Directors
Susan Baier, Orchestra Coordinator and Dorman Symphony Director
Dorman High School
Dorman High School
Susan Lovejoy Baier began her teaching career in the Akron, Ohio public schools. After her marriage, she continued private teaching in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Indianapolis, Indiana. She gladly returned to public school teaching in South Carolina. She taught in Spartanburg School District Seven for 15 years, and then moved to Spartanburg School District Six in 1994 where she continued teaching at Dawkins Middle School and took over the coordinator position along with the directing duties of the Dorman Symphony in 2002.Mrs. Baier is a member of the National Association for Music Educators and active in the SC Music Educators Association – Orchestra Division; having served as its president as well as presenting sessions and performing with her Dorman Symphony at various Conferences. Currently she serves as the Region One liaison. She is an active member of the American String Teachers Association and was recognized as the South Carolina 2007 Director of the year. She received her bachelor's degree from Grove City College in Pennsylvania and her master's degree from Converse College in Spartanburg. Mrs. Baier is a requested adjudicator and Region Conductor throughout SC. She has conducted workshops in SC and at Western Kentucky University. She is married with two adult children - Kimberly, an RN and violinist and Michael, a double bassist and cellist currently teaching orchestra in Sumter, S.C.
Sarah Angeles, Dorman Orchestra Director
Dorman High School, Roebuck Elementary, & Pauline-Glen Springs Elementary
angeless@spart6.org
Ms. Angeles conducts the Dorman Philharmonic and teaches beginning strings at Anderson Mill Elementary and Jesse Bobo Elementary. She coordinates the SSWAT program (String Students with Advanced Teens).She joined the District Six faculty in 2011. Previous to working in Spartanburg, Ms. Angeles worked nine years at the high school level in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to her public school teaching in Las Vegas, Ms. Angeles taught the String Methods class at the University of Las Vegas and directed one of the Las Vegas Youth Orchestras for five years. After having her first son Jacob Dean she moved to Columbia, SC where she taught at a brand new middle school building the string program from a part time position to a full time position in four years.
Ms. Angeles earned her Bachelor’s Degree in music education from Loyola University in New Orleans under the mentorship of her father, Professor Dean Angeles, a nationally recognized music educator and all-state conductor. She earned her Master’s Degree in applied performance from the University of Las Vegas. Her professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Educators as well as the South Carolina Music Educators Association.
She played professionally for two years with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and currently plays with civic ensembles in Asheville, NC. Throughout the summers Ms Angeles continues her higher education, attends conducting/string workshops, and directs several summer camps in the Carolina area.
In her personal time she and her husband enjoy raising their two young sons, Jacob Dean and Maxwell Morton.
Dorman High School, Roebuck Elementary, & Pauline-Glen Springs Elementary
angeless@spart6.org
Ms. Angeles conducts the Dorman Philharmonic and teaches beginning strings at Anderson Mill Elementary and Jesse Bobo Elementary. She coordinates the SSWAT program (String Students with Advanced Teens).She joined the District Six faculty in 2011. Previous to working in Spartanburg, Ms. Angeles worked nine years at the high school level in Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition to her public school teaching in Las Vegas, Ms. Angeles taught the String Methods class at the University of Las Vegas and directed one of the Las Vegas Youth Orchestras for five years. After having her first son Jacob Dean she moved to Columbia, SC where she taught at a brand new middle school building the string program from a part time position to a full time position in four years.Ms. Angeles earned her Bachelor’s Degree in music education from Loyola University in New Orleans under the mentorship of her father, Professor Dean Angeles, a nationally recognized music educator and all-state conductor. She earned her Master’s Degree in applied performance from the University of Las Vegas. Her professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Educators as well as the South Carolina Music Educators Association.
She played professionally for two years with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and currently plays with civic ensembles in Asheville, NC. Throughout the summers Ms Angeles continues her higher education, attends conducting/string workshops, and directs several summer camps in the Carolina area.
In her personal time she and her husband enjoy raising their two young sons, Jacob Dean and Maxwell Morton.
Ann Buttimer, Dorman Orchestra Director
Dorman Freshman Campus buttimam@spart6.org
Ann Buttimer started playing violin at the age of 4 in the Suzuki Strings program in Pasadena California. Her education included school music programs as well as private lessons, youth orchestras and quartets through high school. She participated in All Southern and All State. She earned a degree in Violin Performance from California State University Northridge. She has studied with Michael Ferril, Robert Lipsett, Michelle Kim, Assa Duriori, and Alex Treger.
