
About the Music Program
Westminster's Music program prioritizes teaching that centers on the individual. Majors, minors, and participants all receive individualized attention in smaller class sizes; have opportunities for a music scholarship; and are given occasions to take the spotlight in solo and ensemble performances, competitions, workshops, and interdisciplinary activities.
In the Music program, you are encouraged to discover other interests where you can forge new pathways for your creativity. Faculty are passionate about helping you transform into a highly-skilled, competitive artist and performer. Each of them has years of experience teaching in the classroom and private studio, performing on stage, and working in the recording studio.
Upcoming Music Performances
Westminster offers musical performances from students, faculty, and members of the Salt Lake community throughout the year.
check out upcoming performances
Auditions
Auditions for entrance into the Music program are held annually in January, February, and March. Music scholarships are awarded based on the audition process. Students who audition before March 1 are given scholarship priority, so it is strongly recommend that you schedule your audition as early as possible.
Preview Lessons
One of the most important components of any music education is the rapport and trust between teacher and student. The Music program provides the unique opportunity of meeting with Westminster music instructors during a preview lesson to find out for yourself if you like their style of teaching. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about your audition or seek advice on your particular career path.
To schedule a preview lesson, contact the Music program at 801.832.2379 or music@westminstercollege.edu.
Performing Ensembles and Private Lessons
The Music program offers classes, ensembles, private lessons, and other performance opportunities to further explore your interest in music.
Ensembles
Westminster College music ensembles are open to capable and committed students, faculty, staff, and in some cases, members of the community. Ensembles include:
- Westminster Community Choir
- Westminster Chamber Singers
- Westminster Chamber Orchestra
- Westminster Jazz Ensemble
- Percussion Ensemble
- Chamber Players
- Westminster Opera Studio
Private Lessons
All Westminster students can register for 1—2 credit hours of private music lessons. The Music program offers lessons in voice, piano, guitar, percussion, flute, cello, violin, and bass. You will have 13 weekly lessons per semester, each lasting 30 minutes for 1 credit hour, or 60 minutes for 2 credit hours. Private lesson courses are graded and cannot be audited. The majority of your lesson will be focused on technique, repertoire, and artistry.
Learn About Private Instrumental Lessons Learn About Private Voice Lessons
Community Partnerships
Westminster’s music department is proud to partner with performing arts organizations across Salt Lake City. Many current Westminster students participate in the following organizations:
- Young Artist Chamber Players
- Utah Flute Association
- Utah Symphony
- Utah Opera
- National Association of Teachers of Singing
- Salt Lake Symphonic Winds
If your organization or high-school performing ensemble is interested in collaborating on performance opportunities, or reserving the Vieve Gore Concert Hall for an upcoming event, please contact our music department at music@westminstercollege.edu.
Summer Camps
High school students can learn from Westminster's music faculty during 2 summer camps: SummerSong for singers and pianists and Strings Camp for violin, cello, and double bass players. Students must apply and be accepted into a camp to participate. Scholarships are available.
Learn About SummerSong Learn about Strings camp
Florence J. Gillmor Hall Expansion
Florence J. Gillmor Hall, an expansion to the existing Jewett Center for the Performing Arts, will transform the experience of performing and fine arts students with enhanced classroom, rehearsal, and performance spaces. To better serve the growing number of music majors and minors, the expansion will include:
- A 100-seat recital hall that will showcase Westminster's emphasis on solo and small group performances. This performance space will house 2 concert grand pianos; a 5-channel immersive audiovisual system; and ideal acoustics for student and faculty solo and chamber music recitals, guest masterclasses, lectures, and more.
- Sound-proof practice rooms and teaching spaces that will allow students essential practice time on new pianos, opportunities to rehearse chamber music together, and for faculty to teach private lessons
- A choir rehearsal room with vaulted ceilings and surround seating that will accommodate guest lectures and informal student performances as well as provide space for the Westminster Chamber Singers and Westminster Community Choir ensembles to rehearse
- A student lounge where students from the Music, Theatre, and Dance programs can hang out, study together, or put together an impromptu performance
Meet the Faculty

