2008 Music Camps Staff

Kevin Collins, Middle and High School Music Camps Director

Kevin Collins, on the UW-Green Bay faculty since 1988, was appointed Director of Bands in 1995. He served as Chair of the Music Program from 1998-2003. During that time led the department’s NASM re-accreditation efforts, as well as the planning for a substantial remodeling of music facilities at UW-Green Bay.

Professor Collins directs the UW-Green Bay Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, and teaches conducting and studio low brass. In the summer, he directs the UW-Green Bay Band, Choral and Orchestra Camps. In 1998, he founded the “UW-Green Bay State Bound Honor Band” for students who have received outstanding ratings for solo performances at WSMA and MSBOA district festivals. Professor Collins is a frequent guest conductor, speaker, clinician and adjudicator, and has conducted honor bands throughout Wisconsin and the Midwest, as well as middle and high school bands, youth orchestras, community bands, collegiate, and professional ensembles.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree from University of Michigan (Low Brass/Trombone Performance/Music Education), a Master’s degree University of Texas-Austin (Wind Conducting) and has done additional study in instrumental conducting at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Scott Wright

Middle School Band

Dr. Scott Wright currently holds the position of Assistant Professor of Clarinet at the University of Kentucky. Prior to his appointment at UK in 2002, he served as the Professor of Clarinet and Assistant Director of Bands at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, and he taught music for the public schools of Longview, Washington from 1987-97.
Dr. Wright received music education degrees from the University of Michigan and Arizona State University, and he received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in clarinet performance from Arizona State University. Former teachers include Robert Spring, James Pyne, John Mohler, Stan Stanford, and the late Evelyn Angerman.

Wright has been a frequent featured performer at the annual conference of the International Clarinet Association with appearances in Columbus, OH in 1998, in Ostend, Belgium in 1999, in Salt Lake City, UT in 2003, and in 2004 in Washington DC. During the summer of 2003 Wright traveled to Greece with the Metropolitan String Quartet (D.C.) for a series of chamber music performances featuring the music of Mozart, Brahms, and contemporary Greek composers. Wright spends his summers teaching at the Young Musicians and Artists Music Festival (Salem, OR) and the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Summer Music Camp.

Amy Thiel

Middle School Choir

Amy Thiel is in her 18th year as choral director at Oconto Falls High School. She received a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Lawrence University Conservatory of Music and a Masters of Arts in Education degree from Marian College. She has taught a variety of subjects, including music history, music theory, vocal jazz, swing choir, madrigal ensembles, elementary general music, middle school music choir and high school choir.

Throughout her career, Ms. Thiel has been an advocate for music education and music curriculum standards. She has served as music department chair for the past twelve years and is a three-time Teacher of the Year award winner. In 1997 she received the Herb Kohl Teacher Fellowship for Teaching Excellence, the Lawrence University Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 2001, “Who’s Who of American High School Teachers” recognition in 2002, and the WCDA Five-Star Award in 2002 and 2003. She is a board member of the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association and is a member of the WMEA, WCDA, Phi Delta Kappa, and the Voice Care Network.

Ms. Thiel has been the choral director for Wisconsin’s Ambassadors of Music European Tour since 1994 and was the founding director of the 167-member Green Bay Girl Choir. She has served on the State Honors Staff, UW-Green Bay Choir Camp Staff, Lakeland College Choir Camp staff, and the DPI Leadership Academy Team, in conjunction with Harvard University. She is a master Adjudicator for the WSMA and continues to adjudicate festivals throughout the state.

Randy Meder

Senior High Choir Director

Dr. Randall A. Meder is Director of Choral Activities at UW-Green Bay, where he conducts the Concert Choir and Phoenix Chorale, and teaches courses in Choral Conducting and Literature. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and Master's degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Conducting and Literature from the University of Illinois. Dr. Meder has studied with Beverly Taylor, Fred Stoltzfus, Don Moses, Timothy Stalter, Scott MacPherson, Robert Fountain, and Robert Shaw. Before coming to Green Bay he was Director of Choral Activities at NC State University, where he conducted the choral ensembles and taught sight-singing, choral literature and music history. Prior to his graduate studies he taught high school choral music for four years in Wisconsin, and has continued to work as a clinician with high school groups in Wisconsin, Illinois and North Carolina. Dr. Meder is a member of the Music Educators National Conference, the American Choral Directors Association, the Conductors Guild, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society and Pi Kappa Lambda National Honor Society in Music.

