Faculty
As the saying goes "behind great things are great people," and here is no different. The Wausau Conservatory of music harbors a world-class faculty.
Ann Applegate
- Instructional duties: Artist/Instructor of piano, Music Explorers
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music in piano performance - Central Michigan University
Master of Music degree in piano pedagogy - University of Oregon
Doctor of Music Arts (in progress) in piano performance/pedagogy - University of Colorado-Boulder - Professional memberships: Wisconsin Music Teachers Association, Music Teachers National Association
- Performances: Soloist, recital accompanist, participates in outreach performances in the public school system and performances on the public radio series Live from the Chazen.
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Mara Beckman
- Instructional duties: Instructor of piano, composition class
- Degrees: Bachelor of Arts in piano with minor in Psychology - UW-Stevens Point
Master of Music in Vocal Accompanying and Coaching - UW-Milwaukee - Professional memberships: MTNA, Wisconsin Music Teacher's Association- VP of Conventions, Elect
- Performances: Milwaukee Ballet Company, Skylight Opera Outreach, Opera for the Young, Wausau Symphony Band, NATS staff pianist (2 years), Currently an active performer and accompanist throughout the state
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Shelly Bitner
- Instructional duties: Adjunct/instructor of Boys Will Be Boys voice classes
- Degrees: Shelly Bitner is a full-time student at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point pursuing a degree in Music Education, General & Choral, K-12.
- Performances: She has appeared in opera productions at the university playing such roles as "Ma Moss" in The Tender Land, and as "Special Guest" in Die Fledermaus. In addition, she has sung in the university's opera choruses. Shelly sings in the university's Concert Choir under the direction of Lucinda Thayer. She appeared as "Frau Schmidt" and was a part of the "Nuns Chorus" in Wausau Community Theatre's Fall 2009 production of The Sound of Music. Locally, Shelly is a member of Wausau Lyric Choir and is often a soloist with the group. She is a past member of Wausau Pro Musica and appeared as a soloist with that group as well.
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Dr. Lily Chia Brissman
- Instructional duties: Artist/Instructor of piano and piano accompanying
- Degrees: Doctor of Musical Arts in piano performance with emphasis on piano accompanying - Arizona State University in Tempe; Master of Music in piano performance - University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana; Bachelor of Music in piano performance - Alverno College in Milwaukee;
Postgraduate work in vocal accompanying and chamber music - Royal Academy of Music in London
- Professional memberships: Music Teachers National Association, Wisconsin Music Teachers Association
- Performances: Dr. Lily Chia Brissman has performed at the White House, at the Church of St. Martin-in-the-Fields in London, and at art song festivals in Europe and the United States. In Wales she has presented lecture-recitals on song settings of the poetry of Dylan Thomas. Dr. Brissman has also performed on WPR's Live from the Chazen concert series.
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Julie Burgess
- Instructional duties: Instructor of piano and Director of Choraliers and Choralation
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music education - Carroll College with piano/vocal emphasis.
- Professional memberships: Wisconsin Music Teachers Association, Music Teachers National Association, Wisconsin Choral Directors Association and American Choral Directors Association
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Michael Chula
- Instructional duties: Instructor
of lower brass instruments (trombone, horn, tuba)
;
- Degrees: Bachelor's degree in Music Education with a major in brass instruments - University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Holds a K-12 Wisconsin Educational Certification in music.
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Bette Close
- Instructional duties: Artist/Instructor of piano;
- Degrees: Certification in Music Teachers National Association.
