Dr. Jennifer LaubenthalJennifer Laubenthal, recently appointed assistant professor of clarinet, is a graduate of The Ohio State University (D.M.A., 2009 and M.M., 2006) and The University of Akron (B.M., 2004). Her primary teachers include James Pyne and Kristina Belisle.
Upon entering graduate study at The Ohio State University, Dr. Laubenthal was awarded the prestigious Graduate Fellowship and The Osburn Fellowship Award. Later in her graduate studies, Dr. Laubenthal served as a graduate assistant to the clarinet studio and music education department. Dr. Jean Wozencraft-OrnellasDr. Jeanie Wozencraft-Ornellas, listed among “2000 Outstanding Musicians of the Twentieth Century,” made her professional debut with the Cleveland Opera in the role of Lauretta in Gianni Schicchi. Since then she has performed recitals, opera and oratorio throughout the United States and abroad. She has twice been regional finalist and award winner in the Metropolitan Opera Auditions, and has won awards with the Charleston Symphony and the National Association of Teachers of Singing.
Jeanie has performed in 12 countries including China, Spain, Venezuela, New Zealand, Greece, Hong Kong, and Indonesia. In addition she has performed numerous benefit concerts to raise money for schools for the handicapped in South America and Micronesia. Reviews have described her voice as “extraordinary” and “sublime” (Jakarta Post). La Estrella of Iquique, Chile labeled Dr. Wozencraft-Ornellas “a soprano with extensive range, with notes lyrical, dramatic and an exceptional agility.” After a recent performance in Santiago, Chile “the audience in the theatre gave ‘la Wozencraft’ a standing ovation, wanting more.” The El Paso Times applauded her “outstanding versatility” calling her artistic instincts “unimpeachable.” Cheryl Pachak-BrooksCheryl Pachak-Brooks, NCTM, (Nationally Certified Teacher of Music) has served on the faculty at Eastern New Mexico University for over 20 years. In addition to teaching studio and class piano, she also teaches Freshman Seminar. She is active as an accompanist for faculty and student recitals. She has adjudicated many festivals and competitions in New Mexico, Texas, and Colorado. Ms. Pachak-Brooks also serves as coordinator for the ENMU Freshman Seminar/Learning Communities program.
She holds a bachelor of music degree in piano performance from Colorado State University – Pueblo and a master of! music degree in piano performance and pedagogy from Eastern New Mexico University. Dr. Mark Dal PortoThe works of Mark Dal Porto have been performed by such ensembles as the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Kiev Chamber Choir, Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra, Kühn Choir of Prague, National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, Oklahoma City University Symphony Orchestra, Pemigewasset Choral Society (Plymouth, NH), Ukraine Wind Symphony, Vanguard Voices and Brass (Dearborn, Michigan), Wichita Falls (Texas) Chamber Orchestra, many University Wind Ensembles, and others. His recorded works available on CD include Galactica for Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Song of Eternity for Orchestra, Song of the Night for Oboe, Voice, and Piano, Spring, the Sweet Spring for Mixed Choir and Piano, and When Your Song Rang Out to Me for Mixed Choir and Piano. Dal Porto serves as Coordinator of Music Theory and Composition at Eastern New Mexico University and can be seen as a frequent guest composer and conductor.
Dr. Joseph P. MissalJoseph P. Missal is Director of Bands and Professor of Music at Oklahoma State University. In this capacity, he conducts the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Chamber Winds and guides all aspects of the OSU Band Program. Dr. Missal also directs the graduate conducting program, teaches undergraduate conducting, and serves as Chairman of the Wind and Percussion Division. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education from Michigan State University, a Master of Music in Wind Conducting from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting from the University of Colorado.
James O'Neil RutlandMr. Neil Rutland (M.M., University of North Texas; B.S., Tennessee Technological University) is an Instructor at Eastern New Mexico University where he teaches percussion and music technology, and directs the percussion ensemble and the steel drum ensembles.
Prior to coming to Portales, Mr. Rutland held faculty appointments at Indiana State University, Southwest Missouri State University, and Tennessee Technological University. He was also a teaching fellow and adjunct instructor in private percussion, percussion methods and percussion ensemble at the University of North Texas. Jonathan BarrM.F.A., Film and Media Arts, Temple University, 2012
B.A., Film and Media Arts, Temple University, 2008 Mr. Barr is a filmmaker from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has worn many hats throughout his career, including restaurant manager, corporate sales representative, and landscape gardener. Mr. Barr returned to school to study filmmaking in his mid-30s and hasn’t looked back since. His work covers the spectrum from conventional narrative to experimental documentary and animation. Regardless of form and style, his work explores themes of power, relationship, and dissent. Mr. Barr believes in film’s potential to reveal truth and incite change. His undergraduate thesis, The Paradigm Shift, was a 26-minute short film shot on Super 16mm. In two years, it has screened in 19 festivals and has won several awards. His latest project, Waiting on Millie, is a short silent comedy in the style of Harold Lloyd. The movie was shot on location in Portales with help from ENMU Communication and Digital Filmmaking (DFM) students. Neil Rutland composed and conducted an original score with sound effects which was performed live at the premiere screening to a packed house in Buchanan Hall in April 2012. Mr. Barr plans to submit the film to festivals and to secure future screenings with live accompaniment of the score. Mr. Barr is a full-time instructor in the ENMU DFM program and occasionally teaches courses in editing, directing, and production in the Department of Communication. Dr. Stephen GambleDr. Gamble served as a former ENMU University President.
