ABOUT THE MUSIC ACADEMY FACULTY
Learn about our outstanding SWOSU Music Academy Faculty below. Private lessons are led by Junior Faculty (SWOSU Music Majors) under the mentorship of SWOSU Professors. Group classes are led by SWOSU Faculty and prestigious alumni. Please contact the SWOSU Academy office for more information.
SWOSU Music Academy Directors and Faculty
Chrisalyne Hagood
Chrisalyne Hagood holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and is in her 11th year of teaching at Weatherford Public Schools. She currently serves as the Middle School Band Director. In that time, her bands have received the Outstanding Achievement Award, the highest award given to Oklahoma Middle School Bands, numerous times. She continually teaches her students how to learn and grow as musicians and young adults. She is a very active member of Mu Phi Epsilon, professional music fraternity, Southwestern Oklahoma Band Directors Association, Shortgrass Honor Bands, the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education. Ms. Hagood has been the Camp Office Manager for the SWOSU Music Camps for 10 years. She began her involvement with SWOSU Music Camps in 2002 as a student camper. She quickly valued the learning experiences of camp and wanted to share with others. Ms. Hagood enjoys cooking, watching documentaries, and spending time with her cats, Kitty and Renaldo. Ms. Hagood is currently the co-Director of SWOSU Music Academy.
Chrisalyne Hagood holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and is in her 11th year of teaching at Weatherford Public Schools. She currently serves as the Middle School Band Director. In that time, her bands have received the Outstanding Achievement Award, the highest award given to Oklahoma Middle School Bands, numerous times. She continually teaches her students how to learn and grow as musicians and young adults. She is a very active member of Mu Phi Epsilon, professional music fraternity, Southwestern Oklahoma Band Directors Association, Shortgrass Honor Bands, the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education. Ms. Hagood has been the Camp Office Manager for the SWOSU Music Camps for 10 years. She began her involvement with SWOSU Music Camps in 2002 as a student camper. She quickly valued the learning experiences of camp and wanted to share with others. Ms. Hagood enjoys cooking, watching documentaries, and spending time with her cats, Kitty and Renaldo. Ms. Hagood is currently the co-Director of SWOSU Music Academy.
Kathleen Jung
Kathleen Jung is a 2008 graduate of Okeene High School. She attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor's in Instrumental Music Education with a minor in Child Developmental Psychology. and her Masters in Music Education from SWOSU in 2016. While at SWOSU, she joined Mu Phi Epsilon serving in multiple officer roles and was awarded the Sterling Achievement Award in 2013. Also during her time at SWOSU, she was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and The Pride of the Great Southwest serving as drum major in 2012. In 2013, she began her teaching career in Enid followed by Elk City where she is currently in her 10th year. During her time at Elk City she began the Fairview Elementary Honor Choir and Elk City Elementary Honor Choir. She was awarded Fairview Teacher of the Year in 2017, Elk City Elementary Teacher of the year in 2022, and Elk City Public Schools District Teacher of the Year in 2022. She has served on multiple district and building committees and helps orchestrate district level Music in Our Schools Month activities each year. Ms. Jung currently teachings PreK, 2nd, and 3rd grade music at Elk City Elementary and is an adjunct music professor at SWOSU. She serves as the President of the Oklahoma Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, Director of Operations with HOBY Oklahoma, Financial Manager for SWOSU Music Camps, and co-Director of SWOSU Music Academy.
Kathleen Jung is a 2008 graduate of Okeene High School. She attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University graduating in 2013 with a Bachelor's in Instrumental Music Education with a minor in Child Developmental Psychology. and her Masters in Music Education from SWOSU in 2016. While at SWOSU, she joined Mu Phi Epsilon serving in multiple officer roles and was awarded the Sterling Achievement Award in 2013. Also during her time at SWOSU, she was a member of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and The Pride of the Great Southwest serving as drum major in 2012. In 2013, she began her teaching career in Enid followed by Elk City where she is currently in her 10th year. During her time at Elk City she began the Fairview Elementary Honor Choir and Elk City Elementary Honor Choir. She was awarded Fairview Teacher of the Year in 2017, Elk City Elementary Teacher of the year in 2022, and Elk City Public Schools District Teacher of the Year in 2022. She has served on multiple district and building committees and helps orchestrate district level Music in Our Schools Month activities each year. Ms. Jung currently teachings PreK, 2nd, and 3rd grade music at Elk City Elementary and is an adjunct music professor at SWOSU. She serves as the President of the Oklahoma Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, Director of Operations with HOBY Oklahoma, Financial Manager for SWOSU Music Camps, and co-Director of SWOSU Music Academy.