Jon Delany

Middle Phoenix Band

Jon Delany, a 1998 graduate of UW - Green Bay, has been working with the Summer Music Camps for ten years, where he has directed bands and taught sectionals, composition, and brass ensemble. During that same span he has taught instrumental music at the middle school, high school, and collegiate levels. He is currently the Band Director at Freedom High School in Freedom, Wisconsin, where he teaches the Wind Ensemble and the Jazz Bands. Delany has also taught instrumental and general music at Marinette Middle School in Marinette, Wisconsin. From 1998-2005, he was the director of athletic bands at UW - Green Bay. Delany currently lives in De Pere, Wisconsin with his wife and two daughters.

Christine Salerno

Jazz on the Bay

Christine Salerno is the director of the University of Wisconsin Green Bay Vocal Jazz Ensemble. This group and several of Christine’s private students have received awards including “Outstanding Vocal Jazz Ensemble” at the Elmhurst Jazz Festival and Downbeat awards in the Jazz Voice category.

Christine has been a vocal jazz educator since 1982, teaching at The University of Northern Colorado, Florida Atlantic University, Western Michigan University, Palm Beach Community College and Lawrence University. She was the director of the 2001 Wisconsin State Music Association Honors Vocal Jazz Ensemble and the 2005 Pennsylvania All-State Vocal Jazz Ensemble. Christine has also served on the judging panel for the Wisconsin State Composition Award competition.

Christine is a frequent guest clinician at high school and university jazz festivals
including Millikin University, Boise State, Lawrence University, the University of Northern Colorado, and others. She has several published vocal jazz arrangements with the UNC Jazz Press, many of which have been performed and recorded by professional and college ensembles including Millikin University, Washington State University, Western Michigan University, the University of Northern Colorado, the University of Miami, and Roosevelt University which premiered her arrangement of “The Closer I Get To You” at the 2000 International Association of Jazz Educators Convention.

Christine is also a pianist/vocalist and composes for her Contemporary Jazz and World Music Group, “ZIJI”, which has performed in such exclusive venues as the Elkhart Jazz Festival in Indiana, and the Neenah and Fox Cities Jazz Festivals in Wisconsin, among others. She has recorded and/or performed with Howard Levy, Chuck Loeb, Nelson Rangell, Eliane Elias, Kurt Elling, Billy Drews, Kip Kuepper, and many more.

Nick Utrie

The Total Guitarist

Nick Utrie has a degree in Guitar Performance with an emphasis in Jazz Studies from UW-Stevens Point. Nick has been performing and promoting music in Green Bay since ’93 in mostly jazz and improvised projects. He is President of local non-profit organization - The Center for Artistic Collaboration and Performance which promotes creative music through public performance and in area schools. You can check out his website at www.greenbaymusic.com. Nick has performed at Valley Fair Live Shows, in local groups: Art of Duo (jazz), with James Kocian (pop) and his current group, Jet Set Radio - a fusion group that explores world music in an improvisational context. He has also recorded with Jeff Eckles on bass.

Dan Weaver

The Total Guitarist

Dan Weaver teaches classical guitar at the University of Wisconsin and at Heid Music in Green Bay. Dan performs locally in Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, usually as a classical guitarist. He also plays regularly with a Christian worship band along with his teaching and composition. Subjects of his teaching include guitar pedagogy, music theory and history, advanced ear training, composition, transcription and arranging for guitar. Recently, he has taken up freelance teaching of CCM (Contemporary Christian Music) with the hope of turning a few campfire guitar players into colorful church musicians. He has studied guitar with Douglas Niedt, John Kolar, and John Holmquist. He enjoys all styles of music but channels his energy into music that is uplifting and introspective. His forthcoming recording will be all classical music.

Rich Fischer

High School Wind Ensemble Conductor

Rich Fischer is in his 33rd year as professor of music and director of bands at Concordia University, River Forest, Ill. Dr. Fischer is in demand internationally as a guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator.

