Associate Professor (Tenor and Opera), Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
A renowned tenor, John Aler teaches applied voice at Mason. He has been a frequent performer with such orchestras as the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland and Philadelphia Orchestras, the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the symphony orchestras of Boston, Chicago and San Francisco.
Adjunct Professor of Music (Music Education and Aural Skills), Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Angela Ammerman, referred to by the Washington Post as the first “music teacher prodigy,” earned degrees in Music Education from the University of Cincinnati: College-Conservatory of Music, Boston University, and her PhD from George Mason University.
Professor (Piano and Chamber Music), Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Dr. Anna Balakerskaia is a “consistently thrilling pianist” (Judy Gruber, Washington Post) whose expression “wells with a delightful freedom,” (Robert Dumm, Clavier) and whose sound “is warm and deep.”
Adjunct Faculty (Jazz Piano and Jazz Combos), Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Wade Beach is widely respected for his harmonic sophistication and superb technique, which knows no stylistic limitations. He holds a master’s degree in piano performance from the University of Maryland.
Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education
Dr. Tina Beveridge was appointed Assistant Professor of Choral Music Education at the Dewberry School of Music of George Mason University in 2022. A specialist in choral music, she has taught music at the elementary, middle, and high school levels, as well as the community college and university levels.
Professor and Director of CHORAL ACTIVITIES, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Dr. Lisa Billingham is the newly appointed Director of Choral Activities at George Mason University, effective Fall 2021. She will be directing the University Chorale and the University Singers, and will teach choral conducting and related classes. She continues as an active member of the University Faculty Senate.
Adjunct Faculty and Co-Coordinator of PERCUSSION, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Jonathan Bisesi has held the position of Percussionist with the “Presidents Own” United States Marine Band since May 2004. He has been a featured soloist with the Marine Band on multiple occasions, most notably on the Filene Center stage at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and the “Presidents Own” 2011 National Concert Tour.
Adjunct Faculty (Keyboard Skills/Piano), Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Dr. Ina Radeva Mirtcheva is a May 2014 graduate of George Mason University with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance. She has been a piano student of Dr. Anna Balakerskia for many years. Her doctoral dissertation research focused on the life and music of Isaac Miknovsky; Dr. Linda Monson served as her dissertation advisor and mentor.
Collaborative Pianist, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Dr. Lisa Bloy earned a B.M. from Oberlin Conservatory, her M.M. from Pennsylvania University, and a DMA from Michigan State University. As an adjunct faculty member at GMU, Dr. Bloy has accompanied many students from both vocal and instrumental studios and has worked with the GMU opera classes.
Applied Jazz Trumpet, Dewberry School of Music, CVPA
Jazz Times magazine writes: “Breedlove has chops…and is the leader of a tight, forceful band”. AllAboutJazz.com has called Graham Breedlove “A trumpet player with an exquisite tone and provocative harmonic ideas…Breedlove exhibits great control and cranks out some head-turning melodic ideas”.