Austin Cook

Austin Cook is currently a senior piano performance major at Bob Jones University. Since beginning his study of the piano at age 4, Austin has come to have an intense passion for music and, particularly, piano music. In the summer of 2007, he traveled on a musical mission team in Europe accompanying on the piano. The team spent over 2 months traveling to more than 7 countries throughout Europe. Nearly every night was spent giving a musical concert to a different region of Europe.

Austin has a special passion for collaborative work. He has performed in numerous recitals accompanying for voice, violin, viola, trumpet, and others. After graduating in December, Austin hopes to pursue a master’s degree in collaborative piano in New York, NY.

Kari Dailey

I was born and raised in a Christian home in Greer, South Carolina. I also had the privilege of attending the pre-college program at Bob Jones University from kindergarten through high school. At the age of five, I realized I wasn’t saved and asked Jesus to come into my heart. However, I struggled with doubts about my salvation in my teenage years. I settled those doubts while at camp the summer before my senior year of high school. The Lord put a desire in my heart to pursue Him, and I can claim the promises He gives me in his Word. He hears those who cry to Him, and never casts them out (John 6:37).

I began studying violin at the age of 8, and have taken my love of music to Bob Jones University, where I just completed a bachelor’s degree in string pedagogy, studying both violin and cello. While at Valor I hope to refine my own playing skills studying under master clinicians, as well as minister in local churches. My other passions include archery, hunting, and especially horses.

One of my favorite verses is Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” The Lord has promised to make and mold me into a vessel that He can use for His glory. In my music, and in every other area of my life, this is the joyful end I pursue.

Pamela Dodson

I am currently a Junior Voice Performance major at Bob Jones University. I grew up in a Christian home learning about the Lord.

My mother held Bible Clubs in our home every summer, and my favorite part of these clubs was the missionary story told at the end. One day, I forgot about the missionary story because of something specific the teacher said. She said that my sin would separate me from God forever. I couldn’t stop thinking about that, and when the teacher began to pray, I went forward and asked my mother if I could get saved. In my dining room, I asked Christ to forgive me for my sins and save me. I knew then that my sin would no longer separate me from God.

Not long after I was saved, I was diagnosed with a neurological disease called Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy. The disease causes the blood vessels in my leg to constrict, thus preventing necessary blood flow. This causes pain, swelling, and extreme muscle weakness. As a child it was hard to understand why God would allow me to be in pain and not be able to run and play, like all my friends. One day, while I was reading my Bible, God led me to John 10:4, “And when he putteth forth his own sheep he goeth before them and the sheep follow him for they know his voice”. At times, it is still hard for me to understand why God would allow so many health problems in my life, but whether the path ahead is clear or clouded, I know I can follow Him because He loves me and walks before me.

One thing that I am sure of is that God wants my devoted service. My goal is to perfect my talent in singing that I may glorify God with my voice. I hope to teach voice one day and direct children’s choirs. I enjoy teaching children and teens about music, helping them to understand and enjoy it as God intended.

Catherine Fettig

I grew up with 3 older brothers in Wisconsin, and my parents raised us to love all things Wisconsin and to enjoy the outdoors. I grew up attending Calvary Baptist Church in Jefferson, Wisconsin, and am very thankful for that church. When I was five years old, I trusted Christ as my Savior after my mom shared the gospel with me. My life verse is Galatians 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

I graduated from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in 2004 with a B.S. in piano performance. Shortly after, while visiting MBBC during their annual missions conference, the Lord made it clear He wanted me on a summer mission trip to Germany. I spent 5 weeks there in 2005 and the trip was a dream come true. I believe God wants me to go back to Germany someday. Through more of His very clear leading, I am pursuing a Master's degree in church music at Bob Jones University to prepare for that work.

Hobbies I enjoy are hiking, swimming, shopping, sightseeing, reading, exploring, and singing.

Brooks Popwell

Brooks began his music study on piano in 1997. He began cello study in 1999 with Vernon Humbert of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra in Jacksonville, Florida. In the Spring of 2003, he won the Jacksonville Symphony Youth Orchestra’s concerto competition, performing the first movement of the Haydn C Major Cello Concerto with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra.

Upon moving to South Carolina in 2003, Brooks began studying with Dr. Christopher Hutton of Furman University. In 2005, he was featured as soloist with the Bob Jones Academy Orchestra and the Carolina Youth Symphony, performing excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme.

Brooks has won various competitions and awards including a music scholarship from the Crescent Music Club of Greenville in 2005 (piano) and a scholarship to attend Stonybrook Summer Music Festival in Stonybrook, NY in 2005 (cello). Brooks spent the summer of 2007 at Brevard Music Center, participating in orchestral performances and in several chamber music venues.

Currently, Brooks studies with Mrs. Sharon Gerber of Bob Jones University, where he is pursuing a BA in Cello Performance. He will be featured as a soloist in the upcoming season with the Collegium Musicum of BJU. In addition to performing, Brooks enjoys writing music and arranging hymns for piano and cello.