Coastal Carolina University music students receive professional music training, with small class sizes to give individualized attention and numerous performance opportunities. We embrace technology to prepare our students for the contemporary music culture.
Programs of Study
Faculty and Staff
Our faculty are dedicated to preparing performers and educators for tomorrow’s careers in music.
Sarah Abushakra
Piano
Abigail Martinez
Violin/Strings Ensemble
Amelia Rollings Bigler
Voice and Voice Pedagogy
David Carter
Music Education
Joshua Colbert
Staff Pianist
Christopher Connolly
Low Brass
Alyssa Cossey
Teaching Associate
Dale Cox
Visiting Assistant Professor
McKinley Devilbiss
Teaching Associate
D. Scott Ferguson
Voice/Vocal Coach
Tim Fischer
Guitar/Music Technology
Andrew Fowler
Composition and Theory
Jesus Fuentes
Assistant Professor
Garett Griffin
Director of Bands
Chad Hammer
Strings/Cello
Richard Johnson
Conducting Pedagogy/General Music
Jeff Jones
Vocal Performance
Shannon Kessler-Dooley
Voice
Tim Koch
Director of Choral Activities
Erica Kupinski
Music Education
Stevie Martinez
Strings/DoubleBass
Dan O’Rielly
Saxophone
Jessica Pelltier
Teaching Associate
Phillip Powell
Piano
Deanne Renshaw
Teaching Associate
Eric Schultz
Clarinet/Woodwinds Specialist
Scott Scrivner
Teaching Associate
Emilio Terranova
Assistant Professor
Marissa Terranova
Teaching Associate
Greg Tsalikis
Lecturer
Michael Gribbin
Staff Pianist
Muriel Balzer
Staff Pianist
Emilio Terranova
Emilio Terranova is currently a Assistant Professor at Coastal Carolina University. Up until his move to South Carolina in August of 2021, Emilio was an active jazz bassist in the Los Angeles area. He earned his Bachelors of Music degree in Jazz Bass from California State University Northridge under the guidance of Gary Pratt and Darek Oleszkiewicz, then continued under Darek’s and jazz bass legend Charlie Haden’s direction at California Institute of the Arts to earn a Masters of Fine Arts degree in Jazz Bass Performance. Prior to his hire at Coastal Carolina University, Emilio directed high school jazz big bands, adjudicated in regional jazz honor bands, lectured at music education conferences, and was an adjunct professor of music at a community college in Southern California. At CCU Emilio is a faculty member in the Commercial Music and Jazz concentration and directs the Jazz Big Band.
Our Alumni and Students
Andrew Brought
B.A. Music (2010)
Having completed performance runs in New York, the North American and International iterations of Stomp, Andrew has settled his roots down in his hometown of San Antonio.
Prior to performing with Stomp, he was a Swing – Percussionist, Drum Set, Marimba, and Snare Soloist Performer with the Japan Touring Cast of Blast!, as well as a performer with Plastic Musik and Composer/Arranger with Yata-For-Luda.
Andrew has performed as a Guest Clinician, Solo Artist, and (even) Narrator across the U.S. and has appeared on many radio/television spots in the U.S. and Canada.
It has always been Andrew’s dream to design, create, and perform. He graduated from Coastal Carolina University (Class of ’08) with goals of performing and seeing the world, he didn’t know where it would lead him but he couldn’t be more proud of where he’s been.
Setting his sights on production, he produced/directed/co-starred in a sports podcast called What’s Brewing Sports and has been composing with a director out of Cologne/Bonn, Germany. Look to December 2020 for the release of his first German short film as a composer, ConsciousConsequences. In addition to performing, Andrew has completed a 670+ hr Web/Software Development course and is also enjoying life in the world of tech.
Elise Testone
B.A. Music (2005)
Elise Testone (’05, Vocal Performance) is a critically acclaimed vocalist showcasing the combined sounds of soul, rock and funk. After landing in the top six as an American Idol finalist, her career soared throughout the decade. Since then, Testone’s first album, In This Life, released to rave reviews and she has continued to produce albums and tour extensively, with appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Live With Kelly, Access Hollywood, and more. Testone has also opened for BB King, Taj Mahal, and Snoop Dogg, with performances alongside Stevie Nicks, Bernie Worrell, and Bernard Purdie. Testone has lived in Brooklyn, NY since 2015, where she continues a prosperous career.
Dr. Nicholas Baker
B.A. Music (2008)
M.A.T. Music (2009)
Dr. Nicholas Bratcher serves as Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB). There, he conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Chamber Winds, and teaches courses in conducting and music education.
Prior to his appointment at CSUSB, Bratcher held positions as Director of Bands at the University of Dubuque (Dubuque, IA) and Assistant Director of Bands at Savannah State University (Savannah, GA). In both roles, Bratcher helped grow and develop comprehensive band programs with educational outreach initiatives for public school students and directors; as well as several wind and jazz ensemble performance tours throughout the southeastern United States.
Bratcher is published in the GIA Teaching Music through Performance in Band book series. He is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator; presenting clinics and conducting honor bands throughout the United States.
Bratcher earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and a Master of Arts in Music Education from Coastal Carolina University. He later earned the Doctorate in Music Education with studies in Conducting from the University of Georgia.