Tiffany Ragan
Tiffany Ragan is in her sixth year of teaching at Elk City Intermediate School, where she is the General Music Teacher and Honor Choir Director. Ragan holds a Bachelor of Instrumental Music Education degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Under her direction, the Elk City Intermediate Honor Choir has been recognized for outstanding performance through its selection to appear at the 2022 OkMEA Winter Conference and numerous community events. Ragan consistently has choral students selected for the OkMEA All-State Children’s Chorus. In addition to being an avid classroom teacher, Ragan maintains a private flute studio in western Oklahoma. Her flute students have been selected for numerous honor bands, including OSSBDA All-State.
Ragan is an active member of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, National Flute Association, Oklahoma Flute Society, the National Association of Music Education, and Mu Phi Epsilon. She serves as the Treasurer for the Oklahoma Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, Secretary for the Oklahoma Flute Society, and was most recently appointed Equipment Manager for the National Flute Association. Ragan has been awarded numerous music, fraternity, and school honors. She was awarded six Convention Internships with the National Flute Association, was a Mu Phi Epsilon Music Delegate for the 2020 and 2023 Conventions, and performed for the National Flute Association Convention as a member of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Flute Choir. She has appeared as a Guest Clinician and Conductor at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Flute Day. In 2022, Ragan was named Teacher of the Year at Elk City Intermediate and was named a finalist for the District Teacher of the Year. Most recently, the Oklahoma Music Educators Association recognized Tiffany Ragan as the 2023 Outstanding Young Music Educator.
Tiffany Ragan is in her sixth year of teaching at Elk City Intermediate School, where she is the General Music Teacher and Honor Choir Director. Ragan holds a Bachelor of Instrumental Music Education degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Under her direction, the Elk City Intermediate Honor Choir has been recognized for outstanding performance through its selection to appear at the 2022 OkMEA Winter Conference and numerous community events. Ragan consistently has choral students selected for the OkMEA All-State Children’s Chorus. In addition to being an avid classroom teacher, Ragan maintains a private flute studio in western Oklahoma. Her flute students have been selected for numerous honor bands, including OSSBDA All-State.
Ragan is an active member of the Oklahoma Music Educators Association, National Flute Association, Oklahoma Flute Society, the National Association of Music Education, and Mu Phi Epsilon. She serves as the Treasurer for the Oklahoma Alumni Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon, Secretary for the Oklahoma Flute Society, and was most recently appointed Equipment Manager for the National Flute Association. Ragan has been awarded numerous music, fraternity, and school honors. She was awarded six Convention Internships with the National Flute Association, was a Mu Phi Epsilon Music Delegate for the 2020 and 2023 Conventions, and performed for the National Flute Association Convention as a member of the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Flute Choir. She has appeared as a Guest Clinician and Conductor at the Southwestern Oklahoma State University Flute Day. In 2022, Ragan was named Teacher of the Year at Elk City Intermediate and was named a finalist for the District Teacher of the Year. Most recently, the Oklahoma Music Educators Association recognized Tiffany Ragan as the 2023 Outstanding Young Music Educator.
Elizabeth Edge
Elizabeth Edge graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Music Education and Vocal Performance. She is currently teaching Elementary and Vocal Music at Cordell Public Schools in Cordell, Oklahoma. As a freshman in college, Elizabeth competed in the Joyce Adams Curtis Aria Competition and placed 1st, later performing with the SWOSU Symphony Orchestra in 2017. Also in 2017, Elizabeth placed 3rd in Oklahoma NATS and in 2018, she competed again, placing 1st in her division. Throughout her college career, Elizabeth performed as a major role in the following operas: Straus’s “Die Fledermaus,” Puccini’s “Suor Angelica,” and Handel’s “Alcina.” Elizabeth currently resides in Cordell with her husband, Aaron, and her son, Liam, and is currently working to establish a new path to general and vocal music at Cordell Public Schools.
Betty Cain
Betty Withers is a Graduate Assistant at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, studying a Master of Music in Music Therapy. After completing her Bachelor of Music Education at SWOSU in 2020, Betty taught Middle School Band and Orchestra in Oklahoma City from 2020-2022. She has also served as a faculty member of the SWOSU Band camps since 2021. During the 2022-2023 school year, she served as an assistant to Dr. Ruth Gurgel, a Music Education professor at Kansas State University, teaching ukulele and lesson plan structure to students studying Elementary Education. She also began a thesis specializing in mental health in musicianship. After coming to the conclusion that music therapy would be the best fit for her future musical aspirations, Betty decided to come home and change her Master’s focus from performance to therapy. She loves to teach individuals and small groups and is looking forward to working with students this year in the music academy! When not making music or studying, Betty spends time with her two dogs, Mollie and Alex, and husband, Jeffrey.