Dr. Gamble is known for always supporting the band no matter what. He attended all performances and continues his support the program despite being retired and no longer affiliated with ENMU. Malikah RashidMalikah Rashid
Malikah is a former graduate student in Archeology. She is always willing to help out with the band in any way possible, even after her graduation. Malikah also took up playing clarinet for concert season, seeing as she was a member of the ENMU color guard for the Greyhound Sound. As an Honorary member, Malikah has shown up to several of our events and comes to chapter meetings when she can. Mr. Dustin SeifertDustin D. Seifert, a native of Lancaster, Ohio, is Chair of the Department of Music and Director of Bands at Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU). Mr. Seifert received the B.M.Ed., summa cum laude, from The University of Akron and the M.M.Ed. with an emphasis in instrumental conducting from the University of Illinois where he was the recipient of the Guy M. Duker Award. His mentors include Richard L. Cass, Michael R. Golemo, Robert D. Jorgensen, Tucker R. Jolly, James F. Keene, Gary E. Smith, Mark E. Moore, and Deborah A. Confredo.
In addition to his administrative duties as Chair of the Department of Music, Mr. Seifert is also responsible for the operation and organization of a comprehensive undergraduate instrumental program. Dustin conducts the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Greyhound Sound Marching Band, and teaches applied euphonium and tuba. Mr. Seifert leads courses in low brass teaching techniques, techniques of marching band, band and wind ensemble history and repertoire, secondary instrumental methods, and beginning and advanced conducting. The ENMU Bands offer several important outreach events annually including the Green and Silver Classic Marching Band Festival, Hound For A Day marching band immersion event for high school students, and the ENMU Band Director Workshop - "The New Mexico Thing". Widely honored as a Music Educator and conductor, Mr. Seifert received the "Spirit of Eastern Award" in 2004 acknowledging outstanding contributions, dedication and loyalty to ENMU over a sustained period. He was the 2005 recipient of ENMU's Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching. Dustin has been recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus in Music Education by The University of Akron School of Music and as Music Educator of the Year by the New Mexico Music Educators Association. Patrice CaldwellKathi FrazeMarea SmithKari LemkeMrs. Lemke has been blessed by working with students for the last 22 years. She had the opportunity to assist her husband with youth ministry starting in 1996. They worked with students’ 7th – 12th grade. When she graduated from college in 1998 she began teaching and loved every grade she taught; Kindergarten, 2nd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th. Several years later Mrs. Lemke moved into an Instructional Coaching position and worked directly with teachers to improve their instruction in the classroom. This position cultivated a desire to make a difference at the administrative level. She enjoyed several years as a principal. Her position now allows her to help shape future educators and encourage their growth as professionals.
Jennifer SalomonJennifer Salomon was born and raised in Portales, NM. There she attended Eastern New Mexico University completing her bachelor’s in Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations and minor in Graphic Design. She is currently the Department of Music secretary as she completes her master’s degree in Communication. Jennifer was a member of the ENMU bands performing in symphonic band, wind symphony and the Greyhound Sound Marching band where she was drum major for two years.
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Kayla LiechtyKayla Liechty is Vocal Coach and Accompanist at Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), where she coaches voice students and accompanies students, faculty, guest artists and choirs. Prior to coming to ENMU, she was a full-time accompanist and coach at the University of Oklahoma, where she collaborated with faculty, students, and guest artists in lessons, master classes, and recitals.
As a member of the Stetson University School of Music faculty in DeLand, FL, from 1993-2003, she served as both Director of Accompanying and director of the Stetson Singers. Ms. Liechty received a Bachelor of Music Education degree in piano from Stetson University and a Master of Music degree in Accompanying and Piano Pedagogy from Florida State University. Dr. Michael EllzeyMichael Ellzey, Assistant Professor of trumpet, holds an undergraduate and doctorate of musical arts degree in trumpet performance from The University of Southern Mississippi, and a master of music degree in trumpet performance from the University of Akron. Dr. Ellzey also holds a doctorate minor in the secondary area of music theory and is also certified to teach grades K-12.
His major teachers include Mr. Allan E. Cox currently at Vanderbilt University, Dr. Joel Treybig currently at Belmont University, Mr. Scott Johnston at the University of Akron, and most recently with Dr. Reese Land currently at Cambpellsville University. Dr. Tracy CarrOboist Dr. Tracy Carr, a founding member of Trio Encantada, is active as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral musician, clinician and adjudicator. Recent performances, presentations, and master classes include venues in New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Nevada, Iowa, Missouri, Georgia, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Her international performance and presentation venues include the International Double Reed Society International Conference in Greensboro, N.C., and Austin, Texas; the College Music Society International Conference in Muelle, Costa Rica, and Madrid, Spain; the Hawaii International Arts and Humanities Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii; and conservatories in Chengdu, China.
