Dr. Robert Knupp is a Professor in the Department of Music at Mississippi College. Dr. Knupp currently teaches Music Theory III and IV, Applied Organ, Applied Piano, and Popular Music and Society. His areas of expertise include the pipe organ and music theory. Professor Knupp has played organ recitals in 29 states, been heard on the nationally broadcast “Pipedreams” program, and has played in places such as the Washington National Cathedral and St Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany. Dr Knupp is also the organist at Galloway United Methodist in Jackson, MS. Credentials B.Mus. in Church Music, Susquehanna University  M.Mus. in Pipe Organ Performance, East Carolina University  D.M.A. in Pipe Organ Performance, The University of Alabama

Dr. Robert Knupp is a Professor in the Department of Music at Mississippi College. Dr. Knupp currently teaches Music Theory III and IV\, Applied Organ\, Applied Piano\, and Popular Music and Society. His areas of expertise include the pipe organ and music theory. Professor Knupp has played organ recitals in 29 states\, been heard on the nationally broadcast “Pipedreams” program\, and has played in places such as the Washington National Cathedral and St Thomas Church in Leipzig\, Germany. Dr Knupp is also the organist at Galloway United Methodist in Jackson\, MS. Credentials B.Mus. in Church Music\, Susquehanna University  M.Mus. in Pipe Organ Performance\, East Carolina University  D.M.A. in Pipe Organ Performance\, The University of Alabama

Praised for “beautiful performances of great warmth” (Classical Voice of North Carolina), Michael Delfín captures the listener with sensitivity and flair as a versatile performer of historical and modern keyboard instruments. Michael won the top prize ex aequo in the Ninth Jurow International Harpsichord Competition, shortly after being nominated to the Diapason 20 Under 30 Class of 2021. As a pianist, Mr. Delfin has won prizes in the International Crescendo Music Awards, Chautauqua International Piano Competition, and two consecutive concerto competitions at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Recent performances include recitals for the Ear Taxi New Music Festival, The Stone, the Iowa City Early Keyboard Society, and the Western Early Keyboard Association, and solo appearances with Lyra Baroque, Bourbon Baroque, the CCM Concert Orchestra, and the American Chamber Symphony. Mr. Delfin’s advocacy for new music has led to numerous world premieres across the United States to rave reviews. He recently collaborated with mezzo-soprano Leandra Ramm on an album of contemporary art song for Ablaze Records. Mr. Delfín is the artistic director of Bama Baroque and Cincinnati-based ensemble Seven Hills Baroque. Before joining of the faculty at University of Alabama as an instructor of early keyboard, he taught piano at Cedarville University and has taught harpsichord and chamber music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He was also recently appointed to the Early Music America’s Emerging Professional Leadership Council and the Historical Keyboard Society of North America’s board of directors. He makes his home with his wife Anne and their son Teddy in Tuscaloosa, where he serves as organist at the Grace Presbyterian Church. A native of Fresno, CA, Dr. Delfín holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, San Francisco Conservatory, Peabody Conservatory, and the Johns Hopkins University, and his mentors include Awadagin Pratt, Yoshikazu Nagai, Boris Slutsky, Michael Unger, and Carol Oaks. www.michaeldelfin.com

