Graduate Teaching Assistants:
Erica Haas is a bassoonist from Emmaus, PA. Most recently, she enjoyed performing with the Central Pennsylvania Symphony for their 2023-2024 season, as well as freelancing throughout Pennsylvania. Previously, Erica has served as substitute principal bassoon with the Tyler Civic Orchestra (TX), Mesquite Symphony (TX), and Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition to playing, Erica is a full-time reedmaker, doctoral student at MSU, and private teacher. She earned her master's degree in Performance from the University of North Texas, and her bachelor's degree in Music Education from the University of Delaware. Her primary teachers are Mr. Michael Kroth, Dr. Darrel Hale, and Ms. Lynn Moncilovich.
Madeline Wilks is a passionate and multifaceted bassoonist whose career spans performance, education, and community engagement. She is the Second Bassoonist of the Dearborn Symphony Orchestra, a role that reflects her artistry, precision, and commitment to orchestral excellence. Madeline currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Bassoon at Hope College, where she provides individualized instruction and chamber coaching for undergraduate musicians. She is also pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Bassoon Performance at Michigan State University, where she is earning certificates in Musicology and Higher Education. She holds a Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a Bachelor of Music from Michigan State University.
As a performer, Madeline has appeared with orchestras across the Midwest, including the Kalamazoo, Ann Arbor, Battle Creek, and Saginaw Bay symphonies. Her solo and chamber performances include numerous premieres and collaborations with living composers. She is a passionate advocate for new music and has commissioned and premiered a range of contemporary works for bassoon, including pieces by Rehmann, Collison, Trentadue, Marcussen, and Fitch. She is also featured as a recording artist in the PBS series "Now Hear This", highlighting her contributions to chamber music and innovative programming.
In addition to performing and teaching, Madeline is committed to outreach and advocacy. She founded Enriching Lives through Music, a nonprofit focused on bringing live performance to underserved communities and has served in leadership roles within Michigan State’s Council of Graduate Students. She is also an accomplished reed maker and entrepreneur, producing high-quality, handmade reeds for students and professionals sold at local music stores.
Graduate Students:
Megan Frederick is a first-year master's student in bassoon performance from Ashburn, Virginia. She began playing the bassoon in middle school and went on to earn her Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance from Shenandoah Conservatory. During her undergraduate studies, Megan performed as a substitute with the Piedmont Symphony and served as principal bassoonist for Canto Vocal Program’s Summer 2024 production of The Marriage of Figaro. In addition to her classical training, Megan is a passionate collector of folk instruments, an avid Irish/tin whistle player, and is currently learning to play the Appalachian dulcimer.
Dylan Myers is working toward his DMA in Bassoon Performance and certificate in Music Career Development at Michigan State University. He is an early music specialist in historically informed performance practices of the Late Medieval through Baroque eras and investigating historiography of early wind instrument pedagogy. His research interests include the development of early woodwinds, the influences of rhetoric in the arts, as well as new music for both modern and historical bassoons alike. While at MSU, Dylan works in the Career Education Office (Running Start) as the Communications and Events Intern, and with the Development Office as a steward for the special collections of musical instruments and artwork housed at the College of Music. He is a finalist of the 2023 Running Start Competition for his grant proposal "New Music for Historical Bassoon: Composition Commission and Recording Project." He continues to commission new music for historical bassoons both independently and through consortiums and grants.
Dylan leads a dynamic career in commercial and private double reed production, woodwind repair and manufacturing, and extensively as an orchestral bassoonist and chamber musician. His orchestral career includes playing with Oregon Bach Festival, Spokane Symphony (WA), Glacier Symphony (MT), Willamette Master Chorus & Orchestra (OR), and Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, in addition to freelancing throughout the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. Additionally, Dylan serves on the International Double Reed Society Historical Performance Committee.
Dylan received his B.M. in Bassoon Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point under Dr. Patricia Holland, and M.M. in Bassoon Performance at Michigan State University under Michael Kroth. Dylan studied historical bassoons with Marc Vallon, Keith Collins, and Steve Vacchi, and historical performance practices from Margaret Gries and Marc Vanscheeuwijk.
Rosalie Truback is a first year Master’s student in Bassoon Performance at MSU. She received her two Bachelor’s Degrees from Illinois University in both Bassoon Performance and Audio & Music Production this past fall. Outside of bassoon, a cute cat photo will always make her smile.
Sierra Watson is a DMA student from Cincinnati, Ohio. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Bassoon Performance from Ball State University in 2021, and her Master of Music in Bassoon Performance from Michigan State University in 2023. While at Ball State, she was the winner of the 2019-2020 Undergraduate Concerto Competition. As the winner, she got to play the first movement of the Weber Bassoon Concerto with the Ball State Symphony Orchestra and ALMOST got to play a solo recital at Mukogawa Women’s University in Nishinomiya, Japan (it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic). During her time at Michigan State, she has been a member of the Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Winds, and the Goat Rodeo Reed Quintet. She plays on a Fox 601 bassoon.
Sierra was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2024. In spite of this devastating diagnosis, she is still an active member of the MSU Bassoon Studio. When she's not playing bassoon or fighting cancer, you can find her working at Ulta Beauty, eating at local restaurants, or playing with her four bunnies: Peter, Flynn, Dolly, and Greg. In the future, Sierra hopes to perform professionally in orchestras and chamber groups, maintain a private studio, and help other cancer patients cope with their diagnoses through the healing power of music.
Undergraduate Students:
Hi! My name is Katherine Dahn, and I am from Tecumseh Michigan. I am a senior Bassoon Performance Major who is also getting a science degree in Neuroscience. Growing up, my family surrounded me with the arts so it was no surprise when I fell in love with music at an early age. Along with being able to play the bassoon, I also play piano and have been taking lessons since first grade. I am super excited to be a part of this program and hope to make many people (including myself) just a bit happier with a little music!
Hi I'm Katelynn Miller! I am in my third year of undergrad majoring in Music Education and am from Roseville, Michigan. When not playing bassoon, I am playing alto saxophone in the Spartan Marching Band! I am also the Recording Secretary in Kappa Kappa Psi. Outside of music, I love hanging out with my friends and playing with my two cats.
The studio and creating music with everyone are very important to me and I am so grateful to be a part of this program!
AJ Schicht is a dedicated bassoonist pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music at Michigan State University. With a passion for both performance and community engagement, they actively contribute to the vibrant arts scene in East Lansing. In addition to their academic studies, AJ is committed to volunteering at local and community events. Known for their warm tone and expressive playing, AJ is continually seeking opportunities to grow as a musician and as a positive force within their community.
My name is Evan Dietrich, and I am from Canton, MI. I am a sophomore at Michigan State University pursuing a Finance and Economics double major and have the pleasure of performing with members of the bassoon studio in multiple MSU ensembles. When not in class or ensembles, I contribute to my role as a Student Research Assistant and Co-Facilitator for the Urban-Rural Dialogue Project to help bridge gaps across differences using intergroup dialogue.
Through my music and research, I hope to leave a positive impact on MSU campus and help enrich the experiences of my peers.