Reminders:
MBDA Memberships
- Memberships run from July 1-June 30 each year. Remember to renew your membership close to July 1 so you have access to MBDA benefits all year long! Check your "membership history" here: http://www.mbda.org/my-memberships.
- You can now pay for your membership online with a credit card.
- You need to be an MBDA member in goodstanding to access audition materials for any MBDA honor bands.
South Central Region Board of Directors
President
Nickole Bowie- Martin County West Schools
Nickole Bowie is currently Director of Bands at Martin County West Schools following four years of teaching in Colorado and two years of teaching in Oklahoma. Mrs. Bowie's responsibilities include 5th Grade Beginning band, 6th Grade Band, Junior High Band, High School Concert Band, two jazz ensembles, pep band, drum line, independent music courses, and lessons. She also directs the Martin County West Jr./Sr. High Marching Band in the summer.
Originally from Sherburn MN, Bowie graduated from Southwest State University in Marshall, MN with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. She also earned a Masters in Technology in Education from Lesley University in Cambridge MA and a Masters in K-12 Administration - Principalship from Saint Mary’s.
She continues to be involved in music outside of the school day playing/conducting for her local Trimont Area Centennial Band. Nickole Bowie lives in Trimont, MN with her husband, Linh. She also has three children who she enjoys spending time with as well.
Secretary
Elizabeth Hertzfeld
Treasurer
Eric Zimmerman ~ Madelia High School
Eric Zimmerman is director of bands 5-12 at Madelia Public Schools. He graduated from Minnesota State University-Mankato in 2010. Active as both a bassist and trombonist he performs with a variety of musical ensembles including: The EZ Jazz Trio, Southern Minnesota Real Big Band, Minnesota State University Orchestra, Armstrong Boulevard Brass Quintet, and various pop music ensembles. In the summer of 2014 Eric participated in the Twin Cities Bass Camp at McNally-Smith College and studied under Francois Rabbath among others. In his leisure time Eric loves being with his wife Jerusha and two sons Kenneth and Jonathan.
Membership
Eric Songer~ Eastern Carver County Schools
Eric Songer was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and attended college at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire where he earned his degree in music and math education. Eric completed his Masters in Education at St. Thomas in 2004. This is Eric’s 16th year teaching at Chaska Middle School. He was named Teacher of the Year in District 112 in 2007 and was a semifinalist for 2008 Minnesota Teacher Of The Year. Eric directs the 8th grade bands, the 6th grade bands and elective courses including Music Mosaic and World Tour. He directs and teaches Jazz Ensemble, Marching Band, Honor Band, Latin/Mariachi Band, Garage Band, student and adult guitar courses, Hip Hop House, Music Production, Country/Bluegrass Ensemble, Movie Band, and School Of Rock. Eric also organizes the CMSW Talent Show and CMS Solo/Ensemble Festival. Eric served as the secretary of the Minnesota State Unit of IAJE from 2005-07 and also belongs to ASBDA, MBDA, NAfME and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. Outside of teaching, Eric loves to perform as a trombonist and guitarist and write music. He lives in Chaska with his wife and two children.
6-8 and 9-10 Honor Band Coordinators
Sarah Vinzant
Troy Kowalski
trkowalski@rochesterschools.
Marilyn Yennie
6-8 and 9-10 Honor Band Site Host
BBF/SYF Coordinators
Andy Richter ~ Edina Public Schools
Mr. Richter is one of three band directors at Edina High School where he directs the Varsity Band, Symphonic Band, the Edina Hornet Marching Band, pep band, and two jazz ensembles. In the summer, he is the music director with the Marching HERD, at Buffalo High School. Mr. Richter is also the Youth Music Coordinator for the EFCA's child sponsorship organization GlobalFingerprints in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. He completed both his Bachelor’s of Music Education and his Masters of the Arts degree in Music Education at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. During his undergraduate years he marched in the U of M Marching Band and served for three years as the 53rd Drum Major. He is a member of Music Educators National Conference, Minnesota Music Educators Association and Minnesota Band Directors Association, and Phi Beta Mu. He is the recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Young Music Educator award presented by the American School Band Directors Association. He was also selected as the 2010 Minnesota State Representative for the School Band and Orchestra magazine’s annual publication of “Fifty Directors That Make a Difference”. Mr. Richter resides in Edina with his wife, Lynn, and children, Michael, Abby, Tony, and Charlie.
Nicholas Ellison- Burnsville Public Schools
Nicholas.Ellison@EdinaSchools.org
Nicholas Ellison teaches elementary band at three schools in Edina Public Schools. He previously taught in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage, Eden Prairie, and Orono school districts.
A Native of Wheeling, West Virginia, he has completed degrees from St. Olaf College and the American Band College of Sam Houston State University. He has taken additional music education courses at the University of Minnesota.
Ellison plays trumpet with the Encore Wind Ensemble. He lives in Minneapolis with his wife, Melissa Morey.
BBF/SYF Site Host and Jazz Honor Band Coordinator
Geneva Fitzsimonds- Edina Public Schools
Geneva.Fitzsimonds@edinaschools.org
Geneva Fitzsimonds is in her 25th year teaching instrumental music and holds degrees from Concordia College-Moorhead and St. Mary’s University. In 2013, she became a National Board Certified Teacher. Her bands and jazz bands have performed at festivals across the region including the MMEA Middle Level Conference and the MMEA Mid-Winter Clinic.
Geneva has served on the MMEA Board of Directors as a Region Representative and is currently President of the MN Chapter of the American School Band Directors Association.
She has served in several capacities on the MBDA Board, is an MSHSL Adjudicator and has directed numerous honor bands and festivals throughout the region. Currently, she teaches 7th and 9th grade band, and two jazz bands at South View Middle School in Edina. Geneva lives in Minnetrista with her husband Scott and their two children; Bram and Berit.
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.
Colleges/UniversitiesBethany Lutheran College (Mankato) |
SchoolsAcademy of Holy Angels, Richfield |
Mankato East |