Department of Music

Dr. Kevin Marét is the Dean of Arts and Sciences and Associate Professor of Music at Ottawa University. Marét conducts the University Wind Ensemble and teaches various music courses. Previously, Dr. Marét served as the Chair of the Creative Arts Division, the Interim Academic Dean at the Ottawa Campus, and the Academic Dean for OU Online. Dr. Marét served as the Fine Arts Coordinator for the Topeka Public School District, taught band in Missouri, instructed courses at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, was adjunct faculty at Grace University, Northwest Missouri State University, and was the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Percussion Studies at McKendree University. His performance credits include the "United States Air Force Heartland of America Band" at Offutt AFB, Principal Percussionist with the Sioux City Symphony, and regular performances with the Kansas City, Omaha, and Lincoln Symphonies. His military band Sidewinder has performed on "The Ellen Show", "Entertainment Tonight”, "Fox and Friends”, and at the White House. Marét has performed with Placido Domingo, Patti LuPone, Idina Menzel, and Tommy Tune. His compositions can be heard in commercials, movie trailers, and television shows.

Dr. Marét holds a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Northwest Missouri State University, a Master of Music Education Degree, and a Doctorate in Musical Arts - Percussion Performance Degree from the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Performer, composer, arranger, educator and arts administrator Dan Thomas has received countless performance awards, and has performed, recorded and presented with some of the most influential jazz artists and pedagogues in nearly every state in the continental US, Canada, and abroad. Thomas’ CDs, City Scope, Musical Sanctuary and Voyage continue to receive critical acclaim, and acknowledgement on the national airplay charts.

Thomas has held previous appointments having served as the Executive Director and CEO of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. For nearly two decades, he served on the Doctoral faculty and as the co-chair of the Jazz Studies Program at UMKC’s Conservatory of Music and Dance with Bobby Watson. His students perform throughout the globe and teach at the highest levels, and have appeared many times at the Kennedy Center’s Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead program, Jazz Port Townsend workshops, the Monterey Jazz Festival, and JEN. Students have been recognized in numerous jazz competitions and received many awards, notably in Downbeat, by Thelonious Monk, MTNA, Yamaha, ITG, Name, Music for All, Grammy, Bard Summer Jazz Academy (JALCO), the National Youth Orchestra and the Vandoren jazz saxophone competition, among other.

Thomas holds performing artist/educator endorsements with Yamaha, Vandoren, Locoparasaxo, WeWOOD and Roo Pads.

Bobby Watson sits among the pantheon of present-day jazz greats both as performer and composer. Born in Lawrence, Kan., his career now spans more than four decades. A multi-GRAMMY®-nominated saxophonist, composer, bandleader, educator and producer, Watson trained formally at the University of Miami and then, from 1977-81, earned his “doctorate” as musical director of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers. During his four-plus years with the legendary drummer, the saxophonist contributed to 14 Jazz Messengers recordings — more than anyone else in the group’s 35-year (1955-90) storied history.

Early on, in addition to Blakey, the saxophonist also worked with notable jazz icons and elder statesmen such as Max Roach, Louis Hayes, George Coleman and Sam Rivers, as well as sharing music experiences with innumerable noteworthy peers and colleagues as well as legendary vocalists such as Joe Williams, Lou Rawls, Betty Carter, Dianne Reeves and Carmen Lundy.

Virtually simultaneously, Watson also issued several other titles such as Love Remains (Red), the saxophonist’s now-classic 1986 release. The recording, recognized by the Penguin Guide to Jazz (Penguin; 7 th Ed.), received the publication’s highest rating, cited in the edition as a part of its “core collection” joining other entries as a title any jazz aficionado should own. Year of the Rabbit, a musical tribute to Johnny Hodges, followed in 1989; Tailor Made, the Watson-led GRAMMY®-nominated all-star big band in 1993; he also released multiple titles by the four-horn 29th Street Saxophone Quartet and composed music for the Robert De Niro-directed film, A Bronx Tale (1993).