Aubrey Adams-McMillan
Private Music Instructor
- Voice
- Mezzo-Soprano
- aadams-mcmillan@westminstercollege.edu

Sarah Arnesen
Adjunct
- Strings
- Cello
- sarnesen@westminstercollege.edu

Emily Bender
Adjunct
- Strings
- Classical Guitar
- ebender@westminstercollege.edu

Brandon Derfler, Ph.D
Associate Professor
- Composition
- theory
- and technology
- Music theory
- bderfler@westminstercollege.edu
- 801.832.2441

Kerri Green
Adjunct
- Piano
- Piano and Pedagogy
- kgreen@westminstercollege.edu

David Halliday
Adjunct
- Winds and percussion
- Jazz and popular music
- Saxophone
- dhalliday@westminstercollege.edu

Jason Hardink
Adjunct
- Piano
- Piano
- jhardink@westminstercollege.edu

Kristiana Henderson
Adjunct
- Strings
- Violin
- khenderson@westminstercollege.edu

Leslie Henrie
Adjunct
- Strings
- Viola
- lhenrie@westminstercollege.edu

Chris Hough
Adjunct
- Jazz and popular music
- Jazz Guitar
- chough@westminstercollege.edu

Sally Humphreys
Private Music Instructor
- Winds and percussion
- Flute
- shumphreys@westminstercollege.edu

Lun Jiang
Adjunct
- Strings
- Violin
- ljiang@westminstercollege.edu

Kimi Kawashima
Assistant Director of Music
- Piano
- Piano
- kkawashima@westminstercollege.edu
- 801.832.2379

Hilary Koolhoven
Adjunct
- Voice
- Soprano
- hkoolhoven@westminstercollege.edu

Yuki MacQueen
Adjunct
- Strings
- Violin
- ymacqueen@westminstercollege.edu

Julie Mark
Private Music Instructor
- Strings
- Acoustic Guitar
- jmark@westminstercollege.edu

Devin Maxwell
Adjunct
- Winds and percussion
- Composition
- theory
- and technology
- Percussion, Composition and Music Technology
- dmaxwell@westminstercollege.edu

Donald Miller
Adjunct
- Composition
- theory
- and technology
- Composition and Music Technology, Instrumental Conducting
- dmiller@westminstercollege.edu

Craig Moore
Adjunct
- Winds and percussion
- Trombone
- cmoore@westminstercollege.edu

Emily Nelson
Adjunct
- Voice
- Soprano, World Music
- enelson@westminstercollege.edu

Katie Porter
Adjunct
- Winds and percussion
- Clarinet
- kporter@westminstercollege.edu

Christopher Puckett, D.M.A.
Assistant Professor
- Voice
- Tenor
- cpuckett@westminstercollege.edu
- 801.832.2316

Chris Quinn, D.M.A.
Florence J. Gillmor Music Professor
- Voice
- Strings
- Piano
- Winds and percussion
- Composition
- theory
- and technology
- Jazz and popular music
- Director of Music, Choral
- cquinn@westminstercollege.edu
- 801.832.2437

Alex Rowe
Private Music Instructor
- Jazz and popular music
- Bass Guitar
- arowe@westminstercollege.edu

Courtney Smith
Adjunct
- Jazz and popular music
- Jazz Piano
- cismith@westminstercollege.edu

Kyra Sovronsky
Adjunct
- Winds and percussion
- Trumpet
- ksovronsky@westminstercollege.edu

Parker Swenson
Adjunct
- Winds and percussion
- Drums
- pswenson@westminstercollege.edu

Whittney Thomas
Adjunct
- Strings
- Viola
- wthomas@westminstercollege.edu

Louise Vickerman
Adjunct
- Strings
- Harp
- lvickerman@westminstercollege.edu

Pegsoon Whang
Adjunct
- Strings
- Cello
- pwhang@westminstercollege.edu

Lori Wike
Adjunct
- Winds and percussion
- Bassoon
- lwike@westminstercollege.edu

Emily Williams
Staff Accompanist

David Yavornitzky
Adjunct
- Strings
- Double Bass
- dyavornitzky@westminstercollege.edu