MBDA Central Region (CMBDA)

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• Documents
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• Board of Directors
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• Schools

Photo Gallery

CMBDA 2011 Beginning Band Festival.

Central Region Calendar of Events

Upcoming Events

Documents

• CMBDA Brochure.
• CMBDA Fall Letter.
• Beginning Band Festival Nomination Form.
• Beginning Band Festival Student Letter.
• Beginning Band Festival Parent Letter.
• Beginning Band Festival Emergency Form.
• Membership Postcard.
• 6-8 Regional Nomination Form.
• 9-10 Regional Nomination Form.

Meeting Minutes

• September 18, 2010.
• June 14, 2010.
• April 17, 2010.
• February 20, 2010.
• May 28, 2008.
• February 14, 2008.

Central Region Board of Directors

President

Bruce Olson ~ Blaine High School

Bruce Olson completed his Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from Concordia College, in Moorhead, MN in 1983. He taught six years in California and completed a Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from California State University, Northridge in 1988. Bruce has been directing bands at all levels for 24 years. In the Fall of 2002, Bruce had the opportunity to return to his own alma mater, and for the last 7 years he has served as head band director at Blaine High School. Additional teaching positions in Minnesota have included the Burnsville High School and Anoka High School band programs.

Bruce has been an active performer on trumpet and has performed with such groups as: the "Dickens Brass" at Disneyland, the Tulare County Symphony in Tulare, CA, and the Lake Wobegone Brass Band in Anoka. He has also served as a performer and director with the Continental Singers and Orchestra, where he performed throughout the U.S. and 20 different countries. Currently, he is principal trumpet with the Northern Symphony Orchestra based in Anoka. MN. He has directed three church orchestras, continues to perform locally, and is a private trumpet instructor.

In 2008 Mr. Olson was selected as a TOP (Teacher of Outstanding Performance) Teacher in the Anoka-Hennipin School District. He is also a member of MENC, MMEA, and MBDA. Bruce and his wife Beth live in Ramsey, MN with their two sons named Grant and Luke.

President-Elect

Steve Boulka ~ Osseo Senior High School

Steve Boulka currently serves as Director of Bands at Osseo Senior High School in Osseo Minnesota. Other teaching positions in the past have included Rice Lake Middle School in Rice Lake Wisconsin, Jackson Middle School in Champlin Minnesota and Edison PPL Elementary in Minneapolis Minnesota. At Osseo Senior High School, Steve Boulka conducts the Concert and Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble and Beginning Classical Guitar Class. His after school activities include Marching Band, Pep Band, Jazz Band and numerous Chamber Ensembles. During his 10 years at Osseo Senior High, the Band program has toured numerous times, including nine different countries on four European Tours.

Mr. Boulka was involved in the drum and bugle corps activity as a performer and teacher for 9 years. As a Euphonium player, he marched with the Colts (1994) and Madison Scouts (1995, 1996). He went on to teach the Minnesota Brass (1997), Madison Scouts (1998) and Southwind (1999-2002). He has degrees from Anoka Ramsey Community College (AA), The University of Wisconsin River Falls (BA) and St. Mary’s University (MM).

Mr. Boulka is a member of MENC, MMEA and MBDA. Steve lives in Ramsey Minnesota with his wife Gretchen and daughters Stephanie (5) and Anna (2).

Secretary

Susan Potvin ~ Rogers Middle School

A native of Iowa, Susan Potvin has taught middle level band in Minnesota for the past seven years. Since 2004, she has served as the seventh and eighth grade band instructor at Rogers Middle School, part of the Elk River Area School District. Previously, Susan taught one year of sixth through eighth grade band in Waseca and was a substitute music teacher in ISD 196. Susan holds a BA in Music from Luther College in Decorah, IA, and an MA in Music Education from the University of St. Thomas. Her masters thesis was entitled "Factors that affect middle school students non-participation in music."

Susan has been a member of the percussion sections of Grand Symphonic Winds, the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Luther College Concert Band. In addition to her concert ensemble work, she enjoys contributing to pit orchestras for various musical theater productions and serving as a worship music leader at Trinity Lutheran Church of Princeton. Susan has served as the piano accompanist for the Mississippi 8 and Rum River All-Conference Honor Choirs and regularly accompanies other high school choral ensembles in central Minnesota. Susan was recognized for her volunteer contributions to the Princeton Public Schools with that districts Above and Beyond Award in 2008.

Susan, her husband Mark, and their infant son Noah live in Princeton.