While getting her degree, Buttimer began a freelance career. Among the orchestras she played were the American Youth Symphony, Debut Young Persons Foundation Orchestra, and South East Symphony.
Ann played for recordings, television film and sound during her tenure as a professional violinist. She was included on soundtracks of Fear Factor, Party of Five, Galaxy Quest and MTV Spider Man.
She earned her Masters of Music Education from Florida State University under the tutelage of Dr. Michael Allen and Dr. Clifford Madsen. She started her teaching career at Spartanburg School District Six in 2005. She taught one year of 5th grade strings and then moved to the position of Orchestra Director at the Freshman Campus.
Dorman Freshman Campus buttimam@spart6.org
Ann Buttimer started playing violin at the age of 4 in the Suzuki Strings program in Pasadena California. Her education included school music programs as well as private lessons, youth orchestras and quartets through high school. She participated in All Southern and All State. She earned a degree in Violin Performance from California State University Northridge. She has studied with Michael Ferril, Robert Lipsett, Michelle Kim, Assa Duriori, and Alex Treger.While getting her degree, Buttimer began a freelance career. Among the orchestras she played were the American Youth Symphony, Debut Young Persons Foundation Orchestra, and South East Symphony.
Ann played for recordings, television film and sound during her tenure as a professional violinist. She was included on soundtracks of Fear Factor, Party of Five, Galaxy Quest and MTV Spider Man.
She earned her Masters of Music Education from Florida State University under the tutelage of Dr. Michael Allen and Dr. Clifford Madsen. She started her teaching career at Spartanburg School District Six in 2005. She taught one year of 5th grade strings and then moved to the position of Orchestra Director at the Freshman Campus.
Cortney Dial, Fairforest Orchestra Director
Fairforest Middle School, Arcadia Elementary, & Fairforest Elementary
dialjc@spart6.org
Cortney Dial, a native of Charlotte, NC, was raised in a family of musicians and thus began playing the piano and Suzuki violin at a very early age. Throughout high school, she participated in the Charlotte Youth Symphonies and studied violin at the Community School of the Arts and later the North Carolina School of the Arts under the tutelage of Kevin Lawrence.
Ms. Dial earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Furman University where she studied with Dr. Thomas Joiner and was selected to perform with the Hartness Quartet. She received her Master of Music Education from Florida State University where she studied with Elliot Chapo and Dr. Michael Allen. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher for Music. Since residing in Spartanburg, she has performed with the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra and was featured as a guest performer for the Winter Classics Concert Series at Christ Church Episcopal, Greenville, SC. In 2017-2018 Ms. Dial will represent District 6 as the District Teacher of the Year.
In her spare time, she enjoys spoiling her dogs, listening to lots of music, cooking, and playing in the dirt (gardening).
Fairforest Middle School, Arcadia Elementary, & Fairforest Elementary
dialjc@spart6.org
Cortney Dial, a native of Charlotte, NC, was raised in a family of musicians and thus began playing the piano and Suzuki violin at a very early age. Throughout high school, she participated in the Charlotte Youth Symphonies and studied violin at the Community School of the Arts and later the North Carolina School of the Arts under the tutelage of Kevin Lawrence.Ms. Dial earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Furman University where she studied with Dr. Thomas Joiner and was selected to perform with the Hartness Quartet. She received her Master of Music Education from Florida State University where she studied with Elliot Chapo and Dr. Michael Allen. She is also a National Board Certified Teacher for Music. Since residing in Spartanburg, she has performed with the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra and was featured as a guest performer for the Winter Classics Concert Series at Christ Church Episcopal, Greenville, SC. In 2017-2018 Ms. Dial will represent District 6 as the District Teacher of the Year.
In her spare time, she enjoys spoiling her dogs, listening to lots of music, cooking, and playing in the dirt (gardening).
