CODA

List of 4 items.

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  Jena Nahnsen - Woodwinds

  BM Iowa State University
  Jena Nahnsen is a flourishing and mindful young clarinetist and teacher with a special interest in exploring brain health advocacy through music. Jena has won spots as principal clarinet in both the University Wind Ensemble and orchestra, was a prizewinner at the Schubert Club competition in St. Paul, MN, and served as a performance fellow at The Cortona Sessions for New Music, Bay View Chamber Music Festival, Philadelphia International Music Festival, and Fresh Inc. Also, she appeared as a soloist with the Iowa State Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and jazz ensemble.  Jena holds a bachelors of music degree from Iowa State University where she studied with Dr. Gregory Oakes. She is currently pursuing her masters of music degree at University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee where she studies under the guidance of Mr. Todd Levy.
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  Alec Burke - Brass

  MM UW-Milwaukee; BS Ball State
  Mr. Burke is on faculty as a brass instructor with several organizations in the Milwaukee area. An Indiana native, Alec previously served as the Muncie Symphony Orchestra’s Education Coordinator. Prior to moving to Milwaukee, Alec performed as the 2017 Concerto Soloist with the Music for the Sake of Music Symphony Orchestra, a chamber musician for Classical Music Indy and the Muncie Symphony, and as a lead trumpet player for numerous musicals and shows across Central Indiana. Alec has a breadth of experience teaching both in and out of the classroom including traditional public school ensembles, clinics and masterclasses, general music and PreK, and managing his own private studio. Currently, Alec performs in his contemporary chamber ensemble Microcosm and with his acoustic pop duo Ekruteak with his fiancé, Jennifer Rodriguez. Listen to Mr. Burke here.
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  Jamie Johns - Piano

  BM Baldwin-Wallace College, MM University of Cincinnati
  Having just finished six years of conducting the Phantom of the Opera on tour, pianist and conductor Jamie Johns is settling into civilian life in Madison, WI.
  
  Jamie has been the Director of Opera and Musical Theatre at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, the Resident Music Director at the Skylight Opera Theatre and the Education Director at Orlando Opera. Conducting highlights include The Marriage of Figaro, Carmen, Romeo and Juliet, The Coronation of Poppea, and La Traviata. Favorite shows on which Jamie has served as music director are Avenue Q, No, No, Nanette, The Last Five Years, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Archy and Mehitabel, Jacques Brel…, Rent, and The World Goes Round. In addition to shows, Jamie enjoys arranging and playing cabaret performances and recitals. Accompanying Gary Briggle as Noel Coward, Jamie has performed A Talent to Amuse; an evening with Noel Coward, in Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Sarasota, Sacramento, Iowa City and St. Paul.  Other companies that Jamie has worked for include Milwaukee Rep, Florentine Opera, Madison Rep, Madison Opera, First Stage, Lyric Opera Cleveland, Bel Canto, Present Music, Writers’ Theatre (Chicago) and Milwaukee Opera Theatre.
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  Allyson Smalley - Voice

  BA Luther College - Voice & K-12 Music Education
  As a classically trained vocal musician, Mrs. Smalley believes in a holistic approach to teaching voice by connecting vocal production and technique to traditional yogic based breathing, meditation and movement. Students can expect to explore breath work, music vocabulary, vocal technique, repertoire in varied styles & genres (i.e. classical, musical theatre, contemporary, pop, etc.), and mindfulness practices for presentations and performance anxiety. She has completed Orff Graduate Music Levels 1, 2, and 3 at the University of St. Thomas and most recently taught music at The Prairie School for nine years while serving as Performing Arts Department Chair for five years.