Instructors
Grace Suiter, MA
Piano and Voice (beginners to advanced) 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, Piano 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. |
Loy Hetrick, MM
Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba
Loy Hetrick started playing trombone at age 10 in Fremont, Nebraska where he was a student of Robert Olsen. After graduating from high school, he attended the University of Nebraska where he studied with Vernon Forbes. During his time in college he was blessed to travel with a professional orchestra to Scotland and England. He also was a charter member of the Plymouth Brass, a resident church ensemble, playing with them from 1977 to 1979. After college he taught junior high band and orchestra. He continued to play professionally by winning the Second Trombone position in the Omaha Symphony.
In 1983 Loy and his wife, Cynthia, moved to Indiana so he could pursue a graduate degree at Indiana University. There he studied trombone with Dee Stewart, Lewis VanHaney, Keith Brown and Ed Anderson. He also studied improvisation under David Baker and played lead trombone in the top jazz ensemble. While at I.U. he was an Assistant Instructor and later taught low brass at both Purdue and Butler Universities. After finishing a Master of Music degree in trombone performance they moved to Indianapolis to work as a free-lance musician. Since then, he has toured the U.S. and Canada with many performers including Andy Williams, Mel Torme, Johnny Mathis, Barry Manilow and Natalie Cole. He was also a member of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra for nine seasons.
Currently, Loy performs regularly with the Indianapolis Symphony and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Much of his playing involves commercial studio work, including recording for various music publishers. Other jobs include pit orchestra work for the local ballet and opera companies and the Broadway musicals that come to the Indianapolis area. He has taught private lessons for over thirty-three years. These days, he is pleased to teach applied low brass at I.U.P.U.I. in addition to the Indianapolis Academy of Fine Arts.
In 1983 Loy and his wife, Cynthia, moved to Indiana so he could pursue a graduate degree at Indiana University. There he studied trombone with Dee Stewart, Lewis VanHaney, Keith Brown and Ed Anderson. He also studied improvisation under David Baker and played lead trombone in the top jazz ensemble. While at I.U. he was an Assistant Instructor and later taught low brass at both Purdue and Butler Universities. After finishing a Master of Music degree in trombone performance they moved to Indianapolis to work as a free-lance musician. Since then, he has toured the U.S. and Canada with many performers including Andy Williams, Mel Torme, Johnny Mathis, Barry Manilow and Natalie Cole. He was also a member of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic Orchestra for nine seasons.
Currently, Loy performs regularly with the Indianapolis Symphony and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Much of his playing involves commercial studio work, including recording for various music publishers. Other jobs include pit orchestra work for the local ballet and opera companies and the Broadway musicals that come to the Indianapolis area. He has taught private lessons for over thirty-three years. These days, he is pleased to teach applied low brass at I.U.P.U.I. in addition to the Indianapolis Academy of Fine Arts.
Matthew Marshall
Piano
Piano
Matthew Marshall began playing the piano "by ear" at a very young age. After hearing him play, his parents enrolled him in piano lessons. He studied with several piano teachers, and continued to develop his God-given piano talent. After a reprieve from formal lessons, he decided to pursue his passion for piano performance, and began studying with a piano teacher.
He earned a bachelors of arts in English, and a Bible minor and a Literature minor, but took some music theory classes and studied under Phyllis Warner, an accomplished professor, pianist, organist, piano judge and world lecturer.
He can understand the student who "plays by ear", and might struggles with understanding/learning music theory and sight-reading music.
Matthew has traveled and performed piano concerts, recorded piano albums, arranged his music, created and helped create orchestration for his albums, worked with other accomplished musicians, participates in Indiana Piano Teachers' Guild, judged piano, and taught piano lessons for several years. Through the years, he has "tinkered" learning violin, flute, trombone, and penny whistle.
He earned a bachelors of arts in English, and a Bible minor and a Literature minor, but took some music theory classes and studied under Phyllis Warner, an accomplished professor, pianist, organist, piano judge and world lecturer.
He can understand the student who "plays by ear", and might struggles with understanding/learning music theory and sight-reading music.
Matthew has traveled and performed piano concerts, recorded piano albums, arranged his music, created and helped create orchestration for his albums, worked with other accomplished musicians, participates in Indiana Piano Teachers' Guild, judged piano, and taught piano lessons for several years. Through the years, he has "tinkered" learning violin, flute, trombone, and penny whistle.
Ruth Rankin, B.S./B.A
VOICE
Ruth was introduced to formal music studies when she began piano lessons at the age of seven. She has always loved to sing and began to study voice during her freshman year of college after receiving much encouragement from her high school choir director and other teachers. Ruth holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Pedagogy with a voice proficiency from Northland International University and a Bachelor of Arts in Voice Performance with a secondary proficiency in piano from Maranatha Baptist University. She also studied voice at Valor Summer Music Conservatory in 2010. As a light lyric soprano, Ruth has a special affinity for the opera and oratorio arias of Mozart and Handel, and she enjoys exploring emotional nuances in her music.
Currently, Ruth is an active member of Colonial Hills Baptist Church, where she participates in the music ministry in various capacities, including singing solos, coaching ensembles, and accompanying congregational singing. The 2019-20 school year will be Ruth's fourth year of teaching voice at IAFA, where she enjoys working with singers of all ages and abilities. Employing a wholistic approach to vocal pedagogy, Ruth's goal is to help every student communicate freely and expressively, using their unique voice to the glory of God. Ruth is also an associate member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Currently, Ruth is an active member of Colonial Hills Baptist Church, where she participates in the music ministry in various capacities, including singing solos, coaching ensembles, and accompanying congregational singing. The 2019-20 school year will be Ruth's fourth year of teaching voice at IAFA, where she enjoys working with singers of all ages and abilities. Employing a wholistic approach to vocal pedagogy, Ruth's goal is to help every student communicate freely and expressively, using their unique voice to the glory of God. Ruth is also an associate member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.