To read more visit Bobbywatson.com

Bill McKemy is a teacher, historian, composer and musician based in Kansas City and is the host and researcher behind the Nameless and Unremembered podcast. 

McKemy appears on Latin Grammy winner Mireya Ramos 2023 recording Sin Fronteras as well as a 17-minute appearance on a World Cafe Mini-Concert on NPR with Ramos. McKemy has also performed with Khan Jamal, Mickey Roker, Bobby Durham, Pablo Batista, John Abercrombie and many others. Current musical projects include groups Relativity Brass and Fluorescer.

McKemy has released three solo CDs which have enjoyed critical acclaim including the Kansas City Star’s Top Ten of 2002 (Duende), Pitch Weekly’s Best Local Jazz CD of 2003 (Om Nidrah) and a feature on NPR’s All Songs Considered. 

McKemy has presented a variety of workshops and talks for attendees at conferences of the Kansas Music Education Association, Kansas Bandmasters Association, Missouri Bandmasters Association, Young Audiences and Folk Alliance International.

Kelli Baker has been a director in middle and high school choral classrooms in Gardner, Kansas, since 2011. She served as the associate director of the Lawrence Children's Choir from 2011-2021. Kelli proudly earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from the University of Kansas, and she has a special interest in adolescent changing voices and social-emotional learning. Kelli served as the Kansas Music Educators Association Middle-Level Choir Assistant and Chair from 2012-2016. In 2016, Kelli was awarded the University of Kansas Outstanding Music Educator Award from the Music Education Faculty. Kelli has enjoyed directing festival choirs around Kansas, and she spent her year in 2021-2022 directing Allegro Con Spirito with the Allegro Choirs of Kansas City. Kelli is committed to supporting music educators and singers throughout Kansas City and the surrounding area, and she served as the ECKMEA President-Elect from 2022-2023. Currently, Kelli is pursuing her Ph.D. in Music Education from KU. Rock Chalk! In 2024, she expanded her collegiate teaching to Ottawa University, where she directs the University Concert Choir. In her spare time, Kelli enjoys singing karaoke and reading a good book with a cup of coffee.

Katie Benyo received her Masters in Violin Performance from The University of Missouri, Kansas City.  She not only performs and teaches classical music, she has also performed and recorded in many different styles of music including country, traditional Americana, jazz, fiddle, bluegrass, pop and rock.  She performed at the Major League Baseball World Series, the American Royal World Series of BBQ, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, and with Lindsey Stirling, 2Cellos and Evanescence. She uses her eclectic performing background to inspire students no matter their musical interests.  She studied pedagogy at Indiana University's retreat for Violin and Viola teachers under Mimi Zweig, and she taught at the international music festival, VerArte in Arequipa, Peru.

Stan was born into a musical family and he began his professional
career at age 15 by playing “tailgate” trombone in his Dad’s Dixieland
Band. After college, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Music Eduacation
and a Master’s in Solo Performance, Stan entered the U.S. Air Force Band
program. During his Air Force career, he was trombone soloist and lead
player with various groups. Stan arrived on the Portland, OR scene in
the mid ‘90s and has become one of the most active jazz trombonists in
the area, performing with a full spectrum of musical groups throughout
the United States.

Stan was on the music faculty at Willamette University from Sep. 1995-
May 2012 and in the fall term, 2005, he also joined the jazz faculty at
Mt. Hood Community College until retiring from higher education in
2012. He continues to be an active performer, composer, and arranger,
appearing throughout the Northwest as a Clinician and Performer.

A native of El Paso, Texas, David Dayoub recently graduated with his DMA in tuba performance from the University of Kansas. During the 2021-22 school year he was awarded the KU Chancellor’s Graduate Teaching Assistant Award. He is a faculty member at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp where he teaches euphonium and trombone, as well as performs with the Festival Band and Orchestra. He received his Master of Music degree in euphonium performance from the University of Tennessee and his Bachelor of Music degree in euphonium performance from the University of Arizona.

