Ben Peterson, trumpet
B.M. and B.M.E – University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point
M.M. – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
Ben is the instructor of trumpet at McKendree University. He has been a member of the Air Force Band of Mid-America since 2002, performing in a diverse array of ensembles, including the Concert Band, Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble, Lincolnland Brass Quintet, and the pop group Hot Brass. He has performed with the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, The Rome Festival Orchestra, and is frequently a featured instrumentalist in both classical and jazz genres. He also keeps an active schedule of festival adjudication and school clinics. As an active member of the International Trumpet Guild, he is on both their Book Review and Recording Review committees. In addition, Ben maintains a resource website for trumpet players at www.petersontrumpet.com.
Dean W. Smith, Trombone
B.M.E. Murray State University
M.M. Louisiana State University
Sergeant Smith teaches arranging and trombone studies at McKendree University and arranges for many bands across the United States. MSgt Dean W. Smith is also currently the Staff Arranger and Trombonist with the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America at Scott Air Force Base in Belleville, Illinois, where he arrived in February of 1997.
Sergeant Smith grew up in Mascoutah, Illinois, where he graduated high school in 1982. He earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Murray State University in 1987 and his Master of Music degree from Louisiana State University in 1989. His teachers include Ray Conklin, Dennis Johnson, Larry Campbell, Doug Sertle and Sammy Nestico.
Sergeant Smith has performed with the Paducah Symphony Orchestra, The Blue Ribbon Dixieland Band, Evansville Symphony Orchestra, Baton Rouge Symphony and Opera Company, the Mirage Jazz Quintet and The All-American Big Band. He has also performed with Denis DiBlasio, Tex Beneke, Jamey Aebersold, Mike Vax, Steve Smith, Bobby Shew, Allen Vizzutti, Joe Morello and Jeff Jarvis among others. He is also a member of the International Association of Jazz Educators, International Trombone Association, and the Music Educator’s National Conference. Sergeant Smith performed with the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps 1985 to 1986 and won the Baritone individual solo competition in 1986.
Sergeant Smith was awarded second place in the 2005 Armed Force’s Composition contest for his composition “Undaunted Courage”
Percussion
Dan Smithiger
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Strings
Ms. Yuko Fisher, Associate Faculty of Strings
Education:
· B.M. from Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music (studied with Yoshio Unno)
· Diploma Course from the Julliard School (studied with Dorothy Delay)
· Kunstlerische Ausbildung from Staatliche Hochschule für Music Heidelberg-Mannheim, Germany (studied with Wanda Wilkomirska)
Biography:
In the fall of 2008, Ms. Fisher is directing the newly formed string department at McKendree University. In 1988, she was a participant in the Master Class of Menahem Pressler (Beaux Art Trio) and served as concertmistress of the chamber orchestra for Polença Music Festival in Spain. From 1990-2002, she performed with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra as a replacement violinist and was involved in the European, Japan, Carnegie Hall, and West Coast Tours. Since 1988 she has been the director of the Belleville String Ensemble and Music Academy, instructing violin, viola, piano, voice, and string ensemble to all age groups in the local communities. Currently, she is the founder of La Mer Ensemble with hopes to enhance McKendree University and local communities with classical chamber music.
Woodwinds
Dr. Jennifer Gartley, Flute
B.M.E. Furman University (SC)
M.M. Louisiana State University
D.M.A. (ABD) University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
· Performances with Sinfonia da Camera, and the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra
· Studies with Jonathan Keeble, Mark Sparks, Katherine Kemler Summer Festivals, Domaine Forget, Brevard Music Center
· Former teaching assistant, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
· Winner, Louisiana State University Concerto Competition
· New World Symphony substitute performer
· Louisiana Music Award Master classes with Emmanuel Pahud, Bonita Boyd, Walfrid Kujala, Jim Walker, Thomas Robertello and Bradley Garner
Connie Galbraith, Clarinet
B.M. Susquehanna University (Pennsylvania)
Dawn Striker-Allan, Oboe
B.S. Music Education, Tennessee Technological University
· Member of USAF Band of Mid-America
· Principal Oboist, USAF Band of Mid-America
· Six-time featured soloist on tours with the USAF Band of Mid-America
· Featured soloist with the Tennessee Tech Symphony Band at the 1999 Tennessee Music Educators Convention.
Dr. Phillip Wilhelm, Bassoon
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David Fatek, Saxophone
B.M. University of the Arts, Philadelphia
M.M. University of the Arts, Philadelphia
· Member of USAF Band of Mid-America, Shades of Blue Jazz Ensemble
Organ
Dr. Nancy Ypma, Organ
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Piano
Heather Miller, Piano, Accompanist, Music Fundamentals, Music Appreciation
B. M. Truman State University
M.M. Piano Performance and Accompanying, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
In 2002 Heather Miller was the winner of SIUE’s Concerto-Aria Competition, and was also awarded Outstanding Teaching Assistant by the University. She took first place in the instrumental division of the Southern Illinois Young Artists Competition in May of 2004. In addition to teaching at the college level and accompanying various local musicians, Heather teaches private piano lessons to area students of all ages and skill levels.
Soyeon Kim, Accompanist, Applied piano
B.M., Seoul National University
Performer’s Certificate, University of Connecticut
M.M., University of Hartford
Ms. Kim was on the Teaching Assistant of Korean National University of Arts and has been a prizewinner in several competitions including the Miami String Quartet Competition, Paranov Concerto Competition at The Hartt School, the Korean Music Association Competition, Little Angels Music Competition, Kyungki Chamber Music Competition, Teenager Music Competition, and Yukyoung Music Competition in Seoul, South Korea.
Voice
Debra Harres, Voice, Coordinator for Vocal Studies
B.Mus.Ed., Converse College (SC)
M.M. Vocal Performance, University of Illinois
· Also vocal instructor at Southwestern Illinois College
Kathleen Favazza, Voice, World Cultures, Opera Workshop
B.A. Benedictine College (KS)
M.M. Vocal Performance, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
· Kathleen Favazza currently sings with the St. Louis Symphony Chorus, which in the spring of 2006 performed in Carnegie Hall in New York City.
· She also teaches Applied Voice at Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC).
Jamie Marble, Vocal Jazz Combo
B.M. Eastern Illinois University (Charleston)
M.A. University of Iowa (Iowa City)
Music Theory
Dr. Mark Connor, Theory
B.M. California State University (Chico)
M.M. University of Colorado (Boulder)
D.Mus. Florida State University
Band Staff
Meghan Tippy, Dance Team
Meghan Tippy, a 2004 graduate of Knox College, Galesburg, IL, is originally from Mascoutah, IL. In the past she has performed and presented choreography for department and student concerts and at the American College Dance Festival. She has also performed with the Illinois Ballet. Currently, Meghan is a choreographer and dancer with Coalescence Dance Company, a modern based company located in Belleville, IL. Her dance squad experience comes from 8 years as a member of dance teams and one year as a coach previous to her experience here at McKendree University. Meghan also teaches dance at local studios to students age 3-adult.
Lee-Alison Friedrich, Heritage Winter Guard
· Heritage of McKendree Winter Guard Head Coach, 2008-2009
· Mascoutah High School Winter Guard Assistant and Instructor 2005 – present
· Belleville West High School Color Guard Instructor 2003 – present
· Charleston High School Color Guard Instructor 1999-2000
· Member, Eastern Illinois University Panther Marching Band Color Guard 1997-2001
Dan Smithiger, Drum line
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David Boggs, Director of Bands
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