Dr. John OlsenDr. John Olsen, Chair of the Department of Music and Professor of Piano has performed extensively throughout the United States and Europe as both soloist and chamber musician.
With links to the great Russian romantic school of pianism, Dr. Olsen has studied and coached with Daniel Pollack, Robert Goldsand, Constance Keene and Rosina Lhevinne. He holds degrees from the Hartt School of Music, the Manhattan School of Music and the University of Southern California. In great demand, as an adjudicator and clinician, John Olsen has recently adjudicated competitions in Utah, California, Texas, Montana, Washington, Arizona and New Mexico. He has been on the piano faculty at Eastern New Mexico University since 1989. Dr. Christopher BeatyChris Beaty joined the faculty at Eastern New Mexico University in August, 2000. He directed the Jazz Studies Program and taught applied saxophone. He also taught courses for non-music majors including Jazz History, Music Appreciation and Music Reading. Upon his arrival, Dr. Beaty formed the Faculty Jazz Players and instituted an annual Jazz Fest on the Eastern Campus, which still continues today.
He is involved with the North American Saxophone Alliance and the International Association of Jazz Educators. Throughout our region, Dr. Beaty is known for his performances in both the classical and jazz mediums. Dr. Benjamin FairfieldDr. Benjamin Fairfield, originally from Staunton, Va., got his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in trumpet performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music and a freelance performing artist. He holds a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance from the University of Miami Frost School of Music, and a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from James Madison University.
His principal teachers include Craig Morris, Gilbert Johnson, and James Kluesner. He has also studied with Philip Smith, Michael Sachs, and Chris Gekker. He has taught at Auburn University and the University of Miami, and was a member of the United States Continental Army Band at Ft. Monroe, Va. He has performed with the Florida Philharmonic, Miami Symphony Orchestra, Naples Philharmonic, Virginia Symphony, Roanoke Symphony, the Florida Grand Opera, the Miami City Ballet and the Miami Bach Society. He has also performed at the conferences of the International Trumpet Guild, the American Bandmasters Association, the Virginia Music Educators Association and in many of the nation's leading concert halls including Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. Dr. Richard SchwartzDr. Schwartz is the Assistant professor of saxophone as well as the Jazz band director. He's an Honorary of another Kappa Kappa Psi Chapter as
well. Dr. Schwartz was Nominated for a Grammy award because of his tuning CD that he created for his private lesson students to use. Dr. Jeff Long
Dr. Long is our Vice President of Student Affairs. Dr. Long is always willing to help students when they are struggling. He creates ways for students to still be successful even if they are having a hard time. Dr. Kathleen WagnerDr. Wagner is one of our secondary Education teachers. She is very supportive of our ENMU band program. She attends as many of our performances as she can, and if a student needs to miss class for band she is very understanding of that and will help to keep the student caught up on work that they have missed.
Don ThomasDon is the head Pastor at Central Christian Church in Portales. Don is also the announcer for our University football games, and sometimes out basket ball games as well. Don also plays guitar and is a huge supporter of music education. Along with formerly announcing for our Games Don also announced the band and their marching show each halftime. He also acknowledged the Greyhound Sound at every game that he attended.
Meredith SeifertDr. James ConstantopoulusFranklin SmithKen MillerKen Miller is a native of Texas and has degrees from Hardin-Simmons University and The University of Texas at Austin. He has served as high school choral director in Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico and on the faculties of McMurry University, New Mexico State University – Carlsbad, and, most recently, as Interim Director of Choral Activities at Eastern New Mexico University during the 2018 spring semester.
Ken and his wife, Lisa, spent four years teaching at the International School of Düsseldorf, Germany. While in Europe, Ken had the opportunity to study, tour, and perform with several leading conductors and performers. For the past fourteen years, Ken taught at Carlsbad High School, where, in a span of eight years between 2008 and 2015, the CHS Troubadours were back-to-back NM State Champions (2012&2013), Runners Up twice, and Third Place three times at the NMAA State 6-A Contest. Ken has served as adjudicator for concert and sight-reading contests in Texas, Oklahoma and every district in New Mexico. He has frequently been a clinician for honor choirs and church choirs. In 1994, Ken was invited to present the keynote workshop for the Oklahoma Choral Directors Association which focused on strategies for teaching the language of music to students in choirs. Since then, Ken has presented seminars and master class presentations for ENMU, UNM and NMMEA State Conferences in 2015 & 2017. He has been asked to present again at the 2019 NMMEA Conference. Ken currently serves as President of the New Mexico Chapter of the American Choral Director’s Association. Lisa is an outstanding elementary music teacher and a fine pianist and musician in her own right. Ken and Lisa are the proud parents of four sons, Austin, Joshua, Daniel and Andrew. Melissa Ziolkowski-BrozDr. Sidney E. ShulerDr. Pamela ShulerDraco Miller |