Natalie L. Haslam College of Music

Christopher Cox

by

ADDRESS
University of Tennessee College of Music
117 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center Knoxville, TN 37996-4040
Phone
865-974-3241

Christopher Cox

Director of Advancement

Youth Leadership Development, Higher Education and Healthcare have been the cornerstone of a 39 year career in philanthropy. Christopher David Cox has an extensive background in all aspects of fundraising including; estate planning, endowments, capital campaigns, annual fundraising and alumni affairs. Having joined the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in September 2013, now celebrating his ten year anniversary as the new Director of Advancement for the College of Music. While serving the School of Music since 2013, his new role includes the College of Music Band program. Before returning to Tennessee, Chris lived in Bangor, Maine since 2000. While in Maine, he worked for the Eastern Maine Healthcare System Foundation and the University of Maine. Before moving to Maine, Chris was the Executive Director for the Tennessee Technological University College of Business Foundation, which is his alma mater. Before then, he spent eight years working for the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated from TTU in 1983 with a Business Administration Degree, Major in Marketing. Chris has now lived in 17 locations in six different states. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, he has lived in every major metropolitan area of Tennessee. Chris and his wife Vasilia, have three children and a granddaughter. He loves photography, music, landscaping, and outdoor activities.

Nathalie Hristov

by

ADDRESS
University of Tennessee College of Music G004B Natalie L. Haslam Music Center Knoxville, TN 37996-4040
Phone
865-974-9893

Nathalie Hristov

Professor and Music Librarian

Nathalie Hristov works as the professional cataloger for music. She is responsible for overseeing all activities related to the cataloging and processing of music materials. She also provides collection development, reference, and bibliographic instructional services for the School of Music faculty and students. Nathalie also teaches the graduate course in Music Bibliography for the College of Music. Among her favorite activities are playing chamber music with friends, reading, swimming, and hiking.

Chris Durman

by

ADDRESS
University of Tennessee College of Music
G004A Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
Knoxville, TN 37996-4040
Phone
865-974-7542

Chris Durman

Associate Professor and Director of the George F. DeVine Music Library

Chris Durman is responsible for public services in the Music Library. He supervises the staff, offers help on the reference desk, provides instruction, and works to build the Music Library collection. He gardens a little, and nurtures an abiding interest in various forms of American folk and popular music. He, his wife (Candice), and their son (Will) make their home in Jefferson City.

Chris Jerger

by

ADDRESS
University of Tennessee College of Music
101E Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
Knoxville, TN 37996-4040
Phone
865-974-5110

Chris Jerger

Auditoria Coordinator

Chris Jerger maintains equipment and records all of the music recitals and concerts.

Eric Retterer

by

ADDRESS
University of Tennessee College of Music
219 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center
Knoxville, TN 37996-4040
Phone
865-974-3598

Eric Retterer

Director of Information Systems & Music Technology

Tracy Lindsey

by

ADDRESS
University of Tennessee College of Music 117G Natalie L. Haslam Music Center Knoxville, TN 37996-4040
Phone
865-974-7547

Tracy Lindsey

Business Manager

Tracy handles the majority of financial related matters for the College of Music and works closely with the Dean. She also assists music faculty, staff, and students with questions and problems related to financial matters including travel, purchases, fee collection, locker rentals, and other operating expense matters.

Dave Conte

by

ADDRESS
University of Tennessee College of Music G041 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center Knoxville, TN 37996-4040
Phone
865-974-4885

Dave Conte

Piano Technician

As the piano technician, Dave Conte is responsible for keeping the roughly 125 pianos maintained and at the ready for use; whether needed for performance in the auditoriums, in teaching studios or practice rooms.

Dave completed his technical training at The University of North Texas College of Music, where he received his degree in Piano Technology. Prior to his arrival at UT School of Music, Dave owned and operated a respected private tuning, service and rebuilding concern where he was in practice for over 28 years. He has studied with Steinway and Sons, with Yamaha where he completed their training as an independent and graduated at the top of the class, participating in the final, prestigious “Little Red Schoolhouse” class. At Baldwin Piano, he received their coveted Concert and Artist Certification and maintained the artist pool pianos for the south-central region. He was also a Petrof Piano dealer and concert technician, and trained with Bosendorfer, Seiler, C. Bechstein, Kawai and other manufacturers, and was on call at various performance venues including The Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Van Cliburn Piano Competition, Fort Worth Opera and for various artists, including among others: Vladimir Viardo, Michael Feinstein, Bruce Hornsby, Dongni Xie, Neil Diamond, Dino Kartsonakis, Dan Fogelberg, John Tesh and B.B. King.

Dave believes in using his considerable talents by also passing along what was so generously given him. To that end he worked to pass all the tests and exams to become a Registered Piano Technician with The Piano Technicians Guild so that he could also become an instructor, and has become PTG certified as a tuning and technical examiner for the Registered Piano Technician exams. Continuing his passion for teaching, Dave became an Instructor in Piano Technology at Tarrant County College which required developing the curriculum for the class he taught there. He also founded the North Texas School of Piano Technology which was operating as one of the last “brick-and-mortar” hands-on academies left in the USA until his departure to serve at UT.

Taking pride in calling Knoxville their new home are his wife, Sherllyn, daughter Allegra and son Benjamin.

Sara Carroll

by

ADDRESS
University of Tennessee College of Music 103 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center Knoxville, TN 37996-4040
Phone
865-974-6134

Sara Carroll

Director of Admissions & Student Success

Sara Carroll is an energetic higher education professional, music educator and musician whose career spans k12 and collegiate work. Carroll serves as the Director of Admissions and Student Success for the University of Tennessee Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. Carroll is passionate about music education and loves working with our amazing Volunteer students. She directs recruitment and admissions, teaches the Introduction to Music Studies classes for first year music majors, oversees student success initiatives, and directs the Music Ambassador Program and Tour Program.

Prior to her move to Tennessee, Carroll lived and worked in Washington State. After graduating from college, she served as the Advising & Recruiting Specialist for her undergraduate alma mater’s Department of Music. In this role, she oversaw the recruitment for the program, advised the music majors, and assisted with the department’s special events. After serving in this position, she worked as a high school choir teacher in Eastern Washington. In this role, Sara directed the choirs, taught class piano, directed the jazz choir, and served as musical director for the school musicals. She also hosted regional festivals, served as a regional solo and ensemble judge, taught voice lessons, and coached her students through regional and state competitions.

Carroll holds a Doctor of Music Education from Liberty University and a Master of Science in Public Administration and Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Central Washington University. She earned membership in several honor societies throughout her collegiate pursuits including Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Omega Nu Lambda and served as an officer in several collegiate organization chapters including the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and the National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS), maintaining her involvement in many organizations post-college. This past year, Carroll completed her doctorate as a graduate with high distinction. She has been an active musician throughout her professional life, singing in symphony choirs, chamber ensembles, opera choruses, vocal jazz ensembles, and in church music ministry. Carroll is an active member of the Knoxville Choral Society, singing in both the large choral ensemble and the select chamber chorale.

When not working, Carroll enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, exploring coffee shops, hitting the gym, attending shows and concerts, listening to her favorite podcasts, and making music. She also enjoys cheering on the Volunteers!

Education

D.M.E. in Music Education – Liberty University (2023)
M.S. in Public Administration – Central Washington University (2017)
B.M. in Music Education – Central Washington University (2012)