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Kaarin holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wartburg College, with piano as her primary instrument and flute secondary. While at Wartburg, Kaarin studied piano with Dr. Suzanne Torkelson and was a member of the Wartburg Wind Ensemble when the group made their Carnegie Hall debut. Kaarin has taught private piano lessons, group piano classes, and private flute lessons since 2000.

Gabe received his M.M. degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado in 2015, after completing his B.A. in Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Iowa in 2013. Gabe has traveled to Italy, Thailand and China performing and teaching both jazz and classical music. During his time at UNC, Gabe served as lead alto for the Downbeat award-winning UNC Jazz Lab Band One, and was also a member of the award-winning Vanguard Combo. He has played with artists such as Chris Potter, Donny McCaslin, Deborah Brown and Christian McBride. He also teaches audio production classes in the Blue Moon Recording Studio at the Des Moines Social Club, in addition to being the production manager of the Des Moines Jazz Festival.

Vicki Willis received her Master of Arts in Music Education from Adams State University in 2018 and her Bachelor of Music Education from Iowa State University in 1984. With 22 years experience in public education, Vicki began her teaching career in Cedar Rapids, IA teaching K-6 General Music. She then worked on an Indian Reservation in Winnebago, NE teaching 5-12 Band for three years, followed by three years in Bixby, OK as the 5-8 band director, assistant HS band director, and color guard instructor. Vicki then took five years off to be a stay-at-home mom when her daughter was young. Her next five years were spent running and operating her own dance studio, DancePlus, in Overland Park, KS, where she taught ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, pointe, and lyrical classes to ages 2-adult. In 2005, Vicki returned to Iowa where she taught in the Melcher-Dallas school district teaching 7-12 band and choir before joining the Winterset Community School District in 2008. At WMS, Vicki worked as a dedicated member of a highly collaborative music team for 13 years. Her primary responsibilities were 5th and 6th grade band and lessons as well as assisting with JH/HS lessons and sectionals. Vicki retired from Winterset Community School District in June of 2021 and continues to share her love for music with her students through Rieman Music. Vicki is a member of the South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association (SCIBA), Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA), Winterset Education Association (WEA), National Education Association (NEA), Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), and Dance Master’s of America (DMA).

CLARINET

Gabe received his M.M. degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado in 2015, after completing his B.A. in Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Iowa in 2013. Gabe has traveled to Italy, Thailand and China performing and teaching both jazz and classical music. During his time at UNC, Gabe served as lead alto for the Downbeat award-winning UNC Jazz Lab Band One, and was also a member of the award-winning Vanguard Combo. He has played with artists such as Chris Potter, Donny McCaslin, Deborah Brown and Christian McBride. He also teaches audio production classes in the Blue Moon Recording Studio at the Des Moines Social Club, in addition to being the production manager of the Des Moines Jazz Festival.

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Vicki Willis received her Master of Arts in Music Education from Adams State University in 2018 and her Bachelor of Music Education from Iowa State University in 1984. With 22 years experience in public education, Vicki began her teaching career in Cedar Rapids, IA teaching K-6 General Music. She then worked on an Indian Reservation in Winnebago, NE teaching 5-12 Band for three years, followed by three years in Bixby, OK as the 5-8 band director, assistant HS band director, and color guard instructor. Vicki then took five years off to be a stay-at-home mom when her daughter was young. Her next five years were spent running and operating her own dance studio, DancePlus, in Overland Park, KS, where she taught ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, pointe, and lyrical classes to ages 2-adult. In 2005, Vicki returned to Iowa where she taught in the Melcher-Dallas school district teaching 7-12 band and choir before joining the Winterset Community School District in 2008. At WMS, Vicki worked as a dedicated member of a highly collaborative music team for 13 years. Her primary responsibilities were 5th and 6th grade band and lessons as well as assisting with JH/HS lessons and sectionals. Vicki retired from Winterset Community School District in June of 2021 and continues to share her love for music with her students through Rieman Music. Vicki is a member of the South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association (SCIBA), Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA), Winterset Education Association (WEA), National Education Association (NEA), Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), and Dance Master’s of America (DMA).

