CMS Marshall Faculty

Rita Burghart (Music First, Piano Together) Rita holds a Bachelor of Sacred Music from Baptist Bible College in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Rita has Level II certification from the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers. She is the former director of the Music Connection, a community music school in Pella, Iowa. Rita is an active church musician, with experience as keyboardist and choir director.

Christine Bourdeaux (piano) Christine has had training in piano pedagogy from Baptist Bible College in Clark Summit, PA. She has sold pianos and maintained a teaching studio in Albion and Marshall. Christine teaches all ages and skill levels, and is a church pianist.

Ty Forquer (percussion) Ty holds a Bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University, a Master's from Portland State University, and is pursuing a doctorate from Michigan State University, all in percussion performance. He has been a university adjunct faculty and teaching assistant as well as theory instructor. Ty has been orchestral section and principal percussionist in Michigan and Portland, participated in drumlines, and jazz bands. He is skilled in many styles of drumming and marimba.

Jan Fourn (oboe, bassoon) Jan holds a Bachelor of Music Education with a major in Instrumental Music from Central Michigan University and a Master of Music with a Wind Pedagogy/Double Reeds major, from Western Michigan University. She has been a member of the Jackson Symphony Orchestra for 20 years. She has taught at Albion College and Jackson Community College, and been band director for Jackson Catholic Middle School, Spring Arbor Community Band, and Albion Community Band. She serves as an M.S.B.O.A. adjudicator at music festivals, and also composes and arranges. Jan has been rehearsal pianist for musicals, soloist and accompanist for numerous recitals, and performs with Espressivo, a professional woodwind quintet.

Marguerite Grupke (violin & viola, Music First) Marguerite holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Western Michigan University, where she was a recipient of the Hart Music Education Scholarship, and the Dorothy Dalton Music Scholarship. She has been a member of orchestras in Michigan and Indiana and counselor for summer music camps. Marguerite is a school orchestra instructor and holds certification from the Gordon Institute for Music Learning in Early Childhood Music.

Kristin Hydon (clarinet) Kristin is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Music Education. She has training from Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Valley Community College. She has taught privately in Marshall and Mount Pleasant.

Jisun Kalil (piano) Jisun holds a Bachelor and Master of Music in piano performance from Florida State University and has also studied at Sungshin Women’s University and Beaksok Arts University in Seoul, Korea. She is a professional accompanist and has been a church music director and organist. She currently accompanies for Kalamazoo Civic Theatre.

Joan King (piano) Joan holds a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Western Michigan University, and is a retired elementary school music teacher. Her professional accompanist activities extend also to being a church organist and pianist.

Elizabeth Marquart (violin, viola) earned a Bachelor's degree in viola performance from Western Michigan University, where she also played violin and viola da gamba in the Collegium Musicum and viola in the WMU University Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra. She has taught individual and group lessons in violin and viola. Elizabeth performs in musicals, operas, and weddings, and has been violinist in Whispering Hope Strings, a dulcimer ensemble based in Spring Arbor, MI.

Rocky Newsome (guitar and banjo) Rocky received his musical training from Jackson Community College. He has been a worship leader and singer as well as guitarist in several churches, most recently First Baptist Church of Marshall. Skilled in acoustic guitar, bass, and banjo, his stylistic specialty is contemporary Christian.

Sara Rogers (viola, violin) Sara holds a Bachelors degree from Western Michigan University, and a Master's degree and Artist's Diploma from the College - Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati, all in viola performance. While at the University of Cincinnati, she won the Geraldine B. Gee Award for viola, and was winner of the Concerto Competition. Sara has been members of serveral area orchestras, and is currently principle violist with the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra.

Rebecca Ruthberg (trumpet) Rebecca is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree from Albion College, with a double major in Music and Biology. She has participated in honors bands and won awards for performing skills. Rebecca has been a member of concert bands and a wedding performer, and is currently a member of the Albion College Symphonic Orchestra.

John Russell (voice) John holds a Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University in music education and vocal performance, a Master’s degree from Columbia University Teacher’s College in music education, choral conducting and vocal performance, and is pursuing a Doctor of Music Arts from the University of Southern California in choral music, musicology, early music, and vocal pedagogy. He is the former director of San Diego Children’s Choir and currently the Director of Choral Activities at Albion College. John has directed youth and adult choirs in several states, been adjudicator and clinician for choral and vocal festivals, and is a prolific tenor solo performer.

Mira Shifrin (flute) Mira has a Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a master’s degree from Ithaca College, NY, both in flute performance. She has taught private flute and theory/composition for in public school and summer music camps, including Interlochen, and has been a member of university and other orchestras.

Alexis Stark (voice) Alexis holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Western Michigan University. She has been tour manager for Singers of United Lands, a quartet of international singers teaching communities about world music and culture. Alexis has also toured internationally as a member of World Youth Choir, performing under conductors such as Gunnar Eriksson and Bob Chilcott.

Edward Swarthout (guitar) Ed attended the Hannibal School of Music. He has played with ‘Reflection’ in Syracuse, New York. Presently he plays with “On The Road,’ a band made up of Community Music School faculty. Ed has appeared in several productions of Marshall Civic Players and well as in Kellogg Community College productions.

Kathleen Warriner (clarinet, saxophone, Marshall Woodwind Ensemble) Kathleen holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University and a Master of Music degree from Western Michigan University. She has been Middle School Band Director for Marshall Public Schools, performed with the Marshall Community Band, the Kalamazoo College & Community Orchestra, and served as music director for Marshall Junior Youth Theatre. Kathleen teaches bands and choir at Tekonsha Schools.