{"id":170,"date":"2017-09-18T16:30:29","date_gmt":"2017-09-18T16:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/?page_id=170"},"modified":"2025-11-14T16:51:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T21:51:23","slug":"administration","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/john-j-cali-school-of-music\/about-the-cali-school\/faculty-leadership\/administration\/","title":{"rendered":"Administration"},"content":{"rendered":"

Directors<\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
\n

Shea Scruggs<\/strong>
\nDirector, Cali School of Music
\nChapin Hall, Room 144
\n973-655-5226
\nscruggssh@montclair.edu\u00a0<\/a>
\n

Bio<\/div>
\n

Shea Scruggs<\/strong> is an accomplished arts administrator, educator, and former professional oboist whose career spans leadership in top music institutions, orchestral performance, and advocacy for equity in the arts. With a background in admissions, institutional research, and student experience, he has led initiatives to expand access to classical music and support the next generation of artists.<\/p>\n

Scruggs previously served as Chief Enrollment Officer and Director of Institutional Research and Musician Experience at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he played a key role in shaping student life, alumni engagement, and data-informed decision-making.<\/p>\n

He holds degrees from Swarthmore College, the Curtis Institute of Music, and Cornell University\u2019s Johnson Graduate School of Management. As a performer, he held principal oboe positions with the San Francisco Opera, Cincinnati Symphony, and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.<\/p>\n

A founding member of the Black Orchestral Network<\/a>, Scruggs is a national voice for diversity and inclusion in classical music. His work has been featured on NPR\u2019s All Things Considered<\/em> <\/a>and other national platforms.<\/p>\n

Photo by Mike Peters
\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n

\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>

\nStephanie Haggerstone\u00a0<\/strong>
\nAssociate Director, John J. Cali School of Music
\n973-655-7028
\nChapin Hall, Room 148\n
haggerstones@montclair.edu<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/div>\n
Bio<\/div>
\n

Stephanie Haggerstone<\/strong> is an experienced arts administrator whose career spans production management, arts programming, and nonprofit leadership across major cultural institutions in the U.S. and the U.K. She brings a deep understanding of both creative and financial operations in the performing arts.<\/p>\n

Before joining the John J. Cali School of Music, Haggerstone served in the Office of Arts + Cultural Programming at Montclair State University for six years. She previously worked at the Metropolitan Opera as Production Finance Manager, where she supported large-scale productions through strategic budgeting and operational planning.<\/p>\n

She earned her MBA from Ashridge Business School in England, completing her dissertation in partnership with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Her earlier career includes more than fifteen years in the nonprofit sector, with experience in regional, downtown New York, and Off-Broadway theaters.<\/p>\n

Haggerstone is committed to building systems that support artistic excellence and long-term sustainability in the performing arts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>

\nScott Davenport Richards<\/strong>
\nAssociate Director for Faculty, John J. Cali School of Music
\nProfessor
\nComposition
\nMusical Theatre
\n973-655-2099
\nChapin Hall, Room G46
\nrichardssc@montclair.edu<\/a>
\nScott Richards – Website<\/a>
\n
Bio<\/div>

\nA specialist in Opera and Musical Theatre, Professor Richards<\/strong> teaches private composition students, Acting for the Singer (a course in which students learn to integrate their music theoretical\/literary analysis with actor preparation), and the occasional course in Musical Theatre history.\n

He is an award winning composer\/librettist whose creative works have resided at various addresses around the intersection of Jazz, Opera, and Musical theatre. His most recent opera, Blind Injustice (with librettist David Cote) premiered with direction by Robin Guarino at Cincinnati Opera in 2019 to a sold out run and national critical acclaim. The live CD\/Album was cited by Opera News as one of the 5 Best New Opera Recordings of 2022 and was produced with great press fanfare by Montclair State’s Peak Performances in February of 2024.https:\/\/www.dropbox.com\/scl\/fi\/0jlhcq7q8cj1zo15hgc2d\/PEAK-BI-NYT-Feature-Pring-021624.pdf?rlkey=pl9gt52dd8v1f5gy8afbuc523&dl=0<\/a><\/p>\n

