Teaching Staff

Audrey Cummins is a junior Studio Art major! I have always loved art since I was young and have taken drawing, painting, and many other art classes here at UMHB. I am very excited to get to share what I have learned and to help others grow as I assist in the Arts Academy Art Classes this year!

Marlene Poehlmann serves as the Lead Art teacher at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Arts Academy. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Art from University of the Incarnate Word. Her favorite classes were Ceramics, Sculpture, Painting, Medieval Art History and Italian Renaissance Art. She also studied abroad in Madrid and studied Spanish Art History and language. She has a Master’s degree in Organizational Development & Leadership from University of the Incarnate Word. Marlene has over 18 years experience in education and has taught K-High school levels. She finds joy in inspiring minds of all ages to discover their own love for art. Marlene is very excited to share her passion for Art with others to discover and nurture the talent within each individual.

Cristina Cruz is a dedicated music educator and a proud graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with K-12 Certification. She teaches elementary music classes and provides private trombone instruction at the UMHB Arts Academy. Additionally, Cristina works as a private low brass instructor in the surrounding area. She looks forward to sharing her passion for music with her students and fostering an inclusive environment where every learner can thrive and grow.

Glen Dawson started ballet at age 5 after seeing Margot Fonteyn in Swain Lake. She earned her BFA in Dance and Theater from UT Austin and her MFA in Dance from SMU. She was a member of Austin Repertory Dance Theater, where she performed and directed. She was an original member of Sharir Dance Company and performed in the Zilker Summer Musical Productions while living in Austin. She has taught dance for Ballet Austin, Austin Community College, Austin ISD, Collin College, Contemporary Ballet Dallas and numerous other studios and schools. She has developed dance programs for Austin ISD and the Episcopal School of Dallas where she directed and choreographed for the dance performance groups. She has choreographed and directed many Musicals.

She is thrilled to be a part of the Performing Art Program at UMHB!

Cristina Cruz is a dedicated music educator and a proud graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with K-12 Certification. She teaches elementary music classes and provides private trombone instruction at the UMHB Arts Academy. Additionally, Cristina works as a private low brass instructor in the surrounding area. She looks forward to sharing her passion for music with her students and fostering an inclusive environment where every learner can thrive and grow.

Claudiane Barros was born in Brazil, where she began studying piano at the age of 8. She graduated in 1992 from the Centro de Ensino Artístico de Três Lagoas (Conservatory), where she was invited to teach piano. While teaching at CEATL, Clau Barros attended Business School at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul. In 2001, she received her Bachelor's degree in Church Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance from the Southern Theological Baptist Seminary in Brazil. In 2002, she was invited to teach at the Seminary, where she continued until 2010. In 2011, she moved to the United States to pursue her Master of Arts in Music, graduating in 2014 from Campbellsville University, KY. Throughout her musical career, she has accompanied church choirs, university chorales, and soloists. Claudiane has been married to Leonardo Barros for 23 years and they have three children.

Joelle Bedwell holds a B.A. in Music Education from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and a Master of Music from the University of Texas at Austin. With extensive public school teaching experience, she has served as an Elementary School Music Specialist in both the Richardson Independent School District and the Temple Independent School District. Additionally, Joelle has contributed to higher education as an Adjunct Professor at Temple College, instructing oboe and chamber music ensembles. In private teaching, Joelle has managed a Private Piano Studio across Keyes, Madill, and Durant, OK, as well as Richardson and Temple, TX, and has operated a Private Oboe Studio in Temple, TX. Her professional contributions include being a published author in the music textbook series, "The Music Connection," by Silver, Burdett, Ginn. Joelle has also made significant public service contributions as a Trustee on the Temple ISD Board, the Bell County Tax Appraisal Board, the Temple Education Foundation Board, and the Temple Wildcat Mentor Board. Joelle is also a member of the First Methodist Church in Temple, TX.