Melinda Tarkington
Melinda Tarkington is the assistant director of bands at Clinton Public Schools in Clinton, OK. This year marks her 20th year in education. Her responsibilities at Clinton include middle school band instructor, beginning brass instructor and jazz band instructor. Professional affiliations include Mu Phi Epsilon, Southwestern Oklahoma Band Directors Association, Shortgrass Band Directors Association and NAFME. Mrs. Tarkington resides in Clinton with her 2 children, Lily and Ben, her husband Wally, their 2 dogs, Cookie and Ellie and way too many cats. In her free time she enjoys reading, golfing and rocking out in the Tarkingtones.
Dr. Stacey DiPaolo
Stacey DiPaolo joined the faculty at Southwestern Oklahoma State University as Assistant Professor of Clarinet in 2010. She previously performed and taught in the New York and Pennsylvania areas, and served on the faculties of Penn State University-Berks campus and Oklahoma City University, and performed as Principal Clarinet of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic during the 2009-2010 season. Dr. DiPaolo has played the concert stages of Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, the Metropolitan Opera House, New York’s City Center, and the New York State Theater. She has also played under the baton of acclaimed conductors Gerard Schwarz, Skitch Henderson, Robert Shaw, and Constantine Kitsopoulos, and renowned wind band conductors Donald Hunsberger, H. Robert Reynolds, Harry Begian, and Frederick Fennell.
Since 2010, she has appeared regularly with the Tulsa Symphony, Ballet, and Opera orchestras, and as Principal Clarinet of the Lawton (OK) Philharmonic. Her other orchestral performances include productions such as Garrison Keillor’s radio show A Prairie Home Companion, and Casey at the Bat, a production of Robert Kapilow’s famed “What Makes it Great?” series. She has performed on Broadway as well, and was guest principal clarinet in The Sound of Music, and Baz Luhrmann’s production of La Boheme.
Dr. DiPaolo has frequently been featured as soloist and chamber musician and has given recitals throughout the country. She currently performs and organizes a chamber music concert series in Weatherford, OK that features the faculty of Southwestern Oklahoma State University. In her chamber music performances, she has collaborated with such artists as Gilbert Kalish, Stephen Taylor, William Purvis, and members of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra and Oklahoma City Philharmonic. Stacey DiPaolo holds a doctorate degree from SUNY Stony Brook, and received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the Eastman School of Music, including the esteemed Performer’s Certificate. Additionally, she is a graduate-with-distinction of the Interlochen Arts Academy. She has studied with Dan Gilbert, Jon Manasse, Deborah Chodacki, and Eli Eban.
Meet the 2023-2024 Junior Faculty
Allena Hawthorne
"Hi, my name is Allena Hawthorne, and I am from Wilburton, Oklahoma. My goals for the future are to obtain a job teaching a middle or high school band/choir. I am a senior this year and I am majoring in both vocal and instrumental education. I have been performing with the SWOSU Wind Symphony for two years now. I have also been with the SWOSU Chamber Choir for two years. I have been in the "Pride of the Great Southwest" marching band and Southwestern Singers for four years and look forward for the next year. I have had the great opportunity to perform in a couple master classes featuring Parthena Owens and Julia Evers. I am really excited about being able to work with the SWOSU Music Academy. This is such a great opportunity to be able to do what I love and gain experience in the teaching field."
"Hi, my name is Allena Hawthorne, and I am from Wilburton, Oklahoma. My goals for the future are to obtain a job teaching a middle or high school band/choir. I am a senior this year and I am majoring in both vocal and instrumental education. I have been performing with the SWOSU Wind Symphony for two years now. I have also been with the SWOSU Chamber Choir for two years. I have been in the "Pride of the Great Southwest" marching band and Southwestern Singers for four years and look forward for the next year. I have had the great opportunity to perform in a couple master classes featuring Parthena Owens and Julia Evers. I am really excited about being able to work with the SWOSU Music Academy. This is such a great opportunity to be able to do what I love and gain experience in the teaching field."
