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The Olney Central College Music Department faculty bring a wide range of professional and academic experience to the classroom.
Jena Combs
Director of Bands
618-544-5201, ext. 1465
Jena Combs serves as the Instrumental Music Instructor at Lincoln Trail College and Interim Instrumental Music Instructor at Olney Central College. She teaches music theory, general music courses, private lessons, and directs instrumental ensembles.
Combs earned an Associate in Science and Arts degree from Olney Central College before transferring to Eastern Illinois University, where she completed a Bachelor of Music degree with K-12 teacher licensure. She later earned a Master of Arts in Music with a concentration in Music Education from Eastern Illinois University.
Prior to joining Illinois Eastern Community Colleges, Combs taught instrumental and general music in public schools throughout Southern Illinois. She served as Director of Musical Activities at Flora High School, where she expanded course offerings and performance opportunities for students while growing participation in the music program.
Her dedication to music education has been recognized through numerous honors. In 2021, she received the Illinois State Board of Education Early Career Educator Award of Meritorious Service. In 2024, she was named a Yamaha 40 Under 40 Music Educator and received the Eastern Illinois University Music Education Distinguished Alumni Award. She has also presented professional development sessions at the Illinois Music Education Conference and has been invited as a guest director for area honor bands.
A native of Flora, Illinois, Combs has been involved in music since childhood and remains passionate about helping students discover their potential through music. Outside of teaching, she enjoys reading, research, hiking, camping, scuba diving, and spending time with family and friends.
Andrew Pittman
Director of Choral Activities
618-395-7777, ext. 2252
Dr. Andrew Pittman joined Olney Central College in 2013. He serves as the Director of Choral Activities and is an Assistant Professor of Music. He teaches private voice lessons, Concert Choir, Community Choir, music history courses, Intro to Theatre, and Music Theory.
Originally from North Carolina, Andrew has a B.M. in Music Education from East Carolina University, a M.M. in Voice Performance from New England Conservatory and completed his D.M.A. in Choral Conducting from the University of South Carolina in 2019.
Andrew has performed numerous roles in opera and operetta, singing Captain Corcoran in H.M.S. Pinafore and Sciarrone inTosca at the Natchez Opera Festival in Mississippi and Zuniga in Carmen at St. Petersburg Opera in Florida. In addition to opera, Andrew enjoys performing in musicals, plays, and short films. He appeared in the Olney Central College Theatre's productions of "The Wizard of Oz," and "The Play That Goes Wrong."
In his free time, Andrew loves cars, autocross and other high performance driving opportunities, stand up paddle boarding, sailing/racing, triathlon, running, lifting weights, nutrition, film/TV, and golf.
