Music Department

A native of Gulf Shores, Alabama, Dr. Benjamin Rollings has earned recognition as first place winner in several music competitions including the University of Georgia Concerto Competition, the Wells Piano Competition, the Debose National Piano Competition, the Atlanta Music Club competition, and the Alabama Federation of Music Clubs Competition. In 2012, he won the Pro-Mozart…

The cultural flame lit by Elvis Presley has never been extinguished, even 45 years after his death. Still, that flame hasn’t burned this bright for years. A new generation has discovered the music of the heralded “King of Rock ‘n’ Roll” largely due to the new acclaimed Baz Luhrmann film, “Elvis.” Some talented members of…

Doug Holsworth received his BA in Music Education in 1985 from the University of Alabama, where he was the Drum Major for the Million Dollar Band. After graduation, he served in the Army as a Signals Intelligence Pilot, holding dual branches as a Captain in Aviation and Military Intelligence.

Bret Barrow is principal trombonist and Executive Director of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra. He is an active freelance musician and an adjunct instructor of low brass at Pensacola State College. Bret grew up in Pace, FL where he began playing the trombone in 1990. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Music degree from…

Laura Noah is a freelance Timpanist/Percussionist residing in Mobile, Alabama.  Mrs. Noah is the principal timpanist for the Mobile Symphony and the Meridian Symphony. She is principal percussionist for the Gulf Coast Symphony in Biloxi, Mississippi and section percussionist with the Pensacola Symphony. In addition to her performing career, Laura also teaches introduction to music at…

Richard Jernigan teaches woodwinds, Music History, Music Fundamentals and Music Appreciation, in addition to directing the Woodwind Quintet. He received his associate of arts degree from Pensacola State College, his bachelor of arts degree from the University of West Florida and his master of music degree from Louisiana State University. Email Mr. Jernigan

Dr. Joe Stallings teaches Classical Guitar, Music Theory and Music Appreciation. He is an Academic Advisor and the founder and director of the Pensacola State College Guitar Program, which includes the Pensacola Guitar Orchestra, the Pensacola Guitar Ensemble and the Pensacola State College Guitar Association. He is also the founder and chairman of the Pensacola Guitar…

With a public school career spanning three decades, Stephen Pearce has worked at every level of public school music from Pre-Kindergarten general music to High School Instrumental programs.  Since 2008, Stephen has been working in the Elementary Music Division for the Baldwin County Board of Education in Alabama.  He is currently assigned to J. Larry Newton Elementary…

Victoria Adamenko received her Ph.D. in Musicology from Rutgers University, New Jersey, in 2000, and her masters degree in Music Literature, Pedagogy, and Criticism, with a secondary emphasis on piano performance, from Gnesin Music-Pedagogical Institute in Moscow, Russia, in 1990. Prior to that, she received her Bachelors’ degree in Music Theory, from Gnensin College in Moscow,…

Dale Riegle is principal trumpet with the Pensacola Symphony, and spent 11 years as principal trumpet with the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, and six years as principal trumpet with the Gulf Coast Symphony in Biloxi, Mississippi.  He leads the Perdido Brass, a chamber ensemble that has been featured in concert in the West Florida area, including televised…

Marianne Carlton teaches Music Appreciation, Beginning Piano for Non-Majors, and French Horn. She received her Masters in Music Education, Bachelor of Arts in Music History, and Bachelor of Music Performance, Cum Laude, from Old Dominion University. She completed her AA in Organ Performance at PSC. Email Ms. Carlton

Dr. Michael Coleman is an adjunct instructor who has been teaching music theory, ear training, music & computers, and music appreciation at Pensacola State College since 1993.  As composer and pianist, he has participated in numerous new music programs and festivals in the U.S and Russia and has also had works performed in Central America,…

Abigail Walker graduated with her Master of Music Degree in bassoon performance in 2007 from The Shepherd’s School of Music where she was a student of Benjamin Kamins.  She also holds a Bachelors of Music from Florida State University and an Associate of Arts from Pensacola State College.  She has performed with orchestras in Texas, Florida,…

A native of Upstate New York, Matthew Fossa has been the Principal Oboist of the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra since 2002. In addition, he holds the same position with the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and also performs with the Mobile Symphony Orchestra. He has also performed as Guest Principal Oboist of the Richmond (VA) Symphony Orchestra, Co-Principal Oboist…

Bethany Wood started playing piano at the age of 6 and flute at the age of 9. She grew up playing flute or piano nearly every Sunday in church, and took lessons on both instruments for several years before deciding to pursue the flute exclusively. At the age of 11, Bethany began playing flute with the…

Vivian Jeanette Gibson teaches Music Appreciation. She received an associate of arts degree from Pensacola State College, a bachelor of music education degree from Florida State University and her master of music education degree from Florida State University. She has been the Choral Director at Pine Forest High School for the past 27 years. She also…

Leonid Yanovskiy teaches String Ensemble, violin and viola. He received his bachelor of arts degree from Gnessen Academy of Music in Moscow and his Doctorate of Music from Rutgers University. lyanovskiy@uwf.edu

Dr. Jonathan L. Martin teaches Jazz Ensemble. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from Louisiana State University, his Master of Music Degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and his doctorate from the University of Iowa. Email Dr. Martin

Don Snowden is Department Head of the Performing Arts Department, Director of Bands and Assistant Professor at Pensacola State College. As Pensacola State College Director of Bands, Mr. Snowden’s jazz ensembles have performed with several world renowned artists and in 1993, the Pensacola State College Jazz Ensemble performed in famed Carnegie Hall in New York City.…

Lance Branon joined the PSC Performing Arts Department as Technical Director in 2022. Lance studied at the Florida School of the Arts and University of West Florida. He has been a regular in the Pensacola Theatre community for years working with the Saenger Theatre, Pensacola Little Theatre and Ballet Pensacola. lbrannon@pensacolastate.edu

Kelly Ryan has been the Administrative Assistant of the Music & Theatre Department since 2000. She received her bachelor of arts degree from Auburn University. Email Ms. Ryan

Graduate UAB Birmingham in BS in Business Management, Marketing and Industrial Distribution.  Graduate of Full Sail University-Orlando in Recording Arts and Belmont University-Nashville-Music Business Major/Commercial Music Minor.  As a musician, Joel has toured as pianist/keyboardist for artists such as Reba McEntire, The Judds, Kenny Rodgers, Tanya Tucker and Skip Ewing. Joel appeared regularly as guest…

Dr. Ken Phillips has a doctorate in Music Education from Temple University, a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Southern Mississippi and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Mobile College, in addition to the Associate in Arts degree he earned at Pensacola State College, which was Pensacola Junior College when he attended.…

Joshua Bledsoe has garnered a reputation as a dynamic performer, engaging ensemble director, and inspired pedagogue. Known as a consummate chamber musician, he has toured the US extensively as a member of the internationally acclaimed ensemble, Presidio Brass, which has also afforded him the opportunity to present clinics and coachings at some of the most…