Alongside traditional music courses, we encourage open-minded debate and a commitment to all types of music. Our alumni go on to become award-winning musicians, industry professionals, and educators. Come join our vibrant and dynamic community of talented and innovative students and faculty!
Welcome and thank you for your interest in the NC Central Music Department! Our degrees prepare musicians for professional lives as performers, composers, music educators, conductors, scholars, and music industry professionals, making them competitive for the ever-changing landscape of the music profession.
We offer rigorous Bachelor of Music degrees in Performance, Education, and Industry. Our Master of Music in Jazz Studies is well known throughout the nation and noted as a program of distinction for the university. Music at NC Central is open to music majors and non-majors through participation in the Sound Machine Band or university choirs.
– Isrea L. Butler, Chair
The Department of Music is located in the Edwards Music Building, the B. N. Duke Auditorium and Annex, the Lee Building, and the Student Services Building Annex. These facilities house two recording studios, a concert hall, a computer laboratory, five large rehearsal spaces, several internet-ready smart classrooms, and numerous practice rooms.
The department’s 25 pianos feature mostly Steinway products, including a Steinway “D” 9’ grand and three Steinway 7’ grand pianos.
Apply now to North Carolina Central University!
Artis, Tannya A
Administrative Associate to Chair
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 211
Email: tartis@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6319
Bailey, Candace L
Professor
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 325
Email: cbailey@nccu.edu
Phone: 919-530-7218
Barrett, Ralph
Assistant Professor
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 321
Email: rbarrett5@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 757-575-3295
Brown, Damon
Adjunct Instructor Bass
Music
Location: B. N. Duke Annex, Room 109
Email: brownd@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 530-6206
Butler, Isrea
Chair, Department of Music
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 212
Email: ibutler@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6299
Calderazzo, Joey
Artist in Residence
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 211
Email: jcaldera@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6319
Chambers, Krystal
Dance Instructor
Music
Location: Student Services Building, Room 211
Email: kchamb13@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6319
Crew, James C
Instructor Jazz Piano
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 313
George, Arnold E
Visiting Instructor Woodwinds
Music
Location: BN Duke Annex Room 109
Email: ageorge@nccu.edu
Phone: 919-530-6206
Graham, Kalem
Assistant Band Director
Music
Location: Student Services Building, Room
Email: kgraha41@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-7547
Helm, Lenora Z
Associate Professor, Jazz Studies/Director, Vocal Jazz Ensemble
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 204
Hill, Aaron D
Adjunct Instructor
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall
Email: ahill3@NCCU.EDU
Holley, Timothy
Associate Professor of Music
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 207
Email: tholley@nccu.edu
Phone: 919-530-6437
Hollins, Thurman
Band Director
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall
Email: thollin2@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6438
Horton, Brian
Assistant Professor, Jazz Studies
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 205
Email: Brian.Horton@nccu.edu
Phone: 919-530-7215
Hudson, Kynan
Band Assistant
Music
Location: Student Services Building, Room 212
Email: khudso15@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6438
Hulme, Lance R
Assistant Professor
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room EMB 110
Email: lhulme@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6270
Kelly, Maureen S
Adjunct Lecturer
Music
Location: B. N. Duke Annex, Room Lobby
Email: mkelly@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6319
Laws, Roberta
Voice Instructor/University Choir Director
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 203
Email: rlaws@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6268
Mack, Robert A
Instructor
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 211
Email: rmack19@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6319
Marsalis, Branford
Artist in Residence
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 211
Email: Branford.Marsalis@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6319
McNeil, Vickie M
Office Administrator
Music
Location: Student Services Building, Room Band
Email: vmmcneil@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6663
Parker, Quinton D
Music Education Program Coordinator, Assistant Director of Bands
Music
Location: Student Services Building, Room G-02
Email: qparker2@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-7212
Savoor, Gowri
Teaching Artist
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room
Email: gsavoor@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6319
Simpson, Brennetta
Associate Professor
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 211
Email: bsimpson@nccu.edu
Phone: 919-530-7211
Stacks, Stephen
Adjunct Professor
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 211
Email: sstacks@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6319
Strong, Albert
Adjunct Trumpet Professor
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 101
Email: astrong@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-7033
Taylor, Thomas E
Lecturer Percussion
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 323
Thai, Mei C
Adjunct Instructor
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 107
Email: mthai@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6319
Trowers, Robert L
Lecturer Low Brass
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 324
Tymas, Baron T
Associate Professor Music, Jazz Guitar
Music
Location: B. N. Duke Annex, Room 110/111
Visi, Christopher S
Music Industry Coordinator/Instructor
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 208
Email: cvisi@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6100
Walker, Jennifer P
Instructor
Music
Location: C. Ruth Edwards Music Hall, Room 211
Email: jwalk125@NCCU.EDU
Phone: 919-530-6319
Wiggins, Ira T
Associate Professor, Director of Jazz Studies, Music Saxophone
Music
Location: B. N. Duke Annex, Room 114
Email: iwiggins@nccu.edu
Phone: 919-530-7214