Intermediate & Advanced Music Programs

Cello

Education

• Graduate Diploma | The Juilliard School
• Bachelor of Chamber Music | San Francisco Conservatory of Music
• Master of Chamber Music | San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Background

• Holds the Dorothea C. Mayer Principal Cello Chair with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
• Has appeared as Guest Principal Cello with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
• Performed solos with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, New Century Chamber Orchestra, and the Princeton Symphony.
• Gave the East Coast premiere with Symphony in C of Aaron Jay Kernis’s Colored Field for Cello and Orchestra.
• Performed as cellist with the Cavani String Quartet on the Detroit Chamber Music Society series and at the Cleveland Institute of Music.
• While in Milwaukee she has performed on the Frankly Music series and with the Philomusica String Quartet.
• Participated in the Marlboro Music Festival, Tanglewood Music Festival, and the Yellow Barn Music Festival

Viola

Education

Background

• Member of the viola section in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
• Member of the viola section in the Grant Park Music Festival in Chicago.
• Was a member of the San Antonio Symphony, and is currently a substitute with the Saint Louis Symphony and Houston Symphony.
• Performs with the 414 Quartet and the Prospect Quartet.
• Performer at festivals such as the Tanglewood Music Center, the National Repertory Orchestra, Kneisel Hall, and The Round Top Festival Institute.
• Has also performed as a soloist with the Cleveland Institute of Music, National Repertory Orchestra and the New World Symphony.
• Primary teachers include Robert Vernon (Cleveland) and Peter Slowik (Oberlin).

Education

• Bachelor of Music, Music Education | Ball State University
• Master of Music (in progress), Performance | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Background

• An Indiana native, Alec previously served as the Muncie Symphony Orchestra’s Education Coordinator, and performed as the 2017 Concerto Soloist with the Music for the Sake of Music Symphony Orchestra.
• Alec has been the Trumpet Teaching Artist for the Music for the Sake of Music summer festival in Green Bay, WI since 2015.
• As a chamber musician, has performed for Classical Music Indy and other music non-profits, and as a lead trumpet player for numerous musicals and shows across Central Indiana.
• Alec has a breadth of experience teaching both in and out of the classroom including traditional public-school ensembles, clinics and masterclasses, general music and PreK
• Currently, Alec performs in the UW-Milwaukee Brass Quintet and with his band Ekruteak.
• Bachelor of Music, Music Education | Ball State University
• Master of Music (in progress), Performance | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and Voice Performance | Roosevelt University (Chicago Musical College)
• Graduate Level Vocal Training | University of Iowa

Background

• Joined the Vocal Arts faculty at the Conservatory in 2017.
• Cross-genre singer that is classically trained, jazz influenced, and soul inspired.
• Has taught private voice to students of all levels for thirty years, which includes more than a decade in New York.
• As a classical singer, Marcya began her career as a soprano and has sung with Lincoln Opera Chicago, the Lyric Theater of Illinois and the Bel Canto Chorus of Milwaukee.
• Has gradually transitioned from singing classical music exclusively to performing an eclectic repertoire of music.
• Marcya has performed alongside a diverse group of critically acclaimed artists such as Simon Estes, Wycliffe Gordon, BeBe Winans, Vanessa Williams, Laurel Masse and Gerald Levert.

Jazz Institute Coordinator

Education

• Bachelor of Music, Music | University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
• Master of Music, Wind Conducting and Trumpet Performance | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Background

• Krystal Esty has been an active freelance trumpet player and studio teacher in southeast Wisconsin since 2009.
• Her performing has taken her throughout the Midwest, New Orleans, New York, and overseas to Manchester, England and Edinburgh, Scotland.
• She has performed with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra, Lakeshore Chorale, and Pankratz Arts Exchange.
• You can find her freelancing around the Milwaukee area in New Orleans-style brass bands, pit orchestras, jazz ensembles, and chamber ensembles.
• In addition to her position as the Education Manager at WCM, Krystal currently serves as Principal Trumpet in the Beloit Janesville Symphony and Principal Solo Cornet in Milwaukee Festival Brass, and is an active member of the Milwaukee Philharmonic, an all-volunteer orchestra made up of members of the Milwaukee musical community.

Education

• Berklee College of Music

Background

• WCM faculty member since 2005.
• Moved back to his roots in Milwaukee, after 10 years of living in New York and touring and recording with the band ulu.
• Has played and recorded with many bands and artists including De La Buena, Choir Fight, Jamie Breiwick, Steve Peplin, The Static Chicken, Tristan Royalty Squad, The Extra Crispy Brass Band, The Soul Trio, The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and Eric Bennet.

