B.M.E., Troy University
Doctor of Humanities, Liberty University

During 31 years as the founder and director of the internationally known contemporary Christian ensemble TRUTH, Roger Breland raised up a generation of successful leaders in Christian music. Avalon, Alicia, Kim Noblitt, Russ Lee, 4Him, Jason Breland, Steven V. Taylor and Anthony Evans are just a few examples of his impact on the Christian music industry that earned Dr. Breland election to the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Today, the UMobile Center for Performing Arts is preparing the next generation of Christian leaders in all genres of music, from classical to contemporary. Through his world-wide contacts, Dr. Breland is opening doors for UMobile graduates to honor God with excellence. "Many Sounds, One Song" is the motto of this outstanding program with 21 diverse performing ensembles. “There’s really only one song to sing, and that is the song that will honor God. We want to do that with excellence,” Dr. Breland says.

rogerbreland@aol.com
251.442.2216

Representative Randy Davis was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in November, 2002. He received his B.M.Ed and M.M.Ed from the University of Southern Mississippi and Ed/Sp from Alabama State University. He has served as teacher/administrator and executive to the superintendent of the Mobile County Public Schools and as Public Relations Coordinator for the Baldwin County Public Schools before retiring in 2004. He has served on the Mobile Arts Council, Boys & Girls Club Board, Bounds YMCA Board, United States Sports Academy Board, and the Board for the Daphne/Spanish Fort Rotary. Representative Davis was also a member of the Mobile Arts Council, Mobile Opera, Mobile Symphony, and Daphne High School PTSA. He is resident conductor for the Baldwin County Pops Band and started the North Mobile Community Symphony in 2006.

rdavis@umobile.edu
251.442.2552

Steve Dunn has worn numerous musical hats in his professional life. He has been conductor, teacher, performer, composer/arranger/orchestrator, author and minister musician. While he has extensive choral experience, his focus has been primarily in the area of church instrumental music, having served as a director of orchestras, bands and other instrumental groups at churches in New Mexico, Texas and, most recently, at Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. As of Fall 2012, he is now Assistant Professor of Music, Director of Symphonic Winds at the University of Mobile.

 As a composer/arranger/orchestrator, Steve has approximately 250 works in the catalogs of numerous publishing houses. These include works for concert band, orchestra, choir and other mixed ensembles. Over the years, he has also been in demand as a guest conductor (choral and instrumental), speaker and teacher for schools, churches, universities and various conferences at the local, state and national level. Additionally, he has contributed as an author on the subject of church instrumental music for various music ministry periodicals.

sdunn@umobile.edu
251.442.2447

Mr. Bruce Earnest

B.A., Westfield State College
M.M., University of Miami

Tenor Bruce Earnest has appeared in over 50 operatic and musical theatre roles in Europe and the United States, performing with the Munich State Theatre, State Theatre Passau, Opera Roanoke, The Berkshire Opera, Vienna Folks Opera, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Walt Disney World, the Hamburg Musical Orchestra and the Orlando Philharmonic, among many others. His directing or music directing credits include Camelot, The Fantastiks, Big River and Oklahoma, just to name a few. He has conducted master classes and workshops on singing for the stage and musical theatre acting interpretation in the U.S. and throughout Europe, and has over 35 former students working in major productions in the UK, Europe, on Broadway, and in national tours in the U.S. He has served as voice and artistic consultant for Stage Entertainment and European productions of AIDA by Elton John, Mama Mia, and Phantom of the Opera. Mr. Earnest is the Producing Artistic Director of the International Performing Arts Institute  www.internationalperformingartsinstitute.com and co-author of A Beginner's Acting Companion 5th edition published by Kendall Hunt.

bearnest@umobile.edu
251.442.2383

Mrs. Fox is a versatile musician and committed educator. She is the director of keyboard studies at UMobile, where she has taught for more than 24 years. Mrs. Fox has a wide range of performance experience. She has been concerto soloist and duo artist for the Mobile Piano Ensemble and also presents sacred piano concerts and dedicatory recitals. As a church musician, she has served in the areas of minister of music, children’s choir director, pianist and organist. Mrs. Fox believes that the University of Mobile is her place of service. She encourages her students and brings out their best musically, personally and spiritually.

bfox@umobile.edu
251.442.2323

Keone Fuqua has served the entertainment industry, in the areas of film and theatre, for over 12 years. While his specialized passion shares equal emphasis in acting and directing, Keone also holds professional experience in production management, stage management, sound design, and technical theatre, and he has held various positions working in film and television, on set, off set, on camera, behind the camera, in the production office and in the editing room. From “PA” and “transpo” to producer and director, Keone understands the importance of every position on a production team, what it takes to complete the complexities of film, TV and theatre productions, and what it takes to succeed in this industry.