Praised for “beautiful performances of great warmth” (Classical Voice of North Carolina)\, Michael Delfín captures the listener with sensitivity and flair as a versatile performer of historical and modern keyboard instruments. Michael won the top prize ex aequo in the Ninth Jurow International Harpsichord Competition\, shortly after being nominated to the Diapason 20 Under 30 Class of 2021. As a pianist\, Mr. Delfin has won prizes in the International Crescendo Music Awards\, Chautauqua International Piano Competition\, and two consecutive concerto competitions at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Recent performances include recitals for the Ear Taxi New Music Festival\, The Stone\, the Iowa City Early Keyboard Society\, and the Western Early Keyboard Association\, and solo appearances with Lyra Baroque\, Bourbon Baroque\, the CCM Concert Orchestra\, and the American Chamber Symphony. Mr. Delfin’s advocacy for new music has led to numerous world premieres across the United States to rave reviews. He recently collaborated with mezzo-soprano Leandra Ramm on an album of contemporary art song for Ablaze Records. Mr. Delfín is the artistic director of Bama Baroque and Cincinnati-based ensemble Seven Hills Baroque. Before joining of the faculty at University of Alabama as an instructor of early keyboard\, he taught piano at Cedarville University and has taught harpsichord and chamber music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. He was also recently appointed to the Early Music America’s Emerging Professional Leadership Council and the Historical Keyboard Society of North America’s board of directors. He makes his home with his wife Anne and their son Teddy in Tuscaloosa\, where he serves as organist at the Grace Presbyterian Church. A native of Fresno\, CA\, Dr. Delfín holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music\, San Francisco Conservatory\, Peabody Conservatory\, and the Johns Hopkins University\, and his mentors include Awadagin Pratt\, Yoshikazu Nagai\, Boris Slutsky\, Michael Unger\, and Carol Oaks. www.michaeldelfin.com

Dr. Bruce Faske joined the faculty at the University of Alabama School of Music in 2024 as Associate Professor of Trombone. He also serves as Principal Trombonist of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra and Second Trombonist of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Prior to Alabama, Dr. Faske taught at Arkansas State University and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. As an orchestral musician, Dr. Faske has performed with numerous ensembles, including the Dallas Opera, Richardson Symphony (TX), San Antonio Symphony (TX), Meridian Symphony (MS), Starkville Symphony (MS), Waco Symphony (TX), Texarkana Symphony (TX), Owensboro Symphony (KY), Jackson Symphony (TN), South Arkansas Symphony, Delta Symphony (AR). As a soloist, he is committed to championing new repertoire, including world premieres by Frank Gulino (Southeastern Rhapsody for trombone and piano), Howard Buss (Serendipity Suite for trombone, trumpet and piano) and Derek Jenkins (Remnants for trombone and piano). He has participated at the 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022 International Trombone Festivals, the International Women’s Brass Conference, the Music by Women Festival at the Mississippi University for Women, and soloist at the North American Brass Band Championships in Huntsville, Alabama. He has presented clinics for the West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Directors Association, Arkansas Bandmasters Association, Arkansas Music Educators Association, Arkansas Small Band Association, Big 12 Trombone Conference, and public school band programs in Texas, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Bruce Faske earned degrees from the University of Alabama (DMA), Baylor University (MM), and Texas A&M University-Commerce (BSM). His teachers include Jonathan Whitaker, Brent Phillips, Jimmy Clark, John McCroskey, Joseph Cox, Don Lucas, and Larry Campbell. In addition to his formal studies, he was a Participant in the 2011 and 2013 Alessi Seminar, a week long, international workshop led by Joseph Alessi, Principal Trombonist of the New York Philharmonic. Dr. Faske is a Trombone Artist for the S.E. Shires Company.

