Please join us as we welcome our newest faculty members to the College of Music!
Justin Ball
Instructional Specialist I in Recording Services
Recording Specialist Justin Ball is a member of the Percussive Arts Society Education Committee and a video editor at Rhythm Monster LLC. He received the Master of Music and Doctor of Music degrees in Percussion Performance from Florida State University and the Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith.
Katie Barr
Visiting Instructional Specialist in Vocal Coaching & Accompanying
Pianist and vocal coach Katie Barr joins Florida State University as Visiting Instructional Specialist in Vocal Coaching. A 2025 NATS intern, she has worked with Boston Conservatory, Boston Opera Collaborative, and festivals including Bay View and MassOpera. A passionate recitalist, Barr has performed works by Schubert, Copland, Britten, and Ricky Ian Gordon. She has taught at Tanglewood, Interlochen, and more. Barr holds degrees from Duquesne and Boston Conservatory and is pursuing a DMA at UIUC.
Celso Cano
Teaching Faculty I in Musicology & Strings
Celso Cano returns to the College of Music as Teaching Faculty I, focusing on Early Music and Strings. A prize-winning performer and composer, he has earned honors including the Andrés Segovia Competition and the Ignacio Cervantes Prize. Formerly on faculty at institutions in New York and Florida, Cano is passionate about early and contemporary music, transcription, and expanding the guitar repertoire. Born in Lima, Peru, he holds degrees from the University of Arizona, Florida International University, and Florida State University.
André Chiang
Assistant Professor of Voice & Opera
Baritone André Chiang has performed with major U.S. companies including Portland Opera, OperaDelaware, and Virginia Opera and has soloed with multiple symphonies. His research has been seen at national and international conferences for the National Opera Association, NATS, PAVA, and College Music Society, and he is a frequent contributor to Classical Singer magazine. Chiang joins the College of Music as Assistant Professor of Voice, having held similar positions at Emory University, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and Oklahoma State University.
Linda Di Fiore
Visiting Professor of Voice & Opera
Mezzo-soprano Linda Di Fiore is Regents Professor Emeritus at the University of North Texas and Visiting Professor of Voice at Florida State University. She has held teaching positions at Indiana University, DePaul, UCSB, and Eastman. A distinguished performer and pedagogue, she has sung with major opera companies and orchestras worldwide. A NATS Master Teacher, her students perform in top opera houses and regularly win national competitions and young artist program placements.
Sophia Han
Visiting Assistant Professor of Violin
Violinist Sophia Han has soloed with U.S. orchestras and toured with artists like Michael Bublé and Audra McDonald. She has served as Associate Concertmaster of the Paducah Symphony and has performed with the St. Louis and Florida Orchestras. A committed educator and chamber musician, Han co-founded the PATH Residency at Southeast Missouri State University. She received the DM from FSU, dual master’s degrees from University of Michigan, and the bachelor’s degree from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Qing Jiang
Associate Professor of Piano & Director of Keyboard Collaborative Arts
Pianist Qing Jiang has appeared at Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall, and international venues in China, Europe, and New Zealand. A passionate chamber musician and advocate for new music, she teaches at Kneisel Hall and collaborates with leading composers and artists. Versatile in style and interests, Jiang has performed with the Britten-Pears contemporary ensemble, the New Juilliard ensemble, and the Aspen percussion ensemble. She holds degrees from Juilliard, NEC, and ASU, and has taught at NEC, Curtis, and Bucknell.
Tissa Khosla, Adjunct Assistant Professor of Jazz & Commercial Music
Tissa Khosla is saxophonist, educator, and technologist whose work bridges performance, teaching, and creative applications of technology in music. He has performed internationally with Marcus Roberts’ Modern Jazz Generation and taught at institutions including Roosevelt STAY and Swing Central. In addition to his performance and practice, he has developed innovative music-technology projects, including custom software tools for Sibelius and AI-powered practice resources. Khosla holds a B.A. in Music from Florida State University and an M.M. in Jazz Studies from Michigan State University.
Marc LeMay
Visiting Teaching Faculty I in Music Theory
Marc LeMay is a composer and educator whose work blends theatricality, lyricism, and collaboration across media. A Birmingham native, he holds degrees from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of Michigan, and a Ph.D. in composition from the University of Pennsylvania. Le May joins the College of Music after previous teaching roles Georgia State University, Rowan University, the University of Pennsylvania, University of Michigan, and University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Stephen Mattingly
Associate Professor of Guitar
Guitarist Stephen Mattingly has performed widely across the U.S. and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician. A Presser Award recipient and founding member of the Tantalus Quartet, Mattingly has taught and performed at major festivals and conferences across Europe and North America. Mattingly holds Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Eastman, an Artist Diploma from the Hochschule für Musik Detmold, and Doctorate of Music from FSU.
André Peele
Visiting Assistant Professor of Voice and Opera
Bass-baritone André Peele has performed with companies including Virginia Opera, Piedmont Opera, and The Princeton Festival. He holds degrees from UNC School of the Arts, Florida State University, and the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute. Also trained in educational psychology, André advocates for equitable, inclusive vocal pedagogy and presents nationally on curriculum reform.
The College of Music would like to extend a warm welcome to these incoming faculty and to all of our returning faculty and staff. We look forward to another excellent year of learning and music-making with all of you!
