HOT SPRINGS, Va. — Bradford, Pa., native Dr. Shawn Puller has been named executive director of the Garth Newel Music Center.
Puller has served as interim director of Garth Newel since the November departure of Chris Williams. He comes to Garth Newel with extensive experience as a performing artist and as university faculty at Albany State University, Ithaca College and State University of New York: Cortland.
Puller spent several years as the assistant director and artist faculty for the Heifetz International Summer Music Institute in Wolfeboro, N.H.
“I am happy to be a part of the Bath County community,” Puller said, “and I am looking forward to co-creating Garth Newel’s future.”
Puller currently serves as a member of the board for both the Bath County Arts Association and Bath County Chamber of Commerce.
Nancy Coddington, president of Garth Newel’s board of directors, is excited about Garth Newel’s new leader.
“Shawn has been coming to Garth Newel for fifteen years,” she said. “During that time, he developed a passion for Bath County and for the Garth Newel Music Center. In his roles as director of development and interim executive director for Garth Newel, Shawn brought fresh ideas and an infectious enthusiasm for spreading the word about our world-class Music Center. The board is thrilled to have someone with his skills as the new executive director.”
Puller holds a Ph.D. in music education with an emphasis in post-secondary applied voice teaching from Florida State University and a master of music from Ithaca College.
Garth Newel Music Center has been presenting world-class chamber music performances since its founding in 1973 by Luca and Arlene Di Cecco. It is home to the critically-acclaimed Garth Newel Piano Quartet, performing more than 50 concerts each year at the center and on tour.
The venue in Bath County Virginia offers concerts year-round with Summer Festival performances every Saturday and Sunday afternoon from the July 4 weekend through Labor Day, Fall Foliage Music Holidays through the month of October, Thanksgiving and New Year’s events, and Spring Music Holidays in April and May.
Information is available online at www.GarthNewel.org.
