Co-facilitators
Dr. Kyle Grimm, DMA
Dr. Kyle Grimm is an assistant professor of music composition at The Hartt School, University of Hartford, where his experience as both composer and performer brings perspective on the pluralities of a musical career in the 21st century. Kyle earned his DMA and MM in Music Composition from The Hartt School, University of Hartford, and his BM in Music Composition at Western Washington University.
As a composer, Kyle’s has worked with soloists and musical groups across the country, including: Kamratōn (Pittsburgh, PA), Katherine Weintraub (Tampa, FL), Legato Pesante Tuba Quartet (West Hartford, CT), Jake Pietroniro (Tuscaloosa, AL), Krista Kopper (Kansas City, KS), Thomas Schuttenhelm (Philadelphia, PA), and Missouri S&T Wind Ensemble (Rolla, MO). His works have been featured on festivals such as Electronic Music Midwest, International Women’s Brass Conference, CAMPground, SEAMUS, and SPLICE. In February 2025, Kyle performed a recital of new works for double bass and electronics, featuring his works as well as two new commissions by Maria Kaoutzani and Ken Steen. Most recently, Kyle performed a concert of original works and arrangements with composer and soprano, Gilda Lyons, at the Maverick Concerts.
As an educator, Kyle is dedicated to bringing hands-on experience to the composition students of The Hartt School through cross-departmental collaboration. As a Hartt Composition faculty member, Kyle helps to facilitate many opportunities for students to work with performers, hear their compositions performed in a concert setting, and get deep feedback throughout the entire process. Kyle is a two-time recipient of the University of Hartford’s Excellence in Part-Time Teaching Award.
Kyle is honored to be serving as a co-facilitator of the CTEI New Faculty Teaching Seminar. He is devoted to building community and helping demystify the transition to full-time teaching and/or the University of Hartford for all new faculty.
Dr. Gengyun (Coco) Le-Chan, Ph. D
Dr. Gengyun (Coco) Le-Chan is an Assistant Professor of Biology in the Hillyer College of Arts & Sciences, where she brings a unique blend of clinical and research expertise to her teaching, mentorship, and leadership. She earned her M.D. in Internal Medicine and Ph.D. in muscle biology, chromatography, and exercise physiology. She completed her postdoctoral training at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, where she became deeply interested in aging, musculoskeletal disease, and how exercise promotes disease prevention and recovery.
At UHart, Dr. Le-Chan coordinates and teaches Anatomy & Physiology (BIO212 & BIO213), while also teaching cell biology, biochemistry, and research methods. She is a Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine (FACSM) and the American Physiological Society (APS). She actively engages in research on muscle physiology, exercise responses, and strategies to improve health and performance. Her passion lies in understanding how our bodies adapt to physical activity across the lifespan and translating this knowledge into practical health applications.
Dr. Le-Chan’s teaching philosophy centers on student engagement, active learning, and fostering scientific curiosity. She designs courses that challenge students to apply foundational concepts in real-world contexts, preparing them to think critically and collaborate effectively in their future careers.
As a co-facilitator for the CTEI New Faculty Teaching Seminar, Dr. Le-Chan is committed to supporting colleagues in developing inclusive, evidence-based, and engaging teaching practices. She enjoys creating spaces for authentic dialogue, sharing best practices, and empowering educators to explore innovative approaches in their classrooms. Outside of academia, Coco is an avid traveler, having visited more than 25 countries and regions. She is passionate about global cuisines, enjoys family game nights, and is a devoted Minnesota Wild hockey fan.