Tim Yontz

Middle School Honors Band Conductor

Timothy Yontz, Assistant Professor of Music Education and Symphonic Band Conductor, earned his degrees from Indiana University (BME), Butler University (MM), and the University of Nebraska (PhD). Having previously taught in public schools in Indiana and Wisconsin, and at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, he came to the Conservatory in 2007 to assume responsibility for the music education program. He is active as a wind band conductor, music education clinician, and festival adjudicator (www.timothyyontz.com).

Laura Robinson

X Band Director Middle School

Laura Robinson brings over ten years of experience directing middle school bands in our region. Bright, positive and energetic, her unique and often slightly zany approach brings out the best in each kid in her ensembles. But make no mistake, she's demanding and always expects a hundred percent effort from her band members (or more). Simply put, students love her, and love to perform their best for her. When she's on the podium, don't blink, or you'll miss something important.

Valerie Palmieri

Middle School Orchestra Conductor

Valerie has taught strings in the Detroit area since 1973. She has developed and led prestigious programs in Bloomfield Hills and Ypsilanti Michigan. She received Suzuki certification in 1982, and is a welcomed addition to our camp!

Kathy Alan

Vocal Jazz & Gospel Choir Instructor

Kathy Alan is a 1989 graduate of Millikin University, and has been an active music educator and performer for the past 18 years. She has been the Choral Director at Winneconne Middle and High Schools for 12 years, with previous positions in the Nekoosa and Flambeau Public School Districts at the elementary and high school levels. She has received recognition as a member of “Who’s Who Among American High School Teachers” three different years. Mrs. Alan volunteered as the soprano/alto section coach for the WSMA High School Honors Vocal Jazz Ensembles in 2000, 2001, and 2003. She has been on the staff of the Wisconsin Choral Director’s Association Vocal Jazz Institute since it began in 2006. Her high school vocal jazz groups perform at the Lawrence University Jazz Celebration Weekend and Solo-Ensemble festivals each year, among other local events and performance opportunities. Kathy Alan was a member of the Millikin University Vocal Jazz Ensemble which was awarded a Down Beat Award for the top collegiate vocal jazz recording in 1988. From there she led The Dean’s List big band as the lead vocalist for 6 years, and currently sings with the Big Band Reunion in Appleton, WI. She has performed at Valley Fair and Opryland theme parks, Barefoot Bay Resort in Elkhart Lake, WI, and at the Sahara Hotel in Las Vegas. Kathy lives in the Appleton area, is married and enjoys her role as mom to her son Jack.

Kenneth L. Daniel, Sr.

Guest director of the Gospel Choir will be Kenneth L. Daniel Sr., who has performed throughout the United States, Belgium, Austria, Hungary, Germany, Iceland, Italy, France, and the Azores. He has opened for performers including Bill Cosby, Grover Washington Jr., Tower of Power, and for events such as Milwaukee Bucks and Green Bay Packers games. He has taught choral music in the Kenosha and Whitefish Bay School Districts. He currently teaches at Hope School in Milwaukee, WI.

Dave Dunning

Jazz Ensemble Camp, Instructor

Dave Dunning has been on the faculty at UWGB’s summer Jazz Camp for several years as an ensemble director as well as an instructor in low brass and jazz improvisation. Currently Mr. Dunning is one of the instrumental music teachers at Neenah high School in Neenah, Wisconsin where his ensemble responsibilities include concert band, marching band, and several large and small group jazz ensembles. He is also director of the Jazz Lab Ensemble at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. He received his Bachelors degree in music education at the University of Southern Mississippi and his Masters Degree in music education with a jazz emphasis at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point where completed significant research in teaching jazz improvisation through transcription.

As a trombonist, Mr. Dunning performs regularly in a wide variety of ensembles throughout Wisconsin including the Oshkosh Symphony Orchestra, the Big Band Reunion and Bay City Swing big bands, the Summer Brass brass quintet, and in numerous small group jazz settings. Mr. Dunning also serves on the faculty at Lakeland College’s Summer Music Camp as low brass specialist and director one of the jazz ensembles.

Hal Miller

Jazz Ensemble Camp, Instructor

Hal earned his Bachelors degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin and his MM In Jazz Performance from the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music.
He is a freelance bassist and has performed with Bud Freeman, Teddy Wilson, Slide Hampton, Lou Soloff, Louie Bellson, Bunky Green, Stanley Clarke, Art Farmer, James Williams, Cal Collins, Bobby Shew, Tommy Newsom, Johny Frigo, Brian, Lynch, and Barry Harris, as well as backing Bob Hope, Milton Berle, Steve Allen, Debbie Reynolds, Pete Barbutti, The Drifters, The Crystals, The Moody Blues, and a variety of other shows.

