Music Department
Haeun Chung
Haeun Chung: Piano Instructor
Haeun Chung is an experienced and passionate piano tutor with experience working with a wide variety of students. She graduated from University of Seoul and received a degree in classical piano and English literature. She also trained under Dr. Neve at San Francisco State University as an exchange student. She has over 10 years of piano performance and music theory tutoring experience including various generations, In South Korea, she volunteered to teach low income families, including children, single parents, and disabled children as well. She also accompanied numerous choir performances, and other instrument soloist such as violin, oboe, flute, cello, voice, and so on. She is currently working at a church as a pianist. She is a strong believer in the importance of practice and works with her students to help motivate and encourage them if they struggle. With Haeun, students are getting classic quality tutoring that will truly help them grow as a pianist.
Heather Gering: Woodwind Instructor
Hailing from Wichita, Kansas, Heather Gering is an active clarinetist who enjoys performing in a plethora of styles and genres. She has performed with professional ensembles such as the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, the Mississippi Symphony, the New Mexico Philharmonic, and Landmark Musicals. Ms. Gering is an active musician for pit orchestras for which she is a woodwind specialist and previously was part of the regional premiere of the musical production Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
An advocate of new music, Ms. Gering has been commissioning music for Duo Nuummite, a steel pan and clarinet ensemble which she formed with percussionist Chris Miller in the Fall of 2021. Additionally, she has premiered multiple solo and chamber works for the clarinet by composers such as Bryce Craig, Michael Meier, and James McAllister. Ms. Gering is also a proponent for women composers and musicians and has organized multiple Women in Music concerts exclusively featuring works written by women.
Heather currently holds the position of Music Instructor at Cleveland Community College where she joined the faculty in the Fall of 2022. Previously, she has held positions at Kansas Wesleyan University and Hutchinson Community College where she taught woodwind lessons and other various courses in music. She also performs with the Gaston Symphonic band on clarinet and with the jazz combo Gypsy Thirty on various woodwinds.
Ms. Gering holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from Kansas State University, a Master of Music in Clarinet Performance from the University of New Mexico, and is currently ABD for her Doctor of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance & Pedagogy from The University of Southern Mississippi. Her clarinet teachers include Dr. Jackie McIlwain, Keith Lemmons, Dr. Tod Kerstetter, and Laurie Thornton. She has also studied flute, saxophone, and bassoon with Dr. Danilo Mezzadri, Travis Hale, and Denise Turner, respectively.
In her spare time, Heather enjoys arranging music, playing video games, and watching cat TikToks.
Heather Gering
Chris Leich: Guitar Instructor
Chris is slowly becoming a jack-of-all-trades. Having Masters degrees in Percussion and Composition he is capable of playing an extremely wide range of percussion instruments as well as bass guitar, piano, guitar, and more. Having performed internationally with his percussive endeavors he is most suited for teaching in that field, but has also done some freelance work and gigging on bass.
Each student is unique. Chris would like to connect with the interests of whoever he is working with to help them achieve their goals. Being musical is a way of thinking, how to apply what you already know to what you want to do and when you can put a personal spin on it. Building up one’s musical vocabulary and familiarity with an instrument in ways that interest them will slowly improve what they can do with the medium of music.
Chris Leich
Matt McGee: Guitar Instructor
Matt McGee is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and song writer from Gaston County with over 20 years of experience. As a semi-professional musician he has played in several bands ranging in style from rock, pop, country, and modern worship as well as serving in music ministry with various churches throughout Gaston and Cleveland counties. He currently serves as worship director/leader and/or instrumentalist for Pleasant City Church, Christ Covenant Ministries, and Parkwood Baptist Church. Matt is also employed by Gaston County Schools at Bessemer City Central Elementary where he teaches a Fine Arts class for grades 3-5 and a guitar and percussion class for select 5th grade students.
Monica Morgan: Brass and Piano Instructor
More information coming soon. Monica Morgan is a music teacher for the Gaston County Public School system.
Christopher Miller: Percussion & Piano
Chris Miller is a percussionist and piano player from Mobile, Alabama. He has studied Percussion Performance at the University of Southern Mississippi. An active performer Chris performed with the Symphony Orchestra, the Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Labs. In other styles, performances in rock, funk, RnB, soul, salsa, and jazz. Chris teaches fundamentals in both piano and percussion and teaches his percussion students to develop a skill to approach nearly any percussion instrument with confidence. Drum set independence and style study, rudimental techniques and study of rudiments for marching percussion, Timpani technique and tuning, and finally repertoire study and guidance to enhance solo performance. His method of teaching in Hands On! “The best way to learn the drums is to play the drums!” The same theory goes for piano. He will work on techniques to enhance sound quality, speed, and prevention of injuries and include exercises that develop independence and coordination.
Shirley Queen
Shirley Queen: Piano Instructor
Mrs. Shirley Queen was born in Virginia but has lived in Gastonia for over 20 years. She holds a Bachelor of Music from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK. Currently, Mrs. Queen is the pianist and music director at Springwood Church of God. She has been teaching piano for over 30 years. These lessons have been held in home and at school such as First Assembly Christian Academy and Mt. Island Charter School. Some of her students participate in the NC Federation of Music clubs, usually earning a “superior” or “excellent” rating. Her teaching philosophy is that anyone can learn to play the piano if they have that desire.
