Dr. Keith Herris
EDUCATION
– D.M.A. in Piano Performance (Summa Cum Laude) – Michigan State University. April, 2006.
– M.M. in Piano Performance and Pedagogy (Summa Cum Laude) – University of Oklahoma. May 2001.
– B.A. in Piano Performance with emphasis in Piano Pedagogy – Goshen College. May 1999.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
– Professor of Music (Tenured). Bethel University (TN) 2006 – present.
– Courses Taught at Bethel University: Applied Piano, Class Piano I, II, III, IV, Music Fundamentals, Music Theory I, II, III, IV, Form & Analysis, Accompanying, Introduction to Piano Pedagogy, Recital Hour, Music Appreciation (online only-traditional and dual enrollment sections). 2006 – present.
– Chamber Music Coaching, Bethel University. 2006 – present.
– Private Studio Teaching, McKenzie, TN.
– Private Studio Teaching, Battle Creek, MI. 2005 – 2006.
– Teaching Assistant. Applied Piano. Michigan State University. 2003 – 2005.
– Adjunct Professor of Piano. Goshen College. 2003.
– Instructor of piano. Community Music School of The Music Center of South Central Michigan. 2003.
– Developed and taught high school class piano. Goshen College. 2002.
– Senior Faculty of private and group lessons. Goshen College Community Music School. 2001-2003.
– Master Class Instructor. Goshen College Community Music School. 2002 – 2003.
– Master Class Instructor. Goshen College Summer Piano Workshop. 2002, 2003.
– Instructor of private and group lessons. Goshen College Piano Preparatory Department. 1997-1999.
– Instructor of English and piano. Center for English and Music, San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Summer 1997.
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
– Chair, Division of Music and Religion. Bethel University, 2012 – present.
– Principle Pianist, Jackson Symphony Orchestra 2014 – present.
– Music Director, First Cumberland Presbyterian Church, McKenzie TN. 2008 – present.
– Collaborative Artist. Various Recitals and Chamber Collaborations. 2003 – present.
– Adjudicator, Greater Memphis Area Music Teachers Association Piano Auditions, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023.
– Adjudicator, Martin Area MTA (TMTA/MTNA) Spring, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2023.
– Adjudicator, University of Tennessee at Martin Piano Competition. March, 2012, 2023.
– Adjudicator, West Tennessee Music Teachers Association, 2023.
– Adjudicator, Germantown Collierville Piano Festival, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2022.
-Continuous curriculum review of degree programs. Creation of BM degrees for the 2019-20 academic year.
– Presentation for Martin Area Music Teachers Association. “The Good, The Bad, and The Dissonant: A Pathway to Beauty” November, 2015.
– Sergeant at Arms, McKenzie Rotary Club. 2022-23
– Club Secretary, McKenzie Rotary Club. 2011-2012, 2015-16.
– Chair, Division of Music. Bethel University. 2008 – 2009.
– Co-Chair, Division of Music. Bethel University. 2007 – 2008.
– Developed Curriculum for Music Industry Studies Major (Music Business and Music Production/Technology) implemented in 2008. Bethel University.
– Renaissance Choir Associate Music Conductor, Bethel University. 2006 – 2012.
– Program Director of the Acorn Music Project (music program for underserved community children). Goshen College. 2001 – 2003.
– Accompanist. Goshen Community Chorus. 2001 – 2003
– Project Coordinator: Designed, purchased and set up Midi Lab with computer/keyboard workstations. Goshen College. 2002.
– Graduate Assistant in opera accompanying. University of Oklahoma. 1999 – 2001.
– Graduate Assistant as recording technician. University of Oklahoma. 1999 – 2001.
PIANO INSTRUCTORS
– Panayis Lyras, Artist in Residence, Michigan State University. 2003 – 2006.
– Lori Sims, Western Michigan University. 2002 – 2003.
– Jane Magrath, University of Oklahoma. 1999 – 2001.
