Last updated April 12 2008

All-State Program Director

Michael Kaufman, M.M.
Director of Band Activities, Director of All State, Interlochen Arts Camp, Interlochen Center for the Arts; Conductor, Grand Ledge High School Bands.

2008 All-State Faculty

All-State Orchestra Program

Gary Lewis, M.M. 
Conductor.  Mr. Lewis is in his tenth year as Director of Orchestral Activities and Music Director of the Opera Theater Program in the Texas Tech University School of Music. Beginning in the fall of 2008, Mr. Lewis will assume his duties as Director of Orchestras at the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is also the Music Director and Conductor of the Midland-Odessa Symphony Orchestra. At Texas Tech Mr. Lewis conducts the University Symphony Orchestra and the Sinfonietta Chamber Orchestra, leads the graduate program in orchestral conducting (masters and doctoral), and conducts the opera theater productions. His graduate conducting students have enjoyed great success as conductors of university orchestra programs, youth orchestras, and professional orchestras alike, as well as winning prestigious national conducting competitions. His post-graduate work includes participation in the Pierre Monteux School for Orchestral Conductors and the Tanglewood Conducting Seminar. He has served on the faculties of Abilene Christian University, The University of Michigan, and The Ohio State University. Degrees received from The University of Oklahoma and Texas Tech University.

Gwendolyn Burgett Thrasher, M.M.
Percussion. Ms. Burgett-Thrasher is currently assistant professor of percussion at the Michigan State University College of Music. As a percussionist, Thrasher has maintained a career as an active solo, chamber, and orchestral musician. She has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the Solisti New York Orchestra, and the Yale Percussion Group. Thrasher was winner of the Keiko Abe Prize at the second World Marimba competition in Okaya, Japan. She was awarded the performer’s certificate from the Eastman School of Music and has also been the recipient of the Outstanding Young Musician award from the Peabody Conservatory and the Yale Alumni Award. Thrasher just released her first CD in 2007. Thrasher has studied with world-renowned professors Robert van Sice, Keiko Abe, and John Beck. She holds degrees from the Interlochen Arts Academy, Eastman School of Music, Peabody Conservatory, and the Yale School of Music.

Jan Eberle, B.M. (orchestra)
Oboe. Associate Professor of Oboe at Michigan State University. During the summers she serves as Principal Oboe of the Chautauqua Symphony and Instructor of the Chautauqua Institute School of Music. She is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Her principal teachers have been John Mack and John de Lancie. Ms. Eberle spent eighteen years as the Principal Oboist of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. She has been guest principal oboist with the Detroit, Houston, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Cincinnati Symphonies and can be heard regularly on National Public Radio broadcasts of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra. She can be seen on Public Broadcast System (PBS) national television with the Fort Worth Symphony in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition "Playing With Fire" and "Playing On The Edge" specials. Recordings of her performances have been released by Musical Heritage, Zefel, Resmiranda Records, Blue Griffin Records, and Peter Rosen DVD.

Janine Gabourg-Sly, M.M.
Horn.  Associate Professor of Horn at the Michigan State University School of Music. She received both a Master of Music degree and a Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Verne Reynolds. An active solo, chamber and orchestral performer. She has given recitals nationally and internationally, and has been an invited performer and clinician at numerous regional and international workshops and symposia. She is a member of the Beaumont Brass Quintet, a faculty ensemble at MSU, and principal horn of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Two solo CDs recorded. The first features music by Verne Reynolds, and the second consists of music by Paul Hindemith, Bernhard Heiden and Arnold Cooke. She has performed with several orchestras, including the Syracuse Symphony, the Jacksonville Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Windsor Symphony (Ontario, Canada), and the Michigan Opera Theatre.

Melissa Gerber-Knecht
Viola.  Professor of Viola, Hillsdale College.

Caroline Hartig, D.M.A.
Clarinet.  Professor of clarinet at Michigan State University. Acclaimed as a clarinet soloist and chamber musician internationally, she has appeared with orchestras and contemporary-music ensembles in major concert halls. Has performed as a guest artist for the International Clarinet Association and been heard on National Public Radio. Widely recognized and sought after for numerous new-music collaborations, including recent world premiere of Chalumeau for Solo Clarinet by William Bolcom in Tokyo, Japan. In demand as a master teacher and clinician Hartig has served as a juror for performance competitions including the International Clarinet Association Young Artist Competition 2006 competition and has been invited to present master classes nationally and internationally. She is a Buffet Artist/Clinician. Major teachers include Harold Wright and Charles Neidich.

Rodney Mack
Trumpet.  Principal Trumpet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia.