Christopher Sims: Piano and Voice Instructor
Christopher Sims is currently an adjunct professor at More Than Conquerors College and has taught in various educational institutions in both North Carolina and Florida. He is a licensed minister and has years of experience leading services and directing music in worship settings. Christopher earned his Master of Arts in Education and Higher Education degree from Ashford University in 2013 and his Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory and Composition from Florida International University in 1991. He teaches vocal technique, piano, playing by ear, music theory, and composition. He also has extensive experience in producing, choral directing, and writing/directing major musicals and other acting disciplines. Christopher has traveled to and performed in such historic cities as Verona and Rome, Italy; Frankfurt, Germany; London, England; Vienna, Austria; Boston, Massachusetts; Miami, Florida; and our very own Charlotte, NC. His hobbies include swimming and composing music.
Laura Sullens
Laura Sullens: String Instructor/ Youth Orchestra
After seeing a cello on TV and falling in love with the sound, Laura began playing cello at age 11 by signing up to join her middle school’s orchestra. She started private lessons soon after, studying with Jean Beaudoin and later with Alexander Ezerman at UNCG. Laura has performed in orchestras as principal cellist at numerous esteemed venues, such as Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco and Carnegie Hall.
Praised for her gorgeous tone and wonderful technical foundation, Laura began freelancing professionally in her community at age 14, as well as participating yearly in the All Country and Western Regional All State orchestras. Had the COVID-19 pandemic not interfered, she would’ve toured Germany, Czech Republic, and Poland as assistant principal cellist of the UNCG Symphony Orchestra.
Laura will officially obtain her bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in music performance in August 2023. She performed regularly as assistant principal of her university’s symphony orchestra, as well as in recitals and as a chamber musician. She also has participated in premieres for many student composers.
As a teacher, Laura believes that through a mixture of consistency, determination, and proper technique anyone can become proficient at their chosen instrument. Her goal is to create a positive learning environment where every student can reach their full artistic potential.
Jocelyn Thompson
Jocelyn Thompson: Piano Instructor
Jocelyn Pharr Thompson recently retired after teaching for 38 years, 30 years as a chorus teaching in the Charlotte Public Schools and 8.5 years with Eckerd Family Youth Alternatives, Inc. Her last four years of teaching was spent at South Charlotte Middle School where she served as chorus teacher. In addition to teaching choral music, Jocelyn served as music director for the spring musical each year and taught all choral students beginning piano skills.
Jocelyn is a native of Peekskill, New York. Her family moved to Gastonia, NC where she and her twin sister, Jacqueline attended Gaston County Schools starting in the 2nd grade. Jocelyn is a 1974 honor graduate of Hunter Huss High School. Jocelyn and her twin sister were awarded Gaston Music Education Scholarships in piano, and she was also the recipient of an Alumni Scholarship from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG). While at UNCG, Jocelyn studied piano with Dr. Joseph Dipiazza. During the following four years, Jocelyn served as accompanist for many voice and instrumental students (weekly rehearsals, lessons, and semester recitals). She entered graduate school on an accompanying/class piano teaching scholarship. While working towards her master’s degree, Jocelyn continued to serve as accompanist for undergraduate recitals. She was one of three graduate students responsible for teaching class piano to all other undergraduate music majors. She earned the Bachelor of Music Education degree (1978), the Master of Music Education degree (1980), and the Master of Education in Special Education (1986), all from UNCG.
In January of 1981, Jocelyn began her teaching career as a transitional education teacher at the South Central North Carolina site of the Jack and Ruth Eckerd Wilderness Educational Program (Eckerd Family Youth Alternatives, Inc.) where she taught English, math, science, social studies, and health to behaviorally handicapped boys between the ages of 8 – 16. In the fall of 1985, Jocelyn was elevated to the Educational Coordinator’s position. During those 8.5 years, Jocelyn taught voice and piano students in her home and served as the pianist, organist, and choir director at numerous churches in the area. In the fall of 1989, she decided to teach music in the public schools.
Jocelyn previously taught choral music at Providence High School, served as Performing Arts Chairperson at Garinger, Mallard Creek, and West Charlotte High Schools. Her high school students participated at the local, regional, state, and national levels. They consistently earned Excellent and Superior ratings at the NCMEA West #1 Large Choral Festival Adjudication Events, and they participated in NCMEA Honors and All-State Choirs. Her West Charlotte Choirs performed extensively up and down the east coast, including two appearances at Carnegie Hall, one at Riverside Church in New York City, and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
From 1994 – 2002, Jocelyn served as principal accompanist/assistant director of the Mainstage Choir of Carolina Voices (formerly the Charlotte Choral Society). She served as class piano and music appreciation instructor at Central Piedmont Community College, and as choir director at Belmont Abby College.
In addition to her work in the public schools, Jocelyn has worked in music ministry at Memorial Presbyterian Church since the spring of 1990 where she is currently the Director of Music/Organist. Jocelyn has served as music leader for both the Men’s and Women’s Mid-Atlantic Conferences in Massanetta Springs, Virginia, hymn leader for the Presbyterian Church USA General Conference held in Charlotte, and she and her sister were music leaders for the 2003 Church Wide Gathering of Presbyterian Women held in Louisville, Kentucky in July of 2003. An active clinician in the region and states, Jocelyn has conducted and/or accompanied All-County Choirs in Wilkes, Iredell-Statesville, and Rockingham, and Gaston County.
Jocelyn is an active member of NCMEA, NAfME, NCACDA, and ACDA. She serves her community as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. and the Links, Incorporated. She is married to Elder Sherman B. Thompson and resides in Gastonia, NC with their akita, Sasha.