Congratulations to our Music graduates! We are proud of your accomplishments and can't wait to see what God has planned for you. |
Bachelor of Arts/Science in Music
Claire Baum (Magna Cum Laude)
Lillian Christensen
Alyssa DeWilde
Ashley Gonzalez (Cum Laude)
Victor Hernandez
Nathan Metzler
Jacob Pennington
Noah Visness (Magna Cum Laude)
Bachelor of Science in Music with an Emphasis in Music Ministry
Jenny Cuervo-Garcia
Karl Lind (Cum Laude)
Breanna McNear
Bachelor of Music in Composition
Arn Huizinga
Bachelor of Music in Performance
Madeleine Harrington
Toby Novotny
Julia Ristow (Cum Laude)
Emma Troff (Magna Cum Laude)
Brianne Ulrich (Magna Cum Laude)
Bachelor of Music Education
Caleb Hustedde (Magna Cum Laude)
Benjamin Johnson
Drew Jones
Chloe Peiffer
Certificates and degrees are awarded upon successful completion of all certificate and degree requirements. Listing of students' names does not guarantee certificate or degree completion.
|
Listed L to R:
Jacob Pennington, Breanna McNear
|
Back row: Caleb Hustedde, Karl Lind, Drew Jones, Arn Huizinga, Julia Ristow, Claire Baum, Madeleine Harrington, Noah Visness
Front row: Brianne Ulrich, Lillian Christensen, Benjamin Johnson, Ashley Gonzalez, Chloe Peiffer, Emma Troff, Nathan Metzler
|
Top: Jenny Cuervo-Garcia, Victor Hernandez
Bottom: Alyssa DeWilde
|
|
FROM THE ASSISTANT DEPT CHAIR |
As we look back on the 2021–22 academic year, I am honored to be associated with the level of excellence demonstrated by UNW music students, alumni, faculty, and staff. The accomplishments noted in this newsletter, and the many outstanding performances produced each semester, are indeed worth celebrating! Likewise, I am proud of the kind of people Northwestern musicians are. Musical excellence is only part of our goal; as Psalm 33 directs, we sing, play, and create in joyful praise to the Lord:
Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
Praise the Lord with the harp;
make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.
Sing to him a new song;
play skillfully, and shout for joy.
(Psalm 33:1–3, NIV)
Amidst the challenges of today’s world, joy can sometimes seem difficult to find. We are living in times of pandemic, entrenched divisions, increased mental health concerns, and inflation, but the Psalmist reminds us where to look:
We wait in hope for the Lord;
he is our help and our shield.
In him our hearts rejoice,
for we trust in his holy name.
May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
even as we put our hope in you.
(Psalm 33:20–22, NIV)
Hope, joy, and musical excellence are alive in the Department of Music & Theatre at Northwestern. Come join us for a performance soon!
Kristen M. Bugos, Ph.D.
Assistant Chair, Department of Music & Theatre
|
Peter Pan
After two pandemic-related delays, the Department of Music & Theatre presented Peter Pan: A Musical Adventure in fall 2021. The cast, crew, pit orchestra, production team, and performance hall staff numbered more than 100. Twelve shows ran over three weekends entertaining over 5,000 guests. Samuel French/Concord Theatricals, the publishing company, approved our request to explore this work from a fresh perspective with revisions to the original’s outdated depictions. The production team was led by Director Jennifer Hunter, with Vocal Director Doreen Hutchings, Music Director/Conductor David Kozamchak, and Technical Director Iris Dodge. Congrats to all!
|
Hope of the World
We welcomed a nearly record-setting audience of over 3,600 in four concerts of worship to celebrate the birth of Jesus during Christmas at Northwestern 2021, after a year-long hiatus. Jesus said, “Take heart, I have overcome the world.” Singing of that Hope, looking to the Light, and retelling the story and promise of our redemption filled hearts and lifted spirits. Mark your calendars now for December 2–4, 2022, and plan to join us.