In the area of acting, Keone exercises, teaches and explores movement techniques such as Suzuki, abstract elements, Period Styles, Laban, and stage combat, as well as traditional acting methods inspired by Stanislavski, Uta Hagen, Meisner and others, for the stage and camera.

Beyond his service to the University of Mobile, Keone continues professional work locally as a film consultant, actor, production coordinator, assistant director, casting director, production stage manager, and regularly directs stage productions for various theatres.

kfuqua@umobile.edu
251.442.2232

Baritone Patrick Jacobs’ voice has been described as “a major one in the making.” In 2000, he made his European operatic debut with the Opera Theatre of Lucca, Italy. He has performed operatic roles with opera companies throughout the United States, including the New Orleans Opera, Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh, Mobile Opera, Pensacola Opera, Light Opera Oklahoma, and Bronx Opera. During 2003-04, he was a resident artist with the Pensacola Opera while also performing in Louisiana, Connecticut and New York.

pjacobs@umobile.edu
251.442.2554

      Dr. Charise Lindsay
Associate Professor of Music 
B.A., Milligan College
M.M., Butler University
Ph.D., Florida State University

Charise Lindsay, Associate Professor of Music Education at the University of Mobile, completed her B.A. in Music Education from Milligan College, Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy from Butler University, and Ph.D. in Music Education from Florida State University with an emphasis in piano pedagogy.  She has taught elementary and secondary music in Tennessee and Indiana. 

Dr. Lindsay’s primary duties at the University of Mobile include teaching music education methods courses, supervising student teachers, and coordinating the Music Education program.  She also teaches private applied and class piano, as well as music history.  In addition, she serves as a collaborative pianist for university and local performances.  Professor Lindsay is fully certified in Orff Schulwerk (through Level III), and has presented multiple workshops in Orff Schulwerk, movement, and creative teaching for several state and local conventions.  She is an active member of Music Educators National Conference, Music Teachers National Association, and American Orff Schulwerk Association.   

clindsay@umobile.edu
251.442.2315

Christopher Lovely began teaching for the University of Mobile as an Adjunct Instructor in Fall 2008.  He was promoted to full-time status the following year and currently teaches Music Theory, Applied Piano, and Vocal Coaching.  He has served on the staff of Safe Harbor United Methodist Church in Moss Point, MS since August 2008 and directs an annual Keyboards at Christmas Celebration.  Christopher was invited to join the faculty of the summer program, International Performing Arts Institute, as Principal Coach in Kiefersfelden, Germany in 2010.  Mr. Lovely has represented the University of Mobile at Carnegie Hall, in Alaska with Voices of Mobile, and on the island of Nevis in the West Indies as concert artist.  Since his start at UM, Christopher has served as keyboardist in Upper Room Theatre Productions, UM’s Christmas Spectacular, and “Saviour”.    

clovely@umobile.edu
251.442.2896

Dr. Miller’s classical and contemporary music training and practical experience bring an eclectic approach to music education at the Center for Performing Arts at the University of Mobile. He founded and directed vocal groups in churches, high schools, colleges, universities and in the professional field for the past 35 years. The groups with which he has performed and those he founded/directed have presented concerts  throughout the Far East, Europe, the Caribbean and the United States of America including several White House appearances. He received several 2003 awards from the National Religious Broadcasters convention in music, video, and audio production. His heritage in both educational and church atmospheres brings a unique complement to the faculty of the Center for Performing Arts.

amiller@umobile.edu
251.442.2357

An outstanding, all-around musician, Mr. Plash has vast experience as a pianist, organist, composer, and director of handbell choirs and ensembles. Over 100 of his handbell arrangements and compositions have been published, as well as choral compositions. Mr. Plash specializes in theory, teaching sophomore and  junior levels at the university and maintaining a studio of applied piano undergraduates.

dplash@umobile.edu
251.442.2285