Dr. Emily Gertsch joined the Hugh Hodgson School of Music faculty in 2012, and is a senior lecturer in music theory. She earned a Ph.D. in music theory from Florida State University. Her current research centers on prolongational analysis and music and meaning, and her dissertation brings these interests together in an exploration of narrative in Robert Schumann’s Piano Quintet and Piano Quartet. Dr.

Violist Maggie Snyder is Professor of Viola at the University of Georgia, Principal Violist of the Chamber Orchestra of New York, with whom she records for Naxos, and is on the Artist-Faculty of the Brevard Music Festival.

Ms. Toscano is formerly the Principal Timpanist of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, a position she won by unanimous decision in May 2007 and held until 2016.  Her dynamic and virtuosic timpani facility brings an energy and rhythmic stability to the stage that has been recognized by colleagues, reviewers, and audience members alike.  Following her first appearance with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, James Reel noted, “…and new timpanist Kimberly Toscano played with both forcefulness and control.”

Joanna Smolko earned a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Pittsburgh (2009), where she studied with Deane Root and worked in the Center for American Music. She currently teaches various music courses at the University of Georgia and the University System of Georgia, as well as working as a private music teacher and academic editor/coach. Her areas of research include popular music, musical borrowing, American sacred music (especially shape-note hymn traditions), American folk music, and the intersections between American history and music.

Naomi Graber (associate professor) joined the faculty of UGA in 2013. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill that same year with the dissertation “Found in Translation: Kurt Weill on Broadway and in Hollywood, 1935–1939,” which earned her the Glen Haydon Award for an Outstanding Dissertation in Musicology. She is the recipient of the Rhonda A. and Robert Hillel Silver Award from the Carolina Center for Jewish Studies, as well as fellowships to study at the Library of Congress, the Arnold Schönberg-Centre in Vienna, and the Kurt Weill Foundation.

Johanna Royo received her BM and MM in Vocal Performance from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM and PhD in Music Education with a minor in Musicology from the University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ. Secondary teaching experiences included private and choral instruction at Allegro School of Music, the Arizona School for the Blind, and directing the University of Arizona High School Outreach Choir in Tucson, Arizona.

Damon Denton was born in Charleston, South Carolina and grew up in Severna Park, Maryland. He is a graduate of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and the Juilliard School where he received a Master of Music degree studying under Russian pianist, Oxana Yablonskaya. He has been a faculty accompanist at the University of Georgia since 2010.

David D'Angelo is a jazz performer, music educator, woodwind doubler, Broadway musician, movie soundtrack musician, film actor, orchestral clarinetist, and published author. He holds a bachelor's degree in Music Education (clarinet) and a Master's degree in woodwinds from Youngstown State University, where he studied with Joe Edwards. Other teachers include Louie Paul of the Pittsburgh Symphony and Peter Seminaur of the New York Philharmonic. 

Dr. Roy Legette is Professor and Chair of Music Education in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music at the University of Georgia where he teaches courses in diversity in music education, trends and issues in music education, critical issues in education/music education, and elementary general music methods. He received the BS from Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville NC, the MA from the University of Iowa, and the PhD from Florida State University. Prior to joining the University of Georgia faculty, Dr.

Mark Cedel brings a wealth of professional experience to his position as Director of Orchestral Activities. The 2018-19 academic year marks his 25th year at UGA. Prior to his appointment at UGA, he was Associate Conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. In his four seasons with that orchestra, he conducted over 200 performances; appearing on every series offered by the orchestra. Before joining the Charlotte Symphony, Cedel was Principal Viola and Assistant Conductor of the Charleston (SC) Symphony Orchestra for nine years.