Chamber Music Manager

Education

• Bachelor of Music, Oboe Performance | Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
• Master of Music, Oboe Performance | Rice University

Background

• Conservatory Faculty since 2015.
• Teaches private oboe lessons, chamber music, early childhood music, and K4-5th grade general music classes in Milwaukee schools.
• Freelance oboist in the greater Milwaukee area, performing frequently with the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra, Fox Valley Symphony, Festival City Symphony, and Bel Canto.
• Oboist and Lecturer for the Washington Island Music Festival.
• Lecturer, teaching artist, and consultant for area arts organizations, including the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra (“Meet the Music” pre-concert talks, the Lullaby Project, and Link Up recorder concerts), PianoArts, and the LunArt Festival.
• Formerly Manager of Learning Programs and Community Engagement for The Cleveland Orchestra and Education Director of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra.
• Performed for four years (two as Co-Artistic Director) with the multi-disciplinary ensemble Tales & Scales, including appearances with the Dallas Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, Oregon Symphony, and Louisville Orchestra.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts in Music, Magna cum laude – Harvard University
• Master of Music, with highest distinction in Piano Performance – Indiana University

Background

• WCM Piano faculty member since 1987.
• Primary areas of focus include educating an array of students, and chamber music.
• Recipient of the Milwaukee Civic Music Association’s award for Excellence in Studio Teaching.
• Enjoys being an active musician in the Prometheus Trio, and participating in the Washington Island Music Festival.
• Made her solo debut with the Boston Pops at age 17, and her Carnegie Hall debut in 1984.
• Twice awarded Second Prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition, and received Indiana University’s Leo Weiner Prize for Chamber Music.
• Has soloed with both the Milwaukee Symphony and the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra.
• Recorded for the Arundax, CRI, Fleur de Son, Equilibrium, and the Wisconsin Conservatory labels.
• Received WCM’s “Teacher of the Year” honor in 2017.

Education

• Bachelor of Music, Jazz Studies | Indiana University Jacobs School of Music

Background

• Joined the Conservatory faculty in January 2019.
• Teaches and plays various styles of music on the drum set, specializing in jazz.
• Plays with her modern jazz quartet in the Milwaukee area.
• A featured instructor for the Vic Firth video series “Inside the Teaching Studio” entitled How to Sound Like Elvin Jones.
• Had the chance to play with musicians such as Leni Stern, Ingrid Jensen, and Jamie Baum.
• Enjoys teaching the bucket drumming and world percussion classes through the Conservatory Connections program, as well as private percussion lessons.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, Music | Millikin University School of Music
• Master of Music | Northern Illinois University

Background

• WCM faculty member since 2016.
• Equally versed in teaching and performing vocal jazz and classical repertoire.
• Was the Assistant Professor of Music at Alverno College in Milwaukee, Wisconsin between 2008-2015, directing the Alverno College Choir, Alverno Chamber Vocal Ensemble, and Jazz/Pop Ensemble.
• Also served as the Audition and Performance Coordinator while at Alverno, in addition to teaching private voice lessons, vocal techniques, voice lab, and various music seminar courses.
• Currently the Director of Adult Choirs at Unity Lutheran Church (Cross of Life campus) in Brookfield, Wisconsin.
• Also maintains a performance calendar with recitals and regular appearances with The Marion Consort, a Chicago based professional Early Music vocal ensemble, of which she is a founding member.

Background

• Kyle Samuelson is one of the most in-demand freelance performers in the area and has over 25 years of teaching experience.
• An exceptionally diverse musician that performs on trombone, euphonium, tuba and trumpet – everything from classical to jazz to Latin.
• Regularly performs with all the orchestras in Southeastern Wisconsin, including the prestigious Milwaukee Symphony.
• A member of several bands ranging in styles from Big Band to New Orleans Jazz.
• Has performed with national and international acts alike, as well as Broadway touring companies.
• All of this real-world experience has given Kyle a great foundation from which he builds his teaching style upon, and he loves passing on his experiences and knowledge to the next generation of musicians.

Violin & Viola

Education

• Yale School of Music
• Northwestern University School of Music

Background

• A member of the First Violin section in the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
• Summer performances include the First Violin sections of both the Bellingham (WA) and Peninsula (WI) Music Festivals
• As a chamber musician, she has performed at New York’s Bargemusic, and for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra’s MusicNOW, and can be heard on numerous series in the Milwaukee area, including Frankly Music and Present Music.
• Soloist with the Milwaukee, Berkeley, and Oakland East Bay Symphonies
• Performs as a member of the Arcas String Quartet and the violin/viola duo Bowing Rogue.

