ACU’s Department of Music, led by a team of passionate and talented professors, offers several distinct degree options tailored to meet your personal and professional goals.
Samuel Cook
Associate Professor of Voice
Director, Gospel Choir
Artist in Residence
Samuel Cook has performed operatic and solo vocal repertoire throughout the United States and Europe. He attended the Johns Hopkins University Peabody Conservatory of Music and Indiana University and pursued advanced training with Carlo Bergonzi and Renata Tebaldi in Busseto, Italy. Among Cook’s operatic roles are the Duke (Rigoletto), Nemorino (L’Elisior d’Amore), Narciso (Il Turoc in Italia), Count Almaviva (Il Barbiere di Sivilia), Belmonte (Die Entführung aus dem Serail), Alfredo (La traviata) and Don José (Carmen). Along with his operatic roles, Cook has performed internationally as a sensitive song and lieder recitalist whose programs encompass an intriguing and varied repertoire from Bach’s oratorios and passions to Liszt’s romantic Sonetti di Petrarca to a rich and heart rendering solo recital of Negro spirituals.
Kara Covey
Instructor of Voice
Kara Covey, soprano, is known for her rich vocal color and expressivity. Specializing in verismo and Mozart repertoire, she has performed across the United States, Mexico, Germany, Italy, Bulgaria, and Greece. Her roles include Tosca, Mimì (La bohème), Donna Anna and Donna Elvira (Don Giovanni), Contessa (Le nozze di Figaro), Susannah, and Violetta (La traviata).
A two-time Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition District winner and Regional Finalist, she has also been recognized by the Palm Springs, Jensen Foundation, and Young Texas Artists competitions. On the concert stage, she has appeared as soloist in major works by Mozart, Handel, Poulenc, and Bernstein.
Dedicated to teaching, she has served on voice faculties in Texas public schools and presented research on vocal acoustics at the Texoma NATS Conference. Covey is completing her D.M.A. in Opera Performance at the University of Texas at Austin, where she holds a full-tuition scholarship and Academic Excellence Fellowship.
Dr. Jeff Goolsby
Director of Choral Studies
Jeffery Goolsby conducts the A Cappella Chorus, University Chorale, and Chamber Singers. He teaches courses in choral conducting and choral methods and supervises the choral music education program. Prior to joining the ACU faculty, he taught for ten years in successful high school choral music programs in the Dallas and Houston areas. He is in demand as a clinician, consultant, and adjudicator throughout the state and has served in numerous regional and state capacities with TMEA, ACDA, and UIL. He holds the Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Abilene Christian University, where he was named a University Scholar; the Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Louisiana State University; and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting from Texas Tech University. Professional affiliations include TMEA, TCDA, ACDA, NCCO, TMAA, and Pi Kappa Lambda.
Dr. Dan Harbaugh
Associate Director of Bands
Director of Athletic Bands
Dr. Daniel Harbaugh directs the Concert Band, leads the Big Purple Marching Band, teaches courses within the Instrumental Music Education curriculum, and supervises all Instrumental Music Education Clinical Teachers. Dr. Harbaugh received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Wind Conducting from the University of Oklahoma. He holds additional Master’s degrees in Instrumental Conducting and Percussion Performance from Truman State University (MO) and Educational Administration from Lindenwood University (MO), as well as a Bachelor of Science in Instrumental Music Education degree from Northwest Missouri State University. His primary areas of research include wind ensemble literature and pedagogy, conducting technique and pedagogy, and the development of high-quality music education in rural communities. In addition to serving on staff at the University of Oklahoma and Truman State University, Dr. Harbaugh taught in Missouri Public Schools for 13 years. His ensembles consistently received the highest ratings and accolades. He has served as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the Midwest. Dr. Harbaugh is a member of the College Band Directors National Association, Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Bandmasters Association, National Association for Music Education, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Tau Beta Sigma, and Pi Kappa Lambda.
Dr. Rick Piersall
Professor of Voice
Director of Opera
Rick is a co-founder of the South Dakota Vocal Arts Festival and has directed operas at Stephen F. Austin State University, Houston Baptist University, and the University of South Dakota. He has appeared in leading roles with the Utah Lyric Opera, Center for Contemporary Opera, Des Moines Metro Opera, Longleaf Opera, El Paso Opera, Opera at Lehigh, Opera Fort Collins, Opera Iowa, Opera North, Amarillo Opera and the Abilene Opera Association. Among his roles are Mozart’s Figaro, Reverend Olin Blitch in Susannah, the title character in The Boor by Argento, Don Fernando in Beethoven’s Fidelio, and Tony in the musical The Most Happy Fella.
Dr. Matt Roberson
Associate Professor of Musicology, Cornerstone Director and Chair of the Department of Music
Matt Roberson holds the M.M. and Ph.D. in musicology from Florida State University. His research centers on 17th–18th-century English theatre music, and his scholarship also includes music history pedagogy and pedagogical partnerships. He is active with the National Association of Schools of Music and is a past president of the Texas Association of Music Schools.
Roberson finds particular joy in music administration at a Christ-centered institution, where he can align artistic excellence with spiritual formation, building programs that serve the Church and the wider world while mentoring students as musicians and people of character. He also enjoys playing bass at Highland Church of Christ, where he serves regularly in worship.
