design and Illustration. Dwayne is a two-dimensional artist with a range o...[Read more] |
 | Eric KnorrPerforming ArtsAdjunct Instructor Eric Knorr is principal trumpet in the United States Air Force Band of Flight Concert Band and Wright Brass quintet at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, |
 | Erin SmithFine ArtsStudio Art Erin Smith-Glenn is an art instructor at Central State University and the primary advisor of the Visual Arts Club at Central State University. She holds an M.F.A. from the University of Cincinnati and a B.A. from Central State University, with 2 dimensional studio art as her concentration from both institutions. Her experience and understanding of 2D studio art includes the media of colored pen...[Read more] |
 | Hal MeliaPerforming ArtsAssistant Professor The energy and personality Hal Melia brings to both his teaching and his performing are contagious. Those who have experienced his workshops, classes, and performances never forget the tireless effort and positive aura he exudes in any setting. He is the epitome of the multi-instrumentalist - he plays soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxophones, flute, piccolo, clarinets...[Read more] |
 | James E. SmithPerforming ArtsProfessor and Acting Chair, Department of Fine & Performing Arts James E. Smith is Professor of Jazz Studies and Acting Chair of the Department of Fine & Performing Arts at Central State University. He holds the M.M. in Composition (Jazz) from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. As a jazz guitarist, Mr. Smith has performed on three national broadcasts on National Public Radio and at the Nancy ...[Read more] |
 | Jeffrey PowellPerforming ArtsAdjunct Instructor - University Accompanist (M.M. The University of Kansas, 1982; B.M. Western Michigan University, Magna cum laude, 1980). Maestro Powell's conducting career got its start in Kansas City in the Fall |
 | Peter KeatesPerforming ArtsAdjunct Instructor Baritone Peter Keates began his musical training at the University of Oklahoma where he studied with tenor Salvatore Champagne. After completing a bachelor’s degree at OU, he attended the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Professor William McGraw. Dr. Keates received his Master’s Degree in Voice in 2006 and began working on a Doctor of Musical Arts degree w...[Read more] |
 | Ramon KeyPerforming ArtsDirector of Bands Ramon W. Key Jr. is the Director of Bands at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. As Director of Bands he conducts the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Marching Band, and Pep Band. In the Department of Fine and Performing Arts he serves as Assistant Professor of Music and teaches courses in conducting, wind band literature, and instrumental arranging. After completi...[Read more] |