Alber Chien is an award-winning pianist from California. His performances as a soloist, collaborator, and chamber musician have taken him to venues across the United States including Carnegie’s Weill Hall, and to Taiwan and Germany. His many competition prizes include 2nd prize in the Los Angeles Liszt International Competition with the Best Performance of Hungarian Rhapsody Award, first prize in the Music Teacher’s Association of California’s State Piano Concerto, and first prize in the Southern California Junior Bach Festival for his performance of Bach’s Goldberg Variations. In chamber music, his awards include first prize in the VOCE State Competition for Chamber Ensembles and Rutgers University Mason Gross Chamber Music Competition. Chien earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Piano Performance at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music. He recently completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts. His teachers include esteemed artists such as Daniel Pollack, Shigeo Neriki, Jean-Louis Haguenauer, and Daniel Epstein. Over the years, he performed in the masterclasses of Oxana Yablonskaya, Gustavo Romero, and Llyr Williams. He was also nominated to attend the Gilmore Keyboard Festival. As a collaborative pianist, he played for masterclasses of great performers such as Shmuel Ashkenazi, Midori, and Vadim Gluzman. For many years, he served as studio accompanist for esteemed university professors of all instruments and voice. Previously, he held staff pianist positions at Indiana University’s Summer String Academy and Manhattan School of Music’s Pre-College Division. He is currently a Staff Pianist at the prestigious Bowdoin International Music Festival. On top of his activities as a collaborative pianist, he frequently worked with composers in premiering new compositions and was a member of Atlantic Music Festival’s Contemporary Music Ensemble in 2019. As an educator, Chien held positions at Indiana University and Rutgers University, teaching individual piano lessons and group piano lessons to music majors and non-music majors. Previously, he held the position of Visiting Professor of Piano at McLennan Community College, where he taught applied piano, advanced music theory and ear training, music literature, music appreciation, opera workshop, instrumental coaching, and vocal coaching. Currently, he is a Visiting Instructor of Piano at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor where he is also Coordinator of Collaborative Piano and Piano Faculty of the Arts Academy.

Dr. Christie Cho was born in New York and is an award-winning pianist whose performances has reached across the United States to Korea, Japan, and Germany. Her performances were highly acclaimed and garnered great reviews. Music critic Peter Jacobi praised her performance of Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto for its “freshness of approach that came from a rare combination: youth, innate talent, and a beyond‐her‐years artistic maturity and musical intelligence.” Renowned critic Harris Goldsmith particularly praised her “flowing line, crystalline textures and elegant tone.”

Dr. Cho began her piano studies in Seoul, South Korea when she was 11 years old. Within two years she entered the famed Yewon School, the most prestigious middle school for the arts in Korea, and then continued her studies at Seoul Arts High School. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance at Seoul National University under Suk Ran Kwon and Hee Sung Joo, and Master of Music degree and Performer Diploma at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music under Edward Auer. She completed her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts under Daniel Epstein.

Among the myriad awards she received during her student years in Korea were First Prize in the Eum-ag Chun-chu Competition, First Prize in the Eum-ak Journal Competition, First Prize in the Junior Chopin Competition, First Prize in the Eumyeon Competition, and the Bronze Medal in the International Chopin Competition in Japan. After coming to U.S., she received the First Prize in the Beethoven Competition at Edward Auer Summer Piano Workshop, First Prize in the Chopin/Schumann Competition at EASPW, and First Prize in the Southern Illinois Young Artist Organization. She also won the Concerto Competition at Indiana University with “a thrilling account” of Beethoven’s “Emperor” Concerto.

Dr. Cho is also an active collaborative pianist and chamber musician. She previously worked with many renowned professors, including Alice Hopper, Elena Chernova-Davis, Eric Kim, Hurst Lawrence, Mark Kaplan, Otis Murphy, and Peter Stumpf. She recently served as Instrumental Collaborative Pianist for the Interlochen Music Camp and worked with musicians including Ray Chen, Margaret Batjer and members of the Detroit Symphony. She also worked as a Staff Pianist at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

As a dedicated pedagogue, she has taught across the nation. She previously worked with Dr. Karen Taylor, the founder and former director of the Young Pianists Program and Summer Piano Academy at Indiana University, as a faculty member and piano coach for both programs. She later continued teaching in New Jersey and California. She recently worked as an adjunct faculty at McLennan Community College and Baylor University.

She is currently a Visiting Instructor of Piano at University of Mary Hardin-Baylor where she is also the Coordinator of the Piano Area and Piano Faculty of the Arts Academy at UMHB.

Jeremy Coltharp is a Junior Church Music major from Austin, Texas. At UMHB, he’s been actively involved in Concert Choir, CTME, and piano studies. He also serve as the pianist for the worship team at Lakeview Baptist Church and works part-time as a piano technician for the Arts Academy. Jeremy is excited for the future at the Arts Academy and looks forward to seeing how it continues to grow and be blessed through God!

