Assistant Professor of the Practice of Music Anne Elliott will retire at the end of the spring semester after 21 years at Milligan College.
Starting in 1999 as an adjunct professor, Elliott has worked as a keyboard specialist teaching the ins and outs of piano. She also founded the Milligan Women’s Choral which she has acted as director of for three years.
When asked about her reason for retiring, Elliott explained, “While I have very much enjoyed my students and teaching at Milligan over these years, I also have other life-long interests I wish to further pursue, and I desire to spend more time with my husband and his ministry at our church.”
While Elliott is leaving her position, she will still stay busy in her retirement. “I plan to continue teaching piano at my home and remaining active in our church music ministry,” she said. “I will be open to exploring some new interests and opportunities as they present themselves.”
She leaves campus, thankful for the experiences she has had here and the relationships she formed over the years. She also said she will miss the office she held in Seeger Chapel, complimenting the beautiful stained glass windows and the two grand pianos found there.
Though her time at Milligan has come to an end, Elliot shares her approval of her successor Dr. David Brickle.
“I am very pleased Dr. David Brickle will be joining the music faculty. He will bring great talent and expertise to our students, campus, and community,” said Elliott. “I encourage him to revel in our lovely mountain environment, embrace our warm Milligan hospitality and enjoy getting to know our great music faculty and students who look forward to his coming.”
With a masters of music degree in piano performance, Brickle brings a long list of credentials to the campus. He served as the Graduate Assistant for the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, and he played in a number of musical venues, including one in Spain. He has also served for the past ten years in music education and worked as a collaborative pianist.
Brickle will take up the mantle that Elliott leaves behind. Look for him on campus at the start of the fall semester.
Headline photo: Milligan music department says goodbye to retiring professor Anne Elliott. Photo via Arts Alliance Mountain Empire.