Director, Dr. Dennis Cox | Accompanist, Dr. Laura Artesani
Assistant Conductors | Assistant Accompanist
Director, Dr. Dennis Cox
Dr. Dennis K. Cox holds the D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, the M.A. in Education from West Virginia University, the M.M. in Choral Conducting from the University of Colorado, and the B.M.E. in Vocal Music from the University of Nebraska. Prior to assuming his present position as Director of Choral Activities and Graduate Coordinator at the University of Maine, Dr. Cox was Assistant Professor of Music at Salem International University in West Virginia, and taught voice in Colorado and Nebraska.
Dr. Cox is a frequent guest clinician, who has conducted festival choruses in 26 states, Canada, and Europe. The University Singers, un
der his direction, tour the Northeast United States for one week every Spring and abroad every four years. The ensemble completed a European tour in May of 2004, making stops in Verona, San Remo, St. Gallen, Milan, Como, the Italian and French Riviera. In 2000, Dr. Cox was the recipient of the second annual Vincent Hartgen Award, presented by the Patrons of the Arts, for his contributions to the artistic community at the University of Maine. In 2001, Dr. Cox was presented the Black Bear Award for his contributions to the University of Maine Alumni Association. University of Maine choirs, under Dr. Cox’s direction, annually perform major choral-orchestral works with the Bangor Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Cox is a past President of the Maine Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.
Accompanist, Dr. Laura Artesani
Dr. Laura Artesani is the Assistant Chair of the Division of Music and Assistant Professor of Music Education in the School of Performing Arts at the University of Maine, teaching courses in the areas of music education, music history, and Women and Music. She serves as piano accompanist for two choral ensembles at the School of Performing Arts: the University Singers and the Athena Consort, and performs frequently in faculty and student recitals. She is the faculty advisor for the UMaine Collegiate Chapter of MENC, and is a member of the Executive Board of the Maine Music Educators Association. She has also served as secretary of the Maine Music Teachers Association.
Dr. Artesani graduated summa cum laude from Barrington College in Rhode Island, and received a M.M. in piano performance from the University of Maine. She earned a D.M.A. in 
piano performance from West Virginia University, where she was the recipient of the Swiger Teaching Fellowship for four years. She has taught at the Lincoln School in Providence, RI; Center Drive and North Orrington Schools in Orrington, ME; and the Stillwater Montessori School in Old Town, ME.
Dr. Artesani has completed Levels I-III of Orff Schulwerk Teacher Training, and was recently awarded a Junior Faculty Research Fellowship from the University of Maine to support her research on Gunild Keetman and Doreen Hall. Recent presentations include Music Education as a Protective Factor: a Review of Findings from the Professional Literature with Dr. James Artesani at the International Society for Music Education World Conference in Bologna, Italy in July of 2008.
In addition to her duties at the University of Maine, Dr. Artesani is the Music Director at the Old Town United Methodist Church, where she directs the Adult, Youth and Handbell Choirs.
Assistant Conductors
Nathan Richard is a senior music education major, piano concentration with a vocal track here at the University of Maine, currently singing bass 1 in the University Singers. Nathan is involved in various groups at the University of Maine including the Maine Steiners, an all male a cappella group in which he is a member and musical director. He is also involved with a group known as Euphony, a select contemporary a cappella choir, where he is the composer in residence and choir member. Nathan is a Libra who enjoys long walks on the beach, rainy days, taco salad, and talking about the invention of the wheel.
Maria Talbot is a senior Vocal Music Education and Performance major at the University, currently singing Soprano 1 in the University Singers. Maria has been in and is still involved with many performing and volunteer groups on campus. She has participated in Euphony, Concert Band (playing Bassoon because she can’t sing those low notes!), Opera workshop, and was cast as Susanna in “The Marriage of Figaro” last spring. She is also involved with Colleges Against Cancer (Previously President) and has been a committee member for the Relay For Life on campus for four years now.
Assistant Accompanist
Mary-Anne Chesley I am a fifth-year German and Music Education major from Augusta, Maine. I am very excited to be beginning my second year as Assistant Accompanist for the University Singers. I have also served as Accompanist for the University of Maine Collegiate Chorale and Chamber Choir, and currently work as the Organist/Choir Accompanist/Jr. Choir Director for the First Congregational Church UCC of Brewer. I have played saxophone for the University Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble as well, and studied saxophone for three years as my concentration. I hope to combine my German and Music degrees to one day work either teaching music or working for a music organization in Austria, where I spent my Junior year studying German. (The ultimate goal would be working for the Vienna Opera Company… aiming high!) I am very much looking forward to working with DC, Laura, Nate and Maria and the rest of the University Singers!
