RESIDENT GRADUATE STUDENT CHORAL CONDUCTORS AT UNL, 2011-12 ACADEMIC YEAR
ANDREW BARBER is a student in the Masters of Music choral conducting program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While at the University of Nebraska, Andrew has studied and conducted under esteemed conductors Dr. Peter A. Eklund and Dr. Therees T. Hibbard as well as taking place in master classes featuring the teachings of conductors Ed Polachek, Dr. Jerry Blackstone, and Matthew Oltman. He is a member of the UNL's premiere choral ensemble, University Singers, plus Varsity Men's Chorus, and the UNL's Chamber Singers. In 2004, he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in K-12 Music Education from Doane College where he studied conducting under Dr. Kurt Runestad and Dr. Jay W. Gilbert. While at Doane, Andrew also took place in master class settings under David Batter and Dr. Daniel Afonso. Andrew is also an active member of the American Choral Directors Association.
KARA BAXTER is a jazz artist, composer/arranger, violinist and educator. Baxter attended the University of Colorado and earned a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance. She then attended the Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University, where Baxter achieved a Master of Music in Jazz and Commercial Music as a jazz vocalist and violinist. Currently, Baxter performs with the Kara Leigh Jazz Combo regularly in Midwest clubs, concert venues, and music festivals. She has performed at the IAJE conference in Toronto, the Pump Room, and the Hot House in Chicago, the Lied Center for Performing Arts, the Rococo Theatre, and the Zoo Bar in Lincoln, among others. Baxter released her first CD, Black Coffee, in November of 2007. Baxter is a member of the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra and gigs regularly in southeast Nebraska. As an educator, Baxter has taught at Doane College and Nebraska Wesleyan University, as well as a clinician for various Vocal Jazz workshops around Nebraska. An accomplished composer, Baxter writes original compositions and arrangements that are performed by various groups in Nebraska. Baxter is currently pursuing a DMA in Jazz Composition at the University of Nebraska, where she directs the Vocal Jazz Ensemble.
MARTIN COOK is a doctoral student in Choral Conducting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he is studying with Dr. Peter A. Eklund and Dr. Therees T. Hibbard. Originally from the U.K., Martin studied piano performance and piano accompaniment at The Royal Northern College of Music. He then spent four years teaching music in Newfoundland, Canada, and went on to take conducting, piano, and voice lessons at Boston University. After returning to the U.K., he developed his career in teaching. He was head of music in several high schools, was a national examiner in composition and qualified as national schools inspector. His last post was as Director of Music at the famous "Blue Coat School," in Liverpool. Throughout his career he remained an active musician outside the classroom, both as a pianist and a conductor. His high school choirs toured throughout Europe, performing in Venice, at San Marco, in Vienna, at St. Stephen’s and the Votivkirke, in Maastricht at the Basilica, in Prague at St Nicholas,’ and at the cathedrals of St. Sebastian and Santander in Cantabria. For twelve years he conducted the Chester Music Society Junior Choir and under his direction they twice reached the semi-finals in the celebrated and televised “Sainsbury’s Choir of the Year Competition.” They also received awards at the Montreux International Choral Festival, in Switzerland, and at The Riva del Garda International Choral Festival in Italy. From 1997–2009 Martin directed Sandbach Voices. Under his direction they performed Handel’s Messiah, Bach’s B Minor Mass, Brahms’ Requiem, Mendelssohn’s Elijah, Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Haydn’s Creation, and a host of other works. In his spare time Martin loves to go skiing and pursue his delight in sailing yachts in the Mediterranean.
ANDREW LAST is pursuing his Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting in the School of Music at University of Nebraska, where he conducts the Big Red Singers. He received his Master of Music from Northern Arizona University, and he received his Bachelor of Arts in music education and vocal performance from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. He was Director of Choral Activities at Xavier High School in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from 2004-2010. He served as Director of Music at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, from 2006-2010. In 2010, he served as a guest conductor for the Iowa Choral Directors Association Opus Honor Choir Festival. His solo work includes appearances with the Sioux City Symphony, the Flagstaff Symphony, and the UNL University Singers. He currently serves on the voice faculty at Concordia University and is the bass section leader at First Presbyterian in Lincoln.
JOHN MILLS is in his first year in the Master's program in Choral Conducting. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Coe College in Vocal Performance. He studied voice with Mark Elliot and Tony Dillon and conducting with Richard Hoffman and Bill Carson. He also earned a diploma in Piano Tuning and Repair from the American School of Piano Tuning. He is currently a Music Intern at St. Paul's UMC in Lincoln, Nebraska.
ADAM PHILLEY holds a B.M. in Sacred Music from Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he was a student of Dr. Julia Brasher Thorn. He was a featured soloist and conductor at the First United Methodist Church of Shreveport, the Centenary College Choir, and the Centenary Camerata and Chorale performing all over the world including Carnegie Hall, Switzerland, Germany, France, Ireland, England and Wales. After receiving his undergraduate degree Adam worked as the Music Director of Asbury United Methodist Church in Bossier City, a 2500-member church and the fastest growing United Methodist church in Louisiana. He has musical directed many shows including Godspell, High School Musical, Children of Eden, Seussical, L’enfant et les sortileges, The Medium, Les Miserables: School Edition, and Rent. He is a founding member of the Centenary Musical Theater Group and the Young Artists of Shreveport/Bossier. He has played the roles of Simone in Gianni Schicchi, Poo-Bah in The Mikado, High Priest in The Magic Flute, Benny Southstreet in Guys and Dolls, King Melchior in Amahl and the Night Visitors, Man 2 in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change, and most recently Seymour Krelborn in The Little Shop of Horrors.
ANDREW PIEPER holds a B.A. in Vocal Music from Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. While at 'Truman,' he studied voice under Dr. Thomas Hueber and conducting under Dr. Thomas Trimborn and Dr. Mark Jennings. His performance work includes playing the role of Alfred in Johann Strauss’ Die Fledermaus and Caspar in Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, and also a finalist in Truman’s Gold Medal solo competition. Andrew was also a member of the Collegiate Music Educators National Conference and the Missouri Music Educators Association. In 2010 he began studies towards a Masters Degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Nebraska under the tutelage of Dr. Peter A. Eklund and is a member of University Singers serving as advisory chair to the University Singers advisory committee and a member of the UNL's Chamber Singers. Andrew is also an active member of the American Choral Directors Association.
JENNIFER VANDERHOLM is a doctoral candidate in Choral Conducting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln where she directs both the East and City Campus Choirs. She is also the music director at Christ United Methodist Church in Lincoln. Jennifer received her Master of Music in Choral Conducting from Texas Christian University in 2006 where she also received her Bachelor of Music Education. She also holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from West Virginia University. Jennifer has studied with Dr. Peter Eklund, Dr. Therees Hibbard, Dr. Rhonda Fuelberth, Dr. Kathleen Shannon, Sir Simon Carrington, Dr. Brian O’Connell and the late Ronald Shirey. She has taught vocal music in Texas, Nebraska, and Iowa... and currently sings professionally with Abendchor and Sing Omaha. She is a member of the American Choral Directors Association, Pi Kappa Lambda, the National Scholars Honor Society, and Mu Phi Epsilon.