Andrea Martillia Yun, M.M.
Cello. Director, Pioneer High School Orchestras, Ann Arbor , Michigan. Yun is currently the principal cellist of the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra. In the past, she has served as principal of the Flint Symphony and Laredo Philharmonic. She has taught on the faculties of the University of Texas at San Antonio and Bowling Green State University. Andrea has performed at the Banff Centre for the Arts' Chamber Music Residency, Aspen Music Festival, Pacific Music Festival, and the Scotia Festival of Music. She has earned degrees in music education, mathematics, and cello performance from Indiana University and the University of Michigan. Yun is the orchestra director at Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor.

Ava Ordman, M.M.
Trombone.  Ms. Ordman has been the Associate Professor of Trombone at Michigan State University since August 2002. She is the principal trombonist of the Cabrillo Music Festival Orchestra (Santa Cruz, CA) and performs in both the Beaumont Brass Quintet and the American Classic Trombone Quartet. Prior to her appointment at MSU, Ordman had been principal trombone of the Grand Rapids Symphony for 24 years and after that had relocated to the Detroit area to train and work as a psychotherapist, teach low brass at Oakland University, and freelance as a trombonist. Ordman has been a featured soloist with many orchestras throughout the United States, and was a finalist in the Concert Artist Guild Competition, the Louise D. MacMahon International Solo Competition, and the International Trombone Competition in Toulon, France. She earned her B.M. and M.M. in trombone performance from the University of Michigan and an M.A in Counseling Psychology from Western Michigan University.

Heather Payton
Oboe. University Distinguished Feollowship DMA, MSU.

Gwendolyn Rose, M.M.
Bassoon.  Gwendolynn (Wendy) Rose has performed nationally and internationally as a guest in major orchestras including the Detroit Symphony, the Toronto Symphony, the Vancouver (Canada) Symphony, the Winnipeg Symphony, the Utah Chamber Orchestra and the Grand Rapids Symphony. A former member of The National Ballet Orchestra of Canada and principal bassoonist with the Windsor Symphony Orchestra (Windsor, Ontario, Canada) from 1991-2002. Rose is Associate Professor of Music (Bassoon) at Western Michigan University where she teaches bassoon, chamber music, and music theory and is a member of the Western Wind Quintet. She is on the faculty at The Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Hot Springs Music Festival and has taught at the University of Michigan, Wayne State University, the University of Windsor and National Music Camp (Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada). Ms. Rose received degrees in bassoon performance from the University of Toronto and the University of Michigan.

Phil Sinder, M.M.
Tuba.  Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Chair of the Brass and Percussion Area, and a member of the faculty quintet "Beaumont Brass" at the Michigan State University School of Music. He received a Bachelor of Music Education and Performer's Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, and a Master of Music from Wichita State University. Sinder has performed as tubist with the Detroit Symphony, the Michigan Opera Theatre, the Houston Symphony, the St. Louis Symphony, the Wichita Symphony, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, the Grand Rapids Symphony, the Colorado Music Festival, the Lansing Symphony, and the Brass Band of Battle Creek. He has a solo tuba CD, Aerodynamics, on Mark Records (1995). Sinder is a former faculty member of the Shepherd School of Music and Rice University. He is currently a member of the board of trustees for the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp and the Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Festival.

Paul Sonner, B.A
Violin.  Instructor of violin at the Interlochen Arts Academy. A California State Scholar, Waldorf School graduate and product of the preparatory department of the University of Southern California, he holds a degree in violin performance from Northwestern University. Formerly Principal Second Violin and Associate Concertmaster of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Sonner is currently concertmaster of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra as well as concertmaster of the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra. A featured soloist on many occasions, he has held positions of first violin in the Birmingham String Quartet, solo violin for Capriccio Concerts, and violin in the Amabile Trio. Mr. Sonner has participated in many festivals including the Ojai Festival Orchestra and Des Moines Metro Opera. He has served as concertmaster and soloist for the Bermuda Bach Festival as well as the Manitou Music Festival. Paul has recorded for RCA, Electra/Asylum/Atlantic, Angel, Virgin, Orion, PBS, and NPR. His principal teachers were Alice Schoenfeld and Samuel Magad.

Elizabeth Sheva
Assistant Concertmaster of the Lexington Philharmonic, Studio Violin Teacher.

Aaron Tenney, M.M.
Bass.  Member of the Greater Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Former member of the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, West Shore Symphony Orchestra and the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. Has also played with the Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Tenney received his Bachelors of Music education and Masters in Music Performance from Michigan State University. In addition to orchestral performances he has also played for some of the greatest double bassists in the world including Gary Karr and Edgar Meyer. Mr. Tenney is currently the director of Orchestra’s at NorthPointe Christian Schools, Grand Rapids MI.

