Fernando Benadon
,Chair, Department of Performing Arts
Fernando Benadon oversees the music theory & composition program in the Department of Performing Arts. His research focuses on rhythm cognition and complexity.Recent professional highlights include a Digital Humanities Grant from the National Endowme... [More]
Program Directors
Sherburne Laughlin
,Director, Arts Management Program
Sherburne Laughlin holds an MBA from Yale University and is a cum laude graduate of Davidson College. Her nonprofit management and philanthropic career spans over 20 years of executive director and program director experience. A professor since 1995 ... [More]
Carl Menninger
,Director, Theatre, Music Theatre and Dance
Carl Menninger holds a master's degree from Emerson College and a bachelor's from Northwestern University. He is a writer, director and playwright and co-author of Minding the Edge: Strategies for a Successful, Fulfilling Career as an Actor. The Gany... [More]
Paul Oehlers
,Director, Audio Technology
Paul A. Oehlers is most recognized for his "extraordinarily evocative" film scores. (Variety) Films incorporating his music have screened at the Berlin International Film Festival, the Philadelphia Festival of World Cinema, the Indiefest Film Festiva... [More]
Nancy Snider
,Director, Music Program
Cellist Nancy Jo Snider is the music program director at American University and a cello instructor in the applied music program. An active performer and teacher in the Washington, DC area, she is a member of the Baltimore Opera Orchestra and Opera L... [More]



