Director of Bands and Coordinator of the Instrumental Music Education program, Dr. Benjami...

Director of Bands and Coordinator of the Instrumental Music Education program, Dr. Benjamin James Druffel earned a DMA in Wind Band Conducting from the Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University. As a Wind Conducting Associate, he studied conducting with Dr. Kraig Alan Williams and regularly guest conducted the Wind Ensemble, Symphony Band and Concert Band. His duties also included serving as an instrumental instructor with the Rutgers University Marching Scarlet Knights, leading performances of the Pep Band, and helping prepare the marching band for a pre-game performance at Superbowl XLVIII. Dr. Druffel began his career abroad in Dubai, United Arab Emirates teaching music at an American/International school. Over his six-year tenure, his duties were varied from elementary general music to high school band to the International Baccalaureate Diploma music curriculum. He has also conducted and performed with ensembles in Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the UAE. Prior to his appointment at MSM, Dr. Druffel held positions at McMurry University (TX) and Eastern Illinois University.

Dr. Michael J. Johnson serves as Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Music Education a...

Dr. Michael J. Johnson serves as Director of Choral Activities and Vocal Music Education at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He directs the University & Concert Choirs, teaches a range of choral and music education courses, while also supervising student teachers in the field. Previously, Dr. Johnson conducted choirs and taught conducting classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting with a Composition minor. While at the University of Wisconsin, his doctoral research centered on the modern choral music of social justice. He also holds a Master of Music degree in Conducting from the University of Denver and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Luther College. Dr. Johnson has taught K-12 music and choir in Minnesota and within an array of community, collegiate, and church choirs around the country. Dr. Johnson was the recipient of the 2020 Mullen Prize for composition and took first place in the 2018 ACDA conducting competition in Oklahoma City. He studied with Stefan Parkman as a 2019 Conducting Fellow for the International Choral Conducting Masterclass at Baylor University and was named a 2019 University of Wisconsin-Madison Honored Instructor by his students. He spends his free time biking, composing, and enjoying life with his wife Kelsey, son Shea, daughter Summer, and French bulldog Dot.