He has completed commissions for The Public Theater; The Rumble of Myth (with Marcus Gardley) and the TONY Winning Signature Theatre (VA) The Break (with Michele Lowe). The New York City Opera has performed two Richards works as a part of its Vox Festival of new opera; A Star Across The Ocean – Paris 1965 featuring Tony Award Winner, Chuck Cooper and Charlie Crosses the Nation, An Opera in Jazz Idiom. He was commissioned by Paulette Haupt, Artistic Director of The O\u2019Neill Theatre Center\u2019s National Musical Theatre Conference to compose A Thousand Words Come to Mind (with Michele Lowe) for the inaugural set of her Inner Voices one-person musical monologue series. Other musical theatre works include music for Coyote Goes Salmon Fishing (written with Deborah Brevoort) directed by Molly Smith at Perseverance Theatre\/produced by Stuart Ostrow in Houston) and the original score for A Christmas Story The Musical at Kansas City Rep.<\/p>\n

His play-scores have been heard at resident theatres around the country including The Yale Rep, Alliance, Center Stage, Madison Rep, Powerhouse and New Federal.<\/p>\n

Works for children include a number of commissions from Theatreworks U. S. A.; Corduroy (music, lyrics, orchestration), Sundiata! The Lion King of Mali (music, lyrics, orchestration), Island of the Blue Dolphins (orchestrations) and Junie B. Jones (orchestrations.)<\/p>\n

As an actor, Mr. Richards originated the role of Sylvester (the stuttering nephew who almost ruins the recording session) in the historic original Broadway production of August Wilson\u2019s Ma Rainey\u2019s Black Bottom and assisted his father, Director Lloyd Richards in the origination and Broadway premieres of three other Wilson works.<\/p>\n

A recipient of the Jonathan Larson, Frederick Loewe, Shen Family Foundation, Meet the Composer, and the NJ State Council on the Arts Composition Awards, he taught on the faculty of New York University\u2019s Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program from 1997-2009 has remained a regular guest teacher.<\/p>\n

As of today, he is hard at work on a new opera Robeson\/Moscow with co-librettist David Cote which was workshopped at Cincinnati Opera’s Opera Fusion: New Works in 2023.<\/p>\n

M. F. A. New York University Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Musical Theater Writing Program
\nB. A. Yale University
\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n

<\/a>Administrative Staff<\/h2>\n
\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
\n

Paula Chmiel<\/strong>
\nFinancial Secretary
\n973-655-5476
\nChapin Hall, Room 144
\nchmielp@montclair.edu<\/a>
\n<\/p><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n

\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
\n

Andrew Dickerson<\/strong>
\nProduction Manager
\n973-655-7885
\nChapin Hall, Room 120
\ndickersona@montclair.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

Bio<\/div>

\nAndy Dickerson<\/strong> joins Cali from his most recent position at Montclair State University as Production Manager with College of the Arts Performance Operations (CPO).\u00a0 Prior to joining Montclair, he served as Associate Technical Director and Facilities Manager with Performance Space New York, and Production Manager at the Times Center and for the New York Times Live department for the TimesTalks and ScreenTimes programs for off-site events.\u00a0 Andy has been designing theatrical lighting for over 20 years with a focus on dance, working with local, national and international artists, having long-standing collaborations with the New York Butoh Institute\/Vangeline Theater, Jessica Gaynor Dance, Peter Kyle Dance, and Launch Movement Experiment among many others. From 2002 to 2016 he was instrumental in the development of the facilities and presentation programs of Triskelion Arts in Greenpoint, Brooklyn where he also served as the President of the Board of Directors from 2016 through 2021.\n

B.S. New York University, Music Education<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

\n
\"Taylor<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
\n

Taylor Goodson
\n<\/strong>Scheduling Administrator
\n973-655-3215
\nChapin Hall, Room 129
\ngoodsont@montclair.edu<\/a>
\n

Bio<\/div>
\n

A resident of Nutley, NJ, percussionist and composer Taylor Goodson<\/strong> performs with some of the best musicians in the region and composes for a wide variety of ensembles. He is currently principal tympanist of the Montclair Orchestra and the FEA Symphony and performs with many other organizations such as the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and the New Jersey Festival Orchestra. As a composer, his many works span a large variety of instruments and ensembles and have been described as cinematic and emotional. His music can be heard both online and on the concert stage from his theme music for the Voice of the Whills podcast to his Symphony No. 1 \u201cThe War of the Worlds\u201d for symphony orchestra. At the Cali School, Taylor oversees all academic and event scheduling, including all Cali School academic courses, student and faculty recitals, special events, and outside bookings.
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\n
\"Heather<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
\n