Zachary Pratt
Hello! My name is Zachary Pratt, and I am a Music Education and Violin Performance Major at SWOSU. I was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, but eventually moved to Ardmore where I graduated from high school. My main goal with getting my degree is to open a private teaching studio of my own. I am the concertmaster of the SWOSU Symphony Orchestra, which is a position I’ve held for around 2 years. My passion is in music, violin, and in teaching and passing on my passion to students, so being given this opportunity to teach private lessons through SWOSU is very exciting!
Hello! My name is Zachary Pratt, and I am a Music Education and Violin Performance Major at SWOSU. I was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, but eventually moved to Ardmore where I graduated from high school. My main goal with getting my degree is to open a private teaching studio of my own. I am the concertmaster of the SWOSU Symphony Orchestra, which is a position I’ve held for around 2 years. My passion is in music, violin, and in teaching and passing on my passion to students, so being given this opportunity to teach private lessons through SWOSU is very exciting!
Erika Stutzman
Erika Stutzman is a graduate from Weatherford High School in Weatherford, Oklahoma. She has lived in Weatherford her whole life. She is majoring in two degrees which are Music Education and Elementary Education. Her ultimate goal in live is to be a high school band director in small town America. She has been an active member in many ensembles on Southwestern's campus. She has performed in large ensembles such as the SWOSU Wind Ensemble, SWOSU Symphony Orchestra, and the Pride of the Great Southwest. Erika also performed with the Southwestern Singers. She has also performed in some small ensembles such as the Saxhorn Quartet, where she played the alto horn and the "Wild Dawgs" basketball band. Erika works closely with the Weatherford High School giving lessons to their horn students and working as a tech with the high school marching band. Ms. Stutzman is most excited to work with the Music Academy because she loves working with students. She likes watching her students grow from their very first day to when they are reading music on their own!
Erika Stutzman is a graduate from Weatherford High School in Weatherford, Oklahoma. She has lived in Weatherford her whole life. She is majoring in two degrees which are Music Education and Elementary Education. Her ultimate goal in live is to be a high school band director in small town America. She has been an active member in many ensembles on Southwestern's campus. She has performed in large ensembles such as the SWOSU Wind Ensemble, SWOSU Symphony Orchestra, and the Pride of the Great Southwest. Erika also performed with the Southwestern Singers. She has also performed in some small ensembles such as the Saxhorn Quartet, where she played the alto horn and the "Wild Dawgs" basketball band. Erika works closely with the Weatherford High School giving lessons to their horn students and working as a tech with the high school marching band. Ms. Stutzman is most excited to work with the Music Academy because she loves working with students. She likes watching her students grow from their very first day to when they are reading music on their own!
Kassadee Ostermaier
Hello, I am Kassadee Ostermaier, and I am from Enid, Oklahoma. I am currently a Freshman majoring in Music Education, with my primary instrument being Trombone. I plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree and teach, while possibly pursuing a Masters in Music Education and/or Performance. Some highlights throughout my college career include performing in the Benjamin Yates masterclass in October 2022, and the Pride of the Great Southwest in the fall. Other ensembles I participate in are Brass Ensemble, Jazz B, and Symphonic Band. I am so excited to teach my students the art of playing trombone, and vastly grow their musical knowledge throughout the semester!
Hello, I am Kassadee Ostermaier, and I am from Enid, Oklahoma. I am currently a Freshman majoring in Music Education, with my primary instrument being Trombone. I plan to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree and teach, while possibly pursuing a Masters in Music Education and/or Performance. Some highlights throughout my college career include performing in the Benjamin Yates masterclass in October 2022, and the Pride of the Great Southwest in the fall. Other ensembles I participate in are Brass Ensemble, Jazz B, and Symphonic Band. I am so excited to teach my students the art of playing trombone, and vastly grow their musical knowledge throughout the semester!
Makynsie McKedy
Mackynsie McKedy is a country music recording artist with Clarksville Creative Sound, also known for her exceptional skills as a fiddle player. She is a multi-award winner and has been recognized for her unique sound and storytelling abilities. Mackynsie's music is inspired by her life experiences and her love for country music. Her passion for music started at a young age and has only grown stronger over the years. With every performance, she aims to connect with her audience and create an unforgettable experience.