Violin

Education

• University of Southern California and at the Colburn Conservatory
• Master of Music | The Juilliard School

Background

• Currently the Associate Concertmaster of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
• Has had solo performances with the Milwaukee Symphony, Festival City Symphony, the Boca Raton Symphonia, and the Amarillo Symphony, among others.
• Frequent guest on the Frankly Music Series and the Rembrandt Chamber Players of Chicago.
• Collaborated with such distinguished artists as Ron Leonard, Lynn Harrell, Toby Appel, Cynthia Phelps, Joseph Kalichstein, Robert DeMaine, Paul Coletti, the Fine Arts Quartet, Stefan Hersh, David Geber, and Joan Tower.
• Summer guest appearances include at the Olympic Music Festival on Bainbridge Island, the Luzerne Music Center summer festival in Lake Luzerne, New York.
• Performs as the violin/viola duo Bowing Rogue with her colleague Margot Schwartz.
• Solo and chamber music performances have brought her abroad to China, France, Brazil, Holland, England, Monaco, and Italy.

Education

• Bachelor of Music, Emphasis in Jazz Studies | Indiana University Jacobs School of Music
• Performer’s Certificate for Senior Recital

Background

• WCM faculty member since 2016.
• Began playing drums at age eight and has been studying percussion since age nine.
• Currently based in Milwaukee, Mitch is an in-demand performer, active educator, and composer.
• Co-leads tour-de-force fusion group, “Match Stick,” which released a self-titled album in 2019.
• In 2014, Mitch released his debut CD, “FLY!”, which invites listeners on a musical journey of original compositions and out-of-the-box arrangements for 20-piece big band.
• Featured clinician for the 2015 Summerfest Big Band Camp, along with Curt Hanrahan and Mike Steinel.
  Conducted masterclasses at UW-Parkside, University of Indianapolis, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Park Tudor School, and Nicolet High School.
• Teaches percussion at several Milwaukee public schools through the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music’s Conservatory Connections program.

Education

• Bachelor of Music, Saxophone Performance | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania
• Bachelor of Music, Music Education | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania

Background

•  Joined the Conservatory faculty in the Fall of 2019.
• Worked as an orchestra musician for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines May – August 2018.
• Recorded 2016 CD release “Identity” with the Slippery Rock University Jazz Ensemble, featuring guest artist Troy Roberts.
• Has had the opportunity to play with artists such as Sean Jones, John Clayton, and John Daversa.

Background

• Has been a member of the Conservatory since 2017 serving as a guitar instructor, and working for the Guitar Prep Program.
• Teaching for over 33 years, Michael specializes in genres such as jazz, fusion, rock, alternative, and finger-style acoustic.
• Additionally, emphasizes in music technology, composition, and production.
• His compositions have been placed in over 1,000 different television shows and films worldwide including American Idol, Dateline NBC, The Today Show, and The Emmy Awards.
• Corporate music work includes extensive recording and production for Hal Leonard’s play-a-long series, 2018’s “Stronger Together” live music activation for Aurora Health Care and extensive jingle and custom music composition, recording and production.
• Performed, recorded and composed in an extremely wide variety of genres and styles, including Jazz, Latin Jazz, Rock, Fusion, Funk, Blues, R&B, Gospel, Alternative and Pop and proficient in Metal, Country, Folk, Finger-style Acoustic, Classical and other styles.

Education

• Bachelor of Music | Heidelberg University
• Master of Music, Instrumental Conducting | University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Background

• Music educator and saxophonist Rosemary McGee Walzer is Director of the UWM Youth Jazz Ensemble, and Director of Bands at Maple Dale Elementary School.
• During her time at UW-Milwaukee, she studied conducting with Dr. John Climer, saxophone with Curt Hanrahan, served as a graduate conducting associate with both the University Band and the Youth Wind Ensemble program, and assisted with the overall administration of the university band program.
• Additionally, she served as music director for Pankratz Arts Exchange in Mount Calvary, WI for five seasons.
• In addition to her regular teaching gigs, Rosemary has served as a guest lecturer, clinician, and music camp instructor.
• Is a regular clinician with the Woody Herman Jazz Festival, and has been invited to work with many instrumental ensembles throughout Southeast Wisconsin.
• As a performer, Rosemary was one of the winners of the Heidelberg University Concerto Competition in 2003, and received the Arthur Bean Award there in 2005.
• Freelances in the Milwaukee area and has been in several instrumental ensembles, including the funk/soul band Montage, the East Side Jazz Orchestra, the Kicks Big Band, and the Milwaukee Jazz Orchestra.

Education

• Bachelor Degree | Michigan State University
• Master Degree, Jazz Studies | Florida State University

Background

• Performs professionally in a wide variety of musical styles, as a leader and as a sideman, on upright bass and electric bass.
• While at Michigan State University, studied with world- renowned bassist, Rodney Whitaker.
• Has also studied classically with the Assistant Principal of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Robert Goodlett, and taught alongside Robert at the Quattro String Academy in Indianapolis, IN.
• Currently serves as the Bass Instructor at Eastern Illinois University.
• As a seasoned teacher, Sam enjoys working with students with experience ranging from beginners to professionals.