College of Arts & Sciences

Toni Sheffer

Toni Sheffer

Toni Sheffer
Director of Preparatory Music Department
B.M.E. University of Kentucky
Office: FA 359
Phone: (859) 572-7737
E-mail: sheffer@nku.edu

  • Toni Sheffer began at NKU in 1981 as accompanist for the part-time voice studios. Since that time, she has joined the faculty as coach/accompanist and with the encouragement of the Music Faculty, founded the Music Preparatory Department of NKU. This involves the coordinating of students studying private lessons on voice, piano, organ, harp, guitar, wind instruments, and stringed instruments. Also included in the Prep program are the two choirs of the Northern Kentucky Children's Ensemble and the Northern Kentucky Youth Chamber Orchestra, Prep Strings, Concert Strings, Community Orchestra, Orff Pre-School Classes, College Prep Curriculum, Theory/Composition Lessons, and ten on-site Beginning Strings programs in Northern Kentucky Elementary Schools.

  • Ms. Sheffer received her BME from the University of Kentucky and studied accompanying with Ken Griffiths, College Conservatory of Music, while also studying harp with Linda Wellbaum, also CCM and former Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. She completed a certificate in Arts Management Marketing from UC in the fall of 2003. Being raised with a background in church music, she has held church positions in the area as either organist or pianist, currently serving at Lakeside Christian Church, Lakeside Park, Kentucky, as pianist, organist, and accompanist.
    In 2004, Sheffer was awarded the Friends of KMEA (Kentucky Music Educator's Association) award from District 6 and went on to capture the state title as well.  This is the highest award given by KMEA in the state of Kentucky.

  • In 2006, the Post-Corbett Award was given to the Music Preparatory Department, Toni Sheffer, Director, in the category of Arts Education and Outreach.  This is a coveted award in the Greater Cincinnati region by arts organizations.  Colleagues from the Music Department, Theatre Department, and Provost, Dr. Gail Wells were present for the awards ceremony.