Dr. Greg Straughn
Professor of Musicology and Music Theory
Dr. Greg Straughn has taught music history and theory courses at Abilene Christian University since 2000. He holds a masters and doctorate in Musicology from the University of North Texas. In his professional career, he has performed as a cellist with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra and the Denton and Dallas Bach Societies. His scholarly work has centered on nineteenth-century opera, specifically Wagner’s Parsifal and the ensemble structures in the works of Jules Massenet. Since 2009, he has held a variety of administrative roles at ACU, including Honors Dean, Associate Provost for General Education, Interim Provost, and, currently, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Dr. Allen Teel
Professor of Percussion and World Music
Dr. Allen Teel joined the Abilene Christian University music faculty in 1985. An active performer, he serves as principal timpanist with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra where he performed as co-soloist with Robert Van Sice on the world premiere of Martin Bresnick’s Grace: Concerto for Two Marimbas and Orchestra. He has performed and presented clinics at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC), the Texas Music Educators Association Convention, and the Texas Bandmasters Association Convention. Teel teaches applied percussion lessons for majors and non-majors, directs the ACU Percussion Ensemble and Steeldrum Band, teaches percussion methods courses, and works with percussionists in the marching band, wind ensemble, and concert band. He also teaches courses in world music and serves as the director of the instrumental division. Dr. Teel is a graduate of West Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, and the University of Georgia.
Kristin Ward
College Professor of Clarinet, Saxophone, Vocal Jazz, Music Theory, Music Education
Kristin Ward joined the music faculty of Abilene Christian University in 2006, where she serves as instructor of clarinet and saxophone, and teaches courses in the areas of music theory, music education, jazz voice, and Cornerstone. She also serves as adjunct instructor of clarinet at Hardin Simmons University. Kristin previously taught at Hope College and Alma College in Michigan as well as Eastern Oregon University. She holds a master’s degree in clarinet performance from Michigan State University, and has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Abilene Christian University.
As a clarinetist, she performed with the ACU Wind Ensemble as a soloist in David Maslanka’s Clarinet Concerto at the Texas Music Educators Association convention in February of 2017. She is also the clarinetist of the Key City Winds Woodwind Quintet, which is the ensemble-in residence here at Heavenly Rest. This quintet has performed in several venues in the Big Country as well as the TMEA convention in February of 2018.
Dr. Steven Ward
Professor of Music and Director of Orchestra and Bands
Dr. Steven Ward is also the Music Director/Conductor of the Civic Orchestra of Abilene and teaches courses in conducting. Prior to his appointment at ACU, he was the Music Director/Conductor of the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra in Kalamazoo, MI, Director of Bands at Hope College in Holland, MI, and Music Director/Conductor of the Grande Ronde Symphony Orchestra in La Grande, OR where he also served as Instructor of Music at Eastern Oregon University. He has served as conductor for the orchestra and faculty ensembles at the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts in since 2006.
Dr. Hanqiu Xu
Visiting College Assistant Professor of Piano and Collaborative Arts
Hanqiu Xu, originally from Anhui, China, is an accomplished performer, teacher, and pedagogue. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance with a cognate in Piano Pedagogy from Texas Christian University, her Master of Music in Piano Performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, and her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, cum laude, from Bowling Green State University. Dr. Xu has performed internationally in both solo and collaborative settings, appearing in concerts throughout the United States and China. During her summer visits home, she presents recitals and educational activities, sharing her artistry and teaching with students and audiences in China. Her research examines piano pedagogy and Music Performance Anxiety, applying psychological principles like anxiety responses and motivation to teaching strategies that help students develop healthy, effective performance habits. With a passion for performance, education, and research-informed teaching, Dr. Xu continues to inspire both audiences and students worldwide.
Matt started playing the guitar in the early 90’s. He has been teaching private guitar lessons since 2002. He earned a Bachelor’s in Music from Hardin-Simmons University in 2004 with an emphasis in Church Music. After spending 9 years in full-time music ministry, Matt and his family moved back to Abilene to open a full-time private music studio, where he and 4 other instructors teach guitar, piano, voice, and fiddle. He finished a Masters of Music in Theory and Composition in 2021 at Hardin-Simmons University. Between his private students and applied lessons at ACU and HSU, he teaches 70+ private guitar lessons each week. Matt and his wife, Michelle, regularly perform music around the Big Country for various private events and weddings. They also continue to lead worship weekly for several churches in the area, along with retreats and conferences in the state. Matt, Michelle, and their three children live on a small farm 20 miles outside of Abilene.
Bernard Scherr’s catalog includes over 140 works for orchestra, orchestra and chorus, orchestra and soloist, solo voice, chorus, concert band, and various chamber ensembles. His orchestral works have been performed in California, Texas, and Europe, and he has received numerous commissions from professional and university ensembles. His chamber music has been performed across the US and abroad. His music and professional activities have been recognized in Boston, California, Pennsylvania, Oregon, and Texas. He has presented research papers or presentations of his music in Portugal, Alabama, California, Oregon, Texas, and Washington State. He teaches music theory and composition courses at Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, and McMurry University. He is the co-owner of B&D Music Services, LLC, providing streaming and recording services for art music events. He holds multiple certifications in Pro Tools and Dante. His website is: https://berniescherrcomposer.com. He earned a BA and MFA in music from UCLA, and a Ph.D. in music from the University of Oregon.
Dr. Jennifer Schroeder is the adjunct instructor of horn at Abilene Christian University. In addition to her work with the music department, she serves as College Fellowship for Children and Family Ministry and Summit director in the College of Biblical Studies. She joined Abilene Christian University full time in 2022 after having taught as adjunct faculty since 2019. While she spent many years in full time ministry, she also remains an active teacher and performer, and it is through her interdisciplinary background that she is able to bring the world of music and ministry into collaboration with each other.