Treasurer

Steve Lyons ~ Champlin Park High School

Steven G. Lyons holds a BA degree in Music Education and Music Theory/composition from Western Illinois University, and a MA degree in Music Education from the University of Minnesota. Having taught high school band in Illinois and Minnesota for twenty three years, Steve has been at Champlin Park High school since 1992. Steve is delighted to return to Campus band and the St. Cloud State faculty as an adjunct in the Fall of 2008.

An advocate of lifelong learning and playing, Steve has guest Community Bands in Greenville, Illinois, Coon Rapids, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth and St. Louis Park Other guest conducting appearances include the Schmitt Music Strike Up The Band Honor Band, the St. Louis All-Suburban Honor Band, the Anoka-Hennepin 8th Grade Honor Band, and the University of Minnesota-Duluth Maroon Honor Band. Steve has also served as percussion section coach for the MMEA All-State Band, MMEA All-State Orchestra, and MBDA Middle Level Honor Band.

Steve has played drums and percussion for the past five years with the St. Gerard�s Music Ministry. He lives in Champlin with his wife Tami, his two children Patrick (21) and Corryn (14), as well as Jackson, the family dog.

Membership

Mike Knutson ~ Buffalo High School

Mike Knutson is currently in his 14th year of teaching instrumental music. He has taught in both Minnesota and Wisconsin with the past 9 years in the Buffalo-Hanover-Montrose School District. Mr. Knutson received his B.M.E. from the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire where he studied trumpet with Robert Baca and his M.E. from Cardinal Stritch University. He has a wide variety of teaching experiences at both high school and middle school including band, orchestra, jazz band, marching band, music theory, general music, music technology and guitar. At Buffalo High School, he directs Concert Orchestra, Chamber Strings, Full Orchestra, Varsity Band and Jazz II. Mr. Knutson also shares the duties of youth director at his church with his wonderful wife Jana. They are blessed with two children, Elizabeth and Drew.

Beginning Band Chair

Heidi Martinson ~ Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School

Heidi Martinson has been teaching middle school band at Sauk Rapids Rice Schools since 1994. In addition to teaching instrumental music lessons to students in grades six through eight, she conducts the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Grade Concert Bands, two jazz bands and the SRRMS Marching Storm. Ms. Martinson graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from St. Cloud State University in 1992 and earned her Masters degree in Educational Leadership from Southwest State University in 2000. Ms. Martinson also remains active as a trumpet player, performing with the Granite City Brass Quintet based in St. Cloud, Mn. Heidi resides in Sauk Rapids with her husband and three children.

6-8 Honor Band Chair

Susan Potvin ~ Rogers Middle School

A native of Iowa, Susan Potvin has taught middle level band in Minnesota for the past seven years. Since 2004, she has served as the seventh and eighth grade band instructor at Rogers Middle School, part of the Elk River Area School District. Previously, Susan taught one year of sixth through eighth grade band in Waseca and was a substitute music teacher in ISD 196. Susan holds a BA in Music from Luther College in Decorah, IA, and an MA in Music Education from the University of St. Thomas. Her masters thesis was entitled "Factors that affect middle school students non-participation in music."

Susan has been a member of the percussion sections of Grand Symphonic Winds, the Colts Drum and Bugle Corps, and the Luther College Concert Band. In addition to her concert ensemble work, she enjoys contributing to pit orchestras for various musical theater productions and serving as a worship music leader at Trinity Lutheran Church of Princeton. Susan has served as the piano accompanist for the Mississippi 8 and Rum River All-Conference Honor Choirs and regularly accompanies other high school choral ensembles in central Minnesota. Susan was recognized for her volunteer contributions to the Princeton Public Schools with that districts Above and Beyond Award in 2008.

Susan, her husband Mark, and their infant son Noah live in Princeton.

9-10 Honor Band Chair

Lynn Richter ~ PACT Charter School, Ramsey, MN

Lynn Richter teaches band and general music at the PACT Charter School in Ramsey, MN. At PACT (Parents Allied with Children and Teachers) she teaches K, 5th and 6th grade general music and 5-12 band. Lynn received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She and her husband, Andy (band director at Edina High School), live in Anoka with their three children; Michael who is in 1st grade at PACT this year, Abby who is four and Tony who is one and a half.

Schools

For logistical purposes, this roster contains high school, college, and university institutions. The regional assignment for elementary and middle schools is currently identified by the name of the HIGH SCHOOL that serves your student population.