Meet Our Team of Directors
RYAN DAWSON
Choral Director
Ryan Dawson, a native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is in his sixth year as the Choral Director of Churubusco Jr/Sr High School. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Choral Music Education from Indiana University Fort Wayne. While at IPFW, he was a founding member of the all-male acapella group, The Don Juans, and was actively involved in the university's choral program. Ryan, a 2007 graduate of Northrop High School, was actively involved in the NHS music department. He has choreographed and show designed for several high school and middle school show choirs throughout the country - receiving many awards. Ryan has taught private voice lessons for seven years. His students have won solo competitions and received gold ratings at ISSMA Solo & Ensemble. Mr. Dawson is happy to be a part of the Churubusco family!
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MELISSA BAUGHMAN
Assistant Director & Accompanist
Melissa Baughman, a Churubusco High School graduate and New Era alumna, has been the accompanist for New Era since 2008 and assistant director since 2015. She is also the Fine Arts Business Manager for the Churubusco High School Fine Arts Department. She is a graduate of Cedarville University where she obtained her Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and Keyboard Pedagogy. Melissa has combined her love of piano playing and musical theater by accompanying productions at Churubusco High School and Summit City Musical Theatre. In 2016, Melissa was named as an overall winner of the Community Foundation of Whitley County Heart of Gold Award for her devotion and generous service to musical excellence in the Churubusco community. Melissa owns Ivory Interludes Piano Studio, an independent piano studio in Churubusco, Indiana, where she has been successfully teaching students of all ages for over twenty-five years.
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MARK CHESHIER
Instrumental Director
Mr. Mark Cheshier is currently in his 25th year of teaching. Twenty-two of those years have been spent right here at Churubusco. He is currently assisting with NEO, our very own New Era Orchestra! Mr. Cheshier graduated from Ball State University in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in music education. While at Ball State, he was a five year member of The Pride of Mid-America Marching Band. He also was a member of the Ball State University Singers band for two years. His professional memberships include ISTA/NEA, IMEA, IBA, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (a professional fraternity for men in the field of music). Mr. Cheshier is married to his wonderful wife of 23 years, Kelly, who directs the Carroll Middle School Electric Charge. They have one child, Maria, and two dogs. In his limited free time, Mr. Cheshier enjoys golf, and cheering on the Indianapolis Colts.
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