– Marvin Blickenstaff, Goshen College. 1995 – 1999.
COMPETITIONS AND AWARDS
– Friend of the Arts Award, Carroll Arts, Inc. 2018
– Teacher of the Year Award, Bethel University. 2008 – 2009.
– Who’s Who in Collegiate Faculty.
– Guest Soloist: Michigan State University Philharmonic Orchestra. October 2004.
– Finalist: Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. 2002.
– Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society Member. 2001.
– First Prize: Donna Turner Smith Memorial Competition, University of Oklahoma. 2000.
– Alternate Winner: Oklahoma State MTNA Competition. 2000.
– Winner: OMTA Graduate Piano Competition. 1999.
– Finalist: Kalamazoo Bach Festival, Kalamazoo, Michigan. 1997, 1998.
– Winner: Goshen College Concerto Competition. 1995, 1998.
– Winner: Collegiate Chopin Competition, South Bend, Indiana. 1997.
PERFORMANCES AND RECITALS
Solo and chamber music:
– Principle Pianist, Jackson Symphony Orchestra, 2014 – present.
-Collaborative Artist, Various chamber ensembles throughout west Tennessee. 2006 – present.
– Collaborative Artist, Dr. Hope Fairchild Thacker Recital at Weill Hall-Carnegie Hall. December, 2013.
– Various Faculty Solo Piano Recitals, Bethel University, 2006 – present.
– Collaborative Artist, Dr. Hope Fairchild Thacker, state, regional, semi-finals, and finals at NATSAA competition, Spring and Summer 2012.
– Accompanist for Faculty Recitals (Trombone, Voice) 2012.
– Pianist, 12 Renaissance Musical Theatre Productions, 2006 – 2013.
– 500+ performances with Bethel University Renaissance Choir throughout the United States and Japan, 2006 – 2012.
– Guest Piano Recital. Lakeview Baptist Church, Battle Creek, MI. Summer, 2009.
– Guest Voice Recital, Dr. Maryann Kyle, Associate Professor of Voice, University of Southern Mississippi. Bethel University. Fall, 2008.
– All Junior and Senior Recitals, until staff accompanist position was created. Bethel University. 2006 – 2011
– Graduate Lecture Recital, Michigan State University. Spring 2006.
– Graduate Chamber Recital, Michigan State University. Spring, 2005.
– Graduate Solo Recitals, Michigan State University. Spring 2004, Fall 2005, Spring 2005,
– Guest Artist. Piano Dedication Concert, First Friends Church, Canton, OH (1500 members). Summer, 2005.
– Guest Soloist: Michigan State University Philharmonic Orchestra. October 2004.
– Celeste. Battle Creek Symphony Orchestra. 2004.
– Guest Piano Recital. Lakeview Baptist Church, Battle Creek, MI. 2004.
– Faculty Recital. Goshen College. 2003.
– Annual Faculty/Staff performance. Goshen College Summer Piano Workshop, 2000 – 2003.
– Graduate Solo Recitals. University of Oklahoma. 2000, 2001.
– Guest Recital. Goshen College. 2001.
– Premier of Chinese Dragons by Nancy Faber. Goshen College Summer Piano Workshop. 2000.
– Accompanist for Marilyn Horn master classes. University of Oklahoma. 2000.
– Performance. OMTA (Oklahoma) State Convention. 2000.
– Senior Recital. Goshen College. 1999.
– Chamber Music Performances. Tour throughout Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. 1999.
– Guest performance. San Francisco de Macoris, Dominican Republic. 1997.
– Sophomore Recital. Goshen College. 1997.
Concerto Performances:
– Bethel University Singers and Orchestra (Beethoven Choral Fantasy). Spring, 2011
– Michigan State University Philharmonic Orchestra (Beethoven 3rd). October 2004.
– Goshen College Orchestra (Beethoven Triple). 1999.
– Goshen College Orchestra (Liszt No. 1). 1998.
– Goshen College Orchestra (Mozart Double). 1996.