|
The Anuak Legacy: Music & Culture
David Osterlund released a book published by UNW’s Berntsen Library, the culmination of his missions and music research in Ethiopia. “Doc O” currently teaches piano and clarinet in UNW Academy of Music and formerly chaired UNW’s Department of Music from 1975–89. Learn more at www.anuaklegacy.com.
|
|
Richard Joseph, ABD
Assistant Professor of Music
Richard Joseph won appointment to the rank of Assistant Professor of Music beginning fall 2022. Formerly a Lecturer in Voice, Joseph has taught voice lessons and music courses at UNW since 2016. He is a noted performer in the Twin Cities, having sung with Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Chorale, Metropolitan Symphony, and Lyra Baroque Orchestra. Joseph is a DMA candidate at University of Minnesota; he holds a MM in voice performance from Florida State University and a BA in Music from Clearwater Christian College. Roles have included Johnny Inkslinger in Paul Bunyan, Spoletta in Puccini’s Tosca, Fenton in Falstaff, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
|
|
|
|
 |
Christian Howard, ABD
Adjunct Instructor of Low Brass
Christian Howard received his bachelor’s degree in music performance from Boston Conservatory and his master’s degree from Mannes School of Music. He is currently a doctoral candidate at University of Minnesota, where he holds ABD status. Howard’s primary teachers include Thomas Ashworth – University of Minnesota, Steve Lange – Boston Symphony, and Weston Sprott – Metropolitan Opera. As an orchestral musician, Christian has performed with New York City’s LoftOpera, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and held the position of Principal Trombone with Chautauqua Summer Festival from 2014 to 2017. Howard has performed as a soloist with the Merrimack Valley Philharmonic. He also advanced as finalist for positions with The Orchestra Now, as well as United States Military Premier Bands.
|
|
|
|
Weily Grina-Shay, MM
Adjunct Instructor of Clarinet
Weily Grina-Shay received her Master of Music degree at Peabody Institute of Music studying under Anthony McGill in 2016 where she was awarded the Martha and William Bill Memorial Prize in Clarinet. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music studying under Ixi Chen in 2013. She co-founded 10th Wave Chamber Music Collective, a chamber music organization that seeks to curate innovative concert programs to connect and engage with new audiences in the Twin Cities. Grina-Shay previously performed in the Chione Quintet from 2018–21, an all-female woodwind quintet based in the Twin Cities. With Chione, Grina-Shay toured Minnesota libraries performing “Story Time with Chione,” an educational program pairing music with narrated stories to children of all ages.
|
|
|
|
|
Brittany Quinn, MM
Director, Academy of Music
Brittany Henry Quinn, an active performer and teacher, most recently served as violin and viola faculty and chamber music coordinator at Northwestern University Music Academy in Evanston, IL. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance from Rice University Shepherd School of Music studying with Kenneth Goldsmith, former concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony, and earned a Master of Music degree in violin performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, studying with Mark Kaplan and Federico Agostini. While at Indiana University, Quinn studied pedagogy with Mimi Zweig, taught students in the world-renowned Indiana University String Academy, served as assistant conductor and violin sectional coach for Musical Arts Youth Orchestra and taught private and group lessons to underserved students at Fairview Elementary School in Bloomington, IN.
|
|
|
|
Emma Davis ’23, soprano, and Brianne Ulrich ’23, piano, won Northwestern’s Concerto-Aria Competition on January 29. Davis and Ulrich performed as featured soloists with the UNW Orchestra in a concert on Tuesday, May 3, in Knight Performance Hall. Honorable mentions went to Willow Skidmore, soprano, and Sierra Sommerfeldt, piano. Additional performers included Clarissa Geske, mezzo-soprano; Ashley Gonzalez, mezzo-soprano; Mackenzie Kroll, soprano; Elena Lopez, soprano; Micah Reynolds, tenor; Julia Ristow, mezzo-soprano; and Kiana Welsch, violin.
|
Emma Davis ’23, soprano, won first place in the College Voice Advanced Category and Ingrid Tverberg ’24, cello, won first place in the College Strings Category of the Thursday Musical competition. Both performed in the winners' concert on Saturday, April 9, hosted at Concordia University, Saint Paul.