Sam Fleming is known throughout the United States and parts of South America as a conductor, composer, organist, and music educator. He has held various conducting positions with community, church, and school ensembles. He is experienced as a conductor equally on the concert stage, in worship, and in musical theatre. As an organist, Fleming has performed throughout the United States as a soloist and with several choral ensembles and chamber groups. Fleming’s compositions have been commissioned and premiered by various ensembles including Brigham Young University-Idaho, Illinois State University, the Fountain of the Sun Community Chorus and the Salonnieres Chamber Ensemble of Phoenix, Arizona. His works are published through his own publishing company, SFM Publishing.

Fleming currently serves as Director of Music and Organist at Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Kansas City, Missouri and is on the faculty of Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. Prior to his appointment at Good Shepherd, he served as Director of Worship and Arts/Organist at First United Methodist Church in Florence, Alabama and as an adjunct professor in the keyboard and choral areas at the University of North Alabama. Additionally Fleming maintains a private studio of organ, piano, conducting, composition, and voice students.

Fleming graduated with a Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from Illinois State University and a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree in Organ Performance and Music Composition from Brigham Young University-Idaho. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Kansas in Choral Conducting and Church Music. Sam is a member of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), and Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society. He currently resides in Kansas City, Missouri with his family.

Brandon has held teaching positions at the Blue Valley School District and the Ottawa School District. In addition to his position at Ottawa University, he teaches elementary general music at Sunflower Elementary School (Ottawa, Kansas).

Outside of teaching, Brandon is an active member of the Ottawa City Band. He enjoys spending time outdoors by either hiking, kayaking, biking, or rock climbing.

Matt has been a top-tier guitarist in Kansas City for over 20 years. In addition to working frequently with his own jazz trio and quartet, Matt is a vital fixture in at least 25 of Kansas City’s premier music ensembles. The reasons that he remains in such demand as a performer and educator are that he is uniquely gifted, reliable, and diligent. Additionally, his aptitude for performing and teaching various styles of music makes him an invaluable asset in any musical situation and institution.

In addition to performing consistently and frequently around the greater Kansas City metropolitan area for over 20 years, Matt has performed overseas in Paris, Porto Alegre, Rio, Salvador, and Novo Hamburgo. While in the Brazilian cities of Porto Alegre and Rio, Matt taught masterclasses at their local universities.

Matt’s impeccable skill as a guitarist and his wealth of experience as a private jazz instructor make him a valuable asset to the Ottawa University music faculty.

Dr. Johnson teaches online and ground classes at Ottawa University’s Overland Park, Kan., campus. Along with teaching undergraduate and graduate education classes, Johnson works with local school districts to provide programming and support for their staff and students. 

Before joining OU’s faculty, Johnson spent almost 20 years in P-12 classrooms teaching music, social studies, language arts, and ELL. Her desire for equity and quality programs for all students led her to create multiple after-school programs, while providing hands-on experiences and exposure to guest speakers for minority and ELL students.

Beyond her experience as an educator, Johnson established her own business, Smarter Moms LLC, in 2009. She connects to her platform and audience through the www.smarter-moms.com blog. Johnson speaks to groups of women across the country and loves hearing how they are discovering their strengths and calling through the eyes of their Creator. 

Johnson has also authored two books: “Mom Essentials: 10 Words Successful Moms Live By” and “7 Ways To Be A S.M.A.R.T.E.R. Mom.” Both are available at The Foundry Publishing.

After earning her MEd, Johnson went on to earn a doctorate of ethical leadership from Olivet Nazarene University. Johnson sees a bright future ahead for the growth and development of new and existing programs at Ottawa University. Johnson believes in the power of education and strives to provide equity and opportunity for all learners.

