Hanna Hermanson
Session: Music in an Urban Setting I am a 3 - 5 elementary music teacher in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. This is my third year teaching in Brooklyn Center since graduating with my undergraduate degree from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire. Go Blugolds! Currently, I am pursuing a Master's degree in music education from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities where my focus for research is on social justice in music education. |
Alex Knoepker
Session: First Year Teacher Tips Mr. Alex Knoepker is currently the Director of Bands at Tomah High School in Tomah, WI. He conducts the Wind and Percussion Ensemble, two jazz ensembles, coordinates the THS marching band and pep bands, and assists in rehearsing the THS “Limited Edition” show band and choir. In the summer, he rehearses and conducts the acclaimed stage band of the KIDS from Wisconsin, a group of musicians that tours the state performing a Broadway-style production of singing, dancing, and band performances. He is an active pianist, accompanist, percussionist, and organist throughout Wisconsin and is involved with many musical endeavors around the state. Mr. Knoepker served in many capacities as a musician and music educator throughout his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin—Eau Claire. He guest conducted ensembles on the campus throughout his time there. He enjoys serving as a clinician and adjudicator for show choir competitions as well as solo and ensemble festivals throughout Wisconsin. Mr. Knoepker’s professional affiliations include the Wisconsin School Music Association, the National Association for Music Education, the Wisconsin Chapter of the Percussive Arts Society, the Wisconsin Music Educators Association, and the National Band Association—Wisconsin Chapter. |
Chris McGinley
Session: Selecting Diverse, Quality Repertoire in the Music Classroom Dr. Christopher G. McGinley is a dynamic conductor and music educator based in the Twin Cities where he earned the DMA in conducting at the University of Minnesota and directs music at Trinity Lutheran Congregation. He is the Associate Director of Choral Activities at the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (music education and directing Novum Voce, Symphonic Choir, and The Singing Statesmen). His choirs are noted for their vibrant and nuanced interpretations of works from diverse eras and genres. A strong advocate for community music, McGinley has served intergenerational choirs in Philadelphia, Wisconsin, and Oregon. He holds degrees in conducting and music education from the University of Minnesota, University of Oregon, and University of Delaware and pursued further studies in conducting at the Frost School of Music. His conducting mentors include Kathy Saltzman Romey, Matthew Mehaffey, Karen Kennedy, Sharon Paul, and Paul D. Head. |
Alex and Sarah Plum
Session: First Year Teacher Tips Alex Plum is in his first year as a director at River Falls High School, and third year teaching overall. As a band director at River Falls, Alex co-directs a competitive marching band, and rotates teaching between three curricular concert bands, two extracurricular jazz bands, and pit orchestra. Alex also teaches low brass and woodwind lessons, as well as various chamber ensembles. An amazing perc of working in River Falls has been been being coworkers and sharing an office with his wife Sarah Plum! Alex spent the first two years of his career at Unity High School after graduating from UW Eau Claire in 2018, with a Bachelors in Instrumental Music Education. As a student, Alex was a member of the trombone studio under Dr. Ostrander, and was highly involved with the Trombone Choir, Wind Symphony, Jazz 1 Ensemble, Blugold Marching Band, and his brass quintet. Alex was also a student conductor for Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and the University Band for his last two years on campus. While a student, Alex served terms as president for both the collegiate chapters of CNAFME, and The National Band Association, as well as executive roles in Phi Mu Alpha. During the year and summers, Alex was an active performer in the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps, the Chippewa Valley Jazz Orchestra, and local church brass quintets. When not teaching or playing, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife Sarah and dog Nellie. The Plums can be found traveling to state and national parks or kayaking in the summer, or Alex will be cross country skiing in the winter. Sarah Plum is in her fourth year of teaching in the School District of River Falls as a 7-12 choral director. She teaches five curricular ensembles, prepares students for state honors auditions, solo/ensemble festivals, honors groups, leads an 8th grade auditioned group and a high school a cappella ensemble, and directs both the middle school and high school musical productions. Plum is an active member of the National Association for Music Education and the American Choral Directors Association. She has held the position of the WCDA All State Treble Choir Coordinator for the past two years and was named the 2022 Outstanding Young Choral Director of the Year. Plum received the Wildcat Pride award in January of 2022 for her contribution to the River Falls School District’s choral program. She is the president of the St. Croix Valley Music Educators Association and seeks to provide musical opportunities to students in the St. Croix Valley area. Sarah Plum is also the choral director at First Congregational Church in River Falls, which has a rich tradition of musical excellence. Most recently, Plum has commissioned Lawren Brianna Ware for a world premiere in the fall of 2022 with the intention of uplifting underrepresented composers. In addition to her choral positions, Sarah Plum teaches private lessons with a studio of eight voice students. Sarah Plum received her Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire in 2018 where she held many leadership roles in the collegiate chapters of the National Association for Music Education, the American Choral Directors Association, Sigma Alpha Iota, Women’s Concert Chorale, and Cabaret Productions. She also held lead roles in theater productions and received the Cabaret Director’s Award in the 2017 production. Coming from a family of musicians originating in Cameron, Wisconsin, Sarah Plum enjoys talking shop with her music educator parents and brother and composer sister. The family likes to sing, play, and act together, even providing online music nights during the 2020 quarantine shut down. In her free time, Plum enjoys spending time with her husband Alex, also a music educator, and their dog, Nellie. They enjoy hiking, traveling, kayaking, and playing softball and volleyball on summer leagues. Plum is an avid Harry Potter and The Office fan and enjoys binging both series. |