|
Emma Davis ’23, soprano, won first place in the Voice Level I division of the Schubert Club Student Scholarship Competition and performed in the Winners' Recital at the Ordway Concert Hall on May 15. Ingrid Tverberg ’24, cello, earned second place in the Strings Level III division.
|
Five music majors earned recognition in the Region V Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival 54 (KCACTF) for the Musical Theatre Intensive. The goal of the Intensive is to celebrate and recognize outstanding musical theatre students within Region 5 and offer educational opportunities to work with musical theatre professionals. Recognition went to Emma Davis ’23, Finalist; Clarissa Geske ’23, Semi-Finalist; Caleb Hustedde ’22, Notable Performance in the Musical Theatre Intensive and Recognition for efforts in Dynamic Partnering in the Semi-Final Round of the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Auditions; Sydney Lanning ’23, Finalist; and Elizabeth Stuebs ’25, Semi-Finalist.
|
Elijah Hager ’22, baritone, won first place in the Minnesota Sings Vocal Competition in the 21 and over division. Hager received a $4,000 prize along with other gifts, including a recording session with Garage recording studios, and a $500 check for his hometown charity of choice. Contestants were judged on vocal and presentation skills, audience response, judge’s overall impression of the performance, and choice of material.
|
Arn Huizinga ’22, trombone, and Isabel Wollermann ’25, horn, were selected to the North Central Division College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Intercollegiate Honor Band along with students from more than 20 other universities at UW Madison with a concert on April 9.
|
Joshua Hunt ’25, trombone, was selected for the World Association for Symphonic Bands & Ensembles (WASBE) Youth Wind Orchestra performing in Prague, Czech Republic, for the WASBE Conference to be held July 18–24.
|
Ingrid Tverberg ’24, cellist, won the Senior Division Givens Violins Gift Certificate in the MNSOTA Mary West Solo Competition. Tverberg performed in the Winners’ Recital on November 14 at Lloyd Ultan Hall, University of Minnesota.
|
Emily Vold ’23, clarinet; Elaina Carsten ’25, tenor saxophone; Kallie Kreutz ’24, flute; and Arn Huizinga ’22, trombone, were selected to the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) Intercollegiate Honor Band that performed at the Minneapolis Convention Center on February 19.
|
|
Joshua Bauder composed a completion of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s sacred cantata The Atonement for Oratorio Society of Minnesota. Coleridge-Taylor, a Black British composer, finished the piece in 1903, but several missing pages of the full score precluded ongoing performances. Bauder’s completion is believed to be the first attempted reconstruction. Bauder also edited and typeset composer James Callahan's Organ Concerto No. 2, which premiered at University of Saint Thomas on April 24. He conducted the 85th annual MMTA State Honors Concert at Minneapolis Convention Center on May 21. That concert consisted of 27 piano pieces performed by 500 students who ranged in age from 5 to 18.
|
Cassandra Bechard was named to the Yamaha 40 Under 40 music educators list. The 40 Under 40 music education advocacy program honors music educators who possess action, courage, creativity, and growth characteristics while going above and beyond when instructing music programs. In February, Bechard co-presented the session "What Next? Utilizing Adaptable Repertoire in a (Post) Pandemic World" for the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) Conference in Minneapolis, attended by a number of her music education students.
|
Kristen Bugos serves as secretary/treasurer for the Minnesota unit of the Society for Music Teacher Education (MNSMTE), a society of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). She also held an appointment as Collegiate Chapter Chair for the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) for 2021–22. At UNW, her responsibilities include leadership as Program Coordinator for both Music Education and Art Education. Last summer, UNW’s School of Education Educator Preparation Programs received continual approval from the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board through June 2024.
|
Sonja Grimes, piano, performed a Faculty Artist Series recital featuring her daughter Sarah, first violin Minnesota Orchestra, in September. Repertoire for “The Suite Life” included three suites of jazz, blues, and spirituals by American composers Morton Gould, Harry T. Burleigh, and William Grant Still.
