Livingstone College Faculty Profile 

Meet Dean of the Holistic College and Music Department Chairman Gary L. Callahan

While still in high school, Dr. Gary L. Callahan decided he wanted to perform and teach music.   

It wasn’t just an idle thought.   

You see, Callahan has taught music at all levels for several decades, and he thoroughly enjoys it.  

“My decision to perform and teach music came while I was in high school after I received my first scholarship to study music at the Ohio University summer music camp,” Callahan said. “I discovered the joy music brings me. Sharing that with others through teaching continues to be the high points of my weekly existence.” 

Callahan, Dean of the Holistic College and Chairman of the Music Department, has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio, a master’s degree in music education from The University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in music education from The Ohio State University. This is the second time he has worked at Livingstone. From 1996-2000 he served as Associate Professor of Music and Director of bands. He returned to Livingstone in 2008 to serve in his current position. Along with his duties as dean and department chair, he teaches woodwinds applied and music education courses. Likewise, he has taught music at elementary, middle and high schools in Ohio and has taught music at higher education institutions in The Carolinas and Alabama.  

“I love the daily interaction I get with students, faculty, staff and administration here at Livingstone College,” Callahan said. “I was interested in coming to work at Livingstone because it is small enough to allow my work to immediately make a difference and large enough to provide the students with a solid academic foundation.” 

One of Callahan’s proudest moments since assuming the top post in Livingstone’s music department occurred in April, when the Livingstone College Concert Choir, under the direction of DaVaughn L. Miller, received a rousing standing ovation after giving its debut performance at world-renowned Carnegie Hall. 

“I will always remember that night because it was so special,” Callahan said. “The students were magnificent, Mr. Miller was fantastic, sopranist Teresa Moore-Mitchell was outstanding and accompanist Joanne Harrison was wonderful. It was a banner, historical night for Livingstone College.” 

Though he has worked in music for some time, Callahan has never held a position that allows him to continue the research he started in graduate school, which deals with instrumental finger dexterity. In fact, he said he’s one of the country’s leading experts on the subject.  

“Finger dexterity comes down to how you actually use your fingers to manipulate the instrument to make it work, whether you’re a saxophone player or a trumpet player or player of any instrument,” Callahan said. “Where my research could actually lead is for us to be able to identify whether fine motor skills are developmental in the same way studies have shown that gross motor skills are developmental.”

It doesn’t bother Callahan that he hasn’t obtained a position in his area of expertise. He is thankful for the opportunities with which he has been blessed.

“I like teaching the teachers so I can have a bigger impact in my profession as opposed to just teaching the students,” he said. “I teach a secondary curriculum and music method class that’s filled with people who will eventually be employed in public schools.”

Callahan is married to Dr. Linda Florence Callahan; the couple has a son, Jesse Alan, and a daughter, Jolita Ashlee.

You may not know it, but Callahan is an outdoor enthusiast and lists playing golf, gardening, fishing and photography among his hobbies.

You may be floored to know that since 1987 he has owned a Yamaha Midnight Special 850cc. He has been riding motorcycles since 1986.

“I have three brothers, two of whom ride bikes, so I guess it’s a family thing,” Callahan said. “We all started riding around the same time, one right after the other. I ride more recreationally now than anything, but I really love it.”

But don’t look for Callahan, a very affable man, to come rolling in to Institute Drive on his Yamaha.

After all, as he laughingly said: “It’s hard to come to work in a suit and look presentable if you rode in on a bike.”

Livingstone College salutes Dr. Gary L. Callahan

--- Compiled by Laurie D. Willis,
Assistant Director of Public Relations