Committed to music education, Hal taught at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music for 8 years, and was a tenured Associate Professor of Music at Southern Illinois University before joining the faculty at MATC in 1991. In addition he has authored “Rock and POP: The Musical Essence” (Kendall/Hunt) and “Bebop Bass” (Columbia/Belwin)

Terry Iattoni

Jazz Ensemble Camp, Instructor

Terry Iattoni, an active performer and educator, has been playing percussion for over 30 years and teaching music for 25 years. Terry’s performance credits include working with Richie Cole, George Graham, John Harmon, David Hazeltine, Geoff Keezer, Ellis Marsalis, WAMI Award Winner “The Mr. Lucky Syndicate”, Jeff Pietrangelo, Chris Salerno and ZIJI, Toni Tennille, Allen Vizzuti, Ernie Watts, Sunny Wilkinson, top of the charts doo-wop group – “The Diamonds”, and Green Bay jazz group, Open Interest. He is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, and studied percussion with Cheryl Grosso and Roger Braun respectively. Terry has also received instruction from drummers Carl Allen and Matt Wilson. He provides clinics, master classes, and camp instruction throughout central and northeast Wisconsin. In his free time Terry also enjoys composing music and spending time with his wife and three boys.

Steve Johnson

Jazz Ensemble Camp Instructor

Steve Johnson is a professional woodwind player and music instructor living in Green Bay, Wisconsin. He is currently the saxophone instructor at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, instrumental music teacher at St. John the Baptist Catholic School in Howard, Wisconsin, and jazz ensemble director at UW Sheboygan. In 2003, he graduated with a degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Wisconsin Green Bay and presently maintains a busy playing and teaching schedule that takes him all over the upper Midwest.

Recently, he has played with Aretha Franklin, Bobby Vinton, Wayne Newton, the Tommy Dorsey Band, the Temptations Revue featuring Dennis Edwards, Bob Newhart, Joan Rivers, the Green Bay Civic Symphony, the Fox Valley Symphony, as well as playing in the pit orchestras for "Hairspray", "Dr. Dolittle", "Annie", “Sweet Charity”, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels”, and “All Shook Up” at the Fox Valley, Weidner, and Marcus Performing Art Centers.

In the jazz realm, he has appeared with Jeff Coffin, Joe McPhee and Steve Swell's Fire and Ice, as well as recently opening for the Cuong Vu Trio in Green Bay. He has appeared at numerous festivals all over the state including the Neenah, Isthmus, Ripon, and Kettle Moraine Jazz Festivals, Green Bay's Art Street and Bay Fest, and Milwaukee's Summerfest, Bastille Days, and Lakefront Festival of the Arts.

Adam Gaines

Jazz, Middle and Senior High Trumpet Instructor

Adam Gaines is the new Assistant Professor of Trumpet and Jazz at the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay. In addition to teaching the trumpet studio, Dr. Gaines directs the Jazz Ensemble II and the New Music Ensemble, and teaches Jazz History and Brass Techniques. A native of Kentucky, Dr. Gaines has performed as a soloist throughout Kentucky, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and at the Montreux and North Sea Jazz Festivals in Europe. His work goes beyond playing the trumpet into the realm of arranging and composition. An example is his trumpet ensemble work “Fanfare and Images,” which can be heard on the CD Passages on the Centaur label by his former teacher, Dr. Michael Tunnell. Dr. Gaines holds degrees from the University of Louisville (Bachelor of Music, 1999) and Ball State University (Master of Music, 2001 and Doctor of Arts, 2005). In addition to being a past member of the faculties of the Community College of Philadelphia, Montgomery County Community College, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania and Indiana Wesleyan University, Dr. Gaines has taught for the UW - Green Bay Summer Music Camps and the Milestones Jazz Camp in Pennsylvania.

Other UW-Green Bay Music Faculty teaching at the camp bring years of experience and rave reviews from past participants. Information about these and other camp staff can be found at www.uwgbsummercamps.com and at www.uwgb.edu/music