Joanna Cowan White, D.M.A.
Flute. Professor of flute at Central Michigan University since 1987 where she conducts the Central Michigan University Flute Choir. She is principal flutist in the Saginaw Bay Orchestra and the Midland Symphony. She performs with the Powers Quintet, the Eclectic Trio, and in the Crescent Duo. She can be heard on Flights of Fancy (2603) on Centaur Records in 2003, Bremen Town Musicians on Centaur Records, and has an upcoming CD, Woodwind Echoes, on White Pine Music. She has written articles for Flute Talk, Flutist Quarterly, The Instrumentalist, and the National Association of Wind and Percussion Instructors Journal. She received the bachelor of music degree from the University of Southern California, master of music degree from Northwestern University, and the doctor of musical arts degree from the University of Michigan. Her flute teachers include Walfrid Kujala, Janet Woodhams, Patricia Garside, Roger Stevens, Thomas Nyfenger, Judith Bentley, Clement Barone and Leone Buyse.

All-State Band Program

Stephen Peterson, D.M.A.
Conductor, Interlochen All-State Band. Director of Bands at Ithaca since 1998, where he currently conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches. Previously he served as Associate Director of Bands at Northwestern University. Dr. Peterson was also Conductor of the renowned Northshore Concert Band. He served on the faculty at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas as well as the Arizona public schools. Dr. Peterson holds the Doctor of Music degree from Northwestern University and Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees from Arizona State University. He is active as a conductor and clinician throughout the United States, Canada, Ireland, the Republic of China. He is a member of the Music Educator’s National Conference, the College Band Directors National Association, the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, The New York State Band Director’s Association, the New York State School Music Association, and has been honored with membership in the prestigious American Bandmaster’s Association.

John E. Williamson
Conductor, Interlochen All-State Band. Director of Bands and conductor of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Central Michigan University since 1979 where he has received an Excellence in Teaching Award. He is active as an adjudicator, clinician and guest conductor nationally and internationally. A member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association, National Band Association and Phi Mu Alpha, he has held offices in the College Band Directors national Association and is head of the Commissioning Project for the Mid-American conference Band Directors Association. He has been listed in the International Who’s Who in Music and has received the NBA Citation of Excellence. He was the first Illinois director to receive the “MAC” Award from First Chair of America, and has received the Orpheus Award from Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. He is co-author of “Strategies for Teaching High School Band” published by MENC. He is most recently author of “Rehearsing the Band” published by Neidig Services.

Don Babcock, D.M.A.
Trombone.  Dr. Donald Babcock is an Associate Professor in the Department of Music and Dance at Eastern Michigan University where he teaches trombone and jazz. He currently plays principal trombone in the Ann Arbor Symphony and the Michigan Chamber Brass, and has also performed with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Lansing Symphony, and Kalamazoo Symphony. Band performances include a select Blue Lake Festival Band performance under Dr. Harry Begian at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Convention in Chicago, IL. Jazz performances have been with the Paul Keller Jazz Orchestra, Ann Arbor Jazz Bones and the Blue Lake Monster. Dr. Babcock has studied with Curtis Olson, Vern and Jan Kagarice, Thomas Ashworth, Nick Keelan, and Dudley Bright. Dr. Babcock holds a DMA from Michigan State University, and a MM from the University of Minnesota. He completed both a BM in Music and a BA in Mathematics from Lawrence University in Appleton, WI.

Mark Cox
Tuba.  Professor of Tuba, Central Michigan University.

Janine Gabourg-Sly, M.M.
Horn.  Associate Professor of Horn at the Michigan State University School of Music. She received both a Master of Music degree and a Performer’s Certificate from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Verne Reynolds. An active solo, chamber and orchestral performer. She has given recitals nationally and internationally, and has been an invited performer and clinician at numerous regional and international workshops and symposia. She is a member of the Beaumont Brass Quintet, a faculty ensemble at MSU, and principal horn of the Lansing Symphony Orchestra. Two solo CDs recorded. The first features music by Verne Reynolds, and the second consists of music by Paul Hindemith, Bernhard Heiden and Arnold Cooke. She has performed with several orchestras, including the Syracuse Symphony, the Jacksonville Symphony, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Windsor Symphony (Ontario, Canada), and the Michigan Opera Theatre.

Jennifer Gookin Cavanaugh, D.M.A.
Oboe. Dr. Cavanaugh is Assistant Professor of Oboe at Central Michigan University. She is a member of the Powers Woodwind Quintet, frequently performs solo and chamber music recitals throughout the United States, and has performed as a soloist with various orchestras. Her interests include relaxation techniquest for oboists and she is committed to commissioning and performing new works for oboe and English horn. Her degrees are from the University of Washington, the University of Colorado at Boulder, and Central Washington University, where she studied with Rebecca Henderson, James Brody, and Tad Margelli. Prior to her appointment at CMU, she was Assistant Professor of Oboe and Theory at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

Michael Kroth
Bassoon.  Professor of Bassoon, Michigan State University.