|
Weily Grina-Shay, clarinet, performed with 10th Wave Chamber Music Collective as MPR Class Notes Artist in their 2021–22 season. MPR Class Notes concerts are “designed to expose, engage, and inspire” elementary-aged students “to the joy and wonder of live music.” The 10th Wave music organization, co-founded by Grina-Shay, performs music by historically underrepresented composers at no cost to audience members.
|
Heather Hood conducted the Minnesota Chorale in concert on February 26, celebrating the Minnesota Chorale’s 50th anniversary.
|
Richard Joseph, tenor, and Pamela Sohriakoff, piano, performed a Faculty Artist Series recital in February. Repertoire included The Holy Sonnets of John Donne by Benjamin Britten and the premiere of Six Poe Songs composed by Joshua Bauder with texts of Edgar Allen Poe.
|
David Kozamchak served as section coach for the Middle Level Honors Orchestra sponsored by the Minnesota String & Orchestra Teachers Association (MNSOTA), which Northwestern hosted on February 18. He also served as an adjudicator for the statewide Tier 1 Middle Level Orchestra Festival also sponsored by MNSOTA. Middle school orchestras that received a Superior with Distinction score from both adjudicators were invited to Tier 2 of the festival, consisting of a performance at Orchestra Hall, Minneapolis. He conducted the Minnesota Youth Symphonies’ Repertory Orchestra in rehearsal on March 19 and April 23 and Symphony Orchestra on April 9. On April 8, Kozamchak led clinics for Stillwater Middle School Orchestra while hosting the orchestra on Northwestern’s campus. He later adjudicated the Roseville High School String Solo and Ensemble Contest on May 4.
|
Kirk Moss’ arrangement of Anton Bruckner's Apocalyptic: Symphony No. 8 – Finale, for string orchestra with timpani, was named Editor’s Choice by JW Pepper Sheet Music. Listen to the publisher’s recording. The Australian Strings Association (AUSTA) Stringendo national journal reviewed favorably the arrangement: “Through tasteful simplification and selection of the most memorable themes, Moss has produced an exciting introduction to the world of serious symphony orchestra music.” Moss served as featured clinician for the Columbia Basin Music Educators Association Large Group Orchestra Festival on March 9, in Richland, Washington, and adjudicated the Indiana State School Music Association Orchestra State Finals held in Indianapolis on May 7.
|
Ben Osterhouse, cello, performed in the Minnesota Opera's production of Carmen. He also performed in the album release show for a new album, Aorta Borealis, indie rocker Jesse Norell's album about his daughter's struggle to survive multiple heart surgeries.
|
Timothy Sawyer presented a reading session on the music of Dan Forrest, Craig Courtney, and other composers represented by Beckenhorst Music Press at the Fellowship of American Baptist Musicians summer church music conference last July. In October, he served as resident guest conductor of the 11th Annual Byzantine Choral Festival hosted by St. Constantine Ukrainian Catholic Church in Minneapolis, conducting the UNW Choir in sacred choral music of Ukraine and Russia, and music of the Eastern Rite.
|
|
|
President and Mrs. Cureton
On May 17, UNW celebrated Dr. Alan and Gayle Cureton for their legacy at Northwestern. With more than 20 years at the organization’s helm, Dr. Cureton has faithfully served more than three times longer than the average private college president. As a gift, the Cureton’s received a framed musical score of Mitzvah, signed to them by composer Eric Barnum. Mitzvah was commissioned specifically for the Northwestern Choir in celebration of Dr. Cureton’s fifteenth year as president. The commission was a gift from the Cureton family, presented to him by his wife, Gayle, in spring 2017. Thank you, Dr. Cureton and Gayle, for your dedicated service to the entire Northwestern community.
|
|
|
|
Doreen Hutchings
Associate Professor of Music
Doreen Hutchings joined the Northwestern faculty in 1999. Her standing progressed from a half-time appointment to a three-quarter-time Lecturer and then full-time Instructor; then to a new Assistant Professor appointment, and more recently she earned promotion to the rank of Associate Professor. She has truly given her all to Northwestern, and her students enthusiastically say, “WE LOVE HUTCH!"
