Kathie Brekke holds extensive experience in music education and performance as a jazz artist and producer. She holds an M.S. in Music Education with a...

Kathie Brekke holds extensive experience in music education and performance as a jazz artist and producer. She holds an M.S. in Music Education with a jazz emphasis and has directed choirs and vocal jazz ensembles in both high schools and universities across the Fargo-Moorhead area. At MSM, she has taught vocal jazz, class piano, jazz piano, and commercial keyboards. Outside the classroom, Mrs. Brekke is an active performer and leads the 42nd Street Jazz Band, which has played weekly at Fargo’s Delta Hotel for over two decades. Each summer, she produces and performs in a rotating series of musical productions at Jasper’s Theater in Park Rapids, MN where she shares her passion for music and entertainment.

Dr. Jenny Dufault has over thirty years of experience teaching voice, twenty-five of them at MSM, where she has crafted a legacy of students who are p...

Dr. Jenny Dufault has over thirty years of experience teaching voice, twenty-five of them at MSM, where she has crafted a legacy of students who are performers and teachers. Dr. Dufault received her PhD from the University of Minnesota and is a longtime member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing. Most recently, she earned graduate certificates in Contemporary Commercial Music (CCM) vocal pedagogy from Shenandoah University and now coordinates MSM’s Commercial Music degree. Dr. Dufault has taught all levels of students: beginning voice students to young professional performers. She has trained music education majors, music theater majors, music industry majors, vocal performance majors, and commercial music majors. She has performed in dozens of productions over the years, ranging from charity fundraisers and theatre productions to leading roles in professional operas.

Mr. Paul Liversage, Professor of Saxophone and Clarinet, received his M.M. Ed. degree from Florida State University and completed his undergraduate st...

Mr. Paul Liversage, Professor of Saxophone and Clarinet, received his M.M. Ed. degree from Florida State University and completed his undergraduate studies at North Dakota State University. As a music educator, Mr. Liversage taught at Lake Park Audubon (MN) for 36 years, sharing his infectious love for music with countless students during his tenure. He is a frequent clinician, section coach, and guest conductor for programs throughout the region. Mr. Liversage performs regularly with a number of local ensembles including Jazz Avalanche, the Blue Halcyon Jazz Quintet, the FM Kicks Jazz Band, and is a founding member of the Lake Agassiz Wind Symphony where he has performed as both a guest soloist and conductor.

Guitarist Eric Martens has been an active performer and instructor in the Midwest since 2003. He has performed with nationally and internationally ac...

Guitarist Eric Martens has been an active performer and instructor in the Midwest since 2003. He has performed with nationally and internationally acclaimed musicians such as Ignacio Berroa, Will Kennedy, Terri Lynn Carrington, Gregg Bissonette, Rex Richardson, and Phil Woods as well as in master classes hosted by world-renowned groups and musicians including classical guitar virtuoso Christopher Parkening, lutenist Phillip Rukavina, and the Minneapolis Guitar Quartet. In the spring of 2014, Martens recorded with saxophonist Grant Larson and his band in a marathon session lasting over six hours for the album Passages, released on the Dazzle Recordings label. Martens holds degrees in guitar performance from Concordia College and North Dakota State University. He has studied with classical guitarist Mike Coates and jazz guitarists Dan Phillips and Dale Bruning. Martens is a highly sought-after guitarist and session musician in the Fargo/Moorhead music community, where he performs regularly with a number of well-known local groups including Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome, The Carluster Crumplebee Orchestra, Twelve Strings, and Kapeesh.

Doug Neill, Professor of Bass and Low Brass, holds a degree in Music Education from NDSU and a Masters in Music Education from Minnesota State Moorhea...

Doug Neill, Professor of Bass and Low Brass, holds a degree in Music Education from NDSU and a Masters in Music Education from Minnesota State Moorhead. As a member of the Disney World All-American College Band, he shared the stage with various well-known artists such as Bobby Shew, Steve Houghton and Rob McConnell. During that same period, he studied with Sam Pilafian on tuba as part of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute. As a highly respected music educator, Mr. Neill directed band, choir, elementary music, and orchestra programs throughout Minnesota for 34 years, including helping to build one of the largest and most successful school orchestra programs in the country at Moorhead Middle School. Locally, he has performed as a bass player and keyboardist in the Kicks Big Band, the Fargo-Moorhead Jazz Arts Group, the Dick King Band, Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome and virtually every jazz, rock, and orchestral ensemble in the region. Mr. Neill has served as the Principal Tubist with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony since 1981.

Dr. Tom Strait, Professor of Trumpet, trombone and euphonium, has served as director of the award-winning MSM Jazz Ensemble for over 25 years, during ...

Dr. Tom Strait, Professor of Trumpet, trombone and euphonium, has served as director of the award-winning MSM Jazz Ensemble for over 25 years, during which time he also served as the coordinator of the celebrated Commercial Music degree program teaching jazz improvisation, arranging, aural skills, and more. He holds a Doctor of Arts degree in trumpet performance from the University of Northern Colorado, as well as degrees from the University of Texas and Henderson State University (AR). Before coming to MSM, he taught for several years at both the university and public school levels and served in the U.S. Air Force, performing with the USAF Academy Falconaires at the Air Force Academy. In addition to his current duties as Principal Trumpet with the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra and his frequent performances as lead trumpet with famed FM-based funk band Post-Traumatic Funk Syndrome, he is an active freelance performer in the region known for his stylistic versatility, prodigious improvisational skills, and outstanding trumpet range. Dr. Strait is a Yamaha Performing Artist.

Matthew Tinjum started playing drums at the age of five and has performed with artists such as Kris Kristofferson, rock violinist Mark Wood, national ...

Matthew Tinjum started playing drums at the age of five and has performed with artists such as Kris Kristofferson, rock violinist Mark Wood, national touring group 32 Below, and national touring vocal group The Diamonds. He also performed with Act Up Theater’s “Spring Awakening” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the largest performing arts festival in the world. Mr. Tinjum completed his Bachelor of Music at Minnesota State Moorhead where he played for the Straw Hat Players, jazz combos, commercial ensemble, jazz ensemble, guitar ensemble, percussion ensemble, symphony orchestra, and spent plenty of time in the studio. Currently, he is tracking drums and percussion for numerous artists, freelancing gigs with numerous groups, and is touring the nation with singer, songwriter, recording artist, guitarist and fiddler Dan Brekke. Mr. Tinjum currently manages the teaching studio at Drummer’s Journey in Moorhead, MN in addition to his duties as Professor of Drumset at Minnesota State Moorhead.