Concert Sponsors

Ms. Florence Burk
and Friends

Guest Artists - 2008/2009

UW-Eau Claire Women's Chorus | Jeffery Crowell | Judy Lies
Richard Moses | Jeffrey Jaworski | Mike Rindo | Holly Samson
Paula Smith | Mary Jo Wagner

UW-Eau Claire Women's Chorus
Robert Mondlock, conductor

Women's Chorus  consists of 70 ladies from all academic disciplines on the Eau Claire campus. The ensemble presents a concert each semester in Gantner Concert Hall as well as performances in Eau Claire during the year.

Jeffery Crowell, percussionist

Dr. Jeffery Crowell is an Associate Professor of Music at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Coordinator of the Wind and Percussion Division, where he teaches applied percussion and percussion techniques, conducts the UW-Eau Claire Percussion Ensemble, and leads Jazz Ensemble III, part of the outstanding UW-Eau Claire award-winning jazz area. Before joining the faculty at UW-Eau Claire, Dr. Crowell taught on the faculties of several colleges, including Purdue University.

Dr. Crowell received his DMA in percussion performance with a jazz performance/electro-acoustic media emphasis from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music. He is active throughout the United States
as a performer, clinician, adjudicator, and educator. He is on the teaching staffs
of several summer camps including the Shell Lake Arts Center's Jazz Ensemble, Combo, and Concert Band Camps.

A versatile artist in many genres, Dr. Crowell's performance and recording credits include such artists as Bobby Shew, Louie Bellson, David Samuels, Henry Mancini, Joan Rivers, Lou Harrison, Kent Nagano, David Garibaldi, Buddy Baker, Glen Velez, Nebojsa Zivkovic, and John Bergamo. He has performed at the Los Angeles Philharmonic's Green Umbrella Series, presented and performed at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, is in the motion picture "The Majestic" starring Jim Carrey, marched with the Velvet Knights Drum and Bugle Corps,
and has taught on the staffs of numerous award-winning groups including the Tournament of Roses Marching Honor Band.

He is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society having been recently the Wisconsin Chapter President as well as a current member of the Music Technology Committee. Dr. Crowell is an artist/clinician for Pearl Drums and Percussion and Adams Musical Instruments, Sabian Cymbals, REMO drumheads, Black Swamp Percussion, and Innovative Percussion Sticks and Mallets.

Judy Lies, organist

Judy Lies has been the organist/pianist at First Congregational United Church of Christ since 1993. She is a graduate of Augsburg College in Minneapolis with a
Music Education Degree and has received a degree in mathematics at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Formerly, Lies has served as the organist and Director of Music at Central Lutheran Church in Chippewa Falls while also teaching elementary music in the public schools. Currently, she maintains an independent piano studio
of 55-60 students and works as a free-lance accompanist.

Richard Moses, narrator

Richard Moses graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, with a
post bachelor certification, in May 1994.  In addition to his teaching certification,
Mr. Moses holds a master’s degree in music theory and bachelor’s degree in music composition from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  For 14 years, he has
directed choral activities at the Altoona School District, where he rehearses and conducts all choral groups (5-12) and provides voice lessons to the high-school choral students (9-12).    In addition, Mr. Moses directs an award-winning show choir and chamber choir that regularly receives final placements, caption awards
and the like at Wisconsin and Minnesota competitions.

Jeffrey Jaworski, guitar

Jeffrey Jaworski is an active guitarist in the Chippewa Valley.  In addition to being an active guitarist, Jeffrey maintains a private studio at the Music Lesson Center in downtown Eau Claire.  Recent performances include solo programs at the Heyde Center for the Arts in Chippewa Falls, Milwaukee at The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, UW-Green Bay, UW-Eau Claire, and UW-Waukesha.  He has collaborated with the wind faculty at the UW-Eau Claire, as well as, with flute at Schmitt Music.  He was featured with the Master Singers on Wisconsin Public Radio.  Jaworski is a graduate of UW-Green Bay.

Mike Rindo, narrator

Mike Rindo is the Executive Director of University Communications and Special Assistant to the Chancellor at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Rindo leads
and supports all aspects of internal and external comprehensive communications, directs print and electronic publications activities, media relations initiatives, the institutional creative promotion process and legislative and community relations. Rindo's responsibilities also include overseeing the university's News Bureau and Publications Office, as well as Alumni Relations.

Holly Samson, oboe

Holly Samson is a graduate of University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with degrees in Music and History.  She began her time with the Master Singers as a guest artist
on oboe.  This will be her second season singing with the group.  Holly is currently managing a restaurant in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin.

Paula Smith, harp

Paula Smith has earned a Master of Music degree in Harp Performance as well
as a Master of Science degree in Education: School Psychology.  She has been instructor of Harp at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire since fall, 2000,
and has been employed as a school psychologist with the Menomonie School
District since 1985.

Ms. Smith's active teaching and performing career has spanned 25 years in 
Wisconsin and Minnesota and has included regular performances with the Master Singers, The Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra and the Central Wisconsin Symphony 
and concerts with artists such as Roberta Flack, Johnny Mathis and Garrison Keillor. 

Ms. Smith's work in the university setting has broadened to use her expertise in multiple fields to oversee the integration of harp and music therapy in both 
research and clinical work in the academic and community setting.

Mary Jo Wagner, narrator

Mary Jo Wagner graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Music Education. She spent many years teaching private voice and piano. The later addition of courses in broadcast journalism has provided the opportunity for
her to be a talk show host and news reporter at Wisconsin Public Radio.

Her program, "The West Side" is regional public affairs, call-in program that focuses on western Wisconsin and airs on Mondays and Tuesdays from 5-6 p.m. on 88.3 WHWC.   Featured topics might center on politics and government, elections, mental health, drugs, the economy, environment and education. For the sixth
year "The West Side" received an Eric Severaid award from the Northwest Broadcast News Association for a poignant program on how the tough love of a homeless shelter helped one man turn around his life.  The program also won 2 national awards from the Outdoors Writers Association of America for programs
on the woodcock on other song birds in the Midwest. 2008 candidates for state political office in western Wisconsin were invited to live, hour long interviews with their opponents - more than 40 were involved in the unique opportunity.  The West Side airs on the Ideas Network of Wisconsin Public Radio. She also fills in for hosts on the statewide network. 

Since 1990, she has also been a general assignment news reporter.   Some of her feature pieces have won top awards.   Her work is heard in western Wisconsin on 88.3 WHWC, 88.7 WRFW, 89.7 WUEC and 90.7 WVSS.  Currently she sings in the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Symphonic Choir. She is also worship assistant at St. John's Lutheran Church.