Because...

This week on Because… we hear part two of the becauses of Matthew Onstad. A Wisconsin native, Dr. Matthew Onstad serves as Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he teaches all things trumpet, coaches chamber music, and performs with the Whitewater Brass Quintet. He has held the position of Principal Trumpet with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra since 2022.W...

Matthew Onstad – Performer/EducatorThis week on Because… we hear part one of the becauses of Matthew Onstad. A Wisconsin native, Dr. Matthew Onstad serves as Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where he teaches all things trumpet, coaches chamber music, and performs with the Whitewater Brass Quintet. He has held the position of Principal Trumpet with the Wisco...

On this week’s episode we hear part 2 of the becauses of Nicolas Propes. Nicolas Propes is an experienced and versatile music educator and conductor, having taught and conducted musicians at all levels from elementary school beginners, to junior high, high school, college, community, and professional ensembles. In 2020, Nicolas was honored to have been presented with the American Prize in Conducti...

On this week’s episode we hear part 1 of the becauses of Nicolas Propes. Nicolas Propes is an experienced and versatile music educator and conductor, having taught and conducted musicians at all levels from elementary school beginners, to junior high, high school, college, community, and professional ensembles. In 2020, Nicolas was honored to have been presented with the American Prize in Conducti...

On this weeks Because… we hear part two of the becauses of Adam Peters. Adam has many irons in the fire and is currently the Director of Operations for Clock, Inc, a LGBTQ+ community center non-profit in the Quad Cities. He previously worked on Senate and Presidential campaigns (Franken, Biden, Buttigieg) in California, Iowa, & Pennsylvania. Adam has acted on shows like ABC’s The Goldbergs, FOX’s...

On this weeks Because… we hear part one of the becauses of Adam Peters. Adam Peters is a freelance show choir clinician, show designer, collaborator, and adjudicator based out of Iowa. For the last fifteen years, Adam has worked in clinic settings with numerous award winning show choirs and adjudicated competitions across the country. Adam is extremely proud of his years as co-director of show cho...

On this weeks Because, we hear part I of the becauses of composer Matthew Jackfert. Matthew is a native of Charleston, WV. He completed his undergraduate Composition degree at West Virginia University as well as his undergraduate Chinese degree. He also finished a Master’s in Composition at the University of Texas in Austin. Jackfert currently works in Charleston, WV as a composer and radio host w...

On this week's Because, we hear part I of the becauses of composer Matthew Jackfert. Matthew is a native of Charleston, WV. He completed his undergraduate Composition degree at West Virginia University as well as his undergraduate Chinese degree. He also finished a Master’s in Composition at the University of Texas in Austin. Jackfert currently works in Charleston, WV as a composer and radio host...

On this episode of Because… we hear the becauses of St. Ambrose University Director of Choral Activities, Nathan Windt. As Director of Choral Activities at St. Ambrose University, Dr. Nathan Windt brings professional choral singing experience with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the May Festival Chorus, the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati, the Camerata Singers of Lake Forest, and numerous church an...

On this episode of Because… we hear the becauses of St. Ambrose University Director of Choral Activities, Nathan Windt. As Director of Choral Activities at St. Ambrose University, Dr. Nathan Windt brings professional choral singing experience with the Chicago Symphony Chorus, the May Festival Chorus, the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati, the Camerata Singers of Lake Forest, and numerous church an...

On this episode of Because… we hear part 2 of the becauses of St. Ambrose University Director of Bands, Nicolas Enz. Nicholas Enz serves as the Director of Bands at St. Ambrose University, where he conducts the Symphonic Band and the Jazz Ensemble and teaches courses in music and music education. Enz is an active guest conductor and clinician with appearances throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes...

On this episode of Because… we hear the becauses of St. Ambrose University Director of Bands, Nicolas Enz. Nicholas Enz serves as the Director of Bands at St. Ambrose University, where he conducts the Symphonic Band and the Jazz Ensemble and teaches courses in music and music education. Enz is an active guest conductor and clinician with appearances throughout the Midwest and Great Lakes region, i...

On this weeks episode of Because… we hear part 2 of the becauses of hornist, Ellen Dinwiddie Smith. Ellen has been a member of the Minnesota Orchestra since 1993 and currently serves as third horn. Smith is Adjunct Professor of Horn at the University of Minnesota and has served as Young-Artist-Program faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music Summerfest. She was the founding Artistic Director of th...

Ellen has been a member of the Minnesota Orchestra since 1993 and currently serves as third horn. Smith is Adjunct Professor of Horn at the University of Minnesota and has served as Young-Artist-Program faculty at the Curtis Institute of Music Summerfest. She was the founding Artistic Director of the Colonial Chamber Series (2006-2017) and organized the Musicians for Tsunami Relief benefit concert...

In this episode of Because, we hear the "becauses" of Quad City Symphony Orchestra Music Director and Conductor, Mark Russell Smith. Mark's story explores the immeasurable impact that his mother had on his musical upbringing. We also go with Mark on his journey from his childhood in Arizona to his collegiate days at the Julliard School and the Curtis Institute of Music and we see how his career as...

On this week’s Because we hear part two of bassoonist and educator, Benjmin Coelho's becauses. Benjamin has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral musician, teacher, and clinician in several countries including the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Panama, Portugal, France, Romania, Australia, Canada, and the Czech Republic. In the United State Mr. Coelho has played with the...

On this week’s Because we hear the becauses of bassoonist and educator, Benjmin Coelho. Benjamin has appeared as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral musician, teacher, and clinician in several countries including the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Panama, Portugal, France, Romania, Australia, Canada, and the Czech Republic. In the United State Mr. Coelho has played with the Waterlo...

On this episode of Because we hear the becauses of cellist, Hannah Holman. Hannah Holman, cellist, joined the New York City Ballet Orchestra at the beginning of the 2012-2013 season. Her career has encompassed orchestral and chamber music, solo performances, and teaching. In a review of the second CD she recorded with pianist Rene Lecuona, Fanfare magazine declares "her tone and technique are the...

On this episode of Because… we hear the because of Theatrical Artist Shelley Cooper. Cooper is currently the Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL . Shelley has performed all over the world for a number of companies such as Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Monroe Symphony, Chicago Summer Opera, Opera Quad Cities, Orlando...

On this episode of Because… we hear the becauses of cartoonist and author, Jason Platt. Jason’s full-length graphic novel series, Middle School Misadventures, has won praise from SLJ and has been on the Texas Library Association’s Little Maverick Reading List. Jason fell in love with cartooning early in his childhood. Drawing early inspiration from Charles M. Schulz (Peanuts), Jim Davis (Garfield)...