Heather Kern<\/strong>
\nMarketing & Outreach Manager
\n973-655-7263
\nChapin Hall, Room 121
\nkernh@montclair.edu<\/a>
\n

Bio<\/div>
\n

Heather Kern<\/strong> brings deep expertise in marketing and communication design, with a career spanning work for performing arts organizations, music institutions, foundations, museums, and retail clients. She holds a Bachelor\u2019s degree in English Literature from Indiana University, studied Graphic Design and Photography at Parsons School of Design, and earned an MBA in Marketing from Montclair State University. Her creative work is both versatile and results-driven, with proven success across digital, print, and experiential media. Heather has managed high-profile projects for many of the tri-state area’s most respected arts-focused institutions.<\/p>\n

At the John J. Cali School of Music, she leads all marketing and publicity efforts, including performance promotion, website strategy and maintenance, social media coordination, newsletter campaigns, print publications, and recital program production.<\/p>\n

She also owns a violin\u2014and occasionally threatens to play it. <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\"Michelle<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
\n

Michelle Klemme<\/strong>
\nAcademic Advisor
\n973-655-4438
\nChapin Hall, Room 226
\nklemmem@montclair.edu<\/a>
\n

Bio<\/div>
\n
Michelle<\/strong> joined<\/span>\u00a0the Cali School of Music with over 15 years of experience in college academic advising and program coordination. Most recently, she served as an academic advisor at Fairleigh Dickinson University, supporting undergraduate students in the School of the Arts and the College of Business. She has also\u00a0worked in<\/span>\u00a0advising\u00a0and programming\u00a0<\/span>roles at the University of New Hampshire and Boston University,\u00a0supporting\u00a0<\/span>undergraduate, graduate, and international scholars. Michelle holds a Master\u2019s in Higher Education Administration from Boston University and has a strong background in\u00a0academic\u00a0<\/span>a<\/span>dvising<\/span>, student advocacy, and\u00a0college<\/span>\u00a0programming<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n
At the Cali School of Music\u00a0and<\/span>\u00a0part of the College of the Arts Advising Team, she serves as an academic advisor and teaches\u00a0the<\/span>\u00a0New Student Seminar for freshmen.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0She\u00a0i<\/span>s truly excited to support and connect with the music students as they grow, explore, and thrive on their creative and educational journeys.\u00a0\u00a0A lifelong advocate for the arts, Klemme is a former marching band and choral member whose passion for music and culture continues through her love of travel, musical theater, and German language practice.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n
\n
\"Linsay<\/figure>\n<\/div>
\n

Linsay Setzer
\n<\/strong>Auditions Coordinator
\nSchool Assistant
\nMain Office: 973-655-7217
\nChapin Hall, Room 144
\nsetzerl@montclair.edu<\/a>
\n

Bio<\/div>

\nA New Jersey native – Linsay Setzer<\/strong> comes to Montclair State University with a background and degree in Music Education. She’s previously worked as the Music Teacher, Director of Orchestras & String Specialist in the New Jersey Public School System, a Cello Teaching Artist for elementary students at the Paterson Music Project, and a freelance cellist performing in NJ, NY, and PA for over 10 years.\n

At The Cali School, Linsay oversees all aspects of auditions for all new and prospective students – including the application\/audition process, admissions liaison and audition registration\/scheduling. Linsay also manages the front office for the Cali School and assists with any school, faculty, and student day-to-day needs.
\n<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/p><\/div><\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\"Letitia<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>
\n

Letitia Stancu
\n<\/strong>Academic Advisor
\nAdjunct Professor
\nEmail:<\/strong>\u00a0stancul@montclair.edu<\/a>
\nChapin Hall, Room 224<\/p>\n

Bio<\/div>

\nLetitia Stancu<\/strong> has been a part of the Cali School of Music community for over 20 years, having served as an arts administrator for 18, adjunct professor for 17, teaching Keyboard Musicianship and Rap and Rock as Cultural Phenomenon, and as an academic advisor for the past 3 years.\u00a0 She holds a Bachelor of Music in piano performance from Oberlin Conservatory and has worked as a collaborative pianist, pit musician, and keyboardist\/backup vocalist in various bands.\u00a0\u00a0 At the Cali School, Letitia especially loves collaborating with her Cali colleagues in the Faculty Rock Band!\n

As an academic advisor, Letitia works with all undergraduate music students providing guidance, advice, support and encouragement.\u00a0 She finds great reward in being an integral part of each student\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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