Jennifer Diehn, Dawkins Orchestra Director
Dawkins Middle School & Woodland Heights Elementary
diehnjc@spart6.org
Dawkins Middle School & Woodland Heights Elementary
diehnjc@spart6.org
Jennifer Diehn received her BME from Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. After graduation, Ms. Diehn moved to Asheville, NC where she taught elementary, middle, and high school string classes for two years. Upon her marriage, she moved to Texas and taught middle school orchestra for seven years in the Katy Independent School District where she received numerous awards for her performance groups. Mrs. Diehn joined the Spartanburg District Six faculty in 2002 teaching at Dawkins Middle School where she teaches 150 students daily. While in South Carolina, her performance groups have earned superior ratings at Concert Festival each year and her top group recently performed for the second time at the SCMEA Conference in February. The group performed at Disney in 2014, 2016 and 2018.Mrs. Diehn conducts two after-school Chamber Orchestras, teaches private lessons, coaches a soccer team, sings in her church choir, and with her husband, runs after their two sons, Nathan and Thomas.
Allison Key, Gable Orchestra Director
Gable Middle School, Roebuck Elementary, & Pauline-Glenn Springs Elementary keyam@spart6.org
Allison Key grew up in Moore, SC and participated in the orchestra program of Spartanburg School District 5. She began playing the violin in 5th grade and continued through high school. While in high school Mrs. Key played with the Byrnes Philharmonic Orchestra, Carolina Youth Symphony, and the Converse College Orchestra.
She received her Bachelor’s of Music from the University of South Carolina in 2009. As an undergraduate student she worked with the USC String Project teaching private lessons, beginning classes and conducting orchestra ensembles. Upon graduation, she began her teaching career in Union County Schools where she taught for four years before moving to Spartanburg District 6 in 2013. After teaching elementary only, Mrs. Key took over the Gable Middle School program in 2015 and also continues to teach beginning strings at Roebuck Elementary and Pauline-Glenn Springs Elementary.
Mrs. Key currently serves as secretary for the SCMEA – Orchestra Division. She performs with the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Carolina Quartet, and teaches private lessons. She enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter along with their dog and two cats.
Gable Middle School, Roebuck Elementary, & Pauline-Glenn Springs Elementary keyam@spart6.org
Allison Key grew up in Moore, SC and participated in the orchestra program of Spartanburg School District 5. She began playing the violin in 5th grade and continued through high school. While in high school Mrs. Key played with the Byrnes Philharmonic Orchestra, Carolina Youth Symphony, and the Converse College Orchestra.She received her Bachelor’s of Music from the University of South Carolina in 2009. As an undergraduate student she worked with the USC String Project teaching private lessons, beginning classes and conducting orchestra ensembles. Upon graduation, she began her teaching career in Union County Schools where she taught for four years before moving to Spartanburg District 6 in 2013. After teaching elementary only, Mrs. Key took over the Gable Middle School program in 2015 and also continues to teach beginning strings at Roebuck Elementary and Pauline-Glenn Springs Elementary.
Mrs. Key currently serves as secretary for the SCMEA – Orchestra Division. She performs with the Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra, Carolina Quartet, and teaches private lessons. She enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter along with their dog and two cats.
Christian Williams, Dorman Concert Orchestra Director
Dorman High School & Lone Oak Elementary
williaca@spart6.org
Christian Williams, a native of South Carolina, grew up participating in the strings program of Pickens County. He spent his junior and senior years of high school at the Governor's School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, SC, then studied music theory and education at Furman University where he earned his BMusEd in 2001.
Christian is an amateur composer published by Alfred Publishing, and has been an instructor and presenter for the SC Arts Commission's Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Curriculum Leadership in the Arts (CLIA) program. He currently teaches the Concert Orchestras at Dorman, Lone Oak Elementary Strings, and is the sectional leader for the Symphony viola section.
Dorman High School & Lone Oak Elementary
williaca@spart6.org
Christian Williams, a native of South Carolina, grew up participating in the strings program of Pickens County. He spent his junior and senior years of high school at the Governor's School for Science and Mathematics in Hartsville, SC, then studied music theory and education at Furman University where he earned his BMusEd in 2001.Christian is an amateur composer published by Alfred Publishing, and has been an instructor and presenter for the SC Arts Commission's Arts in Basic Curriculum (ABC) Curriculum Leadership in the Arts (CLIA) program. He currently teaches the Concert Orchestras at Dorman, Lone Oak Elementary Strings, and is the sectional leader for the Symphony viola section.