Rodney Mack
Trumpet.  Principal Trumpet, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia

Tess Miller, D.M.A.
Flute. Since 2000, Tess Miller has been an adjunct instructor at Albion College where she currently teaches Flute lessons, Music Appreciation, Woodwind Methods, and conducts the Albion College Flute Ensemble. She studied with Richard Sherman at Michigan State University, where she received her DMA in 2004, and has performed in Master Classes for many prominent flutists, including Linda Chesis, Bonita Boyd, Carol Wincenc, and Jim Walker. In 2006, Tess was chosen as an alternate performer for the National Flute Association Young Artist Competition. Tess is a member of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra as well as The London Trio, a chamber ensemble consisting of two flutes and a cello. In the summers, Tess performs and acts as Co-Artistic Director for the Mackinac Island Community Foundation Summer Concert Series. As an avid performer of chamber music, an orchestral musician, and a recitalist, Tess enjoys promoting and performing contemporary and classical music styles.

John Nichol
Saxophone. Professor of Saxophone at Central Michigan University since 1980, and has received an Excellence in Teaching Award. Professor Nichol has performed at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Montreaux, Switzerland, the North Sea Jazz Festival at The Hague, Netherlands, and the Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival. Professor Nichol has also performed by invitation at six World Saxophone Congresses: Chicago, Illinois, Nuremberg, Germany, Kawasaki, Japan, Valencia, Spain, and Montreal, Canada Minneapolis, Minnesota. Professor Nichol has performed with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, Harry James Orchestra, Nelson Riddle Orchestra, Lansing Symphony Big Band, Grand Rapids Symphony Orchestra, Saginaw Bay Orchestra, Lansing Symphony Orchestra and the Midland Symphony Orchestra. Professor Nichol is an active adjudicator for the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association. In the past six years Professor Nichol has had four saxophone quartets participate as semi-finalists in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. John Nichol is a Yamaha Performing Artist.

Brian Vance, D.M.A.
Horn.  Degree in Horn Performance from Michigan State University.

Jon Webber
Percussion.  Professor of Percussion, Michigan State University.

Kennen White
Clarinet. 

All-State Choir Program

Jeff Cobb
Conductor, Interlochen All-State Choir. Jeffrey Cobb lives and works in Traverse City, Michigan. He has been a Choral Director for fifteen years, including positions at Traverse City Central High School, Judson ISD in San Antonio, Texas; Parchment Schools in Parchment, Michigan; and the Leysin American School in Leysin, Switzerland. Choirs under his direction have toured throughout Michigan, Texas, New York, Salzburg and Vienna and have been invited to perform at State and National Conferences including the Michigan Music Conference, the Michigan Youth Arts Festival, and the ACDA National Convention. Mr. Cobb is currently Director of the Cherry Capital Chorus, the Director of Music at Traverse City Central United Methodist Church, and is active as a guest conductor and clinician. Mr. Cobb is also a composer, often working as a Composer/Conductor in Residence. Mr. Cobb is also a sought after composer and arranger in other mediums and genres.

David Boswell
Director of Choirs, Hillsdale High School

Nate Degner
Mr. Degner has been the Director of Choirs at Flushing High School for the past 15 years. He received his BA in Music Education from Olivet Nazarene University and his Master in Music in Choral Conducting from Michigan State University. He is an active vocal soloist in the Flint area as well as being selected as Michigan High School Male Honors Choir Director in 2007.

Mandy Mikita Scott, M.M. 
Ms. Scott has been the Director of Choirs at Grosse Pointe North High School since 2003, where she directs four choirs and a Vocal Jazz ensemble. Under her direction, Grosse Pointe North has been selected as Michigan State Finalists ensembles in 2004 and 2005, and the choirs consistently receive top division ratings at festival. She received her Bachelors of Music Education from Western Michigan University and her Masters in Choral Conducting from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida. From 2005-2007, she served on the Michigan board of the American Choral Directors Association as the Vocal Jazz Repertoire and Standards chair. She has prepared choirs to sing in the Washington D.C. National Cathedral and Carnegie Hall in New York City. She currently resides in Grosse Pointe with her husband, Jed Scott, a freelance jazz arranger and composer, and her son, Owen.

Sherri Tulloch, M.M.
Sheri Tulloch is in her twelvth year of teaching choral music, currently at Grand Ledge Hayes Middle School. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Alma College and Master of Music in Choral Conducting degree from Michigan State University. Ms. Tulloch's students have performed at Carnegie Hall, Michigan Youth Arts Festival and consistantly at MSVMA State events. In addition to her teaching, Sheri adjudicates, clinics, serves as an accompanist and directs a church choir. She is actively involved in MSMVA and ACDA and serves on the ACDA-MI full board.