- Professional memberships: Music Teachers National Association, Wausau Area Music Teachers Association
- Performances: Appeared on public radio series, Live from the Chazen; and travels to St. Lucia, West Indies, with the Good News Project where she was featured as a guest artist with the St. Lucia School of Music. In May 2003, Bette was a duo pianist with Dr. Lily Brissman for the Central Wisconsin School of Ballet performance of Camille Saint-Saens'Carnival of the Animals. In Summer 2003, she served as guest lecturer and clinician at the Goshen College Piano Workshop and Academy, Goshon, Indiana
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John Greiner
- Instructional duties: Adjunct Instructor of saxophone and jazz studies;
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music - Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts in Woodwind Performance
- Professional affiliations: Music Teachers National Association, Wausau Area Music Teachers Association
- Performances: Featured performer and did studio recordings with the bands "Dopplegagner," "Maria Williams Band," "Kristopher," "Bob Henschen Group," "Fried Ice Cream," "Watercolours," and "Pat Hunt Group." While in Boston, John performed with the following groups: "The Platters;" "The Four Tops;" "The Temptations;" "Fankie Vallee," "The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra," "The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra," "The Artie Shaw Orchestra" under the direction of Dick Johnson;" jazz legend Dizzy Gillespie; and twice toured Japan as a member of the Newport Jazz Orchestra
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Mona Grote
- Instructional duties: Suzuki Instructor of piano
- Degrees: Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education (K-12 vocal specialization) - St. Olaf College, MN; Suzuki teacher training (certification through Suzuki piano school book V) - University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Continuing education at American Suzuki Institutes
- Professional affiliations: Suzuki Association of America, Music Teachers National Association, Wausau Area Music Teachers Association
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Kirsten Hornby
- Instructional duties: Instructor of string bass
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music - Lawrence University
Master of Music - Northwestern University - Professional memberships: Music Teachers National Association
- Performances: Principal bassist of the Wausau Symphony
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Scott Hunsberger
- Instructional duties: Artist/Instructor of voice
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music - UW-Stevens Point;
Master of Music - UW-Madison; Wisconsin K-12 certificate in General and Vocal Music; - Professional Memberships: National Association of Teachers of Singing and Wisconsin Chapter of National Association of Teachers of Singing
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Ann Johnson
- Instructional duties: Instructor of cello and Suzuki cello
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music/ Music Therapy - University of Evansville
Certification in instrumental music education - UW-Stevens Point
Certification in Suzuki Cello Books 1A, 1B and 2 - Professional affiliations: Suzuki Association of America, Music Teachers National Association
- Performances: Talbot Chamber Orchestra, Salisbury Symphony, Wausau Symphony, Salisbury String Quartet, and Signature String Quartet
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Karen Juliano
- Instructional duties: Artist/instructor of voice, Spotlights
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music in Public School Music, Voice/choral conducting - Western Michigan University
Master of Music in vocal performance - University of Michigan.
Doctor of Musical Arts (in progress) in Vocal Performance - University of Illinois. - Professional affiliations: National Association of Teachers of Singing, Wisconsin chapter of National Association of Teachers of Singing
- Performances: Principal and secondary roles with the Western Michigan Opera (now called Opera Grand Rapids) and the Orlando Opera Company. Spent three years performing with the Cincinnati Opera chorus. Concert appearances with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Flint Symphony and the Southwest Florida Orchestra. In addition, Ms Juliano presented several recitals at the invitation of Rotary International "El Club Rotario" in Teziutlan, Puebla, Mexico and has performed on Wisconsin Public Radio concert series Sunday afternoon, Live from the Chazen. In the summer of 1997 she performed the role of Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana at the Zwei-Groschen Oper at the Theaterhof in Humbach, Germany. In 1998 she returned to the Theaterhof to perform the title role of Floria Tosca in Puccini's Tosca
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Listen to an excerpt of Ms. Juliano! Click the links to sample the wonderful musicianship of this excellent musician. PLEASE NOTE that if you do not have access to DSL or Broadband, this excerpt will take substantial time to download.
- "In quelle trine morbide" from Manon Lescaut by Giacomo Puccini
- "O mio babbino caro" from Gianni Schicchi by Giacomo Puccini
Michael Kowaleski
- Instructional duties: Instructor of drumset
- Degrees: Studied percussion at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music; UW-Milwaukee, Stanger Percussion Studios in Chicago Dorn and Kirchners Percussion Studios in New York. Training includes instruction from world renowned drumset virtuoso Joe Morello
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Patrick Langer
- Instructional duties: Suzuki Instructor of upper strings, Director of Wausau Area Youth Symphony
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music Education - University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point Master of Education - University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
- Professional Affiliations: Suzuki Association of America
- Performances: An active performer for many years, and played as a member of the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra and the Wausau Symphony.
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Barbara Lattimer
- Instructional duties: Artist/Instructor of voice
- Degrees: Barbara attended the College of Saint Teresa in Winona, Minnesota, and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
- Professional Affiliations: National Association of Teachers of Singing
- Performances: Appeared as the Mother in the WCM production of Amahl and the Night Visitors and as the Mother in the WCM/WTC production of Hansel and Gretel. Mrs. Lattimer has performed regularly on Wisconsin Public Radio and numerous Messiah performances as both soprano and alto solost.
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Listen to excerpts of Mrs. Lattimer! (Accompanied by Bette Close) Click the links to sample the wonderful musicianship of this excellent musician. PLEASE NOTE that if you do not have access to DSL or Broadband, this excerpt will take substantial time to download.
