Music Faculty by Area

Choral/Vocal

Timothy Carpenter

Director, Gospel Choir

Jazz

Timothy Carpenter

Director, Gospel Choir

American Roots

Timothy Carpenter

Director, Gospel Choir

Hayes Griffin ’10

Banjo; Mandolin

Matthew Opachick

Fiddle; Guitar

Adam Schlenker

Guitar; Bluegrass Ensemble

Denison Ensembles-in-Residence

Spotlights

An eye for science and an ear for the banjo

Tireless Owen Tekelenburg ’26 hasn’t let a health scare slow his pursuit of a wide range of interests at Denison.

The Hilltoppers singing at groundhogs day

Denison Magazine

It was strange and beautiful and unforgettable

A Hilltopper shares his experience opening up for the world's most famous groundhog.

Timothy Carpenter on stage inside Swasey chapel with singers behind him

Denison Magazine

Denison’s ‘Rev’ is moved by a spirit of tolerance and inclusion

The leader of the gospel choir and coordinator of Christian life, Timothy Carpenter embraces the struggle and tenacity of Martin Luther King Jr.

Denison’s ‘Rev’ is moved by a spirit of tolerance and inclusion

The leader of the gospel choir and coordinator of Christian life, Timothy Carpenter embraces the struggle and tenacity of Martin Luther King Jr.

Denison Magazine

5 questions with Music’s Sun Min Kim

His path to piano, the mentor who still watches over him, and the freedom he finds in teaching and studying music at a liberal arts college

Making their mark with Messiah

This year’s performance of Handel’s epic work included student soloists, a new twist on a long-running Denison tradition.

5 questions with Music’s Sun Min Kim

Kim talks about his path to piano, the late mentor who still watches over him, and the freedom of teaching and studying music at a liberal arts college.

Ellie Blasko '23 sitting next to a piano

Playing to her strengths

Denison helped triple major Ellie Blasko '23 explore her passion for piano, discover new interests, and land a dream job in Beverly Hills.

Jaelyn Roth ’23, building a graph to illustrate her research

Peering into black holes

Physics major Jaelyn Roth’s research helps astrophysicists see supermassive black holes and their related phenomenon more clearly.

The surprising history of Bluegrass music

Visiting professor Heather Grimm ’17 shares an intriguing history of Bluegrass music.

Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur

Sydney Kistler ’22 loves performing music — and is equally fervent about the business angle of the industry.

Denison Magazine

The ON Switch

Conversations with faculty about what it means to teach — and to trigger those amazing moments of illumination

Bluegrass students performing in Swasey Chapel

Bluegrass Goes to College

Praise for DU’s program from top bluegrass magazine

Tejido de Voces rehearsal (photo by Ron Abram)

Building Bridges: Ron Abram, Collaboration and Tejido de Voces

The importance of art - especially in a world divided by COVID, politics, and distance - is a tangible thing.

Monkey business hits Broadway

Musical composer Bryan Blaskie '09 shares his thoughts about the bright lights of Broadway and why getting a bad grade can actually be a good thing.

What's Happening

Workshops & Info Sessions, Performances, Faculty, Visiting Artists

Cameron McIntosh ’25 selected as recent student trustee

Reese House dedication celebrates donor generosity

2025 Student Commencement Speaker: Jess Cohen ’25

Music Faculty by Area

Choral/Vocal

Jazz

American Roots

Denison Ensembles-in-Residence

Spotlights

An eye for science and an ear for the banjo

It was strange and beautiful and unforgettable

Denison’s ‘Rev’ is moved by a spirit of tolerance and inclusion

Denison’s ‘Rev’ is moved by a spirit of tolerance and inclusion

5 questions with Music’s Sun Min Kim

Making their mark with Messiah

5 questions with Music’s Sun Min Kim

Playing to her strengths

Peering into black holes

The surprising history of Bluegrass music

Singer, Songwriter, Entrepreneur

The ON Switch

Bluegrass Goes to College

Building Bridges: Ron Abram, Collaboration and Tejido de Voces

Monkey business hits Broadway

What's Happening

Fun and great music at the Bluegrass and American Roots Festival

Sock Joplin Trio’s Jared Thompson ’04 on a national tour

Sophomore music major releases first album