Darin Cash
Assistant Professor of Music - Low Brass
Dr. Darin Cash, Assistant Professor of Music, joined the faculty of South Plains College in 2014
as the instructor of low brass (trombone, tuba & euphonium). As an active performer
on tenor and bass trombone, he can be heard in a variety of musical settings throughout
the Southwest. He is the bass trombonist for the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra, second
trombonist with the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale, and previously held the position
of second/assistant principal trombone with the Austin Opera Orchestra. Dr. Cash earned
the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master of Music degrees in Trombone Performance from
The University of Texas at Austin, as well as a Bachelor of Music in Music Education
from The University of Texas at Arlington.
Al Gardner
Professor of Music - Percussion
Deborah Gelber
Professor of Music - Choral Director - Voice
Donna Ham
Professor of Music - Piano
Dr. Donna Ham, Professor of Piano in Fine Arts at South Plains College teaches private and class piano lessons along with other music courses. Dr. Ham holds degrees from West Texas A&M, University of North Texas, and Texas Tech University. She also holds a Lifetime All-Level Teaching Certificate for Texas and a Permanent Professional Certification in Piano through Music Teachers National Association. Formerly, Dr. Ham taught class/private piano in the Dallas and Lubbock school systems, general music/choir in Brownfield ISD, and served on the piano faculties at both Lubbock Christian and Wayland Baptist Universities. Dr. Ham is active with several professional music organizations acting as adjudicator for piano contests throughout Texas and New Mexico, as well as an accompanist for students in local and state competitions. She has served as a Reviewer for Oxford University Press, and recently completed an editing project with her oldest daughter, involving the Bach Violin Ciaconna BWV 1004 with possibilities of future publication. Dr. Ham has composed works for students over the years some of which include a chamber work (published by TMTA) and a piano duet, which has been performed on several occasions at the Texas Music Teachers State Convention.
Gary Hudson
Professor of Music - High Brass - Director of Symphonic Band
Dr. Gary Hudson, Professor of Music, joined the faculty of South Plains College in 2000 as the instructor
of high brass. He became the Director of the Symphonic Band in 2014 after serving
as Co-Director since 2009. Dr. Hudson earned the Doctor of Musical Arts and Master
of Music degrees in Performance from Texas Tech University under the guidance of Will
Strieder. He earned the Bachelor of Music (summa cum laude) with Teacher Certification
from the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music under the guidance of James
Austin (trumpet) and Eddie Green (music education). Dr. Hudson holds the position
of Second Trumpet in the Lubbock Symphony Orchestra. An active freelance artist,
he has performed with Houston Grand Opera, Santa Fe Opera, New Mexico Symphony Orchestra,
and Santa Fe Pro Musica. Dr. Hudson is also an active performer in the South Plains
area.
Hye-Gyung Ji
Professor of Music - Piano
Dr. Ji holds the Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, summa cum laude, from Chung-Ang University in South Korea under the guidance of Dr. Wan-Kyu Chung, and both her Master’s degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy and Doctoral degree in Piano Pedagogy from Texas Tech University under the guidance of Dr. Lora Deahl.
Annie Nichols
Instructor in Music - Voice
Annie Nichols joined the faculty of South Plains College in the Fall of 2019 as Instructor
of Voice. She holds her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Vocal Performance
from Texas Tech University. Annie is an active performer with solo and theatre credits
from Carnegie Hall, Manhattan Theatre Mission, Texas Tech University, Amarillo Opera,
Lubbock Community Theatre, Lubbock Moonlight Musicals and various local big bands.
Annie also is active as a vocal coach and music director, most recently working with
Horizon School of the Arts, Will of the Wind Productions, and Lubbock Community Theatre.
Sesha Wallace
Assistant Professor of Music - Woodwinds
Dr. Sesha Wallace, Assistant Professor of Music, joined the faculty of South Plains
College in 2014 as the instructor of woodwinds. She earned the Doctor of Musical Arts
and Master of Music degrees in Performance from Texas Tech University under the guidance
of David Dees. She earned the Bachelor of Music from Stephen F. Austin University
under the guidance of Brian Utley. Prior to her appointment at South Plains College,
Dr. Wallace served as the Woodwind Specialist at Longview ISD and adjunct Instructor
of Woodwinds at East Texas Baptist University.
Dr. Wallace is a member of the North American Saxophone Alliance, Music Teachers National
Association, Texas Music Educators Association, and Pi Kappa Lambda. She is a Performing
Artist for D’Addario Woodwinds.