Dr. Laura Novak is an assistant professor of occupational therapy at UMHB. She began the study of piano at the age of 5, and was trained as a classical performer. She has served as a church musician for over 30 years, playing both piano and organ. She also performs frequently as a collaborative artist with various solo artists, including her husband and her children. She is married to a classical singer, Dr. Richard Novak, and has performed in concert with him in multiple states, including Texas, Oklahoma, Arizona, Nebraska, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. She has also accompanied him for performances for Opera San Antonio, Annapolis Opera, the Hylton Performing Arts Center at George Mason University, the High Plains Arts Council in Nebraska, and events at University of Texas Health San Antonio, Oklahoma State University, Stephen F. Austin State University, and the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, among others. She also enjoys accompanying their children Ava, a vocalist, and Liam, a cellist. Their oldest son, Derek, is also a trained guitarist. As an occupational therapist, she focuses primarily on working with people living with dementia and has partnered with the UMHB Arts Academy to offer art and music-based social events which use music as a tool to foster reminiscence and socialization.

Samantha Foster is a 2018 UMHB graduate with a degree in Music Education. She has been teaching piano lessons through the Arts Academy since then graduating. Samantha loves the ability to combine her lifelong love of music and love for kids, as she shares with her students the joy of music and equip them with skills for lifelong music-making. In her spare time, she enjoys being outdoors riding her bike, hiking with friends, or camping with her family.

Rachel Pendergraft teaches pre-college students at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Arts Academy and is an active freelance accompanist. She holds the B.M. and M.M. degrees in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Samford University where she studied with Kathryn Fouse. She currently serves as President of the Central Texas Music Teachers Association and Pedagogy Director for the State Board of TMTA. She previously served as Editor of the Texas Music Teacher magazine.

Rachel grew up in Alabama and has lived in Texas for the past 15 years. She is married to Robert Pendergraft and homeschools her 5 children Geneva, 11, Judson, 9, Katharina 7, Isaac, 5, and Ada Hilde, 4 months. Rachel enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, & learning new things.

Dr. Sylvia White is a distinguished educator with a profound background in music and education. She earned her Doctorate in Education from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2019, focusing her dissertation on "Student Veterans and Higher Education." Her academic journey began with a Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University in 1964, followed by a Master of Music in Theory and Literature from the same institution in 1967, where she completed her thesis on "A History of American Opera." Dr. White’s extensive teaching career spans over five decades. At the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, she taught the course FINA2330-Exploring the Fine Arts from 2012 to 2024. She also created a general music class for home-schooled students and has taught private piano lessons at the Arts Academy/Conservatory since 2009. Her earlier roles include serving as a general music specialist in various schools within Clear Creek ISD and Pasadena ISD, where she was responsible for directing choirs, handbell programs, and grade-level music programs. Dr. White’s commitment to music education and her extensive experience have made her a respected figure in her field, inspiring countless students and educators alike.

Dr. Ruben Balboa is the Director of the Arts Academy at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where he is dedicated to nurturing creativity and artistic expression across a variety of disciplines.

A versatile violist, Balboa has made significant contributions to the music world through solo, chamber, and orchestral performances. His notable engagements include the world premiere of Tejano Suite for Viola & Piano, commissioned for the 2024 American Viola Society Festival in Los Angeles, and performances of Astor Piazzolla's Le Grand Tango at the Festival of the Orchestras hosted by the Fort Worth Symphony. He has also performed the Hoffmeister Viola Concerto in D major with the Central Texas Medical Orchestra. Balboa frequently collaborates with esteemed ensembles, including Austin Camerata, Austin Opera, Central Texas Philharmonic, and the Amarillo Symphony, where he recently served as Guest Principal Viola.

In addition to his role at UMHB, Balboa has served as Assistant Professor of Music at Southwestern University and held significant teaching positions at The University of Texas at Austin, Illinois State University, Texas State University, and Concordia University Texas, including roles as Interim Director and Master Teacher for the Illinois State String Project and Assistant Director for the University of Texas at Austin String Project, where he mentored aspiring music educators.

Balboa is a sought-after clinician, having led masterclasses at numerous institutions and festivals, including the American Viola Society Festival and the 47th International Viola Congress. His pedagogical expertise extends to coaching young artists and adults at the Austin Chamber Music Center and participating in various music camps across Texas, such as the Texas State String Camp and Austin Soundwaves Summer Camp.