|
Doreen taught private voice lessons and related courses in vocal studies, taught and directed Opera Workshop, and held a leadership role in Theatre’s musical theatre productions as vocal director, or what we like to call “vocal coach.” Although she plans to spend more time with her husband, Mike, dog Zelda, and her two daughters and grandchildren, we look forward to seeing Doreen on campus next year as an adjunct faculty member to teach-out her current private voice students. We offer thanks for Doreen’s faithful teaching and service to Northwestern, and we wish God’s richest blessings upon her. |
|
|
|
Joshua Choi ’20, viola, successfully auditioned for multiple graduate schools, deciding to attend San Francisco Conservatory this fall to begin a master’s in performance degree in the studio of Dimitri Murrath, a first prize winner of the Primrose International Viola Competition.
|
Jackie (Lofstad '19) and Josh ('19) Eidsor work at Carthage Classical Academy in Tunisia, where Jackie teaches third grade and Josh serves as chaplain, directs a choir, and teaches music composition.
|
Rachel Gee (Stokes ’20), violin, earned her master’s in violin performance from University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
Benjamin Johnson ’22 will begin a position as instrumental music teacher and testing coordinator at Park Center High School, Osseo Area Schools, in fall 2022.
|
Anna Lapshina ’21 teaches elementary music in Eden Prairie Schools.
|
Austin Lewis ’16, tenor, auditioned and won Lead Singer aboard the Celebrity Equinox luxury cruise ship where he will sail the Caribbean through the end of the year. He previously toured nationally with Aquila Theatre’s productions of Macbeth and The Great Gatsby. Aquila is now one of the foremost producers of classical theater in the United States visiting 50–60 American cities per year.
|
Mikayla Liu (Brandenburg ’19), soprano, won admission to the Vienna Summer Music Festival June 26 to July 17 in Vienna, Austria. Each participant will perform a full role in an opera production. Liu will cover for the Countess in The Marriage of Figaro and is cast as Annabel in Mondo Novo and Mercury in Pluto, two newer operas. She continues as a graduate teaching assistant at University of Iowa where she performed as Beatrice in Three Decembers and will perform as Carolina in The Secret Marriage this fall.
|
Shawn Nelson ’18 serves as Director of Bands & Orchestras at Heritage Christian Academy in Maple Grove.
|
Barrett Radziun ’10, tenor, made headlines with his 2021 New Year’s resolution to bake all 105 recipes from Claire Saffitz’s cookbook, Dessert Person. Radziun earned his master’s degree in vocal performance from the Bard College Conservatory of Music in New York and received his DMA in vocal performance at University of North Texas. He is currently assistant professor of voice at Texas A&M – Commerce.
|
Hannah Smith ’18 teaches music and band at Sekolah Pelita Harapan International Christian School in Jakarta, Indonesia.
|
Grace Spieldenner (Friesen ’20) directs choir and teaches music at Sunrise Park and Central Middle Schools in White Bear Lake Area Schools.
|
Brianne Ulrich ’22, piano, won admission to Peabody Conservatory this fall to begin a master’s in performance degree in the studio of Benjamin Pasternack, a grand prize winner of the World Music Masters Piano Competition in Paris.
|
Matt Wilson ’99 served as Acting Associate Principal Horn in the Minnesota Orchestra for the 2021–22 season, including recording Mahler 8 and 9 and performing Strauss’ Don Juan and Tchaikovsky 6. He will perform Beethoven 2 and 6 with the orchestra later this summer.
|
|
If you have noteworthy news to share with us about students or alumni, please send your update to music@unwsp.edu. We look forward to seeing you at one of our many music events throughout the academic year.
May the LORD bless you,
Music Faculty & Staff
University of Northwestern – St. Paul
|
|
University of Northwestern – St. Paul provides an environment that fosters musical and academic excellence, Christian community, and exceptional preparation for the next generation of musicians and leaders. We hope you enjoy our newsletter, published annually. We apologize for any errors or omissions. Please like UNW Music on Facebook and follow @unwmusic on Instagram to keep up with the latest Music news.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