Renee Rademaker
Session: Curriculum and Budget Planning within a District Setting Renee Rademaker is a recently retired band director from Cumberland, where she taught 25 of her 33 years in public schools. Most recently, Mrs. Rademaker taught 6-8 band, and assisted with the HS marching band. Currently, she has a small private studio, continues her music ministry, enjoys reading, quilting, hiking, and playing with her 6 month old granddaughter. She and her husband Bill live in Rice Lake, where they raised their three adult children. |
Brad Schneider
Session: Advocacy in the Music Classroom - Extending Your Reach A resident of Verona, Brad Schneider is a music educator with 38 years of experience in the public schools of Wisconsin and Iowa. During his tenure for 29 years in the Middleton-Cross Plains School District, the Middleton High School Band appeared twice in the London New Year’s Day Parade and the Middleton H.S. Wind Ensemble was a featured group at the WMEA Conference. Over the last five years Brad has remained active as a clinician, adjudicator, private studio teacher as well as serving as a guest conductor for both conference honor bands and summer music camps. Schneider received his undergraduate degree from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa and his Master of Music Education degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is in his fourth decade of involvement with the Wisconsin Music Educators Association having served as a Regional Vice-President in 1997-99. He also served as brass coach and band coordinator for the State Honors Band from 2002-06. From 2016-2020 he served as the Government Relations Chair for the WMEA and is now president-elect of the WMEA. In 2010 Schneider received the “Teacher of the Year” award from the Madison Area Music Association (MAMA) and was a 2015 recipient of a NBC Channel 15 “Crystal Apple Award” which recognizes excellence in teaching. Brad enjoys rock climbing, golf, and following his dogs around the fields of southern Wisconsin. |
Piper Shaw
Session: First Year Teacher Tips An alumna of UW - Eau Claire, Piper Shaw is in her second year at Bangor Elementary School and serves as the K-5 music instructor. At Bangor, Piper aimed to revamp the older program by incorporating diverse topics such as curricula in ukulele, songs/books from underreprensented populations, and global music exploration, to name a few. A proud Blugold alumna, Piper is grateful to be a guest speaker and give back to her alma mater. |
John Stewart
Session: Programming for Inclusivity: A Need for Diversity in Wind Band Programming Dr. John R. Stewart is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Concert Bands at the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire where he conducts the Wind Symphony, teaches courses in conducting and repertoire, supervises student teachers, coordinates the concert band program, and serves as the Wind and Percussion Division Coordinator. Under his leadership, the Wind Symphony has performed at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference, the CBDNA/NBA North Central Division Regional Conference, the Minnesota Music Educators Association Mid-Winter Clinic, and his ensembles have performed across Europe and Southeast Asia. Dr. Stewart maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor and clinician across the United States. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy in Music Education (2013) at the University of Minnesota while studying conducting with Craig Kirchhoff. Dr. Stewart earned his Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of South Florida (2009) and a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Central Florida (1996). Dr. Stewart presently serves as a member of the board for the Wisconsin Chapter of the National Band Association. His professional affiliations include College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, Wisconsin Music Educators Association, the National Band Association, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles, and Pi Kappa Lambda. |
Krista Witak
Session: First Year Teacher Tips Krista Witak (graduated Spring 2021) is a first-year music educator teaching in the Mount Horeb School District. At the Intermediate Center, Krista teaches general music for 3rd - 5th grade students and is the Orchestra Instructor for the 4th and 5th grade students. From picking up an existing Orchestra program to updating general music curriculum to incorporate composition and student-led projects, Krista has many insights to offer aspiring students hoping to enter the music education field. |
Maggie Zeidel
Session: General Music in the Ensemble Classroom Maggie Zeidel grew up in Stillwater Minnesota, and the attended the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire where she graduated in 2017. After graduation, Maggie began her teaching career in the Eastern Carver County School District. While there, Maggie was involved in countless extracurricular middle school music opportunities including rock band, school of rock, marching band, honor band, jazz band, and more. She helped to develop the BandAND curriculum which incorporates other elements of music into the ensemble classroom. She currently is teaching at Northstar Middle School in Eau Claire Wisconsin. |