Monday August 27, 2001 |

Arizona Daily Wildcat

Fresh faces come to the fine arts department

What do Brian Ebie, Eve Himmelheber, Judith Sebesta and Kelly Thomas all have in common? They are the newest members of the fine arts faculty at the University of Arizona, which include the schools of art, dance, music and theatre arts.

The four come from all over the country, bringing various talents and skills in each of their fields. Ebie, one of the newest music education professors, is originally from Ohio, where he received his bachelor's degree in music education and organ performance. He went on to earn a master's degree in music education from the University of Akron before receiving his doctorate in music education from Kent State University.

Prior to coming to Arizona, he taught vocal and general music in public middle schools in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He joins the UA faculty because of his desire to teach full-time at the collegiate level in the hopes of sharing his musical vision with the community.

"I really want to bring my love for teaching music and choral directing, and complete my research here," Ebie said.

Ebie's research focuses on the social psychology of music: the effect of music on people's emotions and how music performance relates to self-esteem.

Another person to join the faculty in the music department is Kelly Thomas, a new professor of tuba and euphonium, and the assistant director of athletic bands for the university, which includes the pep band. He received his bachelor's degree in music education from Tennessee Technological University and master's in music education from Arizona State University. In addition, he has all but completed his dissertation for his doctorate in tuba/euphonium performance from ASU.

"I want to bring my enjoyment and passion for teaching as well as performing [to UA]. I really hope it shows greatly to those around me," Thomas said.

Thomas not only teaches, but wants to learn as well.

"I hope to share my experiences with the students I come into contact with, as well as learn from my students," Thomas said.

Assistant professor of theatre studies and director of graduate studies Judith Sebesta has similar ideas in mind.

"I want to work to bridge the gap between scholarship and practice [of theatre]," Sebesta said.

Sebesta, originally from Texas, comes to UA from Evansville, Ind. She holds a bachlor's degree in communication arts, a master's in theatre history, and a doctorate in theatre history and criticism.

"I really wanted to get out of the Midwest, and I also wanted to teach at a large school in a prestigious department," Sebesta said.

The UA School of Theatre Arts is the place where Sebesta can show her stuff. She wants to focus on musical theatre history in particular and share her vigor.

"I think I have a lot of energy that I can bring to the school and the programs and to my students and others around me," Sebesta said.

Energy seems to be a common theme in the School of Theatre Arts, and Eve Himmelheber is known for hers.

Himmelheber joins the school of theatre arts from both California and Iowa. She received her bachelor's of fine arts in musical theatre from the University of Arizona and her master's in acting from California State University at Fullerton. After receiving her degrees, she taught at Iowa State University for two years before moving to California and teaching at Cypress College and at CSU Fullerton for the past four years.

At UA, she teaches acting and directing classes at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. She is also directing "A Piece of My Heart," a play in the Arizona Repertory Theatre's spring season at UA.

Himmelheber hopes to bring her professional experience as well as a global perspective on the theatre industry.