His achievements have been recognized by prestigious organizations, including the American Viola Society, which honored him as an emerging artist and teacher. Balboa's commitment to fostering the next generation of musicians and educators is evident through his university teaching, work with youth orchestras, and extensive involvement in community music initiatives.

Julie Johnson has been teaching private viola lessons for six years, working with students through her personal studio and previously at Académie Musique in Temple. A Senior Church Music major at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, she has registered Suzuki training through the Austin Suzuki Institute.

Julie is passionate about nurturing a love for music in children while providing them with a strong musical foundation. She plans to combine her love for music and ministry by leading worship in churches and inspiring young musicians to experience the joy and transformative power of music.

Aaron Mace is a 2022 UMHB graduate. During his time at UMHB he was chosen to be the concert choir student conductor, and performed a solo classical guitar recital. Now he teaches guitar, and serves on his church's worship team as the lead electric guitarist. Other than guitar, his interests include reading, oil painting, and spending time with his awesome wife Taylor.

Grace Catherine is an accomplished soprano and dedicated educator with over a decade of experience in music instruction. She holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas, where she also minored in Vocal Pedagogy. Her diverse teaching career spans from elementary to collegiate levels, specializing in both classical and contemporary vocal techniques. Grace’s passion for music is evident not only in her teaching but also in her performance career, which includes roles in operas and musicals across the United States, Canada, and Italy.

As a soloist, she has performed with the Abilene Philharmonic under the baton of maestro David Itkin, and she has appeared in notable productions such as Suor Angelica at the Amalfi Music Festival and The Pirates of Penzance at the University of North Texas. Grace’s repertoire includes iconic roles like the Queen of the Night in Mozart’s The Magic Flute and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni.

Beyond performance, Grace has a deep love for directing. She has served as assistant director for Opera on the Avalon. She has also directed several musical productions and taught acting, with a focus on musical theatre.

Currently, Grace continues to share her expertise as an Adjunct Instructor at UMHB as well as a private voice and piano instructor, offering lessons to students of all ages. She emphasizes a holistic approach to pedagogy, helping students find their healthiest voices and preparing them for auditions, performances, and future careers in music. Grace’s goal is to foster a supportive yet challenging environment where students can thrive artistically and grow in their musical journey.

Julia Hernandez is a Fall 2023 graduate of UMHB, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance. During her time at the university, she was involved in ensembles such as Concert Choir, Women’s Chorus and Opera/Musical Theatre Ensemble. Her favorite roles she’s performed were The Witch in Into The Woods, and Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Alongside her work in the Arts Academy, Julia maintains the positions of Stage Manager for UMHB's Opera/Musical Theatre Ensemble and House Manager at Austin Playhouse. She is thrilled to continue her musical journey as a private lessons instructor this school year.

Abby Stovall is a Junior Vocal Performance Major here at UMHB. She has been teaching at the Arts Academy for a year now and teaches voice, guitar, and piano. She has been involved on campus in Concert Choir, One Voice, and Opera/Musical Theatre classes. She has performed in Into the Woods as Lucinda and The Hunchback of Notre Dame as Madam, Gargoyle, and a Reveler. She is so excited to continue teaching these amazing students through this great Academy.

Dr. Luis Rivera is a woodwind teacher at the University of Mary Hardin Baylor Arts Academy. Before coming to the UMHB Arts Academy he has been a Woodwind Specialist with the United States Army Band since 2005.He maintains a vibrant career as a guest woodwind clinician throughout the United States and has performed concerts overseas in Venezuela, Spain,Germany,Austria,Korea and Kuwait. Dr.Rivera was a Band Director of Jupiter Christian School in Jupiter Florida. He also served as a Woodwind Professor at El Sistema USA in Virginia. Dr. Rivera began his professional teaching career as a woodwind teacher in the Escuela Libre de Musica in Puerto Rico. He performed with the Banda de Conciertos of Puerto Rico at the age of sixteen.

A native of Puerto Rico, Dr. Rivera received the Doctor of Musical Arts in Multiple Woodwinds from the University of Miami Frost School of Music, the Master of Music in Multiple Woodwinds from the University of North Texas and holds a Bachelors of Music degree from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico.