Sean Beachy, DMA
Sean Beachy is a native of Garrett County. After graduating from Northern Garrett High School, he attended Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, WV, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Applied Piano. He also completed a Master of Music degree from Shenandoah Conservatory and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from West Virginia University, both in composition. Dr. Beachy has had pieces premiered and performed throughout the United States and Italy. His SATB setting of the Sanctus, completed in February 2015, was premiered by members of the Frostburg State University Chamber Choir at the Basilica Papale di San Francesco in Assisi, Italy. He has been commissioned to write new works for the Arion Band of Frostburg, which premiered his Mountain City Overture in August 2016, and Music at Penn Alps for a new piece, titled Suite for Brass Quintet, which was premiered during their 2017 summer concert series. In December 2018, the Garrett Choral Society premiered his arrangement Joy to the World for SATB choir and string quintet. In 2021, he completed Fanfare for an Uncommon Band to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Garrett Community Concert Band. In 2023, he was commissioned to write Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind for the Garrett Choral Society through a grant from the Garrett County Arts Council. Also, in 2024, he completed a commission, entitled Legacy of a Genration, for the Southern Middle School Band in honor of their final year as a school
Dr. Beachy is currently Adjunct Instructor of Music at Garrett College. In addition to teaching music classes, he teaches private piano and composition lessons through Garrett’s Department of Continuing Education and is Director of the Mountain Maryland Music Institute, a three-week summer camp program that offers music instruction in instrumental, chorus, strings, and piano. Additionally, he is the co-administrator of the Music at Penn Alps Private Lesson Scholarship Program and on the board of directors for Music at Penn Alps and the Garrett Lakes Arts Festival.
Dr. Beachy has been a regional accompanist for more than 20 years, performing for local high school choirs and festivals. He served as organist for 14 years at Frostburg United Methodist Church and is currently the co-music director and hand bell choir director at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Oakland. He is also the accompanist/director, along with his wife Debi, of the Garrett Choral Society. He has served as music director for FSU's Roundabout Theatre for multiple productions. Most recently, Dr. Beachy was appointed director of the Garrett Community Concert Band in 2018 and founded the Garrett Jazz Ensemble that same year. From 2018-2023, he and his wife directed musical productions at WVU at Potomac State College, including Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, The Little Mermaid, High School Musical (canceled due to pandemic), Big the Musical, and Tarzan. In addition, he has been involved with productions of Little Mary Sunshine, Nunsense, Camelot, Annie Get Your Gun, Les Misérable, Oliver, The Wizard of Oz and Singing in the Rain.
Dr. Beachy currently resides in Grantsville, MD, with his wife and their two children, Evan and Ella.
Debi Beachy
Debi Beachy, a West Virginia native, also attended Alderson Broaddus University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Piano. In 2006, she earned a Masters of Music degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Choral Conducting from West Virginia University. Mrs. Beachy has led middle and high school choral ensembles in Kentucky, West Virginia, Illinois and Maryland. For the past 18 years, she has served as a music teacher here, in Garrett County. She has been the choral director at both Northern and Southern Garrett High Schools and was instrumental in developing and implementing a new piano course. Mrs. Beachy currently teaches elementary music at Accident and Friendsville Elementary Schools.
In July 2024, she will be returning as choral director for Garrett College’s Mountain Maryland Music Institute. As a vocalist, she has been involved with the Scholars of St. Cecelia in Cumberland, MD and has performed as vocal soloist for a variety of events and organizations, including the Garrett Community Concert Band, the Garrett Jazz Ensemble, and the Garrett Choral Society. She served as choir director at Frostburg United Methodist Church for 14 and is currently co-music director and choir director at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Oakland, MD. Most recently, she earned the National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards, the most respected professional certification in education.
Sean and Debi Beachy, duo
Sean and Debi have been performing both as a four-hand piano duo and as a vocal-piano duo for more than 25 years, beginning while attending college. Throughout the past 20 years, they have presented multiple concerts at Frostburg United Methodist Church, Music at Penn Alps, and have performed for local special events and organizations. The couple have also worked as a director/accompanist collaborative team for the past 20 years in both school and church settings.