Faculty

Dr. Michael Staub

Director of CCMA

Dr. Michael Staub is the Director of Instrumental Activities at Concordia University Texas and an Assistant Professor of Music where he directs the Concordia Symphonic Winds and teaches classes in music education, music theory, and music history. Prior to his time at Concordia, Dr. Staub taught instrumental music for 16 years in Houston, Texas. He completed his DMA in Music Education from the University of Houston in 2019 and has been at CTX since 2018. He holds a Texas K-12 all-level music certification.

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Dr. Joseph Choi

Piano Instructor

Joseph Choi is a piano faculty member at Concordia University Texas. He was the Second Prize winner of the 2014 NTD International Piano Competition, Finalist in the 2016 San Antonio International Piano Competition, where he was awarded the prize for Best Performance of a Baroque Composer, Second Prize winner of the 2012 Tuesday Musical Club Competition in San Antonio, and winner of the 2012 concerto competition at the University of Texas at Austin. He enjoys teaching students of all ages. He obtained his Doctorate of Musical Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees at the University of Texas at Austin under the tutelage of Anton Nel.

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Dr. Joshua Chai

Organ Instructor

Dr. Joshua Chai is the Director of Choral Activities, the director of the Director of Parish Music program, an Assistant Professor of Music, and the University Cantor at Concordia University Texas, where he conducts the University Choir and teaches courses in music theory, music technology, music history, conducting, and corporate worship. He has taught at CTX since 2009; previously, he was on faculty at Concordia University Irvine in southern California, directing three choirs and teaching courses in music technology and music appreciation.

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Dr. Janet Grohovac

Guitar Instructor

Dr. Janet Grohovac has been on faculty teaching individual lessons and group guitar classes at Concordia University Texas since 2013. Janet completed her Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees at the University of Texas at Austin with Adam Holzman as her main pedagogue. Originally from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, Dr. Grohovac completed her Bachelor of Music with distinction at the University of Victoria studying with Dr. Alexander Dunn. As a dynamic concert artist, recent performances include appearances at the Festival Internacional de Guitarra de Taxco, Mexico with the Grohovac-Ibison Duo, and more.

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Professor Ann Kjerulf Knien

Flute Instructor

Prof. Ann Kjerulf Knien is a freelance flutist and music educator in Austin. She is the Adjunct Professor of Flute at Concordia University and heads the KjKn Flute Studio. Mrs. Kjerulf Knien enjoys performing with a variety of local groups, leading masterclasses, and coaching chamber music. An advocate of music education and outreach, she was President of Austin Flute Society 2008-2010. She is passionate about teaching, collaborating on chamber works, delving into the flute and organ repertoire, and premiering new works.

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Meagan O'Neal

Piano Instructor

Meagan has had a passion for music since she started learning piano at age 4. She loves teaching and believes music is for everybody, no matter the age. As a music teacher, Meagan enjoys asking students questions that inspire critical thinking, and encourage each student to reach their fullest potential. Meagan recently graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music-Performance (piano) at Concordia University Texas.

Dr. Denise Ro

Cello Instructor

Nova​ ​Scotia​ ​native​ ​cellist,​ ​Denise​ ​Ro,​ ​has​ ​recently​ ​completed​ ​her​ ​studies​ ​at​ ​the University​ ​of​ ​Texas​ ​at​ ​Austin.​ ​​An​ ​avid​ ​chamber​ ​musician,​ ​engagements​ ​have included​ ​performances​ ​at​ ​the​ ​Aspen​ ​Music​ ​Festival,​ ​the​ ​Perlman​ ​Music​ ​Program, and​ ​Kneisel​ ​Hall.​ ​​As​ ​cellist​ ​of​ ​the​ ​former​ ​Ariadne​ ​String​ ​Quartet,​ ​​she​ ​was​ ​awarded the​ ​Barstow​ ​String​ ​Prize​ ​at​ ​the​ ​2012​ ​Coleman​ ​Chamber​ ​Ensemble​ ​Competition, Bronze​ ​Medal​ ​at​ ​the​ ​Fischoff​ ​National​ ​Chamber​ ​Music​ ​Competition,​ ​and​ ​First​ ​Prize at​ ​the​ ​Ohio​ ​String​ ​Teachers’​ ​Association​ ​Biennial​ ​Chamber​ ​Music​ ​Competition. Dr.​ ​Ro​ ​has​ ​recently​ ​completed​ ​doctoral​ ​studies​ ​at​ ​the​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Texas​ ​at​ ​Austin, where​ ​she​ ​was​ ​mentored​ ​by​ ​cellist,​ ​Joshua​ ​Gindele​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Miró​ ​Quartet.​ ​Previous education​ ​has​ ​included​ ​string​ ​quartet​ ​studies​ ​at​ ​Rice​ ​University,​ ​the​ ​Cleveland Institute​ ​of​ ​Music,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Juilliard​ ​School,​ ​where​ ​she​ ​completed​ ​her​ ​graduate studies​ ​in​ ​2011.​ ​

Professor Shelley Auer Schneider

Voice Instructor

Shelley Schneider, mezzo-soprano, is excited to be a part of the music department at Concordia University Texas. She has been teaching and performing for 20 years. Before moving to Austin 2 years ago, Ms. Auer taught at Sam Houston University, Houston Community College and Alvin Community College. While living in Houston for 12 years, she performed with the Houston Grand Opera chorus for 10 seasons as well as performing with Opera to Go, HGOs educational outreach program. Other performances in Houston include operatic roles in Die Fledermaus, Trouble in Tahiti, Cosi fan tutti, Cabildo and musical theater roles in Camelot,Thoroughly Modern Millie, Company, and Sweeney Todd.

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