IAJE Minnesota Unit Executive Bo

President Sarah Minette graduated from UW-Eau Claire in 2003. She was an active member in the jazz department; playing saxophone in the acclaimed Jazz 1, as well as directing two student jazz ensembles. She has performed with artists such as Chris Botti, Christian McBride, Byron Stripling, and Ingrid Jensen. She has also performed with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, and Five by Design. Prior to coming to Chaska Middle School-East, she taught at New Prague Middle School, where she directed the 6th, 7th, and 8th grade bands. She also ran a before school Jazz Band, a Percussion Ensemble, Flute Choir, Clarinet Choir, and gave lessons to 5th grade band students.

In her free time, Sarah enjoys running, biking, and training in the martial art Hwa Rang Do. In the fall of 2006 she obtained her black belt and is now an assistant instructor to the "Little Tigers"-ages 5-7. She also is a member of the Encore Wind Ensemble, (playing first alto) as well as a saxophone quartet, (playing soprano and alto saxophone). Sarah loves traveling, learning about new cultures, and ethnic cuisine.

Currently, Sarah is working on her Master's of Music Education in Instrumental Music at the University of St. Thomas.

Vice President Greg Keel, vice president, is on the faculty at MacPhail Center for Music in Minneapolis and Macalester College in St. Paul. He attended the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire and Madison, with graduate studies at Concordia College in St. Paul. Greg studied saxophone with Harry Miedema, Brian Grivna, Ruben Haugen, Bill Grahn and Richard Fletcher, and has performed with Mel Torme, Natalie Cole, The Temptations, Lou Rawls, The O'Jays, Andy Williams and Frankie Valli. He directs the MacPhail outreach ensembles at Henry High School, MJDS and IDDS in Minneapolis, and was director-in-reresidence of Jazz Ensemble II at UW-Eau Claire. Greg has been an artist/clinican for the Selmer Company since 1987. Greg can be reached at: Gregkeel@aol.com

Treasurer Kent Jurgenson, treasurer, is in his 11th year teaching music at Lourdes High School in Rochester Minnesota. He directs a Concert Band, two Concert Choirs, Jazz Band, Vocal Jazz Ensemble, and assists in Marching Band. The Concert Choir and Vocal Jazz Ensemble have recently performed at the Minnesota Music Educators Convention. Kent has been involved with IAJE for the past 8 years attending workshops, festivals, and the convention in New York City. Kent can be reached at: KJurgenson@rochestorcatholic.k12.mn.us

Secretary Erin Gartner, secretary, is in her 8th year as the Director of Bands at Farmington Middle School West. There she directs the 9th Grade Marching Band, 8th and 9th grade Concert Bands, Jazz Ensembles and Small Ensemble groups. Erin graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 1999 and has recently earned a Master of Arts in Education degree from Saint Mary's University. Along with teaching, Erin actively performs with Southern Minnesota's REAL Big Band, www.realbigband.net , an ensemble that has performed with many artists such as Denis DeBlasio, Tony Juan Guzman, Chris Vadala, Tom Garling, Kirk Garrison, and the Hornheads to name a few. She also performs with a saxophone quartet and the Owatonna Community Band. She also has been an adjudicator for solo and ensemble contest, a clinician for saxophone studies in southern Minnesota and an active member in jazz festivals and concert band clinics. She is quite excited to help develop jazz education into our schools. Erin can be reached at: egartner@farmington.k12.mn.us

President Elect Kelly Rossum has been a member of IAJE since 1987. While attending the national conferences of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the seed of commitment to jazz education was planted within Kelly’s mind. He has since presented a ‘Free Jazz and the Young Jazz Ensemble’ clinic, at the IAJE regional convention in Chicago, IL, and has served as the high brass resource team member here in Minnesota since 2005. Recently, Kelly was a section coach for the Minnesota IAJE Middle School Honor Jazz Band in Chaska, MN. He currently leads his own band and heads the jazz department at MacPhail Center for Music in downtown Minneapolis, MN. For more information on Kelly Rossum and his career, please visit: www.krossum.com

Past President Dr. John Zimmerman, a native of Minnesota, arrived as a director of instrumental music at Apple Valley in 1993. He returned to Minnesota after teaching for four years in Seattle and five years in Sao Paulo, Brazil. In addition to serving as Director of Bands, his responsibilities at Apple Valley High School include directing the Symphonic Band, marching band, teaching woodwind lessons, and directing the jazz ensemble program. Dr. Zimmerman earned a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the New England Conservatory of Music and a Ph.D. in Music from the University of Minnesota. As a performing musician, he has toured extensively with Mel Torme, the Artie Shaw Orchestra, and Columbia Artists Productions. In demand as an artist and educator internationally, he has resided in Sweden, Japan, and Brazil. Dr. Zimmerman currently performs part time with the Minnesota Orchestra and for shows with local and visiting celebrities. and for shows with local and visiting celebrities. John can be reached at: John.Zimmerman@district196.org

Webmaster Eric Songer, secretary, is in his eleventh year teaching at Chaska Middle School-West. Eric also attended UW-Eau Claire where he earned his degree in math and music education. While at Eau Claire he performed with Jazz 1 as well as the Symphony Orchestra. He was a leading role in the formation of the Eau Claire-IAJE chapter. At Chaska Middle School-West, Eric is in charge of the 6th and 8th grade bands, Jazz 1,the middle school marching band, and ‘Garage Band’. He also teaches many after school courses including ‘Beginning Guitar’, 'Music Technology', 'Mariachi Band', 'Hip Hop Academy' and ‘School of Rock’. In addition to teaching, Eric also remains active as a musician. He is a member of the Calhoun Brass, the Bellagala Big Band, the Skyway Jazz Orchestra and many other groups. Eric can be reached at : songere@district112.org and www.chaska.net/~songer