Advising First – Undergraduate Music Advisor
Welcome letter from Rachel Ward – College of Music Undergraduate Music Advisor
Welcome to the Florida State University College of Music! As an undergraduate advisor through Advising First, it is my pleasure and passion to advise students about their chosen music degree and university resources during their academic career at FSU, and beyond. By meeting with me once a semester, students will have the most current information on university policies, programs, and a clear understanding of the requirements for their specific major.
When students first arrive at FSU, they are invited to a “Nole Call” which is a preliminary conversation to discuss the student’s goals and interests while attending FSU. From there, students will gain a better understanding of major requirements, course loads, and which major is right for them and what they want to achieve.
Advising First
Since 2001, Advising First has endeavored to create a network of professional, academic advisors who support students as they establish and realize their personal, academic, and career goals at Florida State University. “Through the relationships with advisors and/or coaches, our students are empowered to take personal responsibility and ownership of their educational endeavors.” To find out more about Advising First, visit http://www.advisingfirst.fsu.edu.
About Me
I have always been involved in music. As a child, teenager, and young adult I made it my business to play with bands and teams, take private lessons for various instruments, and attend as many music-related events as possible. As a Tallahassee native, I attended many concerts at FSU, and have had the privilege of performing on many of its stages. I have taught private lessons for piano, violin, and guitar, and have thoughts of reopening my studio in the future. I have studied under artists like Dr. Charles Hulin, DMA (Julliard, Peabody Institute), Dr. Dan Gordon, PhD (FSU), and Dr. Mark Belfast, PhD. (FSU) at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida where I earned my Bachelors of Science in Church Music.
For additional information, questions or concerns, please contact me via e-mail, phone, or in person via the sign-in sheet near my office door.
Sincerely,
Rachel Ward
reward@fsu.edu
850.664.3038
Housewright Music Building (HMU) 205
Faculty Advisors
Expand All| Degree | Advisor |
|---|---|
| BM-Brass Performance | Dr. Chris Moore |
| BM-Harp Performance | Ms. Mary Roman |
| BM-Jazz Performance | Mr. William Peterson |
| BM-Organ Performance | Dr. Iain Quinn |
| BM-Percussion Performance | Dr. John Parks |
| BM-Piano Performance | Dr. Heidi Williams |
| BM-String Performance | Ms. Corinne Stillwell |
| BM-Guitar Performance | Mr. Bruce Holzman |
| BM-Voice Performance | Dr. Marcía Porter |
| BM-Woodwind Performance | Dr. Deborah Bish |
| BM-Composition | Dr. Liliya Ugay |
| BM-Music Therapy | Ms. Dianne Gregory |
| BM-Music Theory | Dr. Michael Buchler |
| BM-Music Theatre | Dr. Gayle Seaton |
| Degree | Advisor |
|---|---|
| BME- Instrumental | Dr. Clifford Madsen |
| BME-Choral | Dr. Judy Arthur |
| BME-General | Dr. Kimberly VanWeelden |
| BME-Instrumental (Strings) | Dr. Kasia Bugaj |
| Professional Sequence/Internship | Dr. Steve Kelly |
| Degree | Advisor |
|---|---|
| BA – General | (A-J) Ms. Michelle Stebleton (K-Z) Dr. John Drew |
| BA – Jazz | Mr. William Peterson |
| BA – Commercial Music | Mr. Brian Gaber |
| BA – Sacred Music | Dr. Iain Quinn |
| Degree/Program | Advisor |
|---|---|
| Music Undecided | Dr. Jane Clendinning |
| Music Minor | Mr. Jeffery Keesecker |
| Honors | Freshman/Sophomore – Dr. Clifford Madsen Junior/Senior – Dr. Nancy Rogers |
| Special Student/Other | Dr. Joanna Hunt |
| Full-time Undergraduate Advisor for all Music Majors | Ms. Rachel Ward |
The Music Board of Advisors (BOAs)
The Peer Advising program in the College of Music is known as the BOA (Board of Advisors) program, and its members are called BOAs. After receiving 16 hours of training, BOAs earn service hours by advising new students at Orientation, helping with College of Music auditions, helping with Accepted Student Previews, conducting tours of the College for prospective students and their parents, helping with the annual College of Music Picnic, ushering for major concerts given at the College, and occasionally helping in the Music Undergraduate Office or the Music Admissions Office at extremely busy times of the year.
Please feel free to email a member of the Music Board of Advisors (BOAs) from the list below with questions of an academic and/or procedural nature appropriate for a peer advisor. If the BOA assigned to you at orientation is no longer here, contact one with a major or instrument most appropriate for you.