Dr. Bruce Faske joined the faculty at the University of Alabama School of Music in 2024 as Associate Professor of Trombone. He also serves as Principal Trombonist of the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra and Second Trombonist of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. Prior to Alabama\, Dr. Faske taught at Arkansas State University and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. As an orchestral musician\, Dr. Faske has performed with numerous ensembles\, including the Dallas Opera\, Richardson Symphony (TX)\, San Antonio Symphony (TX)\, Meridian Symphony (MS)\, Starkville Symphony (MS)\, Waco Symphony (TX)\, Texarkana Symphony (TX)\, Owensboro Symphony (KY)\, Jackson Symphony (TN)\, South Arkansas Symphony\, Delta Symphony (AR). As a soloist\, he is committed to championing new repertoire\, including world premieres by Frank Gulino (Southeastern Rhapsody for trombone and piano)\, Howard Buss (Serendipity Suite for trombone\, trumpet and piano) and Derek Jenkins (Remnants for trombone and piano). He has participated at the 2017\, 2018\, 2021\, and 2022 International Trombone Festivals\, the International Women’s Brass Conference\, the Music by Women Festival at the Mississippi University for Women\, and soloist at the North American Brass Band Championships in Huntsville\, Alabama. He has presented clinics for the West Tennessee School Band and Orchestra Directors Association\, Arkansas Bandmasters Association\, Arkansas Music Educators Association\, Arkansas Small Band Association\, Big 12 Trombone Conference\, and public school band programs in Texas\, Alabama\, Oklahoma\, and Arkansas. Bruce Faske earned degrees from the University of Alabama (DMA)\, Baylor University (MM)\, and Texas A&M University-Commerce (BSM). His teachers include Jonathan Whitaker\, Brent Phillips\, Jimmy Clark\, John McCroskey\, Joseph Cox\, Don Lucas\, and Larry Campbell. In addition to his formal studies\, he was a Participant in the 2011 and 2013 Alessi Seminar\, a week long\, international workshop led by Joseph Alessi\, Principal Trombonist of the New York Philharmonic. Dr. Faske is a Trombone Artist for the S.E. Shires Company.

Distinguished by its virtuosity\, probing musical insight\, and impassioned\, fiery performances\, the Ariel Quartet has garnered critical praise worldwide for more than twenty years. Formed when the members were just teenagers studying at the Jerusalem Academy Middle School of Music and Dance in Israel\, the Ariel was named a recipient of the prestigious Cleveland Quartet Award\, granted by Chamber Music America in recognition of artistic achievement and career support. Celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2023\, the Quartet serves as the Faculty Quartet-in-Residence at the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM)\, where they direct the chamber music program and present a concert series in addition to maintaining a busy touring schedule in the United States and abroad. Recent highlights include the Ariel Quartet’s sold-out Carnegie Hall debut\, a series of performances at Lincoln Center together with pianist Inon Barnatan and the Mark Morris Dance Group\, as well as the release of a Brahms and Bartók album for Avie Records. In 2020\, the Ariel gave the U.S. premiere of the Quintet for Piano and Strings by Daniil Trifonov\, with the composer as pianist for the Linton Chamber Music Series in Cincinnati. The Quartet has dedicated much of its artistic energy and musical prowess to the groundbreaking Beethoven quartets and has performed the complete Beethoven cycle on six occasions throughout the United States and Europe. The Ariel Quartet regularly collaborates with today’s eminent and rising young musicians and ensembles\, including pianist Orion Weiss\, cellist Paul Katz\, and the American\, Pacifica\, and Jerusalem String Quartets. The Quartet has toured with cellist Alisa Weilerstein and performed frequently with pianists Jeremy Denk and Menahem Pressler. In addition\, the Ariel served as Quartet-in-Residence for the Steans Music Institute at the Ravinia Festival\, the Yellow Barn Music Festival\, and the Perlman Music Program\, as well as the Ernst Stiefel String Quartet-in-Residence at the Caramoor Festival. Formerly the resident ensemble of the Professional String Quartet Training Program at the New England Conservatory\, from which the players obtained their undergraduate and graduate degrees\, the Ariel was mentored extensively by acclaimed string quartet giants Walter Levin and Paul Katz. It has won numerous international prizes in addition to the Cleveland Quartet Award: First Prize at the prestigious Franz Schubert and Modern Music Competition in Graz/Austria\, Grand Prize at the 2006 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and the Székely Prize for the performance of Bartók’s String Quartet No. 4\, and Third Prize at the Banff International String Quartet Competition. About its performances at the Banff competition\, the American Record Guide described the group as “a consummate ensemble gifted with utter musicality and remarkable interpretive power” and noted\, in particular\, their playing of Beethoven’s monumental Quartet in A minor\, Op. 132\, as “the pinnacle of the competition.” The Ariel Quartet has received significant support from the American-Israel Cultural Foundation\, Dov and Rachel Gottesman\, and the Legacy Heritage Fund. Most recently\, they were awarded a grant from the A.N. and Pearl G. Barnett Family Foundation.