- "I'd Be a Butterfly" by Albert Bayly
- "Charmant Papillon" by Andre Campra
- "Der Schmetterling" by Franz Schubert
Thomas McComb
- Instructional duties: Instructor of guitar, mandolin and banjo
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music in Music Education - Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Natural Resources.
- Professional Affiliations:
- Performances: Performed with John Altenburgh, Janet Planet, Bob Kase, Catalin Rotaru, Art Stevenson and High Water and many others. Currently performs solo and with his own quartet and in other ensembles
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Lisa Phalen
- Instructional duties: Adjunct Instructor of clarinet and oboe
- Degrees: Bachelor of Arts - University of Wisconsin- Madison; Master of Music- University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire
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Dr. Jacob Roseman
- Instructional duties: Artist/Instructor of flute and director of flute choirs.
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance - Philadelphia College of the Arts; Master of Music in Flute Performance and Literature - Eastman School of Music; Doctor of Music in Flute Performance - Florida State University; Certificate - Mozarteum International Summer Academy (Salzburg, Austria). Student of Julius Baker, Bonita Boyd, and Charles DeLaney.
Additional studies with William Hebert, Peter-Lukas Graf, Samuel Baron, and Jeffrey Kahner. - Professional Affiliations: National Flute Association, Music Teachers National Association and Upper Midwest Flute Association.
- Performances: Flutist with the Rochester Philharmonic, the Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, the Allentown Symphony, the Tallahassee Symphony, and the Savannah Symphony. Solo performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra, Concerto Soloists of Philadelphia, the Allentown Symphony, and the Pennsylvania Sinfonia. Principal Flutist with the Green Bay Symphony Orchestra.
Listen to an excerpt of Dr. Roseman! Click the link to sample the wonderful musicianship of this excellent musician. PLEASE NOTE that if you do not have access to DSL or Broadband, these excerpts will take substantial time to download.
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Yuri Segawa
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Instructional duties: Instructor of violin and viola
- Degrees: Graduate of Kobe Yamate Music High School Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance - Osaka College of Music, Japan; Rowan University, New Jersey; Master of Art in Violin Performance - Aaron Copland School of Music at the City University of New York, Queens College (Degree in progress)
- Performances: Soloist with the Osaka Symphony in Japan, Rowan University Symphony Orchestra, Solo Recital for Takatsuki Music Teachers Association in Japan. Performances as an orchestra member including with Symphony in C (formally Haddonfield Symphony) and Chamber orchestra, AAC Symphony Orchestra, New York, Garden State Philharmonic, New Jersey, Bravura Philharmonic, New Jersey.
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Kevin Short
- Instructional duties: Instructor of trumpet
- Degrees: Bachelor of Arts - music performance - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay Teaching certification in instrumental music - UW-Stevens Point. Master of Science in school administration - Cardinal Strich University in Milwaukee
- Professional affiliations:
- Performances: As a professional trumpet player, he has played with numerous jazz bands and symphonies throughout Wisconsin as well as in the pit orchestras for many traveling broadway musicals
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Nancy Siebecker
- Instructional duties: Artist/Instructor of Organ
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music - UW Oshkosh; Bachelor of Music - Lawrence University; Master of Music - University of Michigan.
- Professional affiliations: American Guild of Organists, Sarasota/Manatee, FL. and Wisconsin River Chapters. Past board member of the WCM and past advisor to the board. Past member of American Choral Directors Association and the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association.
- Performances: Active recitalist and accompanist
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Daniel Stewart
- Instructional duties: Instructor of oboe, clarinet, saxophone and bassoon
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music, Master of Music degrees in oboe with specialist in multiple winds - Michigan State University;
- Performances: Previously associate conductor and principal oboe for Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra
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Dr. George Tepping
- Instructional duties: Executive Director of the Conservatory and Artist/Instructor of voice
- Degrees: Bachelor of Music in vocal performance - Ohio State University; Master of Music in vocal performance - Ohio State University; Doctor of Music Arts degree in vocal performance/pedagogy - University of Iowa.; Honorary degree as Cantor - K.K. B'nai Yeshrun ( Ohio).
- Professional affiliations: National Association of Teachers of Singing, National Opera Association, and College Music Society
Master Adjudicator for the Wisconsin School Music Association, - Performances: Sixteen years as a Spiel Tenor and tenor soloist with numerous European opera companies and American symphonies with performances of over sixty different opera and oratorio roles