Instructors
 Grace Suiter, MA
Piano and Voice Grace Suiter began studying piano at age five and playing for church and elementary school programs by fourth grade. She is grateful for a rich musical heritage and recalls many family gatherings where she enjoyed playing the piano while her extended family joined in singing favorite hymns and carols.
Grace holds a M.A. in Piano Accompaniment from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, and a Th.B. in Theology and Sacred Music from Appalachian Bible College, Bradley, West Virginia. With over thirty years of teaching experience - fifteen of those at the college level - she enjoys working with musicians of all ages. Her mission is to help students enjoy making music and reach their full potential for the glory of God. Grace resides with her husband Kevin in Carmel, where in her spare time she enjoys gardening, biking, and hosting friends at her home. She also coordinates all the music scheduling and worship planning for CHBC. |
Kevin Suiter, DMA
Voice and Conducting Kevin Suiter taught college-level voice for 23 years prior to joining IAFA and taking on the role of School Administrator at Colonial Christian School in 2011. He understands how to nurture the student's natural singing voice and enhance their communication skills for the glory of God.
Kevin has an earned doctorate in conducting from University of North Carolina at Greensboro (2001) with minors in music history, music literature and vocal pedagogy. Upon receiving a recommendation from Dr. William McIver, former National President of NATS, with whom he studied vocal pedagogy, he maintained an active membership in NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) for fifteen years. His received his vocal training from David Holly (UNCG), Nancy Walker (UNCC), and Ray Gibbs (PCC); studied conducting with William Carroll, Richard Cox, and Robert Gutter; and was a winner in the 1999 UNCG Concerto Competition where he conducted Beethoven's Choral Fantasy in C minor for Piano, Chorus, and Orchestra., Op. 80. As a member of the pastoral staff at CHBC, Kevin maintains an active role in church music ministry as choir director, song leader, congregational accompanist, vocalist, and brass ensemble member (French horn). His hobbies include home remodeling/repair, walking, cycling, and landscaping. |
Joel Montgomery
Brass Joel Montgomery began his music career with piano lessons at the age of 6. He picked up the trumpet when he was 10, and soon began studying with Jordan Winkler of the River City Brass. As a homeschooler, his first primary musical ensemble training came from the River City Youth Brass Band, which he started with at the age of 13 and played with through high school. When he was 16, he won a seat in the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra, and earned the opportunity to play principal trumpet on multiple prominent symphonic pieces, including Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" and Leonard Bernstien's "Symphonic Dances from West Side Story." During high school, he studied first under Drew Fennell of the RCB, and then with Dr. Kevin Eisensmith at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. It was under Mr. Fennell that Joel began learning more about advanced music theory and composition.
Joel went on to earn a BA in Music with proficiencies in Trumpet Performance and Composition/Arranging from Maranatha Baptist University where he studied trumpet under Daniel Birnschein. His senior trumpet recital included, Arutunian's "Trumpet Concerto," Bernstein's "Rondo for Lifey," and John Williams' "With Malice Toward None." Joel studied composition and arranging under Dr. David Ledgerwood. A link to Joel's YouTube channel, which contains many live performances of his compositions from his Arranging and Composition Showcase, is provided here. His showcase shows both his serious side of composition in pieces like "Reflections from a Rooftop" and "Pandiatonic #1," his sacred side in "Inseparable Love" and "Prelude on the King of Kings," and his humorous side in "The Gators are Sounding Better all the Time" and "Dot Dot Dot." Recently, Low Key Men's Ensemble released a recording of one of Joel's favorite compositions, "I Fear No More," on their album of the same name. Joel wants students to be excited about music so that they can be a blessing to others through it, both within and without the local church. He loves helping students grasp musical concepts that will translate to every aspect of their musicianship. Joel feels that learning how to create art with excellence through music composition is not only a wonderful skill, but will also help students' creative process and help them in countless areas in both music and life. |
Loy Hetrick
Brass Loy Hetrick began playing trombone at age 10 in Fremont, Nebraska, under the guidance of Robert Olsen. After high school, he attended the University of Nebraska, studying with Vernon Forbes. During college, Loy had the opportunity to travel with a professional orchestra to Scotland and England and was a charter member of the Plymouth Brass, a church ensemble, from 1977 to 1979.
After college, Loy taught junior high band and orchestra and continued playing professionally, winning the Second Trombone position with the Omaha Symphony. In 1983, Loy and his wife, Cynthia, moved to Indiana, where he pursued a graduate degree at Indiana University. There, he studied trombone with Dee Stewart, Lewis VanHaney, Keith Brown, and Ed Anderson, and improvisation with David Baker, while playing lead trombone in the top jazz ensemble. Loy also served as an Assistant Instructor and later taught low brass at both Purdue and Butler Universities. After earning his Master of Music degree in trombone performance, the couple moved to Indianapolis, where Loy established himself as a freelance musician. With roughly forty years of teaching experience, Loy continues to teach applied low brass at Ball State University and IAFA. Loy has toured the U.S. and Canada with renowned performers like Andy Williams, Mel Tormé, Johnny Mathis, Barry Manilow, and Natalie Cole, and was a member of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra for nine seasons. Currently, he performs regularly with the Indianapolis Symphony and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. His work includes commercial studio recording for various music publishers, pit orchestra performances for local ballet and opera companies, and Broadway musicals in the Indianapolis area. Loy is an active member of Colonial Hills Baptist Church where he sings in the adult choir and is a frequent participant in orchestral and brass ensembles. He served as the band director at Colonial Christian School from 2012-2022 where he was well loved by students and parents alike. |
Leah Richardson
Piano Leah’s musical journey began at the age of eight in a Christian school in Greenwood. There, her love for music flourished through piano playing, choral singing, and flute performances. She quickly became an active participant in chapels, competitions, and church services.
Leah pursued her passion academically, earning a BS degree in Piano Pedagogy from Northland Baptist Bible College, where she had the honor of studying under Dr. Jon Ensminger. With 29 years of teaching experience, Leah has dedicated herself to nurturing talent in her private studio while lovingly raising her six children—Luke, Seth, Thad, Joel, King, and Gentle—alongside her supportive husband, Stephen. The family is deeply rooted in their faith community at Cornerstone Bible Church, where Leah joyfully accompanies the church choir. Leah treasures the opportunity to teach and is passionate about sharing the gift of music with her students. She finds immense joy in helping each student discover and appreciate their own musical gifts. |
Diane Staton
Piano Blessed to be born into a very musical family, Diane began taking piano lessons at the age of eight. Inspired and encouraged by her parents and several aunts and uncles who served the Lord in music ministries, she always had a passion for using her music in ministry.
Diane started teaching her first piano students while in college, quickly realizing how much she enjoyed teaching and seeing students develop into accomplished musicians. After graduating from Indiana Baptist College with a degree in Music Education, she found that she loved the one-on-one teaching experience of private music lessons. Having recently completed her 44th year of teaching, her desire and passion remain to develop students who are well-equipped to contribute quality and excellence to church music ministries. In addition to teaching, she and her husband enjoy gardening, tending to their small orchard, and relishing the tranquility of their peaceful country home. |
