Dr. Amity Bryson, Music Department Chair, teaches various music courses including applied voice, and directs both Avila Singers and University Singers. Dr. Bryson completed her doctoral work at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Conservatory of Music and holds both a BS Ed in music education and a MM in voice performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia, she is also an alumnae of Cottey College in Nevada, Missouri. In addition to previous faculty appointments at William Woods University and Westminster College, Dr. Bryson has taught in the public school systems at both the elementary and secondary levels.

Dr. Bryson is active in local, state, and national professional music organizations. As a member of the board of the Kansas City Metro chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing for the last two years, Dr. Bryson was recently appointed president of the chapter for a two-year term. She also serves on the state board of Missouri Choral Directors Association as Repertoire and Standards Chair for Women’s Choirs.

As a lyric soprano, Dr. Bryson continues to perform on both the recital and opera stage. Recent recitals include a program of art songs by women composers, featuring In a Persian Garden by Liza Lehmann. Opera roles have included Zerlina, Juliette, and Ännchen, but most memorable was her portrayal of Gretel in Hänsel und Gretel.

Dr. Stolberg returns to Avila this fall as an Artist in Residence for the Music Department. Tom has wide experience as a soloist, director, teacher, and adjudicator with various organizations in the Mid- and Southwest. He received a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and choral Conducting from New Mexico State University and is currently completing a DMA in vocal performance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.

Tom is a tireless advocate for the arts, having served as chair of NMArts (the state of New Mexico 's art council) and as a trustee for the Western States Arts Federation and is general director of Opera Kadopera in Kansas City . Dr. Stolberg continues to teach Music Appreciation and Applied Voice as well as Music Theory and directing Avila Singers.

Jaime Titus joins the Music Faculty this fall to teach applied piano lessons. Dr. Titus completed her DMA in flute performance at The Ohio State University School of Music after graduating from Luther College in Decorah , Iowa.

A Missouri native, Jaime now lives in Lenexa and keeps busy performing and teaching in the Metro area as well as serving on the music staff at Grace United Methodist Church in Olathe.

She is a member of the Overland Park Orchestra, principle flutist for the Midwest Winds, and substitute conductor for the Kansas City Flute Choir.

Kristy Burge earned her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance at the University of Missouri-Columbia in 2001, where she studied with Professor JoElla Todd. She traveled to Boston , MA for graduate study at the New England Conservatory of Music and returned to MU to finish her graduate work in 2003.

Ms. Burge is currently pursuing a DMA in vocal performance from the conservatory at UMKC. She taught voice for two years at the University of Missouri-Columbia while in their graduate program, and also enjoyed teaching private voice and piano lessons in the Columbia area.

Ms. Burge continues to perform in operas and recitals. Ms. Burge's most memorable opera roles include Lady Billows in Britten's Albert Herring, Fiordiligi, Rosalinde, Gilda, and the Governess in Britten's The Turn of the Screw. She has also performed soprano oratorio solos in Stravinsky's Les Noces, Rossini's Petit Messe Solennelle and most recently in 2004 performed the soprano solos in Bruckner's Te Deum and Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem. Ms. Burge has performed three solo recitals including pieces by Korngold, Wagner, Chausson, Verdi, and Beach.

Joe English has taught guitar at Avila University since 1983. Mr. English completed his music degrees at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory.

In addition to Avila, Mr English currently teaches at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Dr. Paula Neihouse returns to the Music faculty to teach Accompanying and Applied Piano. Dr. Neihouse completed her DMA in Accompanying and Chamber Music from the University of Miami and holds a MM in Accompanying and BM in Piano Performance from the University of Kansas.

Paula continues to perform both in collaboration with other artists as well as solo recitals. She is also an active member of Sigma Alpha Iota, the International Music Fraternity. Dr. Neihouse serves as the Pi A Province Officer, actively recruiting and supporting both music students and alumni in the mid-west.