Mackynsie is the 2024 CMA of Texas Rising Star, 2023 Country Beats Radio Female Artist of the Year, 2021 Eastern Oklahoma County Musician of the Year, and holds numerous other awards with Oklahoma CMSA & NACMAI. She has opened for country stars Gene Watson, Johnny Rodriquez, Mason Ramsey and Grammy Award Winner, the late Bobby Flores. She has shared the stage with renowed fiddlers Jana Jae, Jimmy Mattingly, Dale Watson, Scott Joss, the late Byron Berline and the late Shoji Tabuchi. She has been a musical guest on the tv show Nashville Spotlight, Living Oklahoma and on the Penny Gilley Show on RFD TV. Some of the notable venues she has performed at include The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in OKC, OK, Ruidoso Downs in Ruidoso, NM, Robert's Western World in Nashville, TN, The Nashville Zoo, and The Longhorn Saloon in Fort Worth, TX. She was also crowned Miss SWOSU 2024.
Mackynsie McKedy is a country music recording artist with Clarksville Creative Sound, also known for her exceptional skills as a fiddle player. She is a multi-award winner and has been recognized for her unique sound and storytelling abilities. Mackynsie's music is inspired by her life experiences and her love for country music. Her passion for music started at a young age and has only grown stronger over the years. With every performance, she aims to connect with her audience and create an unforgettable experience.
Mackynsie is the 2024 CMA of Texas Rising Star, 2023 Country Beats Radio Female Artist of the Year, 2021 Eastern Oklahoma County Musician of the Year, and holds numerous other awards with Oklahoma CMSA & NACMAI. She has opened for country stars Gene Watson, Johnny Rodriquez, Mason Ramsey and Grammy Award Winner, the late Bobby Flores. She has shared the stage with renowed fiddlers Jana Jae, Jimmy Mattingly, Dale Watson, Scott Joss, the late Byron Berline and the late Shoji Tabuchi. She has been a musical guest on the tv show Nashville Spotlight, Living Oklahoma and on the Penny Gilley Show on RFD TV. Some of the notable venues she has performed at include The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in OKC, OK, Ruidoso Downs in Ruidoso, NM, Robert's Western World in Nashville, TN, The Nashville Zoo, and The Longhorn Saloon in Fort Worth, TX. She was also crowned Miss SWOSU 2024.
ABOUT
SWOSU DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
Southwestern Oklahoma State University includes one of Oklahoma’s largest music schools – one of established excellence. Undergraduate degrees offered at Southwestern include: Bachelor of Music Education (Instrumental/General), Bachelor of Music Education (Vocal/General), Bachelor of Music (Performance or Music Business), and Bachelor of Music (Music Therapy). The Graduate Division of the department offers the Master of Music in Performance, the Master of Music in Music Therapy, and the Master of Music in Music Education.
Whatever your musical goals, SWOSU’s Department of Music works with you to achieve your personal best. You study with superb musicians committed to your academic and musical advancement. With individual training customized to meet your needs, SWOSU’s Department of Music gives you the educational and performance opportunities to put you on the path of musical success. Our Department of Music is one of the region’s largest and finest music schools. The excellent quality of training offered at SWOSU is demonstrated daily by the hundreds of graduates now working in Oklahoma and throughout the United States.
Southwestern offers a full range of scholarship and financial aid to university students. For information about scholarships, contact Dr. Shelley Martinson, Chair; Department of Music: Southwestern Oklahoma State University; 100 Campus Drive; Weatherford, OK 73096. Telephone: (580) 774-3708 Email: shelley.martinson@swosu.edu.
College seniors can visit bit.ly/auditionswosu to schedule a scholarship audition.
Visit us at the official SWOSU Department of Music website: www.swosu.edu/music
Contact Us:
June 6 - July 17: Call 580-774-3296
After July 17: Call 580-774-3708
Whatever your musical goals, SWOSU’s Department of Music works with you to achieve your personal best. You study with superb musicians committed to your academic and musical advancement. With individual training customized to meet your needs, SWOSU’s Department of Music gives you the educational and performance opportunities to put you on the path of musical success. Our Department of Music is one of the region’s largest and finest music schools. The excellent quality of training offered at SWOSU is demonstrated daily by the hundreds of graduates now working in Oklahoma and throughout the United States.
Southwestern offers a full range of scholarship and financial aid to university students. For information about scholarships, contact Dr. Shelley Martinson, Chair; Department of Music: Southwestern Oklahoma State University; 100 Campus Drive; Weatherford, OK 73096. Telephone: (580) 774-3708 Email: shelley.martinson@swosu.edu.
College seniors can visit bit.ly/auditionswosu to schedule a scholarship audition.
Visit us at the official SWOSU Department of Music website: www.swosu.edu/music
Contact Us:
June 6 - July 17: Call 580-774-3296
After July 17: Call 580-774-3708