Through her E3 Program, Dr. Johnson has created new and revised partnerships with Kansas and Missouri school districts. The E3 program provides opportunities for Ottawa to Empower, Educate, and Elevate educators at all levels of public and private education. Johnson is thrilled to join the Ottawa family while training future educators and supporting current teachers and administrators.

Aaron Linscheid is a trumpet performer and educator based in Kansas City. In addition to his work as an educator, Linscheid is also an accomplished performer.  Recent performances include with his own trio, the Diamond Empire Band and performances of original works with Clint Ashlock’s New Jazz Order. Before moving to Kansas City, he spent several summers in the Education Department of the New York Philharmonic.

Brian Steever is a drummer on a mission to inject joy into every musical situation that he finds himself.  He is a Jazz Studies alumnus of UMKC where he was fortunate enough to study with drummers Doug Auwarter, Brandon Draper, Curtis Lundy, and Michael Carvin.  Beyond being one of the busiest drummers in the Midwest, Brian has had the opportunity to perform with musicians from all over the world including Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison, Javon Jackson, Deborah Brown, Bob Sheppard, Jerry Dodgion, Tony Tixier, Shunzo Ohno, Frank Basile, Roger Rosenberg, and Sam Newsome among others.

Forest Stewart's experience includes work on both French horn and electric bass. Forest is bassist and musical director for a popular and well-known singer in the Kansas City area, Ida McBeth and Friends, plays bass with Dan Thomas and Voyage, Cubanisms, and has worked extensively with Orquesta Alto Maiz, "the Salsa Band". On horn, Forest has performed with the Des Moines Symphony, the Rochester Orchestra and Chorale, the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra, and currently plays with Lee’s Summit Symphony and the People’s Liberation Big Band under the direction of Brad Cox. Forest has performed in New York, Las Vegas, Denver, Minneapolis/St. Paul, in cities throughout Germany and Italy, and at festivals in Chicago, Los Angeles, Geneva, Montreaux, Den Haag and Cuba.

Artists with whom Forest has performed include Nick Brignola, Steve Cardenas, Richie Cole, Jerry Coker, Garry Dial, John Fedchock, Bruce Forman, Mike Freeman, Bill Goodwin, Steve Houghton, Arnie Lawrence, David Liebman, Chip McNeal, Jim McNeely, Roy Meriwether, Dick Oatts, Kim Park, Jack Peterson, Jim Piu, Joe Porcaro, Emil Richards, Bobby Shew, Marvin Stam, Jerry Steinholtz, Clark Terry, Dan Thomas, Phil Upchurch, Bobby Watson, Jiggs Wiggums, and the Paul Winter Consort.

Ivy Lu Wang is an active pianist, chamber musician, lecturer, teacher, and founder of the Conero International Piano Festival & Competition and the International Piano Professionals Association (IPPA). As an inspiring lecturer and teacher, Wang is frequently invited to give concerts, masterclasses, and lectures at many different universities and piano schools. Wang's academic research specialty is injury prevention. She graduated with honors from University of Kansas with her doctoral Dissertation “Applying the Rotation Principle to Avoid Injury in Piano Practice”. In her performance career, Wang has won multiple competition prizes, including the first prize in the 2011 Zhong-sin International Music Competition in Singapore, where she was invited to perform in the award ceremony with the jury.

Brian Ward is a keyboardist, educator, composer, and arranger from Portland, Oregon. Brian has performed with the Oregon Symphony, Bobby Torres, Shirley Nanette, Curtis Salgado, Obo Addy, Will Matthews, Dan Thomas, Dave Valdez, Bobby Watson, and many others. “City of Roses,” one of the arrangements Ward helped create for Esperanza Spalding's album Radio Music Society, won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement for Vocal Performance. Ward has teaching affiliations at Portland State University, Washington State University, University of Idaho, Eastern Washington University, University of Kansas, and Benedictine College. Currently, Brian came to Kansas City to complete his Doctor of Musical Arts in composition degree at KU Lawrence and is enjoying performing jazz and blues in the Kansas City area.