OBOE

Vicki Willis received her Master of Arts in Music Education from Adams State University in 2018 and her Bachelor of Music Education from Iowa State University in 1984. With 22 years experience in public education, Vicki began her teaching career in Cedar Rapids, IA teaching K-6 General Music. She then worked on an Indian Reservation in Winnebago, NE teaching 5-12 Band for three years, followed by three years in Bixby, OK as the 5-8 band director, assistant HS band director, and color guard instructor. Vicki then took five years off to be a stay-at-home mom when her daughter was young. Her next five years were spent running and operating her own dance studio, DancePlus, in Overland Park, KS, where she taught ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, pointe, and lyrical classes to ages 2-adult. In 2005, Vicki returned to Iowa where she taught in the Melcher-Dallas school district teaching 7-12 band and choir before joining the Winterset Community School District in 2008. At WMS, Vicki worked as a dedicated member of a highly collaborative music team for 13 years. Her primary responsibilities were 5th and 6th grade band and lessons as well as assisting with JH/HS lessons and sectionals. Vicki retired from Winterset Community School District in June of 2021 and continues to share her love for music with her students through Rieman Music. Vicki is a member of the South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association (SCIBA), Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA), Winterset Education Association (WEA), National Education Association (NEA), Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), and Dance Master’s of America (DMA).

SAXOPHONE

Kyle earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music with an emphasis in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Iowa in 2013. As a student, he was in the Wind Symphony, Jazz Panthers Big Band and a variety of small ensembles - holding leadership positions in several groups. Additionally, he was in charge of chair placement for the UNI Honor Band, a recording engineer for the University, and independently ran sound at local venues developing a deeper understanding of many types of music. As a composer, Kyle debuted a quintet piece while touring in Italy with the Wind Symphony. Furthermore, he has written for big band, small jazz ensembles, and for the digital medium. He continues to create works for both traditional and digital settings. Kyle is enthusiastic to keep advancing music in his life and to do the same for his students.

Ron is a retired instrumental music instructor with 39 years of teaching experience in the public school system. He has many years of experience as a private teacher of saxophone, piano and organ. His saxophone students have been members of All-State bands and his piano and saxophone students have consistently received first place ratings at state music contests. He has frequently served as a saxophone clinician and honor band guest conductor. He has played organ, saxophone and piano for church since high school. Ron enjoys teaching students of all ages.

Gabe received his M.M. degree in Jazz Studies from the University of Northern Colorado in 2015, after completing his B.A. in Jazz Studies at the University of Northern Iowa in 2013. Gabe has traveled to Italy, Thailand and China performing and teaching both jazz and classical music. During his time at UNC, Gabe served as lead alto for the Downbeat award-winning UNC Jazz Lab Band One, and was also a member of the award-winning Vanguard Combo. He has played with artists such as Chris Potter, Donny McCaslin, Deborah Brown and Christian McBride. He also teaches audio production classes in the Blue Moon Recording Studio at the Des Moines Social Club, in addition to being the production manager of the Des Moines Jazz Festival.

Vicki Willis received her Master of Arts in Music Education from Adams State University in 2018 and her Bachelor of Music Education from Iowa State University in 1984. With 22 years experience in public education, Vicki began her teaching career in Cedar Rapids, IA teaching K-6 General Music. She then worked on an Indian Reservation in Winnebago, NE teaching 5-12 Band for three years, followed by three years in Bixby, OK as the 5-8 band director, assistant HS band director, and color guard instructor. Vicki then took five years off to be a stay-at-home mom when her daughter was young. Her next five years were spent running and operating her own dance studio, DancePlus, in Overland Park, KS, where she taught ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, pointe, and lyrical classes to ages 2-adult. In 2005, Vicki returned to Iowa where she taught in the Melcher-Dallas school district teaching 7-12 band and choir before joining the Winterset Community School District in 2008. At WMS, Vicki worked as a dedicated member of a highly collaborative music team for 13 years. Her primary responsibilities were 5th and 6th grade band and lessons as well as assisting with JH/HS lessons and sectionals. Vicki retired from Winterset Community School District in June of 2021 and continues to share her love for music with her students through Rieman Music. Vicki is a member of the South Central Iowa Bandmasters Association (SCIBA), Iowa Bandmasters Association (IBA), Winterset Education Association (WEA), National Education Association (NEA), Iowa State Education Association (ISEA), and Dance Master’s of America (DMA).

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